McCain did not answer the question directly -- saying instead that polls indicate he's "doing very well with the base" and that he would try to energize conservatives concerned about national security and fiscal responsibility in Washington.
"I will nominate a person to be vice president, my running mate, who shares my principles, my values and my priorities, and that's the best that I can tell you," McCain said.
In an early morning interview with conservative talk radio host Laura Ingraham, who urged McCain to choose an abortion rights opponent, the senator said he had not yet made a decision about his running mate.
"We're in the process, and if I say anything more than that, I guarantee you there'll be another one of these firestorms," he said.
The Republican convention schedule released Wednesday gives high-profile spots on the opening night, Monday, Sept. 1, to Lieberman and Schwarzenegger, along with Vice President Dick Cheney and President Bush.
Tuesday's schedule features a keynote address by Giuliani and a speech by Ridge, along with governors and senators from several states.
On Wednesday, the as-yet-unnamed vice presidential nominee will speak, and on Thursday, McCain's acceptance address will close the convention.
In a conference call organized by the campaign, Giuliani predicted that the party would rally around McCain's vice presidential choice regardless of his or her views on abortion rights.
"Any choice he makes for vice president will have pros and cons," Giuliani said.
He said the GOP was "not, as far as I can tell, a one-issue party. That would be just one issue among many that would have to be evaluated by the party."
"He'll select the person who is best," Giuliani continued. "If that person happens to be pro-choice, the party will support that. . . . I believe we're going to unite."
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maeve.reston@latimes.com
bob.drogin@latimes.com
