Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain dodged questions about their looming vice presidential picks today as they renewed their battle over who has the best judgment on national security and the economy.
On a tour of the battleground state of Virginia, home to one of the finalists in his running mate hunt, Governor Tim Kaine, Mr Obama ignored questions from reporters about his choice.
"How long did it take you to think up that question?" Mr Obama said during a stop at a farm market in Virginia when a reporter asked if he was still shopping for a running mate.
Mr McCain was asked by a voter at a town hall meeting in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and on a conservative talk radio program whether he would pick a running mate who favors abortion rights.
The Arizona senator, an abortion rights opponent, sparked conservative alarm last week when he said he would not rule out abortion rights supporter Tom Ridge, the former Pennsylvania governor, as his choice.
"I will nominate a person to be vice president, my running mate, who shares my principles, my values and my priorities and that's what I can tell you," Mr McCain said in New Mexico. He also told talk show host Laura Ingraham he was having a hard time making a choice.
Mr McCain has scheduled a large rally in Ohio on August 29th, his 72nd birthday and the day after the Democratic convention ends, amid reports he will unveil his choice that day.
History has shown the choice of a running mate is unlikely to have a major impact on the November 4th presidential election , but along with the upcoming conventions the choices give both candidates a chance for the political spotlight.