The sources close to the Republican presidential candidate John McCain say that McCain’s list of vice presidential candidates has narrowed to six. The list includes— Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, and former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge.

Sen. John McCain is planning to announce his running mate in the coming weeks before the spotlight shifts to China and the opening of the Olympic Games next month.

“He’s in a position to make (the decision) on short notice if he wanted to,” said Charlie Black, one of McCain’s top political advisers.

According to two top aides to the presumptive GOP nominee, the decision is likely to be announced after Obama returns from Europe on Sunday and before the Beijing Olympics begin Aug. 8 so that the Olympic happenings do not deflect attention from the announcement of a running mate.