McCain vets possible running mate

Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s campaign has asked for the personal documents of a potential running mate, it was reported today.

Eric Cantor, 45, the chief deputy minority whip in the House of Representatives, has been mentioned among several Republicans as a possible running mate for Mr McCain.

A Republican source said Mr Cantor has been asked to hand over some documents, but did not know specifically what records were sought.

It is believed the handover of documents could be part of the vetting process of a potential candidate.

Mr Cantor is Jewish and is among Israel’s most avid congressional supporters. His addition to the ticket could help the Republicans win over Jewish votes this year in key battleground states such as Florida. If Mr McCain wins, Cantor would become the first Jewish vice president.

Mr Cantor also would provide youth to the ticket as McCain turns 72 later this month.

Mr Cantor through a spokesman declined to comment, while Mr McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said the campaign would have “no comment on anything related to the vice presidential issue.”

With just weeks till the national conventions, Mr McCain and Democratic Senator Barack Obama have knuckled down in their search for vice presidential candidates.

Mr Cantor has strong support among the party’s conservatives, perhaps comforting a segment of the Republican base that has been reluctant to embrace Mr McCain, who has often been at odds with members of his own party on several issues, including a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, federal funds for embryonic stem cell research and campaign finance reform.

Among others believed to be getting close looks from Mr McCain: Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Ohio Representative Rob Portman.

Mr Cantor’s drawback is his obscurity despite his leadership position in the House.

Senator Joseph Lieberman became the first Jewish candidate on a major US party presidential ticket in 2000 when Democrat Al Gore chose him as his vice presidential running mate. Mr Lieberman, now an independent, has endorsed McCain this year.