Romney's stance is "almost identical" to Obama's position, which seeks increased international pressure on Iran while keeping a military option "on the table, " noted Martin Indyk, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel during the Clinton administration who now is foreign policy director at the Brookings Institution.

CNN: Romney talks tough but differs little from Obama on Iran

LinkedIn spokesman Hani Durzy reiterated that the current law doesn't require the company to provide information about data shared for purposes other than direct marketing, and said that the company is "keeping an eye on" the new bill, but hasn't taken a position on it.

WSJ: Online-Data Bill Sets Up Privacy Fight

While Gephardt has been keeping his own counsel on the matter, the sources said, he is fundamentally not interested in the position and hopes Gore will not ask him to take it.

CNN: Sources: Gore campaign and Gephardt in 'serious' running mate talks