Is Sonny Perdue on John McCain's list of potential running mates for president of the United States?

Maybe, but it's likely a long list.

Perdue, the two-term governor of Georgia, has been mentioned as a potential vice-presidential nominee on cable news shows and in newspapers over recent days as McCain solidifies his position as the likely Republican presidential nominee.

McCain's campaign would not comment on the speculation Saturday, but McCain himself told The Associated Press on Feb. 8 that it's too early to talk about that as Mike Huckabee is still in the race for the nomination.

"I don't want to in any way sidestep the candidacy of Governor Huckabee," McCain told reporters in Kansas City, according to the AP.

McCain went on to tell the wire service that "regionally balanced tickets" could be a thing of the past. That would seem to indicate the Arizona Republican might look beyond the South for a running mate.

In recent weeks, other names have been mentioned as could-be candidates for the number two spot. CBS News and the Wall Street Journal both said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a possibility.

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh floated a whole raft of names on his show Feb. 8.

"I'm hearing at the top of the list Tim Pawlenty, the governor of Minnesota," Limbaugh said, according to a transcript on his Web site. He also mentioned South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina and new Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Finally, another AP report, from Feb. 10, adds to the list Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, U.S. Sen. John Thune of South Dakota and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.