[img_assist|nid=25|title=Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.)|desc=Getty Image|link=none|url=undefined|align=left|width=405|height=247]In an appearance on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" Wednesday morning, former Bay State Gov. Mitt Romney (R) was asked repeatedly whether he is being considered as a vice presidential candidate on U.S. Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) ticket.

It was the second time in two days that Romney was pressed by television hosts to comment on whether he will be McCain's running mate.

It didn't take long for the speculation to begin, as host Joe Scarborough, the former GOP congressman from Florida, introduced Romney as someone "many believe to be on the shortest of short lists of possible vice presidents."

Romney would not comment on his chances of joining McCain on the GOP ticket.

"I'm not going to pick up on any speculation with regard to my involvement to McCain's ticket," Romney said. "I am happy to support it but I'm not anticipating being part of it."

Later in the program, when asked again about running for vice president, Romney against deflected the question.

"You know we have never had a conversation with regards to the vice presidency, between our staffs or directly between myself and Sen. McCain," he said. "It's a decision he's going to make all by himself."

Romney also addressed questions of how McCain would respond to news Wednesday that Iran tested nine long and medium range missiles, including one that is reportedly capable of reaching Israel and U.S. bases in the region.

Romney said McCain is best qualified to lead the country against Iran and shifted the discussion to the economy.

"No question about that," he said. "I think the American people recognize that...and it's not just with regards to foreign affairs; it's with regard to our economy and keeping America strong and providing good jobs for Americans. John McCain has the experience of a leader. Barack Obama is a wonderful charming person but he's never been a leader."

Romney criticized Obama for what he said has been a lack of leadership. Obama was never a leader in the Illinois state Senate, he said, nor has he pushed any significant legislation through the U.S. Senate. Obama, he said, is "untested and unproven when it comes to leadership."

Romney's appearance on MSNBC was part of a string of recent appearance for the former governor on behalf of McCain. Romney is viewed by many as credible on economic issues because of his experience leading Bain and Company, and McCain is focusing on the economy this week.

Eric Fehrnstrom, Romney's spokesman, said the former governor is willing to do anything the McCain camp asks of him. "Gov. Romney," he told PolitickerMA.com, "is doing everything he can to elect John McCain the next president.

But, of course, it didn't take long for the conversation to shift back to Romney's VP chances on MSNBC. Shortly after Romney went off camera, Pat Buchanan, the network's conservative pundit, chimed in.

"I think Mitt Romney is about as good a pick as he could have right now," he said.