If John McCain could pick anybody as his running mate, he'd probably pick a longtime colleague, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson said this morning.

The Republican Simpson said he'd have no problem with a McCain-Lieberman ticket. But Simpson knows Lieberman, Al Gore's running mate from 2000, would rankle many conservatives.

So, in talking presidential politics with the Statesman editorial board Thursday, Simpson's speculation centered on two of the trendy names in the GOP veepstakes: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Pawlenty's biggest weakness is that he is a relative unknown; Simpson conceded he doesn't know much about Pawlenty himself. There's also no guarantee that Pawlenty would help McCain win Minnesota's 10 electoral votes, Simpson said; Romney, the son of a former Michigan governor, may have as good a chance of delivering Michigan's 17 electoral votes.

Romney's business background would help shore up McCain's perceived — but exaggerated — weakness on economic issues, Simpson said. Romney's biggest strength could be his high profile.

"I think Romney would be a fine choice," said Simpson, who supported Romney's presidential bid.