Candidates play waiting came on VP choices

WASHINGTON, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Aides say likely Republican presidential candidate U.S. Sen. John McCain likely will wait until Sen. Barack Obama names a running mate before he reveals his.

While the Arizona Republican's camp is mum about the selection process, some of his advisers told Politico they would prefer to wait.

By waiting until after Obama, D-Ill., announces his choice of running mate on the Democratic ticket, advisers said McCain can make a selection based on both Obama's selection and the state of the race two months before election day.

"We'd be stupid to pick before they do," a McCain adviser told Politico. "If they go first, you have more information."

The Democratic National Convention is in Denver the week before the Republicans meet in St. Paul, Minn.

Regarding a schedule for announcing a running mate, the McCain aide said the decision is "in McCain's hands to decide on a person and a time. He doesn't have a deadline -- it's just up to him."