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    Mitt Romney’s vice presidential search has already started

    By | The Ticket – Mon, Apr 16, 2012

    Mitt Romney (Scott Olson/Getty Images)Mitt Romney isn't wasting any time looking for a GOP running mate.

    The presumptive Republican nominee tells ABC News' Diane Sawyer that he's appointed Beth Myers, one of his closest advisers, to oversee the vetting process for his vice presidential running mate.

    "I have selected someone who has been a counselor of mine for a number of years, Beth Myers," Romney told Sawyer in an interview set to air on ABC's "World News" and "Nightline." "She was my chief of staff when I was governor. I've asked her to be the person who oversees the process of the vice presidential selection and vetting an analysis, and so she's begun that process and is putting together the kinds of things you need to do to vet potential candidates."

    Myers, who previously managed Romney's 2008 Republican presidential bid, is one of the former governor's longest serving advisers and is personally close to the candidate and his wife, Ann, who is also expected to play a pivotal role in helping Romney choose a No. 2 to join the GOP ticket.

    [Related: Pro-Obama super PAC puts Romney’s wealth in spotlight]

    Ann Romney told ABC News that last weekend was the first time the family had "seriously really talked about" a vice presidential running mate.

    "This is a time when we realize it's very important, and it's time to think about it," she said, adding, "there are some wonderful people out there."

    Mitt Romney praised at least one of the rumored VP contenders—Florida Sen. Marco Rubio—but insisted it is "way too early" to say if he or anyone else is on his shortlist.

    But it is apparently not too early for Romney's campaign to offer top donors access to his potential inauguration.

    As BuzzFeed's Ben Smith first reported, a fundraising email sent to top Romney supporters is giving donors of $50,000 or more the opportunity to attend a private retreat with Romney in California, special access to the candidate at the Republican National Convention in August, and "preferred status at the first Presidential Inaugural retreat."

    A Romney spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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