[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/22/art.tomridge.gi.jpg caption="Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, appearing on 'Fox News Sunday,' said he wouldn't rule out being Sen. John McCain's vice president - if asked - but would have to first discuss a policy position that sets him apart from the Arizona senator: Abortion rights.
"If he asks me, we'll have a private conversation and we'll decide whether or not we ought to tell you what we said," Ridge said.
Host Chris Wallace pressed Ridge on his pro-abortion rights views - something critics say could hurt his chances of running with McCain, who has anti-abortion positions.
So would Ridge's views conflict with his support for a McCain administration? Apparently not.
"Obviously, the vice president's job is to support once a decision is made, whether it's on social issues, economic issues or diplomatic issues, the position of the president of the United States," he said.
"But that doesn't mean that you don't share a belief that you've had your entire life. But again, those are really difficult and challenging questions when the vice president and the president disagree on a wide range of issues, but the vice president's job is to support the administration."
Ridge, the former governor of Pennslyvania, could help McCain in the state, which is in play this year. As a moderately conservative Catholic, he could aid in other states with independent voters.
Interactive: CNN's electoral map
But his position in favor of abortion rights could hurt McCain among the more conservative GOP base.
(CNN) - Sen. John McCain supporter Gov. Tim Pawlenty, R-Minnesota, remained mum on Sunday about the possibility of running alongside the Arizona senator in the general election.
"We talked about family and sports and politics and the like, but we did not discuss any talk about the vice presidential pick," the governor told CNN's Wolf Blitzer when asked about his recent meeting with the presumptive Republican nominee.
Many analysts have identified Pawlenty as a likely V.P. candidate. He is the national co-chairman for the McCain campaign and has been an active supporter of the Arizona senator's presidential pursuit.
Minnesota, which hosts the Republican National Convention in September, is also widely considered to be a battleground state for both parties this November-adding to his appeal as a potential running mate.
Despite staunchly defending McCain on issues ranging from taxes to oil drilling to alternative energy solutions, Pawlenty refused to take the bait on the "veep" question.
"I am very happy being the governor of the state of Minnesota. [being vice president] is not something I have designs on," Pawlenty stated.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/POLITICS/06/21/mccain.hispanics/art.mccainbash.cnn.jpg caption="Sen. John McCain's accused of flip-flopping on immigration policy."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - In recent days, Sen. Barack Obama has backed off his harshest criticisms of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and he's changed his stance on campaign financing, electing to decline the federal funds for the general election - prompting charges of flip-flopping.
Obama's campaign says Sen. John McCain has contradictions of his own, namely on illegal immigration.
On Wednesday night, McCain held a private meeting with more than 150 Chicago, Illinois-area Hispanic leaders.
According to The Associated Press, several people who were at the meeting said McCain assured them that he would push for comprehensive immigration reform if he's elected president.
In 2007, McCain's sponsorship of comprehensive immigration reform angered conservatives and very nearly derailed his presidential campaign.
At a Republican debate at the Reagan Library in January, McCain was asked whether he would still vote for his original measure.
"No, I would not ... because we know what the situation is today ... that people want the borders secured first," he said.
McCain's critics were reassured.
"The original proposal, I opposed. Sen. McCain's new proposal, I support, which is to ensure you have border security before you have any other type of reform," L.A. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich said.
After the Chicago meeting, the Obama campaign's communications director, Robert Gibbs, charged that McCain was trying to have it both ways.
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