McCain Hosting Potential Running Mates at a Weekend Barbecue

By Edwin Chen

May 21 (Bloomberg) -- John McCain is hosting a weekend barbecue at his Arizona ranch that includes several Republican officeholders being mentioned as his potential running mate, campaign aides said.

Among the guests are Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a one-time McCain rival for the Republican presidential nomination; South Carolina Senator Lindsay Graham, and Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, according to aides who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

``It's just social,'' Mark Salter, a top McCain confidant, said of the event. ``There's no connection to the vice presidential process.''

About 10 couples are expected to attend, Salter said.

Campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds also played down speculation that Arizona Senator McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is holding auditions or narrowing his list of potential running mates.

``We don't discuss the v.p. selection process,'' he said.

``Certainly Senator McCain has hosted barbecues at his house before. All the attendees are social friends of John McCain's,'' Bounds said. ``This isn't the first occasion of this type.''

Jindal's office confirmed his visit.

``The governor looks forward to joining Senator McCain and his other guests this weekend,'' Melissa Sellers, Jindal's press secretary, said in a statement.

McCain plans to campaign in California tomorrow before returning to his Sedona, Arizona, home for the weekend. On May 23, his campaign is scheduled to release his medical records.

To contact the reporter on this story: Edwin Chen in Washington at echen32@bloomberg.net .

Last Updated: May 21, 2008 21:38 EDT

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