Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell sought to downplay characterization of his campaign events with Mitt Romney this week as an "audition" for the vice presidential spot, saying speculation was "good media drama, but not what has happened."
But McDonnell did say he would "consider" the job if it was offered by the presumptive Republican nominee.
“Well, again, I’m not interviewing or auditioning — I got Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson’s job. It doesn’t get any better than that," McDonnell told Fox News Thursday.
The popular Virginia governor spent Wednesday night fundraising with Romney in the Washington suburbs, with an early afternoon rally planned outside Norfolk.
"All I can tell you is the 30, 35 percent of the independent voters in Virginia will determine the outcome of our election. It’s important to win Virginia for a Republican presidential candidate," McDonnell said. "What I’m going to help him do during these next couple months campaigning is to talk about jobs and energy and taking care of our veterans. That’s what is going to carry the day in Virginia. Mitt Romney is the guy to do it. He’s got the record as governor of Massachusetts and the private sector.”
But despite his protests, Romney has made a point of campaigning with many of the names assumed to be on his shortlist in recent weeks. In addition to McDonnell, Romney campaigned in recent days with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in Pennsylvania and Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) in her home state.
McDonnell — who is restricted by state law from seeking a second consecutive term as governor — couldn't deny that he could be open to joining the ticket if asked.
“Any candidate that calls a potential nominee and says, 'Listen, you can help the party; you can help the country' — of course you would consider it," McDonnell said. "I’m not asking for it. I’m not interviewing for it. I just want to see Mitt Romney win.”
