WACO, Texas—U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards was coy Tuesday about whether he has talked with the Barack Obama campaign about a No. 2 spot on the ticket a week after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi singled him out as the best House member for the job.

Pelosi told Newsweek last week that Edwards would be a good running mate for Obama because “we want the House in the mix as well.” She later cited Edwards’ leadership and work on veterans issues, saying, “He’s really one of the finest people I’ve ever served with.”

Edwards, a conservative nine-term Democrat representing the district that includes President Bush’s Crawford ranch, is chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. But his name had never before surfaced as a possible running mate for Obama, an Illinois senator.

Last week Edwards’ office issued a statement saying that he had not met with Obama’s staff and wanted to keep focusing on serving his Central Texas district.

An Obama spokesman did not immediately return calls to The Associated Press seeking comment Tuesday.

Former Sens. John Edwards of North Carolina and Sam Nunn of Georgia have surfaced as possibilities for Obama’s vice presidential running mate. Edwards’ name has only been mentioned by Pelosi.

Edwards was in Waco Tuesday for the unveiling of a $3.5 million mobile MRI unit at the Waco Veterans Affairs Hospital.

When asked about Pelosi’s comments, he said he “cannot imagine that many Americans would not consider it a privilege” to be considered a vice presidential contender.

Edwards, who is generally well-liked by his congressional colleagues, said he thought Pelosi singled him out because he has worked on veterans causes, has strength on national defense, is a Southern moderate, represents a Republican-leaning district and “would provide real balance.”

After GOP-led redistricting in Texas a few years ago, he was the only Democrat in a competitive race to survive the 2004 elections.