2012 Presidential Election, Veepstakes | featured news

A spokesman for the National Guard Association of the United States told The State that Michael Haley may be the first spouse of a sitting governor to be deployed into a combat zone. Nikki Haley, 40, is a Republican who assumed office in 2011. She has been discussed as a potential vice presidential pick for Mitt Romney and hit the campaign trail days ago for the presumptive GOP nominee.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney says it was a mistake for Republican Sen. John McCain to pick Sarah Palin as his vice presidential nominee. Cheney says he liked Palin, but that she didn't pass the test of being ready to be president and that McCain's campaign didn't handle the vetting process well.

The veepstakes are heating up again, as top Republicans weigh in on their personal favorites to be Mitt Romney's running mate. House Speaker John Boehner voiced his approval for Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, his home-state colleague, during an interview last night with Fox News.

Mitt Romney's strategist says no decision has been made about a running mate, but two top aides were named today to help shepherd the Republican's vice presidential pick. Kevin Sheridan, a former spokesman for the Republican Party, was named communications director for the vice presidential candidate. Randy Bumps, a former political director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, will serve as director of operations.

As Mitt Romney prepares to unveil his vice-presidential selection, interviews with those inside and outside the campaign offered a glimpse into the scope of the three-month process.

Mitt Romney has embraced Tim Pawlenty, seeking his advice about running against President Obama and dispatching him to Republican events on his behalf.

As a presidential hopeful, Tim Pawlenty won respect among GOP insiders, social conservatives and the tea party movement. Far from the first love of any faction, he quickly washed out as a candidate. Almost a year after he abandoned his White House bid, Pawlenty's reputation as being suitable but not a standout is actually fueling the speculation that the former Minnesota governor is a serious contender in Republican Mitt Romney's search for a running mate.

Leaks are springing. Trial balloons are floating. Egos are being stroked. Wanna-bes are auditioning. And, chances are, lies are being told... Why did Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire walk in a July Fourth parade with Romney? Why did Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota turn up in Ohio and Pennsylvania during President Barack Obama's Midwest bus trip? Why did Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio write a Cleveland newspaper column criticizing the president's policies just as Obama headed for the state?

Mitt Romney's wife has confirmed a tidbit about the vice presidential search process her husband largely has been keeping secret: He's considering choosing a woman. "We've been looking at that, and I love that option as well," Ann Romney told CBS News in a joint interview with her husband that was broadcast Thursday. She added: "There's a lot of people that Mitt is considering right now."

Condoleezza Rice is not interested in being Mitt Romney's running mate. In an interview with "CBS This Morning," the former secretary of state said, "There is no way that I will do this," when asked if she would accept a position as the No. 2 on this year's Republican presidential ticket.