Jindal not in McCain’s V-P shortlist

Washington, Aug. 3: Indian-American governor of Louisiana, Bobby Jindal, is no longer in the latest shortlist of Republicans believed to be in contention to be John McCain’s running mate in his race for the White House.

The Republicans believed to be in contention for the vice-president’s post now includes former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former House of Representative from Ohio, Rob Portman and Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty. A Virginia congressman Eric Cantor is reportedly the latest entrant to the shortlist and among those getting "thorough vetting" by Mr McCain’s team, CNN reported.

"The work on Cantor and other potential running mates is mostly done," the report said. Last week, Mr Jindal, who was expected to be on Mr McCain’s V-P shortlist seemed to take himself out of the running.

"I’m not going to be the vice-presidential nominee or vice-president. I’m going to help Senator McCain get elected, as governor of Louisiana," the 37-year-old, America’s youngest governor told FOX News.

Speculation first swirled around Mr Jindal earlier when he was one of a handful of politicians Mr McCain invited to his Sedona, Arizona ranch. The weekend get-together was described as purely social.

Mr Jindal is considered a "boy wonder of sorts" within the Republican Party, and has been lauded by several conservatives wary of John McCain including influential radio talk host Rush Limbaugh. But the decision would undercut one of Mr McCain’s chief arguments against Mr Obama, his relative lack of experience.

—PTI