Obama: Too Early To Discuss Shared Ticket

It's too early to talk about an Obama-Clinton ticket, or a Clinton-Obama ticket, according to Obama himself.

CBS affiliate KTVQ reports that, during a campaign swing through Casper, Wyo. Friday before the state's Democratic caucus, the Illinois Senator was asked about the possibility of having Hillary Clinton as a running mate.

Obama didn't exactly shrug off the question, instead steering toward issues within the campaign.

The question came after Clinton suggested during a campaign appearance in Mississippi that Democrats who express a wish to vote for both candidates could wind up with the opportunity of doing so, on a shared ticket.

Some Democrats fear that, with delegate counts so close that a nominee may not be decided before the convention, a protracted primary battle between the two candidates could damage the ultimate victor in the general election, whereas an Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama ticket could maintain party unity.

"Well, you know, I think it's premature," Obama told KTVQ. "You won't see me as a Vice Presidential candidate. I am running for President.

"We have won twice as many states as Senator Clinton, and have a higher popular vote, and I think we can maintain our delegate count. What I am really focused on is right now (because all that stuff is premature) is winning this nomination and changing the country, and I think that's
what people here are concerned about."