Obama and McCain dodge questions on VPs

By Jeff Mason

MARTINSVILLE, Virginia (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain dodged questions about their looming vice presidential picks on Wednesday as they renewed their battle over who has the best judgment on national security and the economy.

On a tour of the battleground state of Virginia, home to one of the finalists in his running mate hunt, Gov. Tim Kaine, Obama ignored questions from reporters about his choice.

"How long did it take you to think up that question?" Obama said during a stop at a farm market in Virginia when a reporter asked if he was still shopping for a running mate.

McCain was asked by a voter at a town hall meeting in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and on a conservative talk radio program whether he would pick a running mate who favors abortion rights.

The Arizona senator, an abortion rights opponent, sparked conservative alarm last week when he said he would not rule out abortion rights supporter Tom Ridge, the former Pennsylvania governor, as his No. 2.

"I will nominate a person to be vice president, my running mate, who shares my principles, my values and my priorities and that's what I can tell you," McCain said in New Mexico.

He also told talk show host Laura Ingraham he was having a hard time making a choice. McCain has scheduled a large rally in Ohio on August 29, his 72nd birthday and the day after the Democratic convention ends, amid reports he will unveil his choice that day.

"There's already been things out there in the media, 'he's already made up his mind, he's going to announce on such and such a day,'" McCain said.

"I have not made the decision and we're in the process, and if I say anything more than that I guarantee you there's going to be another one of these firestorms. Obviously we're going to be announcing soon because we have no choice, but I've got to tell you it's one of the toughest things I've ever done."

History has shown the choice of a running mate is unlikely to have a major impact on the November 4 presidential election between Obama and McCain, but along with the upcoming conventions the choices give both candidates a chance for the political spotlight.

OBAMA - RUNNING MATE BY SATURDAY?

Time is running out for both White House candidates to make their pick. The Democratic convention that formally nominates Obama and his running mate opens on Monday, and the Republican convention to nominate McCain and his choice opens a week later.

Obama is expected to name his running mate in the next few days and appear with the prospective No. 2 on Saturday as he launches his run to the convention in Denver.

Speculation about Obama's choice has centered on three prime contenders -- Kaine, who will join him on the campaign trail on Thursday, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden.

McCain's short list includes Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, former budget director Rob Portman and Ridge.  Continued...