McCain guest list raises veep questions

CLEVELAND – The Memorial Day weekend guest list at Sen. John McCain’s Arizona retreat runs to at least three Republicans mentioned as potential vice presidential running mates, but a top aide said Wednesday that vetting possible veeps is not on the agenda.

“It’s purely social,” said Mark Salter, an adviser to McCain.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a McCain rival in the primary, were invited to a weekend gathering at the senator’s place in Sedona.

They were among the estimated two dozen people invited. McCain often hosts friends and political acquaintances at his compound.

The Republican nominee-in-waiting said more than a month ago that he was in the “embryonic stages” of selecting a running mate for the fall campaign, but neither he nor aides have disclosed additional information in the weeks since.

It will be the first visit to Sedona, Ariz., for all three.

Romney dropped out of the race in February after it became apparent it would be near impossible to topple McCain in the convention delegate race. He endorsed McCain a week later and pledged to help him win the nomination.

Romney has suggested that he’d accept a vice presidential slot, though some Republicans privately speculate that he’s looking ahead to a possible repeat run in 2012.