VP Guessing Game Nears Conclusion

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh Ruled Out; Sen. Joe Biden Reportedly A Leading Contender

(CBS/AP)  On a day and night of political suspense, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden emerged as a leading contender Friday to become Barack Obama's vice presidential pick as two running mate rivals learned they had been eliminated.

Virginia Gov. Tom Kaine spread word he had been ruled out and Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana was told he was not Obama's choice, according to party officials.

The normally loquacious Biden maintained a low profile as associates said they believed - but did not know - that he would be tapped. They added they had been asked to stand by in case their help was needed.

Additionally, several associates of Obama - including some at his campaign headquarters in Chicago - said they believed Biden was the choice, though they cautioned they had not been told directly.

Compounding the mystery, conservative Rep. Chet Edwards of Texas emerged - however briefly - as a contender.

Former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton's chances remained uncertain on a day filled with them. Senior aides said the Obama campaign had never requested financial or other records from her.

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius rounded out the roster of likely contenders - a list that did not take into account any surprises that Obama might harbor.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, nooooo," Sebelius told reporters who asked for her latest thoughts on the months-long search.

Three days before Democrats open their convention in Denver, officials said the Obama campaign had taken the trouble to print material bearing the names of several potential ticket mates. The result was to minimizing the significance of a report that one company was churning out signs bearing Bayh's name. >

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Read More On What Obama's Top Contenders Did Today

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"I think right now they're just trying to tease us," said CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer. "They want to drag this out, build suspend into it."

In an interview that aired Friday on CBS News' The Early Show, Obama talked about the process.

"Obviously, the most important question is: Is this person ready to be president?" he said. "Can this person help me govern? Are they going to be an effective partner in creating the kind of economic opportunity here at home and guiding us through some dangerous waters internationally?"

And, he added: "I want somebody who is going to be able to challenge my thinking and not simply be a 'yes person' when it comes to policymaking.
(Click here for the exclusive interview with Harry Smith).

Obama told reporters on Thursday he had made his choice, and aides used the prospect of a text-message announcement to try and attract additional supporters by soliciting their cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

Even that became occasion for intrigue.

Late Friday, several officials said the text message announcement would be distributed Saturday morning, a few hours before a scheduled rally at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., where the Democratic ticket would appear for the first time.

Hundreds of miles to the west, carpenters, electricians, sound stage gurus and others transformed the Pepsi Center in Denver into a made-for-television convention venue.

Tucked away in one corner were thousands of lightweight rolled cardboard tubes, ready-made handles for signs bearing the names of the Democratic ticket - once the identity of Obama's running mate was known.

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VP Hot Sheet: CBSNews.com Tracks Veepstakes Buzz:
McCain's Top 10 Contenders
Obama's Top 10 Contenders

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Edwards, whom House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had touted for running mate, told The Associated Press in Waco, Texas, "I have had interactions with the Obama campaign over the last several months but I will not get into details."

Kaine, a moderate governor from a swing state, boarded a private plane at a small airport for a flight that aides said would take him to suburban Denver.

Bayh, a second-term senator, attended tennis camp with one of his sons, while Biden, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, evidently spent the day at his home in Delaware.

Clinton is apparently not under serious consideration and spent the day at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. Sources say she was not vetted by the campaign, but her supporters are still holding out hope Obama will pick her, reports CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds.

"My answer to any question about the subject that I think you're referring to is that all inquiries should be directed at Senator Obama's campaign," said Clinton, the former first lady who came close to capturing the nomination in the primaries of last winter and spring.

Despite the advice, neither Obama nor his aides were saying.

Among those believed in the running, Edwards and Biden fit the mold of running mate with experience in defense or foreign policy - areas in which Obama is rated relatively poorly in the polls compared with Republican Sen. John McCain.

Clinton's credentials were forged in the primaries and caucuses where she ran a close second to Obama in the battle for the nomination. She maintains a loyal following among Democrats, many of whom have yet to swing behind the man who defeated her.

There was no shortage of other speculation, ranging from GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, who traveled with Obama to Iraq and Afghanistan, to Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, to Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut.

The emergence of Edwards as a possible selection was the surprise of the day.

Edwards is a favorite of Pelosi, who praised his "extraordinary credentials" on ABC's "This Week" on Aug. 3 and said: "I hope he will be the nominee."

One Democratic official with knowledge of the conversation said Obama told Pelosi recently that she would be pleased with the choice. Other Democratic officials said he was on the short list. All spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss Obama's selection process. .

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Read More On Speculation About Rep. Chet Edwards Today

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Edwards, chairman of the Appropriations Committee's military construction and veterans affairs subcommittee, is a nine-term moderate Democrat representing the GOP-leaning Texas district. He is well-known in Texas but does not have a national profile.

Several GOP officials said Friday that Arizona Sen. McCain, Obama's Republican rival, had not settled on a running mate - nor offered the job to anyone - although former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty were under serious consideration. It's likely McCain will wait to see who Obama selects before picking his running mate.

Officials said the campaign also was preparing for an "unconventional" nominee, an indication that oft-mentioned former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, an abortion-rights supporter, or Connecticut Democrat-turned-independent Joe Lieberman still could be in the running. That category also could include non-politicians whom McCain deeply admires, such as Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq.

Two officials close to Romney said he had not been offered the job. Pawlenty batted away questions Friday in a CNN interview, saying, "I'm sure he'll make a wonderful choice for our party and for our country, and we'll just have to wait until next Friday to find out the answer to those questions."

The GOP convention begins Sept. 1 in St. Paul, Minn.

[trrrorislam1]

HUSSEINs VICE PRESIDENT,,,

hmmmm will it be a TYPICAL WHITE PERSON???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8gnmUyminI

hmmmm will it be one that is clinging to his gun and religion???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNoJ0q6HrK8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmv5NZ4zcdc&feature=related

hmmmm will it be one that wants americans to learn spanish???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZprtPat1Vk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W7srmHLclw

hmmmm will it be a RACIST like himSelf, hating whitey and jews???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfC4OOm1aoM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lI77cU3jsFs&feature=related

RACIST HUSSEIN PICKS,,, RACIST BIDEN AS VP,,, shocker,,,

Obama''''s Racist Vice President Biden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlxXNyIuyTM

BIDEN SAYS NOW,,, HE IS HAPPY TO BE VICE PRESIDENT TO HUSSEIN,,,

"I mean, you''ve got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice looking guy."
: SENATOR JOE BIDEN
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxWSVXZVR4c

BIDEN SAYS HUSSEIN NOT READY,,,

BIDEN SAYS HE IS READY TO RUN WITH OR AGAINST MCCAIN,,,

BIDEN SAYS COUNTRY BETTER OFF WITH MCCAIN,,, THAN HUSSEIN,,,

Joe Biden On Barack Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDVUPqoowf8

[trrrorislam1]

NAIVE HUSSEIN SEES AMERICA AS EVIL,,,

and you want to make him PRESIDENT OF THE USA???

Saddleback Church Civil Forum - Obama & McCain 8 of 17
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqsH13unGbM&feature=related

Abortion, evil, Obama and McCain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0eVomjmCGI

[matter77]

Was Biden chosen for Vice-President, or Co-President?

[whatithink-2009]

Cons think Enron''''s CEO was an ant and Enron''''s employees were grasshoppers.

February 12, 2001 - Skilling was named CEO of Enron, receiving $132 million.

January 14, 2002 - Enron employees lost 70 to 90 percent of their retirement assets.

[whatithink-2009]

"The one of those is you working three jobs just to survive and planning on voting for McCain. You need to do some soul searching.

------------------------------------------------------
Posted by redwhtblue2"



Good point. But, they will never get it. They think they are part of the GOP''s true base - the haves and have mores.

[samthetvcat]

Wow, Joe Biden''s son is a lobbyist specializing in earmarks . . .

[samthetvcat]

pt 2 (Biden on the Iraq war, Barack''s positions):

- Assessing Obama%u2019s Iraq plan on September 13, 2007: %u201CMy impression is [Obama] thinks that if we leave, somehow the Iraqis are going to have an epiphany%u201D of peaceful coexistence among warring sects. %u201CI%u2019ve seen zero evidence of that.%u201D

- September 26, 2007: Biden for President Campaign Manager Luis Navarro said, %u201CSen. Obama said he would do everything possible to end the war in Iraq and emphasized the need for a political solution yet he failed to show up to vote for Sen. Biden%u2019s critical amendment to provide a political solution in Iraq.

* * * * *

Like, Biden shores up Barack''s weaknesses because he has qualities that Barack doesn''t, but like is compromise going to be difficult?

[samthetvcat]

Joe Biden''s positions on the Iraq war:

- Biden on Meet the Press in 2002, discussing Saddam Hussein: %u201CHe%u2019s a long term threat and a short term threat to our national security%u2026 %u201CWe have no choice but to eliminate the threat. This is a guy who is an extreme danger to the world.%u201D

- Biden in October of 2002: %u201CWe must be clear with the American people that we are committing to Iraq for the long haul; not just the day after, but the decade after.%u201D

- Biden to the Brookings Institution in 2005: %u201CWe can call it quits and withdraw from Iraq. I think that would be a gigantic mistake. Or we can set a deadline for pulling out, which I fear will only encourage our enemies to wait us out %u2014 equally a mistake.%u201D

- August 2007: Biden criticized Democratic rivals such as Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama who have voted against Iraq funding bills to try to pressure President Bush to end the war. %u201CThere%u2019s no political point worth my son%u2019s life,%u201D Biden said, according to Radio Iowa. %u201CThere%u2019s no political point worth anybody%u2019s life out there. None.%u201D

[redwhtblue2]

No I did not know, but those folks that put in the put options on the airline industry knew and surprise they were never caught wake up oh that''''''''s right you work three jobs how do you find time to wonk on this site?

Posted by redwhtblue2

Okay, now I see you are one of those. I understand now.

posted by ourtomorrows at 02:40 AM : Aug 23, 2008

Did they ever get caught because you do know 9/11 Insider Trading
%u201C... On September 10, 4516 put options on American Airlines were bought

And the persons were never caught but you didn%u2019t know.




The one of those is you working three jobs just to survive and planning on voting for McCain. You need to do some soul searching.

[ourtomorrows]

Well, you''''re certainly entitled to your opinion. Nothing wrong with that.

Posted by IRLiberal

Thank you. It is funny, I work in higher education in New England and very few people that I work with know my political stance because if they did, oh lordy, I would be a leper. One of the greatest ironies I find about the college I work at is how my fellow faculty talk and talk about an equal exchange of ideas, how w e must teach our students to be tolerant of others opinions, yet, these people are some of the most closed minded intolerant people I have ever met. If you are a moderate you are suspect, if you are a Republican, god help you because there must be something wrong with you. One woman I work with who knows my political beliefs said to me something like "you have a brain, how can you possibly think what you do" when I made the mistake of saying something not negative about the President

[ourtomorrows]

Maybe all the US taxpayer money be wasted on that war on terror can make you sleep a little better at night though.

Posted by redwhtblue2

Actually it does.

[ourtomorrows]

No I did not know, but those folks that put in the put options on the airline industry knew and surprise they were never caught wake up oh that''''s right you work three jobs how do you find time to wonk on this site?

Posted by redwhtblue2

Okay, now I see you are one of those. I understand now.

When I get home from work I like to have a sandwich, a bourbon and either read a bit, watch tv or check out the web for an hour or so before going to bed. I find the discourse energizing

[samthetvcat]

Reading more about Biden''s positions throughout the history of Iraq war, omg these two are like oil and water - their views are like polar opposites at every step of the war.

The big substantive question for me is like so Biden''s come on as the foreign policy expert - but whose judgment is going to win out on what courses of action to take? Because Biden''s a pitbull, and Barack''s like a pacifist . . . like there''s no compromise between go forward and hold back . . .

[redwhtblue2]

Right, you must have known 9/11 was going to happen as well. Perhaps you need to get over yourself just a bit.



Posted by ourtomorrows at 02:33 AM : Aug 23, 2008

No I did not know, but those folks that put in the put options on the airline industry knew and surprise they were never caught wake up oh that''s right you work three jobs how do you find time to wonk on this site?

[irliberal]

Glad I could offer you some amusement. I would say that 30 percent still agree with me. Almost a third.

Posted by ourtomorrows at 02:32 AM

Well, you''re certainly entitled to your opinion. Nothing wrong with that.

[redwhtblue2]

If he gets elected you''''''''ll be looking for a third job if you can live without sleep.

Posted by redwhtblue2

I already, as I said, have three. But that is not President Bush''''s fault.



Posted by ourtomorrows at 02:31 AM : Aug 23, 2008

IN a way it''s not it is your fault however I don''t understand your logic and won%u2019t be surprised if things get worse for you.

Maybe all the US taxpayer money be wasted on that war on terror can make you sleep a little better at night though.

[ourtomorrows]

I don''''t hate Bush but I clearly knew prior to the 2000 election he and Cheney would turn American into ruins. Just the facts

Posted by redwhtblue2

Right, you must have known 9/11 was going to happen as well. Perhaps you need to get over yourself just a bit.

[ourtomorrows]

EWWWW Lol! That''''s the most disgusting thing I''''ve heard this week! And a vast majority of Americans would agree with me, if polls mean anything at all.

Posted by IRLiberal

Glad I could offer you some amusement. I would say that 30 percent still agree with me. Almost a third.

[redwhtblue2]

Posted by ourtomorrows at 02:27 AM : Aug 23, 2008

I don''t hate Bush but I clearly knew prior to the 2000 election he and Cheney would turn American into ruins. Just the facts

[ourtomorrows]

If he gets elected you''''ll be looking for a third job if you can live without sleep.

Posted by redwhtblue2

I already, as I said, have three. But that is not President Bush''s fault.