Mitt would be 'honored' if v.p. choice

WASHINGTON — Could there still be a "silver" lining to Mitt Romney's unsuccessful presidential run?

Romney, speaking in his first formal television interview since ending his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination last month, told Fox News Channel's Hannity & Colmes that he would be "honored" to be selected as Sen. John McCain's running mate if offered the spot on the ticket.

The Arizona senator locked up the Republican nomination last week, complete with an endorsement from President Bush. McCain and Romney, the former Massachusetts governor who ran the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, waged a sometimes bitter fight for Republican delegates during the first two months of GOP primaries.

"I think any Republican leader in this country would be honored to be asked to serve as the vice presidential nominee, myself included," Romney said Tuesday.

Romney also used the interview to show he isn't shy about attacking the Democratic hopefuls.

Listening to Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton discuss their national security credentials, Romney said, is akin to "listening to two Chihuahuas argue about which is the biggest dog."

"When it comes to national security, John McCain is the big dog, and they are the Chihuahuas," Romney said.

Romney said he expects Obama to eventually emerge as the Democratic nominee, which he thinks is the better matchup for McCain in November.

Talk of Romney being on the short-list of vice presidential picks began soon after he dropped out of the race in a Feb. 7 speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference. He endorsed McCain on Feb. 14.

Recently, Romney has been mentioned as a potential McCain running mate by former White House deputy chief of staff and adviser Karl Rove and political pundit Bob Novak.

Also in the mix are popular Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, whose 11th-hour endorsement of McCain before the Jan. 29 Florida primary is credited with him winning the state, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who was mathematically eliminated from the presidential race last week.

Some say Romney brings too many positives to a potential M&M (McCain and Mitt) ticket to be ignored.

Ardent Romney supporter Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah's Hinckley Institute of Politics, said putting him on the ticket makes sense although it's unlikely McCain would choose a running mate before the Democrats select their own nominee.

"With a 72-year-old president, the vice president has to be ready to take over," Jowers said. "I think Romney is the best choice for a vice-presidential candidate McCain could have."