July 29, 2008
Va. Gov. Kaine A Focus In Obama VP Search
Washington Post: Sens. Evan Bayh, Joe Biden Also Under Serious Consideration
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Presidential Campaign Heats Up
Down in the latest poll, Sen. John McCain has gotten tough in ads against Sen. Barack Obama. Bill Plante reports and Russ Mitchell talks to two analysts about what's next in the campaign.
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Fireworks In Campaign '08
John McCain has accused Barack Obama of not supporting the troop surge to secure the Democratic nomination. Obama's camp retaliated by harshly criticizing McCain's campaign. Thalia Assuras reports.
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An Obama-Hagel Ticket?
Discussing bipartisanship with Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bob Schieffer questions whether either Senator would be interested in Barack Obama's vice-presidential selection.
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Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waves to the crowd along with Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine prior to a speech before the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Richmond, Va., Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
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VP Hot Sheet: Obama
CBSNews.com ranks the top contenders to be Obama's running mate.
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VP Hot Sheet: McCain
CBSNews.com ranks the top contenders to be McCain's running mate.
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Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has told close associates that he has had "very serious" conversations with Sen. Barack Obama about joining the Democratic presidential ticket and has provided documents to the campaign as it combs through his background, according to several sources close to Kaine.
Sens. Evan Bayh (Ind.) and Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.) are also being seriously vetted by the campaign staff, according to sources with knowledge of the process.
Obama has revealed little about which way he is leaning. And despite rising anticipation that a decision is imminent, campaign officials said an announcement is likely in mid-August, shortly before the Democratic National Convention. Obama's top aides, David Plouffe and David Axelrod, huddled yesterday in the Washington office of Eric Holder, who along with Caroline Kennedy is vetting potential running mates.
Although rumors have circulated about former military leaders and other nontraditional contenders, including Republicans, Obama's pool of prospects is heavy on longtime senators with foreign policy experience. Kaine and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius are the only state leaders believed to be under serious consideration, sources close to Obama said.
Democrats who have discussed possible choices with campaign officials and have knowledge of the vetting process said others being considered include Sens. Christopher J. Dodd (Conn.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and former senator Sam Nunn (Ga.). Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel (Neb.) and Democratic Sen. Jack Reed (R.I.) are mentioned as long shots.
Aides to Kaine declined to comment about the possibility that Obama might pick him, referring all questions to the senator's campaign. "The governor has been pretty clear from the beginning, when Senator Obama asked him to be a national co-chair, that any conversation he has with the campaign, on any topic, are conversations that he is keeping private," said Delacey Skinner, Kaine's spokeswoman.
But several people who have spoken to Kaine said he has talked about the seriousness of the possibility. Each spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing the campaign's desire to keep the process secret. One said Kaine has stressed that there are other top candidates but described his discussions with the campaign as "very serious."
Two other associates said Kaine's staff is providing the background information necessary to allow the campaign to search for potential political land mines. One source said Kaine chief counsel Larry Roberts is coordinating with Obama's team. Roberts could not be reached for comment Kaine will be in Washington today for his monthly interview on WTOP Radio.
Kaine and Obama became friends after they campaigned together during Kaine's 2005 gubernatorial race. Kaine, who like Obama has Kansas roots, has returned the favor, stumping nationwide for the senator from Illinois during the primaries. In recent weeks, Kaine and his staff have been in frequent contact with Obama and his campaign about strategy and operations in Virginia and elsewhere. The governor has said he plans to attend the Democratic convention in Denver with his wife and children.
Picking Kaine would seem to satisfy many considerations Obama has recently laid out. During an interview with Tom Brokaw on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, the presumptive Democratic nominee said he was looking for someone who shares his desire to change Washington politics.
Kaine, a former Richmond mayor, would bring outside-the-Beltway credentials to the campaign. The relationship the two share would seem to fit with Obama's desire, as he said, for someone "with independence -- who's willing to tell me where he thinks, or she thinks, I'm wrong." And the governor probably would bolster Obama in Virginia, where the campaign is making an all-out push.
But Kaine has no foreign policy background, and as a first-term governor, he may add to voters' concerns about Obama's experience. Kaine remains popular in Virginia, but he has had trouble dealing with Republicans and has no single defining achievement to point to on the campaign trail.
In 2005, the major issue Republicans took aim at was his opposition to the death penalty, but since becoming governor, Kaine has declined to stop several executions.
In interviews, Obama has hinted that experience would factor into his decision on a running mate.
"I want somebody who I'm compatible with, who I can work with, who has a shared vision, who certainly complements me, in the sense that they provide a knowledge base or an area of expertise that can be useful. Because we're going to have a lot of problems and a lot of work to do," he said Sunday. "I want somebody who's going to be able to roll up their sleeves and really do some work."
Speaking to Brokaw, he reiterated that Clinton "would be on anybody's short list." Yet few people close to the Obama campaign think she is a serious contender.
Biden, whose own presidential bid ended in January, could help to balance Obama's shortcomings. He is one of his party's most prominent foreign policy voices, fluent in issues as varied as Iraq and narcotics trafficking. Elected in 1972, he also has deep ties to the Democratic establishment. With his blue-collar Scranton, Pa., roots, Biden could prove a valued surrogate in key Midwestern swing states.
But the outspoken Biden also is known for the occasional verbal gaffe, and his long tenure in Washington could muddle Obama's call for change.
Democratic observers say the safest bet may be Bayh, a former governor from a Republican state who is known for his centrist views. Obama supporters who are pressing for Bayh say that he would stir no controversy, nor would he overshadow the nominee, as an elder statesman like Biden might. Obama supporters who oppose Bayh counter that he is too conventional and too much of a Washington insider.
Reed, a military expert, is viewed as a lower-profile version of Biden who could take on a substantial national security portfolio. Like Kaine, Sebelius, Dodd and Biden, Reed also is a Roman Catholic, and his roots are humble -- his father was a school custodian.
Reed brushed aside speculation that was stirred last week when he accompanied Obama to Irq and Afghanistan. "I am interested in serving in the United States Senate, and that interest trumps any consideration of serving as a vice president," he told the Providence Journal.
As a decision approaches, speculation about Obama's choices has intensified.
Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," the Weekly Standard's William Kristol said he thinks Obama has already decided on Kaine.
Obama is "in Washington on Tuesday, two days from now. He'll have a secret meeting with Tim Kaine -- this is my theory -- they'll work it all out," Kristol said. "And then on Monday, next Monday, August 4th, 11 a.m. in Richmond, Obama and Tim Kaine, and that will be an attractive young ticket. . . . I'm way out there on a limb here."
Staff writer Tim Craig contributed to this report.
By Michael D. Shear and Shailagh Murray
© 2008 The Washington Post Company
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See all 83 CommentsHow nuts! The Vepp, whether Hillary or anyone else doesn''t set policy and Obama represents everything Hillary ran on.
Voting against Obama at this point is a repudiation of Hillary.
Besides, do you really think having Bill as the second second fiddle is a workable situation?
Get a grip! Hillary will have her choice of cabinet positions and will probably be appointed to the Supreme Court. That''s a much better deal for her and her supporters than the Vice Presidency.
The USA Today/Gallup poll has McCain leading Obama by four points, 49 percent to Obama''s 45 percent, among likely voters.
Just last month, the same poll had McCain trailing by six points to the neophyte U.S. senator.
Actually, Bayh was my first choice for President before he dropped out and Obama took such a lone and courageous stand on Afghanistan.
Bayh has been successful both as a Governor and Senator of a "red" state. From the electoral angle, he helps as much as Kaine with working class voters
in the rust belt and represents a state with a significant number of electoral votes which is in play.
As a Hillary supporter during the Primaries he would help to bridge that divide.
More importantly, he has experience in the Senate with intelligence and foreign policy as well as economic and energy policies. Like Obama, he has a record of working in a bipartison fashion to forge as much consensus as possible. He would be a valuable asset in advising a new President.
The very thought of Senator Clinton holding a Cabinet position or being nominated to the Supreme Court (the ultimate way of preventing her from running for President at a later date) sends me running, screaming for the McCain 08 bumper stickers. Obama should leave "sleeping dogs lay". He won the nomination, by most accounts fair and square. He is not beholden to the Clinton''s for anything. If he needs either Bill or Hilary to assure his victory in November, then we''re voting for the wrong candidate to begin with.
Obama should pick a Republican running mate in a serious effort to bridge the partisan divide in this country.
So much for Barry''s ''Magical Mystery Tour''......no bounce there.
That''s right....the great ''uniter'' should do that. But he won''t. Have you seen the candidate of CHANGE''s new economic advisors?
The same old Clinton throw backs from the 90''s. So much for ''CHANGE''.
There is no equipment or engineering process that can turn a lease into oil in months. McCain is all lies, all the time now.
That is his makeup now that the right wing people have taken over his campaign. Lie, lie some more and then tell an absolute WHOPPER.
And make sure that CNN and FOX blare the headline.
The same old Clinton throw backs from the 90''''s. So much for ''''CHANGE''''.
Posted by LibH8er at 09:47 AM : Jul 29, 2008
It would be great "change" to return to the prosperity and record surpluses of the Clinton years rather than than recession, runaway inflation, and record deficits created by Bush''s failed policies and favored by John McSame.
America wants and desperately needs real change. John McSame is running on Bush''s same old failed policies that have hurt working Americans.
You libs always like to delude yourselves with propoganda. Maybe you should try reading reality in lieu of the DailyKook.
But that would require independent thought and intellectual honesty.....something which 99% of you lack. Enjoy your Kool Aid.
(yawn) You are a bedwetting liberal and a waste of my time. Do a little research and you''ll see for yourself. Till then, go change your diaper and get ready to record The View.....no doubt one of your favorites.
Posted by LibH8er at 10:02 AM : Jul 29, 2008
bwahahaha!!!!
Were the former members of the Bush Adminstration meeting with Obama also throwbacks to Clinton?
America wants and desperately needs real change. John McSame is running on Bush''''s same old failed policies that have hurt working Americans.
Posted by micma at 09:54 AM : Jul 29, 2008
Yeah really....as long as your paycheck is $50 more...terrorists can run free among us. Yeah, the Clownton era of prosperity!
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Posted by leftyintexes at 10:13 AM : Jul 29, 2008
You know obama8years, by imitating the real Lefty, you''re acknowledging his superior points of views. Imitation is good when it comes from your enemies. You''re a pathetic little boy.
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Posted by nokoolaid at 10:07 AM : Jul 29, 2008
Better not hold your breath pal, you''ll be dead before he grows up.
Posted by aldon61 at 10:23 AM : Jul 29, 2008
Agreed. Some spend their entire existence arrested in adolescence......
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Posted by formrusmcsgt at 10:23 AM : Jul 29, 2008
I like Hagel, but he''s WAY too conservative to go on Obama''s ticket. About the only thing they share in common is the war in Iraq. Biden, Bahy or Kaine would be best. I agree with you on Clinton though, very much down the list.
You''re in good company disregarding this. All the mainstream news websites are ignoring it. You''re all so far in the tank for Barack Obama that it''s hilarious...or would be if the future of our country didn''t hang in the balance.
Posted by aldon61 at 10:26 AM : Jul 29, 2008
I can''t agree with you on Biden.
Then man can''t use his mouth for more than 5 minutes without sticking his foot in it.....
Gallup Daily: Obama 49%, McCain 40%Third day with Obama holding a significant lead over McCainUSA Election 2008 Gallup Daily Americas Northern America PRINCETON, NJ -- Barack Obama now leads John McCain among national registered voters by a 49% to 40% margin in Gallup Poll Daily tracking conducted July 24-26
This is the most recent poll posted on Gallup''s web-site. Obama now has a nine point lead.
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Posted by mike071067 at 10:32 AM : Jul 29, 2008
This post is a lie, refer to www.gallup.com, which I''ve posted earlier.
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That poll was probably held in Green Bay after he made his iconic speeches in the cheese aisle of a grocery store and at a restaurant that serves bratwurst. Next poll will be taken from Depends users!
"Likely" voters is a more accurate poll than "registered" voters.
Once again, Liberals silent and crickets chirping.
Don''''t you find that interesting?
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Posted by ddhinnyc at 10:32 AM : Jul 29, 2008
Check the web-site, www.gallup.com, then re-think your post.
Then man can''''t use his mouth for more than 5 minutes without sticking his foot in it.....
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Posted by formrusmcsgt at 10:31 AM : Jul 29, 2008
You might be right, he does have a history of "foot and mouth" disease, doesn''t he? He''ll never say anything that doesn''t involve excess verbage. I like the guy though, and his experience, especially in foreign relations, could shore up Obama. Barack would need to keep him on a short leash.
Posted by formrusmcsgt at 10:31 AM : Jul 29, 2008
Morning sarge.
Weren''t you a "Biden for President" guy?
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Posted by nokoolaid at 10:50 AM : Jul 29, 2008
That''s an interesting thought; I need to chew on that a bit. Gates seems to have his head on straight, but I''m not certain how strong his "Texas ties" are. Wouldn''t want a fox in a hen-house would we?
Just what we need to add to dynamic trio of Pelosi-Reid-Obama in their quest to save the world. An idealistic trio that has gradually evolved into the ruthless pursuit of political power, and now they want to raise Kaine.
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Posted by nokoolaid at 10:59 AM : Jul 29, 2008
It''ll be interesting, as I said, I wouldn''t be opposed to it at all. Gates appears to be a good man, not in the mold of the rest of this administration at all!
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Posted by andylance1 at 10:54 AM : Jul 29, 2008
You know, for a neocon, your post is pretty descriptive and well thought out. I like the simile, good post!
Posted by ddhinnyc at 10:32 AM : Jul 29, 2008
Check the web-site, www.gallup.com, then re-think your post.===
Posted by aldon61
Once again, ddhinnyc silent and crickets chirping.
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Posted by rafterman1 at 11:06 AM : Jul 29, 2008
You noticed that too?
Posted by CBS4me3
I''d love to hear the logic behind your decision! Do you intend to vote for McCain, some 3rd party candidate or stay home? While I can understand that Obama was not your 1st choice, Hillary Clinton has since endorsed him enthusiastically, his positions on the issues are very similar to hers. Do you really want 4 more years of Bush policies, with the damage it has done to this country''s economy and reputation among our allies?
Obama''s recent trip abroad has shown Europe is hungry for new leadership from Amercia. Do you think they will get that with a President McCain?
For what it''s worth, Gallup did do a poll for USA Today that does have McCain leading, but the criteria and numbers were missing. Their combined polls shows Obama with a 9 point lead. I copied and posted that poll earlier on this site. Polls can show anything if the criteria is controlled...and of course, they can be wrong too!
For what it''s worth, Gallup did do a poll for USA Today that does have McCain leading, but the criteria and numbers were missing. Their combined polls shows Obama with a 9 point lead. I copied and posted that poll earlier on this site. Polls can show anything if the criteria is controlled...and of course, they can be wrong too!
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Posted by notmudrose at 11:14 AM : Jul 29, 2008
Neither have I. If he doesn''t get back here soon, I''m going to post some SEIG HEILS, just for him.
Too bad the best of the bunch on the Republican side said no to a VP spot. Bobby Jindal is what McCain needs, especially if Obama picks Kaine. Jindal would blow Kaine away when they stood side by side citing accomplishments as respective Governors.
If the Republicans want to send a message of change, Jindal would certainly do it.
On the Dem side, they are all part of the same bunch. So we will see what Obama will do. It has been said he would only pick Hillary if he really believed he needed her to win, and Obama doesn,t think he really needs anyone, that he is already President. And he may be right for members of the media are already referring to him as "president.
Posted by nolalou at 11:17 AM : Jul 29, 2008
How many times have we seen this pety attitude from Hillary''s faithful.
She blew it big time, so they''re all still pouting.
Sheesh.
Posted by aldon61
In a Presidental election, national polls are almost meaningless. What matters is electoral votes, so polls that show who''s leading in each state are more meaningful. Take a look at this site which shows states where McCain has the lead and states where Obama has the lead, and about a dozen toss-up states currently to close to call.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/maps/obama_vs_mccain/
You can then choose who you think will win the toss-up states by clicking on them, and see how that effects the electoral college vote. (it takes 270 to win).
Another good site that is updated daily
http://www.electoral-vote.com/
Like the moron in the other story who said she wasn''t voting for Obama because she didn''t like his name....wow...nice to see you put a lot of thought into that vote you simpleton...
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