Veteran Hollywood star Clint Eastwood told John McCain he could not be his running mate in the U.S. presidential election - because the actor is only interested in the top job.

Eastwood, 78, has dabbled with politics throughout his screen career, and became the mayor of Carmel, California between 1986 and 1988. He has been registered as a Republican since 1951, and also served on the board of the California State Park and Recreation Commission from 2001 to early 2008.

However he insists he will never put his name forward for the vice presidency - because it's the "least appealing job." And the Dirty Harry star warned Republican candidate McCain against the idea before he even had the chance to ask.

Speaking to People.com, Eastwood recalls, "I was at a function, and a bunch of political types were there. And John McCain was there. He came up to say hello, I said, 'Look, don't even ask it. I will not be your vice president. I have to be on the top of the ticket.' Most of the time - (from Bill Clinton's former vice president) Al Gore, going back - you saw the vice president very little. That would be the least appealing job, I think."

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)