McCAIN/BUSH O8.........IT COULD HAPPEN

Jeb Bush dodges question on being McCain's running mate

Associated Press
Posted July 10 2006, 4:46 PM EDT


TALLAHASSEE -- Jeb Bush has frequently said he won't run for president in 2008, but he's never ruled out being on the ticket as someone's running mate.

And he didn't Monday when asked about teaming up with Arizona Sen. John McCain as Republicans hope to come up with a ticket to keep the White House _ now occupied by Bush's older brother, President George W. Bush

``I like Sen. McCain. I think he's a good guy,'' Bush told reporters after returning from a holiday in Maine with his family. Any potential GOP nominee would covet the 27 electoral votes in Florida where Bush enjoys a high job approval rating among voters as he nears the end of his second term.

It was the 25 electoral votes Florida held in 2000 that sent the current president into office _ by a scant 537-vote margin of more than 6 million cast in the state.

Bush, 53, would also provide some age balance on such a ticket. McCain turns 70 next month.

When prodded about the likelihood of a McCain-Bush ticket, Bush hedged just slightly.

``There's all sorts of time to worry about the 2008 election,'' he said.

Bush is prohibited from seeking a third consecutive term as governor by Florida law.

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