Rising Republican star Bobby Jindal -- the young Indian-American governor of Louisiana -- on Sunday ruled himself out of the race to become John McCain's vice-presidential pick.
Asked if he would like to be McCain's running mate, Jindal, 37, told NBC's Meet the Press No. I've got the job I want.
I'm voting for Senator McCain. I'll do what I can to help him. I'll do it as good governor. We cut taxes, we're growing jobs, lowest unemployment in 30 years, but we have more work, he said.
Jindal's name has been floated as a possible vice presidential pick as the rumor mill heats up over who will do battle in November's elections alongside both McCain and his Democratic rival Barack Obama.
At 37, the Louisiana governor would offer some balance to McCain's White House bid, as the 72-year-old Arizona senator would be the oldest US president elected to a first-term in office if he wins the polls.
I don't want to be vice president. I'm not going to be the nominee, Jindal added Sunday.
Jindal's name was first mentioned as a possible McCain running mate by influential conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh in March. Limbaugh even described Jindal as the next Ronald Reagan, the icon of US conservatives.
The son of Punjabi immigrants and a social conservative, Jindal has built his political support in Louisiana among Christian conservatives and middle-class whites with his promises to cut taxes, tighten government spending and impose a total ban on abortions.
His youthful enthusiasm and ability to bridge the divides of race and party has led some to see him as the Republican party's future answer to the Democratic Party's Obama.