The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting a public statement from the four-term Arizona senator, who is considered the front-runner for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.

McCain, the GOP maverick who unsuccessfully sought his party’s nomination in 2000, already has opened a bank account for the committee, one official said.

“The senator has made no decision about running for president,” said Eileen McMenamin, a McCain spokeswoman.

Aides to McCain say the senator will discuss whether to seek the presidency with his family over the Christmas holiday and decide thereafter.