Updated 6:15 pm: see below.

More from the political wire about John McCain’s impending VP pick:

David Drucker, Roll Call: “If security sweeps are the giveaway, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney may be on the brink of being selected as Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) vice presidential running mate. According to sources with strong Michigan ties, the Secret Service has conducted a security sweep of the home of Romney’s sister. Romney was raised in Michigan, where his father served as governor.”

Gary Miller, Truth v. the Machine: [writing about a Pawlenty bloggers' conference call earlier today] “The Governor had some generic opening statements about Senator McCain’s experience and values over Sen. Obama — the usual boilerplate. An observation: Pawlenty seemed quite tired and his voice was just a bit raspy (A bit subdued? Down?).

Q: Do you plan on staying in Eagan tonight?

A: I am scheduled to fly back late afternoon and I am staying, I believe, at the Governor’s residence. Doesn’t plan on staying in Eagan because of possible conflict with the kids schedule.

Q: Any chance you will be flying to Sedona, AZ?

A: I am scheduled to be in Minnesota.

Q: Will you be in Ohio tomorrow?

A: I am scheduled to be in Minneapolis tomorrow and through the weekend. My sense is Senator McCain and the McCain campaign are close to making a decision.

Liz Sidoti, Associated Press: “Inside GOP circles Thursday, though, speculation swirled around Lieberman. It was fueled by reports that McCain’s advisers had asked for additional detailed information from Lieberman, by McCain’s close friendship with the 2000 Democratic vice presidential nominee, and by word that Republican operatives had been told to prepare for the possibility of an “unconventional” choice. Lieberman supports the Iraq war but breaks with Republicans on most issues, notably abortion rights.”

WashPost The Trail blog: “One senior Republican who has talked personally with Romney, Ridge and Pawlenty during the past two days said none of them had been told yet by McCain. ‘All of them believe that it’s not them,’ the GOP source said.”

Jonathan Martin, Politico: “Republican strategist Karl Rove called Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (I-Conn.) late last week and urged him to contact John McCain to withdraw his name from vice presidential consideration, according to three sources familiar with the conversation. Lieberman dismissed the request, these sources agreed. ‘Rove called Lieberman,’ recounted a second source. ‘Lieberman told him he would not make that call.’”

Chris Cilizza, The Fix: 1. Tim Pawlenty: So it was in the beginning, so shall it be in the end. T-Paw sat atop our first Veepstakes Line and he claims the pole position in our last Line as well. Pawlenty has been the tortoise in this race — never really emerging as the buzz candidate but never falling too far off the lead pack either. His combination of Midwestern roots, conservative credentials (particularly on the abortion issue) and a longtime friendship with McCain make him the safest choice available. And, in an election that could well be decided (again) by a few percentage points, the “do no harm” pick seems to make the most sense for McCain. Is Pawlenty ready for such a big stage? Real doubts remain. (Previous ranking: 1)

Drudge: SOURCE: NAME MAY LEAK AT 6 PM ET… WITH SOME SORT OF CONFIRMATION AT 8 PM… DEVELOPING…

The GOP bloggers are all atwitter: “I just got off the phone with Andy Barnett, who informs me that he just recently spoke with Pawlenty Press Secretary, Alex Carey. While Mr. Carey did not actually state that Pawlenty was the choice, there was excitement in his voice, and he did state that Governor Pawlenty “cleared his schedule” for the weekend.”