McCain to announce running mate today

Washington, Aug.29 : U.S. Republican presidential hopeful John McCain has said he is yet to make a decision on who will be his running mate.

He made the remarks in a morning interview with KDKA radio station on Thursday.

McCain is set to announce his pick on Friday in front of a big rally of 15,000 people in Ohio.

McCain did praise former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, a potential running mate during the interview. Other top contenders for McCain's deputy include former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, independent Senator Joe Lieberman and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

According to sources from his campaign, McCain and his to-be-announced running mate will tour three "battleground states" this weekend, with large-scale rallies planned for Ohio, Pennsylvania and Missouri.

Meanwhile, a Xinhua report from Washington claimed that McCain has chosen his running mate and that it will be announced soon.

McCain is currently busy traveling between one fundraiser and another in California, a traditional Democratic stronghold.

As the race for the White House begins to unfold in full with both parties officially kicking off the campaigns at their national conventions, McCain is determined to woo California voters who usually support a Democrat in the presidential election, political analysts said.

ANI