Madison: While the race for president has left Wisconsin, one local politician is being mentioned as a possible vice-presidential candidate.

It wasn't until Tuesday's win in Wisconsin that John McCain felt comfortable calling himself the Republican nominee. "I will be our party's nominee for President of the United States. Thank you Wisconsin."

McCain may soon be thanking Wisconsin for another reason-providing him his running mate.

Sunday morning on Meet The Press, conservative columnist Robert Novak mentioned a couple dark horse candidates to be McCain's vice president. "Another would be a younger congressman, ranking Republican on the budget committee and a tax cutter, Paul Ryan."

Paul Ryan is from Janesville. He was first elected to congress in 1998.

Until now his biggest moment was a four minute speech he gave at the Republican National Convention in 2004.

Reince Priebus is the Chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. He calls Ryan a rising star, and a good match for McCain. "I think it's because Paul Ryan fits that balancing the ticket test; young, conservative, economic-based type Republican."

Priebus says McCain has a great chance to win the state this fall, but add Ryan and he says it's a virtual slam dunk. "If you add Paul Ryan on to the ticket you're virtually locked to get Wisconsin to go Republican, to go red in 2008."

"That is extremely bold," says Charles Franklin, a UW political science professor. He says a congressman who has never run a statewide race is not a guarantee to deliver electoral votes. But Franklin says just the mention of Ryan's name shows the respect for Ryan in Republican circles. "It's a compliment to Ryan that he's mentioned at all in this context."

Paul Ryan sent us a statement saying, "It is nice to have my name mentioned, but my sole focus is doing the best job I can working for my employers - the residents of the First Congressional District of Wisconsin."