By Kristen A. Lee
With Mitt Romney back in the U.S., the chattering classes are turning their attention to the next milestone in the general election race: the unveiling of the Republican candidate’s running mate.
Politicos are circling August 10 on their calendars, when CNN reports Romney will roll out on a four-day bus tour of key swing states. The tentative schedule includes stops in Virginia, North Carolina and Florida. The campaign is also looking at possible stops in Ohio, CNN said.
It has been widely noted that the bus tour could potentially serve as his running mate’s introduction to voters and provide a surge of buzz to carry over to the Republican National Convention, which starts August 27.
Who is the running mate of Romney. By Charles Dharapak
An ABC News reporter, meanwhile, reported the Romney campaign has told at least two potential running mates to remain on stand-by for an announcement at any point.
ABC said the Romney campaign did not disclose the top two candidates, but the first mentioned on nearly all short lists are Ohio Sen. Rob Portman and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. Longer shots, but considered still in the running, are Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, N.H. Sen. Kelly Ayotte and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio.
The Romney campaign unveiled on Tuesday a new smartphone app that it will use to announce his selection – whenever that may come.
On Thursday, the candidate is holding a campaign event at a fairgrounds outside Denver Colorado, before heading to the western part of the state for an event with Republican governors.
Source: NY Daily News
