The time is getting just about right for Romney to announce his VP selection — the convention is barely two weeks away — and as Allahpundit related last night, there are reports circulating that Romney has narrowed his choices down to Tim Pawlenty, Rob Portman, and Paul Ryan. I agree that it doesn’t really feel like Chris Christie (or Marco Rubio) is in the running, but if the reports are true, I can’t fathom why for pete’s sake Bobby Jindal’s name isn’t on that list after he’s been stumping steadily for Romney all summer. Harumph.

Perhaps Romney has narrowed his choices even further, however, if Ohio Sen. Rob Portman telling a CNN reporter he intends to stay in the Senate, while he was campaigning for Romney in Colorado on Wednesday, means anything.

“I just got elected two years ago. I think that’s where I’m going to end up staying,” Portman said when asked his thoughts about possibly leaving the Senate and becoming vice president. …

“That’s where I think I’ll end up being.”

Moments before, the senator used similar words, telling a reporter, “We need Mitt Romney. And I will help him all I can. But I’ll probably stay in the United States Senate.”

Playing coy? Stoking the speculation? Staying positive for when he doesn’t get the nod? And of course, it’s also possible Team Romney has yet to decide and Portman legitimately doesn’t yet know whether he’ll be offered the slot, in which case it’s always wise to leave yourself a bit of rhetorical cushion about your focus and commitment to your current job, etcetera. Time shall tell…