McDonnell's next move, and then some

The governor of Texas, Rick Perry, has thrown his hat into the ring for the top of the GOP's 2012 ticket. As he hits the campaign trial he exits a stage that has served him well -- he's the outgoing chairman of the Republican Governor's Association.

Virginia's Gov. Bob McDonnell will soon take Perry's spot as the RGA's chairman. And, from what he says in an interview with James Hohmann for POLITICO, it seems McDonnell may have his eyes on a bigger prize, too.

While most office-holders in either party have traditionally avoided expressing any interest in the vice presidential nomination, prior to it being offered to them, McDonnell seems almost eager to not serve out his term as governor.

With solid poll ratings as a swing state governor, McDonnell is already drawing attention as a possible GOP prospect for vice president in 2012. And in an extended interview in his office here, the Virginia governor expressed interest in the No. 2 spot on the national ticket.

“I’d be very interested. It is a swing state. I’m not asking for the call. I’m not looking for the call. As I’ve said many times, I’ve got the best job in America,” he told POLITICO. “But I think anybody who is in public life, if a presidential nominee called him and said, ‘I need your help to win,’ it would be a tremendous honor. … We’ll see. It’s going to be seven, eight, nine months before any of these decisions are made.”

Click here to read the entire piece at POLITICO.