Obama's VP Pick To Be Named Soon

Announcement Expected In Coming Days Ahead Of The Democratic Convention

(AP)  Barack Obama will publicly disclose his vice presidential choice in the coming days, though the Democrat is keeping most aides who are preparing for the announcement in the dark and giving away nothing to voters as he campaigns.

The Illinois senator has staffers in place to aid the No. 2 and his or her spouse, including more than a dozen seasoned operatives who have set up shop in a section of the campaign's Chicago headquarters. They are running through various logistical scenarios involved in taking over the relatively normal life of a person they do not know and thrusting them into the unrelenting glare of a presidential campaign.

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VP Hot Sheet: Obama
CBSNews.com tracks the veepstakes buzz and ranks the top contenders.

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Obama was believed to have narrowed his list to Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. While it seemed increasingly unlikely that he would choose his vanquished rival, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, some Democrats speculated Monday that he could pull a surprise and pick her.

Former South Dakota Sen. Tom Daschle, a close Obama adviser, said Monday he had given the campaign personal information needed to examine the background of potential vice presidential nominees but was confident he wouldn't be selected.

"I did give ... documents a long time ago, but these matters have been resolved for a long time now as far as I'm concerned," Daschle told The Associated Press in an interview.

Only Obama, his wife, Michelle, a handful of his most senior advisers and his two-member search committee know for certain who was on the initial list, who made the cuts, whose backgrounds were researched, whose names were floated to divert the media - and who Obama ultimately will choose.

He planned to campaign in Florida on Tuesday, and on Wednesday ride a bus through North Carolina and Virginia, where he was appearing with former Gov. Mark Warner, also mentioned as a possible contender for the No. 2 spot. After that, Obama's schedule is wide open, leaving the end of the week as a more likely time to make the announcement before the Democratic National Convention begins next Monday in Denver.

Campaign manager David Plouffe e-mailed supporters last week telling them they would receive first word of Obama's decision through a mass text message, but otherwise the team has revealed little about what to expect. Historically, presidential tickets then tour battleground states to maximize media exposure, and Obama is expected to do the same.

For his part, Republican rival John McCain is seriously considering naming his running mate between the end of the Democratic convention Aug. 28 and the Sept. 1 start of the GOP convention in hopes of stunting any uptick in polls for Obama. McCain has at least three large rallies planned in top battlegrounds - Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan - before the Republican gathering in St. Paul, Minn.

His top contenders are said to include Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Less traditional choices include former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, an abortion-rights supporter, and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic vice presidential pick in 2000 who now is an independent.

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VP Hot Sheet: McCain
CBSNews.com tracks the veepstakes buzz and ranks the top contenders. See who's number 1!

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Since Obama clinched the nomination in early June, speculation has swirled about the prospective No. 2s.

Names mentioned have included Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, a national security expert who traveled with Obama to Iraq and Afghanistan; former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn, another foreign policy authority; and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, a prominent Hispanic with vast international experience.

While Obama's search committee reviewed its list of potential candidates during the past several weeks, the campaign was busy building the vice presidential staff operation that includes chief of staff Patti Solis Doyle, who was Clinton's campaign manager, and spokesman David Wade, who was 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry's traveling press secretary. Rick Siger, advance director for Kaine's campaign, came on to oversee the travels of the eventual pick, increasing buzz that his former boss could be the likely choice.

The drama of Obama's impending announcement drew dozens of new reporters to travel with his campaign Monday. They listened in vain for clues as Obama held a subdued meeting with several dozen women in New Mexico on the topic of wage discrimination, sticking to his word that he wouldn't say anything about the decision until his announcement.

Obama was more animated Monday afternoon at a raucous town hall meeting, where Richardson introduced him. He praised Richardson as one of the nation's best governors, but otherwise gave no hint of the governor's future status.

Even as they were kept out of the loop on the decision, Obama's staff debated who would make the right choice. Many said if the candidate asked them, they would suggest Biden because of his foreign policy experience and strong debate skills; Sebelius because she's a respected Washington outsider who has won a Republican state; or Bayh because he can appeal to Democrats uneasy about Obama and could help him win Indiana.

Each candidate could pose problems, too. An Obama-Sebelius ticket would be especially light on international experience. Bayh supported the Iraq war; Obama did not and has said that is a leading indicator of judgment.

Republicans are already envisioning their response to a Biden pick - Obama is so inexperienced that he had to pick someone with a 26-year record in Senate. Biden has spent a longer time on Capitol Hill than McCain, they point out, which doesn't exactly represent the kind of change Obama says is needed in Washington.

Biden was far from the speculation Monday; he traveled over the weekend to Georgia to meet with President Mikhail Saakashvili and discuss the country's military clash with Russia.

Other potential vice presidential prospects also seemed to be going about business as usual. Sebelius was traveling to Michigan on Tuesday to help boost Obama's support among women there, while Kaine helped unveil a bust of explorer Meriwether Lewis in Virginia's old House chamber on Monday.

[wellhell3]

Oh, wow, everybody''s just holding their breath! (snort)

[mcvet-1]

Oh, wow, everybody''''s just holding their breath! (snort)

Posted by WellHell3 at 08:46 AM : Aug 19, 2008

You know this how?? You Fascist are so lost and without vision that this is what you are left with!! I wish ALL of you would follow the post of this poor simple minded UNEDUCATED Loser! YOU''VE got to have BETTER than this... Oh Okay, so I guess you don''t, but it''s still so sad!! Obama 08

[micma-2009]

Americans want and deserve CHANGE.

We''re tired of the same old McSame old.

Obama 08!

[iuphockey12]

Obama''s VP pick: Marion Barry

[mr2258]

Obama will need to pick a VP with a clean record.I''m not sure Obama will be able to obtain top security clearance after admitting on national TV to the use of illegal drugs.

[nolalou]

Obama will need to pick a VP with a clean record.I''''m not sure Obama will be able to obtain top security clearance after admitting on national TV to the use of illegal drugs.
Posted by mr2258

So what are you saying , Obama should have hid the fact? Your statement is both silly and stupid! How do you know McCain has a ''clean record'', after all drug use was common among those who fought in the Vietnam war. In addition, his wife Cindy as admitted to past drug use! Mrs. McCain admitted that she had solicited prescriptions for painkillers from physicians who worked for an international charity that she founded, the American Voluntary Medical Team. She then filled the prescriptions in the names of her staff, but kept the drugs for herself!!

[realpatriot1]

Mr. 2258,

What do you suppose Bush was under the influence of when he outed the CIA''s anti-WMD network? Do you suppose we know as much about the Iranian nuclear program as we would have if he hadn''t?

Was Reagan already senile when he gave arms to Iran?

If they deserve security clearances after those actions who shouldn''t?

[carjenbe]

So name the lousy candidate for VP and get this garbage off the front page. He''s a VP for crying out loud, a shadow president, an insurance policy, a do nothing but live the high life, another taxing spending social democrat. Get a life folks, it is a nothing position, why the hoopla.

[iuphockey12]

Did anyone see the interviews that were conducted from Saddle Back church on CNN the other night?

[xlib]

realpatriot1-love your log-in name, very elitist, but typical of the left. Now, about the Iranian nuclear issue, would that be about the one albright and clinton started during his reign???

[bigwhtpony]

It''s taking so long because all the socialist/communists he admires are DEAD! He''s having a hard time finding America hating replacements.

[bigwhtpony]

Posted by realpatriot1 at 10:12 AM : Aug 19, 2008

Under the ''truth in advertising'' laws, you should change your screen name to realloser1...cause that''s what you are.

[yeswecan09]

Personally I am looking for an Obama/Powell ticket

[perceptions5]

Obama needs a lot of help from his veep pick. The problem is the Democrat Party doesn''t really have any strong leaders. Does Obama pick Bayh for Indiana even though he voted for the war? Does he go with Tim Kane from Virginia in an effort to keep the perception of "being from outside Washington"? Or does he pick Joe Biden for some foreign policy experience? Obama is in a tough situation and really doesn''t have a "win-win" situation that he can turn to. Maybe Obama will have someone else pick his running mate. Reports are that Obama feels that this decision is "really above his pay grade"...................if you know what I mean.

For John McCain the pick is extremely easy. If McCain wants to win and win in a landslide then he needs to pick Mitt Romney. It''s a complete no-brainer. This election in the end comes down to "electoral votes"

My adding MItt Romney to the ticket we can be pretty sure bet that Michigan, which the Democrats don''t even recogize as a US State, will turn Red in November. Michigan falling into the McCain column on November 4th would be like ripping the heart out of the Democrat party. New Hampshire will also fall into the McCain column. John won norhern New Hampshire and Mitt won southern New Hampshire during the primaries. Together then will take New Hampshire from Blue to Red.

John McCain and Mitt Romney........the "M & M" ticket. ...................for "honest and smart" change.

[stn_sage]

Posted by Xlib at 10:24 AM : Aug 19, 2008
---------------
I see you''re hard at it today, uh buddy?!
A new day, fresh fights to pick with other posters!
Why don''t you do things differently today?! Why
don''t you try convincing us your opinions are correct
instead of just attacking people all the time!
I mean it really gets old---and the only reason you
get away with it, is the media---including CBS---is controlled by the rightwing! Neocon dominated all the way! Which is why rightwing posters can exercise hate speech, but when leftwingers do it, their posts are pulled!

[mediahack1]

I know its early to predict... but I got a gut feeling about this .. if Obama picks Clinton, it''ll be a good fight, and the Dems will win the Whitehouse.
If Obama does not choose Clinton, then it''s a repeat of 2000 and 2004.

[rytom64]

Please don''t pick Billlary, he''ll lose my vote.

[yourpointis]

but when leftwingers do it, their posts are pulled!

Posted by stn_sage at 10:53 AM : Aug 19, 2008

If that was the case, there wouldn''t be any posts here, huh? :)

Have a good Tuesday! Get the gloves on.....

[avembe]

OBAMA/SIBELIUS

[mjvw2]

Obama''s VP Pick To Be Named Soon

and this is news

[bigwhtpony]

Top 10 Ubama VP Picks:

10) Ho Chi Minh
9) J. Stalin
8) H. Chavez (oopes, he''s already spoken for)
7) Al Sharpton
6) Karl Marx
5) Nelson Mandela
4) Fidel Castro
3) Danny Glover
2) Michael Moore
1) Michelle

[bec67]

Plain and simple, no Hillary, no white house for Obama. Millions of Hillary supporters, like myself will move right over to McCain.

[raviandsonia]

Dear God,
Please let me win this Election. I promised it to my lobbyists. And please forgive me for my many many sins. You know, adultery, lying, fooling the American public, emulating Bush to win the election, flip flopping, talking ill of my competition, his color, his friends, his wife etc. etc. etc. Sorry, too many to mention. Oh, and can you delay the forgivness until a day after the election as I will need to continue this path of evil a little while longer.
Amen
McCain

****

Dear God,
Please let McCain win this Election. I promised it to my lobbyists and oil friends in USA and in Saudi, TOO. And while you''re at it, please forgive me for my sins too. You know, lying, swiftboating, draft dodging, torture, katrina, invading under false pretenses, Valerie Plame, ulterior motives, did I mention lying, war, American lives, lots of torture and for the millions I will make on the lecture circuit and my book. Oh and also for stealing the election. Hee! Hee! I know, I know ..... there''s a lot more. Yada Yada Yada....
Amen
Bush

[bigwhtpony]

Posted by Bec67 at 02:45 PM : Aug 19, 2008

And many conservatives, like myself, will hold our noses and vote for McCain because the alternative is just too horrific to contemplate!

[raviandsonia]

bigwhtpony - The alternative is too horrific !!!!! Do you know the 10 commandments, you prejudiced bigot ???

[obama8years]

Didnt think Obama was a Muslim. Think Again?

PHOTO PROOF, and authorities are investigating, its more than muslim problems Barry has.

http://web.israelinsider.com/A
rticles/Politics/13056.htm

[stn_sage]

Unless he picks someone totally ''out of the blue'' who is clearly insane, anyone he picks will be better than either one of the ''CONS on the GOP ticket!

He should just name someone and get it over with!

I tend to hold it against the party that drags these things out!

[wellhell3]

Oh bull spit! Who gives a rip who his VP candidate is! It''s just another scam by his campaign for attention!

He''s had so many VP volunteers unvolunteer themselves, it''s starting to get pathetic!

And the ones still vying...are basically KRAP!

And if he chooses Hillary, it''s just another SCAM because he can''t get a damned vote! I hope she has better sense than to get mixed up in his whack job campaign!

[emperorlotku]

Who cares who Obama picks for his V.P. . The American voters , both Democrat and Republican, will by election day figure out that Obama is not fit to be President. He is just another politician with a overabundance of charisma but no depth. He made it very clear that he can''t answer a straight question. ("above my pay grade"). The sad part of that answer is the pandering to the evangelical audience while keeping his "pro-choice" voting block happy. No matter how he views the pro-choice/anti-murder sides of the abortion coin he should have answered the question with a straight answer. "Above my pay-grade" is unacceptable for a politician that wants the highest grade job in the world. The Obama fever will wither away and voters will realize what a shallow candidate they have nominated by election day. I predict a 20-25 point landslide for McCain.

[blkpresident]

As long as he doesn''t pick lil'' Hillary we should be in great shape this Fall. Personally, if it were my decision to make, I''d choose L. Douglas Wilder(former Governor of Virginia and presently serving as the Mayor of Richmond, Virginia). Biden couldn''t carry Mr. Obama''s jock-strap.

[blkpresident]

Bec67,

Saw where you stated that if lil'' missy wasn''t tapped by Mr. Obama you and others would simply vote for old man McCain; well, don''t let the door hit you where the good Lord split you. Go ahead and waste your vote on an old and feeble *** man.

[blkpresident]

iuphockey12,

Was it necessary to put Mr. Obama in the same sentence as former Washington, DC Mayor Marion Barry? You may want to wear a helmut when you''re out on the ice so you can make sense when you post. Marion Barry?! You''re not funny clown!