Looking for running mates

Washington - Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are taking quiet steps to choose their running mates, fresh signs that the presidential race is rapidly moving toward their general election matchup and the race for the Democratic nomination is over.

McCain has a head-start in the vice-presidential search, with Obama still fighting off a persistent long-shot opponent in Hillary Clinton. While the Republican candidate will be getting better acquainted with three potential picks during a weekend gathering at his home, Obama's team is in the early stages of compiling background information on possible running mates.

Democratic officials said Obama's campaign is quietly scouting for a running mate, with former Fannie Mae CEO Jim Johnson overseeing the early vetting, which allows for a quick start. Johnson won't be starting from scratch, since he did the same job for Democratic nominees John Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in 1984.

Many of the people Johnson vetted for Kerry will be likely candidates for Obama's consideration. Those names included Hillary Clinton, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, anti-war Senator Chuck Hagel and Kerry's eventual choice of former Senator John Edwards.

Premature

Obama refused to acknowledge the role of Johnson, one of his top fundraisers, when The Associated Press asked the Illinois senator about it in the Capitol on Thursday. Obama said he hasn't hired Johnson, whom he called a friend. "I am not commenting on vice-presidential matters because I have not won this nomination," Obama said.

The Democratic officials who revealed Johnson's role spoke on a condition of anonymity because Obama has insisted that the process be kept quiet.

Clinton spokesperson Howard Wolfson said Obama's vice-presidential selection process "is clearly premature in that he is not yet the nominee." He also said the Clinton campaign didn't have a similar process under way and there had been no discussions with the Obama campaign about her becoming Obama's No. 2.

Some Democrats are calling on Obama to pick Clinton as his vice-president.

Obama leads Clinton in the delegate count and it is virtually impossible for her to catch up with only three primaries remaining.

Republicans at 'embryonic stages'

On the Republican side, the vice-presidential speculation about McCain has been going on for months, fuelled in part by the candidate himself. Last month, he told reporters he was in the "embryonic stages" of the search with a list of about 20 names.

This weekend McCain is hosting at least three Republicans mentioned as potential vice presidential running mates at his Sedona, Arizona, home - Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

A top aide said it's a social event with more than two dozen guests not meant for vice-presidential vetting, but the socialising is a prime opportunity for would-be running mates.

- AP