Sen. John McCain is set to meet with at least three potential running mates at a gathering at his ranch this weekend in Arizona, suggesting that he is stepping up his search for a vice presidential candidate as the Democratic contest heads toward a conclusion, according to Republicans familiar with McCain's plans.
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a onetime rival for the GOP nomination, have all accepted invitations to visit McCain at his ranch in Sedona, Republicans said.
After a week of campaigning, McCain, R-Ariz., is heading home tomorrow for three days without a public schedule. His campaign described this as a social weekend that would include 10 couples, and – as has been its policy – declined to discuss any aspect of the vice presidential search.
“We don't talk about the V.P. selection process,” said Steve Schmidt, a senior adviser.
Some of McCain's associates said yesterday that the weekend would give the Republican nominee-in-waiting a chance to get to know some of his potential running mates in a social context. McCain is known as a social and gregarious candidate, and his associates said personal chemistry would be a crucial consideration.
The identities of the potential running mates are not a surprise. The timing – coming as Illinois Sen. Barack Obama appears to have all but nailed down the Democratic nomination – suggested a new focus on a selection process that several Republicans said could prove critical to McCain's success in this tough environment.
McCain himself has said his choice of a running mate would draw particular scrutiny from voters given his age; he is now 71, or “as old as dirt,” as he likes to joke, while quickly adding that he is in good health.
Romney, 61, dropped out of the GOP convention delegate race in February. Romney's MBA skills and business background – including running the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games – could address concerns about McCain's ability to manage a struggling economy.
Crist, 51, provided a major boost to McCain before Florida's Jan. 29 primary with a well-timed endorsement. Elected governor in 2006, he has been seen as a moderate Republican.
Jindal, 36, son of Indian immigrants, was elected governor of Louisiana in October 2007, three years after being elected to the House, where he was credited with playing an important role as his state recovered from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The Sedona meeting, which was not disclosed publicly, is taking place on a weekend after McCain releases his health records. The release of those records tomorrow is itself a high-profile event that could – by design or not – draw attention away from the gathering.
Among the other potential running mates are Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, and Rob Portman, the former director of the Office of Management and Budget who had been an Ohio congressman.
McCain said this month that he had assembled a list of about 20 potential running mates. He said he had not decided when he would make a decision.
