Obama and McCain dodge questions on No. 2
Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain dodged questions about their looming vice presidential picks on Wednesday as they renewed their battle over who has the best judgment on national security and the economy.
Proposed Pakistan coalition could oust MusharrafObama ignored questions from reporters about his choice on a day he toured the battleground state of Virginia, home to one of the finalists in his running mate hunt, Gov. Tim Kaine.
"No hints. No new hints," Obama said during a stop at a farm market in North Carolina.
McCain was asked by a voter at a town hall meeting in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and on a conservative talk radio program whether he would pick a running mate who favours abortion rights.
The Arizona senator, an abortion rights opponent, sparked conservative alarm last week when he said he would not rule out abortion rights supporter Tom Ridge, the former Pennsylvania governor, as his No. 2.
"I will nominate a person to be vice president, my running mate, who shares my principles, my values and my priorities and that's what I can tell you," McCain said in New Mexico.
He also told talk show host Laura Ingraham he was having a hard time making a choice. McCain has scheduled a large rally in Ohio on August 29, his 72nd birthday and the day after the Democratic convention ends, amid reports he will unveil his choice that day.
"There's already been things out there in the media, 'he's already made up his mind, he's going to announce on such and such a day,'" McCain said.
"I have not made the decision and we're in the process, and if I say anything more than that I guarantee you there's going to be another one of these firestorms. Obviously we're going to be announcing soon because we have no choice, but I've got to tell you it's one of the toughest things I've ever done."
History has shown the choice of a running mate is unlikely to have a major impact on the November 4 election between Obama and McCain, but along with the upcoming conventions the choices give both candidates a chance for the political spotlight.
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