Washington Bureau

Va. Rep for GOP Veep?

Sunday, Aug. 3

Rep Eric I. Cantor of Richmond, the No. 3 Republican in the House of Representatives, is apparently under consideration by Sen. John McCain as his vice-presidential running mate, Jeff Schapiro of the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports today.

Here's more from Schapiro's story or read it here:

"The McCain campaign yesterday afternoon requested `personal records' from Cantor, a GOP source said. That typically includes family, health and financial documents.

"Cantor is the second Virginian -- after Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine -- to be vetted this year for the vice presidency, a sign that both parties view the once-reliably Republican state and its 13 electoral votes as in play.

"Cantor, who until this year was little-known outside the sprawling suburban-rural 7th District he has represented since 2001, was not immediately available for comment last night because he was attending a birthday party for his son.

"But last week, Cantor played down talk of a national candidacy, telling Media General News Service, `This whole issue is one my kids think is really cool that my name is even there.'"

Cantor, 45, is the only Jewish Republican in Congress, a prolific fundraiser, and could help McCain win Virginia and attract more support from Jewish voters.

For more on his political rise, go here.

-- Marsha Mercer and Neil Simon
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