The Republicans believed to be in contention for the Vice President's post now includes former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, former House of Representative from Ohio, Rob Portman and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.

A Virginia congressman Eric Cantor is reportedly the latest entrant to the shortlist and among those getting "thorough vetting" by McCain's team, CNN reported.

"The work on Cantor and other potential running mates is mostly done," the report said.

Last week, Jindal - who was expected to be on McCain's VP shortlist seemed to take himself out of the running.

"I'm not going to be the vice presidential nominee or vice president. I'm going to help Senator McCain get elected, as Governor of Louisiana," the 37-year-old, America's youngest governor told FOX News.

Speculation first swirled around Jindal earlier when he was one of a handful of politicians McCain invited to his Sedona, Arizona ranch. The weekend get-together was described as purely social.

Jindal is considered a ‘boy wonder of sorts’ within the Republican Party, and has been lauded by several conservatives wary of John McCain including influential radio talk host Rush Limbaugh.

But the decision would undercut one of the Arizona senator's chief arguments against Obama: his relative lack of experience.