Presidential hopefuls dodge VP issue

Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain have dodged questions about their looming vice-presidential choices.

Mr Obama ignored questions from reporters about his potential running mate during a tour of the battleground state of Virginia, home to one of his possible choices, Governor Tim Kaine.

"How long did it take you to think up that question?" Senator Obama said during a stop at a farm market in North Carolina when a reporter asked if he was still shopping for a vice-president as speculation hits fever pitch.

Some insiders have speculated that Mr Obama could select the person he hopes to become vice president as early as this week.

In the wake of the military conflict between Russia and Georgia, and the ongoing war in Iraq, the focus has shifted to potential candidates with extensive foreign policy credentials.

Darrell West of the Brookings Instiitute said: "One of the major planks of the Republican attack on Obama is going to be his lack of foreign policy experience.

"And so I think he needs somebody who can be very strong in defending the Obama ticket, in appearing in that vice presidential debate and putting the strongest voice forward for the Democratic ticket."

Candidates in the running include Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, Delaware Senator Joe Biden and Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, who accompanied Mr Obama on his recent trip overseas.

Senator McCain was asked by a voter at a town hall meeting in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and on a conservative talk radio show 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," Mr McCain said in New Mexico.

However, he admitted he is having a hard time making a choice.

Senator 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.

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