McCain May Announce VP This Week

'Maverick’ was always top pick: Mac camp

(NEWSER) - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was a strong contender to be John McCain's running mate all along, his campaign has revealed. Looking to diffuse speculation that Palin was a hasty, last-minute choice, aides told the Washington Post that she was high on McCain’s list since their first meeting in February. Advisers also divulged that Cindy McCain played a major role in the veepstakes. More»

42-year-old first-termer is first woman to serve on top GOP ticket

(NEWSER) - John McCain has chosen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his VP choice, NBC reports; McCain is expected to make the announcement at a rally in Ohio at noon today. Palin is a socially conservative mother of five who is both the state’s first woman governor and, at 42, its youngest. More»

But Romney still likely pick over pro-choicer

(NEWSER) - Decorated general and former secretary of state Colin Powell might add another title to his resume, reports Politico, citing a McCain adviser who says his candidate's failure to rule out a running mate who supports abortion rights points to Powell as a possible pick. But Mitt Romney—whose father was a Michigan governor—is still a more likely choice if McCain decides a win in the state is crucial. More»

Senator considers do-no-harm and shake-things-up approaches: Kristol

(NEWSER) - John McCain’s campaign is divided when it comes to a running mate, and William Kristol speculates in the New York Times about the four strategies being discussed:

• Defeat Obama straight up—If McCain thinks he’s winning, he’ll pick a “do no harm” widely-liked, uncontroversial running mate, like Tim Pawlenty or Rob Portman.
• Accentuate Obama's inexperience—Here McCain would pick a tested governor, like Mitt Romney or Tom Ridge. McCain likes Ridge more, but the ex-Pennsylvania governor is pro-choice.

Political mag lists longshot candidates that strangely work

(NEWSER) - Nancy Pelosi suggested an unlikely vice-presidential candidate for Barack Obama this week, and got Politico's editors thinking—who are the best longshot candidates for both parties? They called up political analysts and drummed up seven names that are "unconventional" but "reasonably viable." Bill Gates topped the list for his business smarts, something John McCain needs—but Gates apparently leans Democrat these days. More»