More VP Tea Leaves

By: Vaughn Ververs
Topics: VP Sweepstakes

What's a game of vice presidential guessing without a big twist at the end? What everyone knows (or is at least very sure of) is that Barack Obama will unveil his running mate by tomorrow when he's scheduled a large rally at the Old State House in Springfield, Illinois. What we don't know is exactly when – or more importantly, who – the selection is to be.

The primary focus remains on Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, Delaware Senator Joe Biden and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. But a new name has suddenly been thrust into the mix. CBS News has confirmed that Texas Representative Chet Edwards was among those vetted by the Obama campaign and is "a finalist" for the running mate slot.

A rising star for the party in an extremely Republican state, Edwards has long been talked about as running mate material. But he is relatively unknown outside of Texas and political circles and may not mesh in the minds of many voters with the qualifications Obama told Harry Smith this morning he is most looking for. Obama said he's looking for a potential president, saying, "the most important question is is this person prepared to be president?" It would take a massive effort to introduce Edwards as that to the voters.

On the Republican side, the tea leaves also continue to pile up. CBSNews.com chief political consultant Marc Ambinder reports there is "apparently going to be a major political event in Grand Rapids, Michigan on or about 8/31" – that's Saturday, the day after McCain is expected to unveil his running mate. Of course Michigan is the former home of Mitt Romney, whose presence on the ticket could put the state in play this fall. But, as Ambinder points out, as a potential swing state, Michigan would be part of a VP tour with just about any potential candidate. There are hints that McCain will make his first appearance with his running mate in Ohio next Friday.

Meanwhile, Romney has moved back into the top slot on our GOP Vice Presidential Hot Sheet, with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty back in the number two position. Others moving are former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge, Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman.

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by tx2democrats August 22, 2008 9:44 PM EDT: does Obama have dual citizenship?; Reply to this comment


by tx2democrats August 22, 2008 9:42 PM EDT: is that true about his brother living on $12 a day......we''re big on family down here in the south.; Reply to this comment


by thruhiker1 August 22, 2008 8:55 PM EDT: Heaven help us all with Obama as President no matter who is his VP. The man has a half brother in a shack in Kenya, living on 12 dollars a year while his millionare brother talks of helping the poor---what a lying Hypocrite Obama really is!

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Posted by linymo at 05:16 PM :

The Obamas contributed $137,622 to charities in 2005-2006. How much did you give, bigmouth.; Reply to this comment


by aldon61 August 22, 2008 8:09 PM EDT: Chet Edwards would make an excellent choice. Edwars is a moderate and can hold his own in a republican dominated state and district. He has strong national defence credentiala and would bolster Obama''s weakness in that area. If it is Edwards, the political pundits are going to look pretty stupid, aren''t they?; Reply to this comment


by soetorolies August 22, 2008 7:16 PM EDT: That is polite for "cannot remember what we told him last week".

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Posted by obbcbs at 02:57 PM : Aug 22, 2008
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At least McCain knows how many states there are!! (US states, not Islamic states!!); Reply to this comment


by soetorolies August 22, 2008 7:15 PM EDT: What about Ayers? Or maybe Odinga? Perhaps Auchi? Or maybe Dohrn? Maybe it could be Sunday Alibi? Soetoro has so many people he could choose from!! LMAO!!; Reply to this comment


by airboatboy August 22, 2008 6:39 PM EDT: I''ll bet it''s OFRAH! Big ol'' OFRAH! They''ll make a fine lookin couple!; Reply to this comment


by obbcbs August 22, 2008 5:57 PM EDT: HOUSES? McCain has memory loss. He confuses the boundaries of nations, he cannot remember the sects of the main opponents in war, and he cannot remember why he went into the room. In the Senate he is known as NOT A DETAIL MAN.
That is polite for "cannot remember what we told him last week".; Reply to this comment


by obbcbs August 22, 2008 5:56 PM EDT: Huckabee is out because he opposes the control of the WTO. He opposes the IRS and wants to end income tax and go to a sales tax which would require ending the legal fiction that companies have the rights of persons. He is too populist.
The WTO wont have him.; Reply to this comment


by obbcbs August 22, 2008 5:54 PM EDT: McCain has memory loss. He confuses the boundaries of nations, he cannot remember the sects of the main opponents in war, and he cannot remember why he went into the room. In the Senate he is known as NOT A DETAIL MAN.
That is polite for "cannot remember what we told him last week".; Reply to this comment