VP Watch

Most of the Republicans I have talked to in the last week seem to think Mitt Romney is the most likely choice as John McCain's running mate.

They cite his popularity with conservatives (some of which surely comes from his position as the anti-McCain in the primaries), his possible appeal in Michigan (where his father was governor) and western state currency that stems from his Mormon faith and his role in managing the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002.

Romney's detractors note that he has been on multiple sides of a lot of public policy issues, couldn't beat a foe in McCain who was unpopular with GOP activists and reinforces the new theme that McCain is out of touch because of his family's wealth.

He'll be in Denver tomorrow to throw rhetorical tomatoes at the Democratic convention, which might be an odd role for someone who is about to make the argument that he should be a heartbeat away from the Oval Office.

Conservative columnist William Kristol made the pitch for Joe Lieberman in today's New York Times, making the case that he broadens the ticket's appeal beyond the traditional Democratic Republican split, gives disaffected Clinton voters an option, and could keep conservatives on board because McCain-Lieberman is still better for them than Obama-Biden.

Then there are the governors. The thinking goes that having someone who isn't a Washington insider on the ticket would match up well against a Democratic senator-senator lineup of Obama and Biden.

Democratic gains in governors' mansions have narrowed that field. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who talks about "Sam's Club" Republicans and claims blue-collar roots, has gotten puh-lenty of play. Govs. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Sarah Palin of Alaska and Charlie Crist of Florida are getting mention too.

Finally, there's the field of former Bush administration officials, who offer high-level executive experience but make it easier to tie McCain to Bush. Tom Ridge, the former Pennsylvania governor and Homeland Security chief, and Ohio's Rob Portman, who headed trade efforts and the White House budget office for short stints, top that list. Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice pop up in conversation and print as potential running mates from time to time.

Many Republicans say McCain is likely to go with his instincts, which could mean just about anyone.