Mitt Romney

Reports say John McCain will distance himself from Hank Paulson's bailout plan today.  Various reports say McCain will issue an outline to his own plan which gives Paulson less power and appoints an advisory oversight board that would include members such as Mitt Romney (R), Warren Buffett (D) and Mike Bloomberg (I).  It will be interesting to see if McCain allies in the state such as Congressman John Shadegg will support a McCain plan or the original Paulson plan.  

Last night we went to bed under the impression that Tim Pawlenty was the likely running mate for John McCain while Mitt Romney was still a possibility too.  One thing Inside Edge was told is it would be a “safe pick.”  This morning we wake up and the impression is Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is the pick.  But could this all be just for media attention.  Maybe we need to look at yesterdays report where McCain backer Sid Rosen said Meg Whittman was the choice.  While there is no way that could be considered a “safe pick” it can’t be ruled out.

Speculation continues that John McCain will announce either former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney or current Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty tomorrow as his running mate.  McCain’s people seem to be telling others the choice is a safe and traditional choice.  But will that choice cost McCain a few bucks?

Earlier today the Arizona Republic reported McCain fundraiser Sid Rosen was betting on the choice being Ebay head Meg Whitman.  Rosen was so convinced he told donors he has been working on raising money from that he would not ask for another donation if the choice was not Whitman. 

Either Rosen had a real good reason to think it would be Whitman, or he may have been just looking for an out. 

Check back tomorrow morning to view my sketchpad for day three of the Democratic National Convention, and go to my national blog to follow convention coverage by cartoonists from around the country.

DENVER -- On the list of high-profile pols one would not expect to see at the Democratic National Committee, former Massachusetts governor, recent Republican presidential candidate and possible vice presidential nominee Mitt Romney may be at the bottom.

Yet Romney showed up, striding confidently through Democratic delegates and the national press corps at Denver's Pepsi Center, surrounded by a small contingent of aides and beaming at shocked onlookers.

While he remained mum on whether or not he will join Arizona senator John McCain (R-Phoenix) on the GOP ticket, he did reveal the purpose of his visit.

"Just having a little fun," he told PolitickerAZ.com.

Has Sen. John McCain invited you to Sedona this weekend?  If not, then you probably did not make the first cut of short list candidates for the veep gig.  McCain will be hosting Mitt Romney, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and Florida Governor Charlie Crist at his Sedona cabin this weekend.  The informal meetings are more than likely just an opportunity for some short list candidates and the presumptive nominee to spend some time with each other to see if they can get along.  Kind of like a trial move-in before you propose to make sure you can live together. 

Leaders of the Democratic parties of several Western states held a conference call today to discuss what they see as Sen. John McCain's vulnerability in the traditionally Republican Rocky Mountain region, including Arizona. 

With Mitt Romney throwing his 286 delegates behind Sen. John McCain today, the Republican presidential frontrunner is now a mere 78 delegates shy of clinching the nomination.

However, his rival Mike Huckabee, who must win somewhere around 98% of the remaining delegates to take the nomination from McCain, has vowed to stay in the fight until the race is officially over.  read more »