Romney: Marco Rubio being ‘thoroughly vetted’ for VP consideration

HOLLAND, Mich.—Mitt Romney said Tuesday his campaign is vetting Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as a potential vice presidential candidate, contradicting several reports suggesting otherwise.

Romney told reporters Rubio is being "thoroughly vetted" for the VP job and described stories reporting contrary news as "false."

"There was a story that originated today apparently at ABC based upon reports of supposedly outside unnamed advisers of mine," Romney said. "I can't imagine who such people are. But I can tell you this: they know nothing about the vice presidential selection or evaluation process. There are only two people in this country who know who are being vetted and who are not: And that's Beth Myers and myself. And I know Beth well. She doesn't talk to anybody. The story was entirely false. Marco Rubio is being thoroughly vetted as part of our process."

His comments came during a previously unscheduled stop just before the final rally of his bus tour along the shores of Lake Michigan here. His campaign had gathered a small pool of reporters to whom Romney made the statement.

Earlier Tuesday, Romney had declined to comment on the VP process, telling Fox News's Sean Hannity in an interview set to air tonight that he wouldn't comment on speculation about Rubio.