McCain begins vice president search, mum on Romney

By Steve Holland

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire (Reuters) - Republican presidential candidate John McCain said on Wednesday he has begun the process of finding a vice presidential running mate and wants someone who shares his views and can take his place.

Speaking to reporters on his campaign plane, the expected Republican nominee said he had seen news reports that a defeated rival, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, had expressed interest in the job, but he offered no comment one way or the other on whether Romney would be a candidate.

"I got that impression watching the interview last night," McCain said of Romney's interest in the No. 2 slot on the Republican ticket in November's election.

Romney told Fox News Channel's "Hannity and Colmes" on Tuesday that "any Republican leader in this country would be honored to be asked to serve as the vice presidential nominee, myself included."

Romney endorsed McCain in February after the Arizona senator defeated him in an often caustic campaign battle. McCain will face either Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York or Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois in November.

At a town-hall meeting in Exeter, New Hampshire, McCain went out of his way to praise Romney and other vanquished Republican candidates.

"He fought well. I believe that Gov. Romney has earned a place in our Republican Party and I believe he is part of the future of our Republican Party," he said.

Talking to reporters on his campaign bus, the 71-year-old McCain made clear he has not put together a list of candidates yet but has some ideas in mind. He said he could not say whether Romney was "on or off the list."