McCain holding out for Graham presidential bid

Sen. John McCain (R-Az.) on Tuesday said he won’t be endorsing any Republican presidential contenders until it becomes clear that Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is out of the running.

{mosads}Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee was asked if he’d endorse former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R).

“No, no, no, of course not,” McCain said. “I’m certainly ready to listen to people but obviously Lindsey Graham and I, if he decides to run, he’s my closest friend.”

Graham has floated the idea of running for president if Republican hawks aren’t represented in what’s expected to be a large field of candidates. McCain and Graham are often at odds with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), a likely GOP contender, and others from the non-interventionist wing of the party.

“I don’t know what [Graham] is going to do, I really don’t,” McCain added.

McCain has met with Bush and advised him on how to gear up for a run. The Arizona Republican said his conversation with Bush was limited to “the ins-and-outs and mechanics of campaigning.”

Bush announced earlier in the day he was “actively exploring” a bid for the Republican nomination and would launch a leadership PAC.