McCain May Pick VP Before Beijing

Now mullet-free, Minn. governor has been all over cable news on McCain's behalf

(NEWSER) - Tim Pawlenty's got plenty on his resume to get him on John McCain’s VP radar. He’s the governor of a key battleground state, a smooth campaigner, and an active GOP player who’s been working hard for McCain. But here’s the proof Minnesota's governor really wants the job, says Salon: He cut his hair. After two terms of steadfastly sporting a mullet in the face of widespread mockery, Pawlenty now sports a trim vice-presidential ‘do. More»

Er, barbecue guests

(NEWSER) - John McCain may claim he’s just having Bobby Jindal, Charlie Crist, and Mitt Romney over for a barbecue this weekend, but it’s pretty clear the GOP’s presumptive nominee is really scouting VP candidates. So Politico ran down the merits of each potential ticket filler:

• Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is young, ethnic, and extremely accomplished, especially in domestic policy, a McCain weak spot. But would the 36-year-old make McCain look too old?

'Conservative, rock-n-roll' Pawlenty has been staunch ally

(NEWSER) - Maybe John McCain “has not spent one second thinking about a running mate,” as one adviser insists, but when he does, many observers expect his attention to turn to Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. “He’s a conservative, rock-n-roll Republican and is counterintuitive to the party stereotype,” gushed one political hand. He also remained loyal even when McCain looked finished. More»

'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»