WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A senior advisor to Sen. John McCain disputed an ABC News report Friday afternoon that stated the Arizona Republican is on the verge of establishing an exploratory committee to weigh a run for president.

John Weaver, McCain's political advisor, tells CNN that "there will be no formal announcement this year," but acknowledged, as has McCain, that the senator is seriously considering a White House bid. Weaver did say McCain and his political team did meet in Phoenix on election night and the following day.

On its website Friday afternoon, ABC News reported that the exploratory committee "will be set up this month -- perhaps as early as next week." Weaver said the creation of the exploratory committee is inaccurate.

"We are doing the same thing today on Nov. 10 that we were doing on November 6, before the midterm elections," Weaver said. "We are gauging interest. We are talking to a lot of people. But when John and Cindy gather with their children for the Christmas Holidays, as a family they will make a decision. And it won't be a final decision or formal decision. It will be the only decision."

McCain has worked aggressively to put a national organization in place, campaigning across the country and adding advisors from key states to his political action committee.

A CNN poll released November 1, shows McCain trailing former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani by two percentage points as the registered Republicans' choice for presidential nominee in 2008.

CNN POLL
October 27-29
Registered Republicans'
Choice for Nominee in 2008

Giuliani -29%
McCain-27%
Gingrich-12%
Romney-7%
Frist-6%
Pataki-5%
Allen-2%
Brownback-1%

Sampling error: +/-5% pts