Is it Romney?

By Rick Moran

Runors are swirling in the GOP camp that John McCain may be ready to announce his Vice President as early as next Friday.

Time's Mark Halprin actually had a post up on his blog saying that "2 GOP sources" told him that McCain's Veep pick would be Romney. The post is now gone and one wonders whether Halprin lost confidence in the story or if some other news came to his attention that squashed the rumor.

Marc Ambinder reports that the McCain camp is organizing a big rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan next week:

So there's apparently going to be a major political event in Grand Rapids, Michigan on or about 8/31.

A McCain campaign event, say two sources. (Cautioning as always...plans could change, but...)

On one hand, Mitt Romney's home base is in Oakland County, or Macomb County, not Grand Rapids.

On the other, other hand, Romney has campaigned in GR many times.

On the other, other, other hand, Michigan is a swing state.

CW says McCain will appear with his pick in Ohio on Aug 29 and then tour the country. A stop in Pennsylvania is also planned, probably on the 30th.

So is, apparently, a stop in Michigan, on the 31st.

Other sources say it is between MN Governor Tim Pawlenty and Joe Lieberman.

Romney puts McCain in hot water with some evangelicals who don't cotton to his Mormonism. But McCain may say to hell with the bigots and choose him anyway. He could potentially help in Michigan given his lifelong association with that state and his executive experience would be a nice balance for McCain.

I've given up trying to guess. I have accepted the fact that whoever I might choose will not be the candidate chosen by McCain. But keeping abreast of the latest rumors is something political junkies crave so expect a few more posts like this until the deed is done.