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Is Jindal one of McCain’s running mate choices?

CLEVELAND: The guest list at Senator John McCain’s Arizona home next Monday includes at least three Republicans mentioned as vice-presidential running mates, but a top aide said that vetting possible running mates is not on the agenda. “It’s purely social,” said Mark Salter, a McCain adviser.

He said Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and their wives were invited to a Memorial Day gathering on Monday at Mr. McCain’s home in Sedona, Arizona. Mr. Romney ran for the Republican presidential nomination in last winter’s primaries, but dropped out months ago and has endorsed Mr. McCain.

They were among the estimated two dozen people invited. Mr. McCain often hosts friends and political acquaintances at his compound. Mr. McCain said more than a month ago that he was in the “embryonic stages” of selecting a running mate, but neither he nor aides have disclosed additional information in the weeks since.

Mr. Jindal (36), son of Indian immigrants, was elected Louisiana’s Governor in October 2007, three years after being elected to the House, where he was credited with playing an important role as his state recovered from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Previously, he was secretary of Louisiana’s Health Department, and an Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Mr. Jindal’s spokeswoman, Melissa Sellers, downplayed the visit and did not mention the vice-presidential search. She said the Mr. Jindal and his wife were going to Arizona to “spend time” with Mr. McCain and his wife Cindy, and noted that the two lawmakers had met several times before. Mr. Romney dropped out of the race in February after it became apparent it would be near impossible to topple Mr. McCain in the convention delegate race. He endorsed Mr. McCain a week later and pledged to help him win the nomination.

Since then, Mr. McCain has praised Mr. Romney repeatedly as someone who would continue playing a large role in the Republican Party. Mr. Romney, for his part, suggested he would accept a vice-presidential slot, though some Republicans privately speculate that he was looking ahead to a possible repeat run in 2012.

Mr. Crist (51), provided a major boost to Mr. McCain before Florida’s January 29 primary with a well-timed endorsement. Elected in 2006, he has been seen as a moderate Republican. He has championed efforts to curb climate change, and the former President, Bill Clinton, praised him for his efforts to restore voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences. Mr. Crist also pushed for a law that requires a paper trail in state elections. Among other guests expected were Senators Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham, close confidantes of McCain. — AP

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