The vice presidential sweepstakes continued unabated Sunday as surrogates for John McCain and Barack Obama mostly demurred from questions about whether they would accept the running mate slot in the 2008 election.

When asked the politicians almost routinely said they aren't interested.

"Well, I'm focused on my day job," Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a McCain supporter, said on a cable news channel. Britain's Times Online listed Pawlenty Sunday as the odds-on favorite for the job, according to unnamed McCain campaign allies. But Pawlenty offered only a poker face about any plan to accept the assignment.

"This is not something that I have designs on. I'm very happy with being governor of the state of Minnesota," he said.

The same was true for other McCain's supporters.

"If he asks me, we'll have a private conversation and we'll decide whether or not we ought to tell you what we said. I appreciate the question. I think it's very important, and I think the senator agrees with me, it's a very important choice for both parties. Both men are going to look at it very, very carefully. They have a deep bench, both sides of the aisle," said former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, speaking on "FOX News Sunday." "And when it becomes appropriate to talk about it ... I guess we will. But for the time being, I'll leave that conversation up to" McCain.

"Well, first, anyone would be honored to serve John McCain, and I would as well. But he will have a long list of highly qualified people to choose from. I am out advocating for John McCain because I think he is the best person for the job," Carly Fiorina, McCain adviser and former Hewlett-Packard chief executive, on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Asked if he wanted the job, former Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., an Obama adviser, told "FOX News Sunday," "I'm not seeking the vice presidency. I've not talked to Barack about it. I don't expect to be asked. And I have no interest."

Whether he'd accept the task if asked to serve, Daschle said, "Well, obviously, you'd think about it. But as I say, I don't expect it, and I don't -- I'm not looking for it."

One senator on Sunday said most politicians are just being coy when they say they are not looking for the post, even though, he too is not interested.

"If the candidate asks me to be vice president, the answer is I got to say yes. But he's not going to ask me," Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., one of Obama's former rivals said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "Unlike most other people, I'm being straight with you. If asked, I will do it. I've made it clear I do not want to be asked.

"If the presidential nominee thought I could help him win, am I going to say to the first African-American candidate about to make history in the world that, 'No, I will not help you out like you want me to?' Of course, I'm -- I'll say yes," Biden continued.

The search is likely to continue throughout the summer. Traditionally a running mate isn't named until shortly before the national conventions, which this year begin Aug. 25 in Denver with the Democrats, and continue a week later in Minneapolis-St. Paul with Republicans.

Click here to read the Sunday Times Online.