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McCain's campaign keeps lips zipped on VP pick

BY TOM BRUNE | tom.brune@newsday.com

August 29, 2008

DAYTON, Ohio - John McCain is expected to celebrate his 72nd birthday at a midday rally here today by announcing his running mate - and Republicans are bracing themselves.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, primary runner-up Mitt Romney, former Homeland Security chief Tom Ridge and even Sen. Joe Lieberman top the list in speculation, but the McCain campaign remained tight-lipped yesterday.

The McCain campaign stole some attention from the final day of the Democratic Convention by building suspense around the selection process, with reports that Pawlenty had canceled media interviews and Romney family houses were swept for security.

But whoever wins the GOP veepstakes will inevitably face some criticism. Just as voters splintered in the GOP primaries this year, Republicans have failed to coalesce around any of the potential running mates.

And they are deeply split on Ridge and Lieberman because they back abortion rights. Pawlenty and Romney both say they're anti-abortion.

"I'd say it's a tossup between Pawlenty and Romney," said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College in California.

Pawlenty, 47, a little-known conservative two-term GOP governor in a possible swing state, would be a safe choice for McCain, some analysts said. Pawlenty, whose mother died when he was 16 and whose father was a truck driver, would give the GOP ticket a compelling story for blue-collar workers uneasy with Democratic nominee Barack Obama.

He brings executive experience as a two-term governor, but scant international experience. Some worry about his untested skills in a debate with Obama's seasoned running mate, Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.).

Romney, 61, the former Massachusetts governor, would shore up McCain in his weakest area: the economy. He also would bring energy and fund-raising skills. He is battle-tested in the primary debates.

But Romney's wealth would play into the Democrats' plans to paint the Republicans as favoring the rich, and he has little international experience.

Ridge, 63, a Vietnam vet and former governor of Pennsylvania, has credentials on national security and as a chief executive of a state. But his stand on abortion holds him back.

Lieberman, 68, the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee who left his party over its stance on Iraq, has as many backers as detractors in the GOP. His selection would signal a bipartisan campaign to independents and Reagan Democrats. But some conservatives warn of a floor fight over his abortion support.