McCain Asked To Undergo Background Check

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, July 31) -- Sen. John McCain was contacted today by GOP presidential candidate Robert Dole to see if the Republican Arizona senator would agree to being considered for the vice presidential nomination, CNN has learned.

"Bob Dole called me today to ask me if I would consent to a background check and interview for consideration as his running mate," McCain told CNN's Gene Randall. "I agreed. I am of course very flattered that a man of Sen. Dole's calibre would even consider me for such an honor."

"The Republican party is fortunate to have a great many outstanding men and women who would make excellent vice presidents," McCain said. "I continue to believe that there are any number of Republicans better suited and more qualified to be his running mate than am I, but as I have always told Bob, I will do anything I can to help elect him president in November and return to this country the kind of leadership we need and deserve."

McCain was national campaign chairman for Texas Sen. Phil Gramm's presidential bid, but endorsed Dole shortly after Gramm got out of the race just before the New Hampshire primary. McCain, a prisoner of war in Vietnam, has been an outspoken supporter of Dole since joining the former Senate Majority Leader's presidential team.

Dole's vice presidential list is growing. On Tuesday, Florida Sen. Connie Mack was contacted by the Dole campaign and asked to submit a questionnaire. Also under consideration are Governors Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin, John Engler of Michigan, George Voinovich of Ohio, Jim Edgar of Illinois and Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania, as well as former South Carolina Governor Carroll Campbell and Oklahoma Sen. Don Nickles.

McCain Asked To Undergo Background Check

Related Stories: