OFFICIAL Vice President leaks, tips, and speculation thread

[Lunar]

I don't want to post a topic every time I have a cool story.  So I'm going to post them here and I encourage others to as well.

Obama Uses "He" Pronoun When Discussing His VP
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/08/obama-uses-he-p.html
"Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, is almost always diligent about saying "he or she" when discussing his potential running mate.

But at a lively town hall meeting in the Tarheel State Tuesday evening, the senator -- who is expected to announce his vice presidential pick at the end of this week -- used a decidedly male pronoun.

Asked what his plan is to utilize his vice president as President Bush utilized his, Obama said, "Let me tell you first what I won’t do. I won’t hand over my energy policy to my vice president, without knowing necessarily what he’s doing."

Virginian officialls called in to discuss line of succession
http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2008/08/19/insider-virginia-gov-held-line-of-succession-meeting/

A source inside the beltway informed me that high ranking officials throughout Virginia were recently summoned to the governor's office for an emergency meeting which reportedly involved discussions on the line of succession if and when Kaine steps down to become Obama's running mate.

The officials were mandated to leave an out-of-state conference and return to the state capitol in Richmond immediately.

Due to the confidential nature of the meeting, details are scarce but the source said that either Obama will choose Kaine, or Kaine was given the impression that he would be chosen.

Biden on Obama's VP Pick: 'I'm Not The Guy'
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/08/biden-on-obamas.html

As Delaware Sen. Joe Biden was leaving his house in Wilmington this afternoon, he slowed down and said to the gathered news reporters outside his home: "Hey guys, I'm not the guy. See ya."

UPDATE:

Biden returned from his outing to dial back his "its not me" statement from earlier.

He rolled down his passenger side window and said to reporters don't you have anything better to do?

The "It's not me" from earlier is now "I have not spoken with anyone" repeated several times to several different questions.

Have you spoken to the Obama campaign?

"I have not spoken to anyone."

So you're not ruling out you could be picked?

"I have not spoken to anyone."

"You guys know as well as I do,' he said as he drove down his driveway with admonitions that your staker outers should be careful on the treacherous road outside his house.

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Ugh no no no Kaine...anyone but Kaine.

Probably won't be.  This story is a bit old but relevant:

Kaine earn's VP Silver Medal
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/13/AR2008081304137.html?hpid=topnews

A source close to Kaine said this past Tuesday night -- before yesterday morning's announcement about Warner -- that the governor believed he would "get the silver medal" in the vice presidential sweepstakes. Obama's decision to make security the theme on the night his running mate speaks is regarded by party observers as a subtle hint that Kaine and other governors without foreign policy credentials might be less likely choices.

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Significant because one of the themes for the VP's selection day is bipartisanship.

Cross Hagel off the long-shot list and onto the cabinet list
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/08/12/veep-stakes-cross-hagel-off-the-obama-list/

A spokesman for Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska offered one of the more Shermanesque statements today responding to the ongoing chatter of whether there’s a place for Hagel on Barack Obama’s vice presidential short-list.

The talk sparked again after former Iowa Republican Rep. Jim Leach, in a conference call discussing his support for Obama, said he viewed Hagel as a top choice to be the Democrat’s running mate.

Hagel, who is retiring from the Senate, traveled with Obama on his recent trip to Iraq, and he has not endorsed either Obama or Republican colleague John McCain in the race. Jordan Stark, Hagel’s spokesman, made it clear that it’s going to stay that way.

“Senator Hagel has no intention in getting involved in any of the campaigns, and is not planning to endorse either candidate,” Stark said in a statement. “He will be in Central and South America during both conventions on official travel. Senator Hagel is focused on his job serving the people of Nebraska as a United States Senator.”

Got it?

[Lunar]

Another theory of mine as to why Obama is waiting later in the week in unveiling his running mate:  if it's indeed Kaine, Obama does not want the potential embarrasment of his running mate selection not giving him a significant bump in the tracking polls, since Kaine is such an unknown and looks funny.

Kaine = epic fail.

And why would Obama intentionally pick someone he feels is an embarrassment again?

Your idea works just as well for Bayh.  It makes sense that Obama's campaign doesn't want to give the media time to cover the far left's outrage over Bayh before his convention speech.

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Michael Moore wants Carolina Kennedy to select.... herself!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/-Caroline-Pull-a-Cheney--by-from-Michael-Moore-080819-372.html

Here's the juicy parts:

As for Governor Kaine of Virginia, his big problem is, well, Obama's big problem -- who is he? The toughest thing Barack has had to overcome -- and it will continue to be his biggest obstacle -- is that too many of the voters simply don't know him well enough to vote for him. The fact that Obama is new to the scene is both one of his most attractive qualities AND his biggest drawback. Too many Americans, who on the surface seem to like Barack Obama, just don't feel comfortable voting for someone who hasn't been on the national scene very long. It's a comfort level thing, and it may be just what keeps Obama from winning in November ("I'd rather vote for the devil I know than the devil I don't know").

What Obama needs is a vice presidential candidate who is NOT a professional politician, but someone who is well-known and beloved by people across the political spectrum; someone who, like Obama, spoke out against the war; someone who has a good and generous heart, who will be cheered by the rest of the world; someone whom we've known and loved and admired all our lives and who has dedicated her life to public service and to the greater good for all.

That person, Caroline, is you.

Michael Moore also signs with an AOL.com email address.

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They just love the sound of Obama/Kennedy and they know that there would be very little backlash among women.

But seriously.  The VP search team is the biggest amount of managerial experience she's had in her entire life by an order of magnitude.  I mean, she's worked in an art museum and as a lawyer and that's it.

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Note on Morden's post, the strategist did not say that he would bet his life on Biden, only that if you put a gun to his head he would say Biden.  That's a pretty weak prognosis haha.

Reed wouldn't submit to being vetted.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/why-radio-silence-can-be_b_119933.html

Wesley Clark and Bill Richardson were not seriously considered according to sources -- and Jack
Reed, who Obama likes a great deal, would not allow himself to be vetted. I don't believe Chris Dodd was high on the list.

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Nothing inconsistent about that.  Hell, Dodd probably asked to be vetted.

Sebelius has no public events scheduled for Saturday  That's right, I get you news less than twelve minutes old from the Topeka Kansas Journal.
http://cjonline.com/stories/082008/kan_320718864.shtml

A senior Obama adviser told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday that Obama and his veep choice will appear together in front of the former state Capitol in Illinois on Saturday, where he announced he was running for president in 2007.

Sebelius' office has released no public appearances for Saturday.

Adding to the din of political voices, local observers weighed in Tuesday on why Sebelius isn't likely to be plucked for the presidential ticket (but also why she could just buck the pundits).

For one, in political calculations, she doesn't appear to bring anything to Obama's campaign that he doesn't already have.

[Lunar]

ONLY OBAMASEBELIUS.COM IS OWNED BY THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN
same link as post above

The Web site www.tribble agency.com reviewed the owners of such Internet domain names such as www.obamasebelius.com and www.obamakaine.com. According to the site, only the Sebelius site is owned by the Obama campaign. On another speculative front, some in the blogosphere pointed out that Sebelius had been removed from her speaking engagement at the Democratic convention. (Recent credible reports show she is still scheduled to talk next Tuesday in Denver.)

update: my personal research shows the website is owned by a weird group called "OBAMASEBELIUS.COM@domainsbyproxy.com" out of Scottsdale, Arizona.  The other ObamaVP.com sites are usually owned by individuals, so I believe this story.  I don't think Sebelius is the one, but I believe this rumor.  But the domain was registered in 2007.

[Lunar]

Eh, since there is some hype about an NC schedule change, I think I'll post this again.

Mike Easley isn't interested and got eliminated early, he says
http://www2.hickoryrecord.com/content/2008/aug/19/agency-trip-leave/news/
If Barack Obama is considering Gov. Mike Easley as his running mate, Easley says he doesn't know about it.

"Not that I'm aware of," Easley said Monday, in response to a reporter's question about whether the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate has been vetting him. "I guess you could say I may have gotten eliminated early and not know it."

So, governor, the Obama campaign hasn't asked you for any background information?

"No," Easley said. "I mean, you could get all that online now anyway. To be as specific as possible, I don't have any interest in going to Washington."

[Lunar]

Obama buys pound cake in Greensboro but does not announce VP, off to VIRGINIA
http://www.thestate.com/scpolitics-wire/story/496290.html

GREENSBORO, N.C. --
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made an unannounced stop in Greensboro on Wednesday, greeting voters at a farmer's market while taking care to avoid questions about plans to name a running mate.

The Illinois senator spoke with a number of shoppers about their families, munched on homemade biscuits and purchased some pound cake, tomatoes and corn, along with a number of other items for the road.

There were no hints from Obama as to a possible running mate. His supporters are awaiting a text message this week with that news, and Obama is expected to campaign later this week with his choice back home in Illinois.

He simply joked with reporters who brought up the subject Wednesday: "You know, you're right, I'm just going to give you the scoop right now," he kidded one.

Obama left North Carolina for a town hall in Virginia after the brief appearance. On Tuesday, he held a town hall event in Raleigh and told supporters in the state capital he will "need to win" in North Carolina in November to beat expected GOP nominee John McCain in their race for the White House.

[Lunar]

RE:Kaine
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/08/im-hearing.html#comments

The event scheduled with Tim Kaine on Thursday is apparently invitation-only, and would not be all that well suited to a VP unveil. If it's going to be Kaine, in other words, Obama would probably need to announce today.

[Lunar]

I concur.  I give an outside chance for Portman.  But Pawlenty has really done the talkshow circuit amazingly well.

Obama to campaign with Webb today in Lynchburg
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-08-18-0220.html
Sen. Barack Obama has added a Lynchburg appearance with Sen. Jim Webb to his pass through Virginia this Wednesday.

Webb and Obama will hold a town hall meeting with voters, which will focus on improving the economy and Obama's plans for a tax cut for middle-class families and $4,000 in college tuition tax credits, according to the campaign. The event is free and open to the public.

Earlier Wednesday, Obama and former Gov. Mark R. Warner will visit Martinsville. There, they will meet with workers and families who have been affected by what the Obama campaign calls the "failed trade policies of the Bush administration, policies [Arizona Sen.] John McCain promises to continue."

Of the 134 counties and cities in the state, Martinsville has the highest unemployment rate, measured in June at 11.4 percent.

[Lunar]

!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lunar]

Haha
Indiana railroader picked for Dem convention
http://www.wthr.com/Global/story.asp?S=8872050


An Indiana railroad worker will be among those getting a moment at the Democratic convention to help portray Barack Obama as the people's champion and counter GOP characterizations of him as an out-of-touch celebrity.

Mike Fisher is an Amtrak machinist from Beech Grove. He will talk about Obama's visit to his house for a lunch of Subway sandwiches.

He jokes that his family is the "whole ball of wax" when it comes to Obama's campaign platform - he worries about job security, two of his children are struggling to pay college loans, his son has a new baby and no health insurance, and his son-in-law is in the National Guard facing possible deployment to Iraq.

BUT WHAT DAY

[Lunar]

What time is Obama's event with Kaine tomorrow?

not sure.
Obama meeting underway
Invitation-only audience told they would be among first notified of VP candidate
http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=15201

Obama, the presumed Democratic nominee for president, is holding an invitation-only event today at an undisclosed time and location. It has been speculated the campaign will announce Gov. Tim Kaine as the vice presidential candidate.

By 10 a.m. Wednesday, a long line of people winded around in front of a building in Henry County, eager to attend the late-morning meeting. Before they were allowed access, attendees were required to pass through a metal detector, and security wands were then waved over each person as a secondary precaution.

[Lunar]

Politico has picked up on the Nashville Post's story and is giving front-page treatment to the major event in Indianapolis!

[Lunar]

All of the prospects have been asked where they will be tomorrow afternoon
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12659.html
According to Newsweek's Howard Fineman, the prospects will know soon: They've been asked where they can be reached tomorrow afternoon.

With the political press corps on hair-trigger alert, Bill Burton, the Obama campaign's puckish national press secretary, sent reporters an e-mail Wednesday morning with the subject line, "Vice Presidential ..."

When they opened it, it said, "Just kidding." Coulda been: "August fool!"

[Lunar]

Haha, yeah I realized the headline was a bit misleading after posting the article but then I was too lazy to edit.  Yeah it's not a good article, but it was just to tell us what Obama is doing this second.

edit: oops on the redundant polico article then.

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Sebelius declines to speculate
http://cjonline.com/stories/082008/bre_veep.shtml

“I don’t have any idea,” Sebelius said before a ceremony at Fort Riley.

Obama, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, was thought to have narrowed his list of potential running mates to four, including Sebelius. The others are Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine.

Sebelius declined to speculate about her chances today. At Fort Riley to participate in a ceremony marking an agreement meant to strengthen ties between the Army post and surrounding communities, Sebelius said she was focused on her duties as governor.

“As I’ve told you for months, all questions about the process and the timetable come from the campaign,” Sebelius said.

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Obama says Kaine is a wonderful governor
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/08/20/obama-kaine-doing-such-a-great-job/

After giving a shout out to perceived vice presidential shortlister Sen. Joe Biden on Tuesday, Obama praised another leading contender, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, while campaigning Wednesday in the southern part of the state.

With former Virginia governor – and U.S. Senate candidate - Mark Warner at his side, Obama applauded the two governors for the worked they’ve done to make cars more fuel-efficient.

“We’ve got to partner with our governors to come up with these plans the way that Mark Warner did such a wonderful job when he was governor and the way that Tim Kaine is currently doing such a great job as governor of Virginia.”

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Nunn says he's not being vetted
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2008/08/18/nunn_on_the_russiangeorgian_co.html

Anything new on the vice presidential front?

The answer to that is no. All I know is what I read in the newspapers.

Has the Obama campaign asked you to submit documents for a background check?

The only person who’s asking about my assets, my liabilities, the way I’m spending my money, where that money is coming from, primarily, is my wife. And there’s nothing I can do about that.

[Lunar]

i do not believe nunn was ever under serious consideration.

it was obama throwing a bone to white, southern males.

True.  I thought it was odd that Obama said his three most trusted advisers were his wife, his grandmother, and Nunn (whom he rarely talks to and probably barely knows).  When I looked up how Nunn voted against the Iraq War I thought it was him for a few hours before I came to my senses and held onto my Bayh prediction.

[Lunar]

Thanks Nym for unlocking this thread.  Dave, if you lock it again could you hit me up so I can understand what I did wrong for the future?  Cheers.

For some reason, my VP tips thread was locked, so here is a relevant story:

Rush endorses Biden
link
Conservative talk radio titan Rush Limbaugh relished the prospect of an Obama-Biden Democratic presidential ticket on his broadcast Wednesday.

“I really hope it’s Biden,” Limbaugh told his listeners. “You don’t want to say that too loud, but I really do hope that it’s Joe Biden, because we’ve got mountains of archival audio on Joe Biden.”

“Plus, the arrogance factor times two,” Rush added. “Biden and the Messiah would just be delicious.”

[Lunar]

When I looked up how Nunn voted against the Iraq War I thought it was him for a few hours before I came to my senses and held onto my Bayh prediction.

To clarify, it was the Gulf War that Nunn voted against.  Nunn was already out of the Senate at the time of the Iraq War vote.  But he was publicly against the Iraq War at the beginning, as I understand it.

Oops!  Well, that's even better, it makes him fit in with Obama.