Tom Ridge May Be Out Of Contention As McCain's Running Mate

Erie, PA (AHN) - Despite the secrecy about his shortlist of vice presidential nominees, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) may have taken out former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge from the running on Monday.

While on a tour of a General Electric plant in Ridge's hometown of Erie, McCain was asked by a plant employee about his plans for his first 90 days in office. The four-term senator responded, "Call Tom Ridge to Washington from whatever vacation he's taking and get him to work," according to the Los Angeles Times.

But McCain later praised Ridge, describing him as someone who could have chosen not to go to Vietnam after graduating from Harvard but still "decided to serve his country."

"That's the kind of people this part of America produces. I'm proud to be in his company," the presumptive Republican nominee is quoted by CNN as saying.

McCain and Ridge began a two-day tour of Pennsylvania on Monday. The visit underscores he significance of the swing state that also happens to be one of six states with the most electoral college votes, 21.

Ridge, a long-time friend of McCain and a former governor of the state, has been reported as a potential Republican vice presidential nominee. Pundits say, however, that his pro-choice abortion stance will keep conservatives from nominating him.

McCain, a maverick Republican who has been courting conservatives, supports repealing Roe vs. Wade, a landmark Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in the nation. However, he supports research on embryonic stem cells that have "ethical oversight" from Congress.