About-to-be Republican presidential nominee John McCain had a long list of 26 possible vice presidential running mates last summer. None of them knew they were being considered.

Former Reagan counsel A.B. Culvahouse was in charge of the candidate partner vetting process and helped the Arizona senator pare down the list. But McCain, Culvahouse revealed Friday, was intrigued by Sarah Palin, the 44-year-old Alaska governor and mother of five.