A note about the Obama staffing today

Posted: Monday, July 28, 2008 1:21 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC/NJ's Mike Memoli

Obama departed Reagan-National Airport in DC 10 minutes ago en route to his economic event.

It's worth noting that campaign manager David Plouffe is traveling with the candidate today (which I understand has happened only a handful of times so far this campaign). He's joining David Axelrod and Robert Gibbs for the DC trip.

As I noted Friday, Caroline Kennedy is in Washington or a DNC Victory Fund event. Eric Holder, the other VP search team leader, is based in DC.

The convergence of all the senior staff here with that search committee only further signals that the process is at a critical stage. The campaign, of course, is not commenting on it.

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Comments

Hmmm .... The idea that Obama may announce during the Olympics.....

....... on the same day that Paul Hamm announces that he's pulling out of the games ......

Coincidence?

...it would help him out in Wisconsin

Obama/Hamm '08

...Conspiracy Theory? (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:25 PM)

Why is this news? Who cares what Caroline Kennedy is doing?

American Voter (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:27 PM)

Another speculation from DC press. Perhaps, you guys need to relax. Obama is doing the right thing.

Bee, NH (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:28 PM)

FR article headlines today, Obama this, Obama that, Obama, Obama, Obama, . . .Obama.

Careful what you wish for FR. Putting Obama on a pedestal this high just means he makes a bigger splat when he falls off.

The Master (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:30 PM)

Love ya', FR, but one way to reduce any perceived imbalance in Obama's coverage is to quit speculating about Obama's VP deliberations. He's told us he won't say anything until he's ready to announce.

This post could have been given to McCain--if McCain is doing anything, which he probably wasn't.

Cindy Lou, TX (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:30 PM)

It has been said before but lets say it again. If Obama runs his potential Administration like he does his campaign, we will be well served.
Surely this fact isn't lost on the several million political junkies that follow closely.
Can it be lost an the general electorate who are still a month away from paying attention?

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:30 PM)

Picking a VP now would only step on his good vibes from returning from overseas. And it will also offer a shiny object for the media, which will prevent him from owning the economy this week--he seriously needs to focus on the issues. I say, make them wait.

There's going to be trouble whether he does or does not pick Clinton anyway.

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:30 PM)

How come all the men running his campaign are WHITE guys in suits cant a brother get some love?

kenn (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:33 PM)

Hey First Read, seeing you're reporting on every miniscule factoid of Obama, if Obama farts, will you be there to smell it?

Looking Good (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:33 PM)

Wow! I love the organization and sense of involvement.

Vote for a better Future

Vote for Obama

Jay Jay - Informed Voter (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:34 PM)

I really hope that Chuck is not right this morning when he said that he took from Senator Obama's comments yesterday, that Biden would be out for VP because he is a Washington insider. I am a woman, but I do not want to see Sebelius. I did not support Hillary, but this would be rude on Senator Obama's part even though I would absolutely vote for him. No candidate is perfect, and he may have other reasons if he chooses her, but I will not be excited about it at all, although others maybe very excited.

Pulling for Biden (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:34 PM)

Do you think he might pick an african american as vice president NAAAAAA how about a women NAAAAAAAA how about an old white guy NAAAAA macains already running who then? A middle aged white guy BIDEN? What was wrong with biden in the primaries that people wouldnt vote for him?

kenn (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:35 PM)

I find it amusing that the media is watching Obama's every move......what are they waiting for? Some huge mistake? Of course they are. Does anyonw even KNOW where McCain is today? Why isn't the media surrounding him? he's the one who makes mistakes every single day and you guys just let it ride. Teflon John has been given a free pass from the media since the beginning. If you would cover his inane statements as they should be covered, this race would already be over.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:36 PM)

He is so different and new HOPE and CHANGE A chicken in every pot dont hold your breath

kenn (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:36 PM)

Meanwhile mccain and his "staff" of phil gramm and carly fiorina are searching the aisles at walmart for an economic strategy

Ralph Malph (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:37 PM)

MSNBZZZZZ is so sad they cant keep posts going is MADCOW to busy eating

kenn (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:38 PM)

"As I noted Friday, Caroline Kennedy is in Washington or a DNC Victory Fund event. Eric Holder, the other VP search team leader, is based in DC."

Don't you mean she "is in Washington FOR a DNC Victory Fund event."???

MI Chick (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:39 PM)

I see that Bill Bradley is attending the economic event.
I wonder if he is on the veep list?
Given Obama's statement this weekend about his veep pick, Bradley seems to fit the bill. Bradley left politics because he thinks the system is broken. (Sound familiar?) He also helps in NJ and PA. Plus, he's got a great three point shot!

Joe Cesare, San Diego, CA (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:39 PM)

Obama / Hagel '08!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:40 PM)

It could also just be the first time they've all been in the same country in a week and a half.

http://strategy08.wordpress.com

Dan, New York, NY (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:40 PM)

Go ahead Obama, pick Hillary as your running mate. Knock the socks off everyone and after all the ballyho has calmed down you guys will clean McCain's clock in November. Even though having opposed selecting Hillary as your running mate and still believe you can win the election with another pick, I just can't get away from the fact that I think Hillary has earned the VP slot if she so choses to take it. Bill will behave himself and will do you some good too.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:41 PM)

I have a feeling he's going to select Gov. Sebelius from Kansas. If not, perhaps Richardson or Bredesen. I know some say he'll select Sen. Hagel from Neb. I doubt it. It wouldn't bother me because I'm not a down the line democrat or republican and man would that be a dose of political guts to do it.

subgruvet, ok (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:41 PM)

Could it also be that they're trying to map out message strategy for the latest tussle over the Pentagon forcing Obama to cancel his visit to the army bases in Germany

Nicholas Beaudrot, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:46 PM)

How come all the men running his campaign are WHITE guys in suits cant a brother get some love?
kenn
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The only thing worse is VERY OLD white guys running McCain's!

Diane from Illinois (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:47 PM)

Good Pick-UP Mike Memoli: The Obama team would not leave Dave Plouffe out of the loop for an important political meeting. I think Obama will be in Washington tomorrow to meet with members of Congress. I'd be curious about where Biden and Byah will be tomorrrow. R/O Hillary if she is speaking at the Convention on Tuesday night. Obama will likely take some vacation time the week of August 11th. Then, as they say in Indiana, "Gentlemen, start your engine."

Ron Indiana (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:49 PM)

Looking Good-

Obama did fart, and it smelled like....victory.

MSM (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:49 PM)

Diane fro Illinois: I find it amusing that the media is watching Obama's every move......what are they waiting for? Some huge mistake?

No, they're waiting to shove their noses up his back end again. They seem to like it.

Todd Zimmerman, NYC (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:50 PM)

If it's not Sebelius it's Caine.

All the pundits said Biden, but they aren't giving Obama any credit.

I think if he goes with a senator it would actually be Clinton in an effort to own the economy. But I'm sure he'll go with a governor.

A Charles, LA, CA (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:53 PM)

subgruvet, ok (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:41 PM)

subgruvet:

If Obama selects Gov. Seblius there will be a huge back-lash by thousands of Hillary supporters. Whether you agree with them or not to pick another female over Hillary would be a very big mistake. If Obama were to pick a male there still might be some Hillary supporters who would be upset, but not to the degree if Obama selected another female over Hillary. No, he'll have to select either a male running mate as Biden, etc, or Hillary. Many Hillary supporters are starting to come around to Obama. Pick Gov. Seblius and you will lose them again and most likely never get them back.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:53 PM)

Kenn, it may be because they've done this before. It doesn't matter to me as long as they WIN !!!!!!!!!!

Obama / Biden 08

As Long As They WIN (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:56 PM)

To: American Voter -Caroline Kennedy knows a lot about politics and was JFK's daughter. It is nice to see her in politics now.

Apple, Tampa Florida (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:57 PM)

Diane in Illinois,

That's an easy one to answer. The media is completely aware that Obama will be our 44th president. Rather the news coverage on Senator Obama is positive, or negative it is important for the repukes to tear him down every chance they get, because they know deep down in their poor little souls that McNoNo has little to no chance at winning. Why do you think McCain and his surrogates have been attacking Obama non stop as of late? I'd be highly threatened as well. It makes sense.

Californian for Obama (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:57 PM)

I hope it is not Sebelius, she did not impress me with her State of the Union response.

Kelly (from Pittsburgh) (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:57 PM)

Whatever,Whatever comments the Obama campaign states the media will help McCain skew lies. McCain has voted against veteran’s healthcare in 2004, 2005, 2006, and2007. He gets his healthcare. He voted against Jim Webb’s s GI bill. The outrage IMO is that McCain took credit for something he he didn’t do. That’s not change you believe in or support and it’s a lie. So media and haters talk the true presidential material is.
At least he doesn’t lie to your faces. Personally, I don’t think most veterans in Germany want to see his lying face.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:57 PM)

Kenn...

since you're a McCoo-Coo backer, why don't you tell us what policy old john has that's any different than Bushs?

ya know (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:58 PM)

Nicholas - I was saying for a long time Obama couldn't win with Clinton as his running mate, but given how badly the McCain camp has been floundering, maybe it wouldn't matter.

Still, I wouldn't do it. The first rule in picking a running mate is do no harm. She brings the highest negatives and is something of a lightning rod. And that's not even getting into the fatigue and drama factors.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:59 PM)

Diane from Illinois, Thou shall not be afraid, let them watch every move. Remember, this movement is being driven by a force even bigger than Obama himself.

IT IS CALLED HOPE, IT IS CALLED CHANGE.......God watches over his own.....

Vote Obama

Jay Jay - Informed Voter (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:07 PM)

hey kenn...

GREAT use of CAPS to make a point. it lets me KNOW that you really MEAN what you say even if it's NONSENSICAL GIBBERISH!!!!!!!!

JP, milltown, nj (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:09 PM)

I can't believe that McCain's people are complaining about his coverage when he gave up the chance to be at the Unity event with a motherload of journalists in favor of another Town Hall meeting in Columbus, Ohio.
Quit complaining McCain when you've only yourself to blame!

Harmony (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:10 PM)

Todd Zimmerman, NYC (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:50 PM)- No, they're waiting to shove their noses up his back end again. They seem to like it.

Todd:

You are funny. If the media has stuck their nose up anyone's rear it has been McCains. There is no way in h--- that any other candidate, especially Obama, could have made and continue to make the number and seriousness of gaffes and errors McCain has made and allowed to get a pass as has Mccain. Mccain may not be getting the same amount of coverage as Obama but I think that is intentional. It is the media's way of not being there out of respect and fear of the old man (sticking their noses up his rear) where they would be present to continue hearing McCain blunder and make errors and therefore requiring that they continue to give Mccain a pass and not to report these gaffes on the same "oh my God" level that they would with Obama. By giving McCain such a pass they have their noses about an inch further up McCain's rear then they do Obamas. Have a good day.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:14 PM)

Obama / Cheney

Unity

b (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:15 PM)

MSM.

I can't stop laughing. Great comeback!

sheila, littleton, co (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:29 PM)

IT will be Richardson.

Pick up another 15% of the latino vote.
Florida
N. Mexico
Arizona
Texas????

pow right in the kisser

Jack, Canton, Oh (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:29 PM)

Obama should keep everyone guessing until the convention. Veep talk is good for Obama because it keeps him in the press, cable news, blogs etc.

Mark, Salem, CT (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:33 PM)

You missed one important thing. He was wearing his brown shoes.

Must be Clinton.

Mark Thieme (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:33 PM)

BIDEN? What was wrong with biden in the primaries that people wouldnt vote for him?
kenn (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 1:35 PM)

Around here, Kenn--

1. Seen as sort of a strident, in your face, Bob Dole-type negative dude.
2. A little bit 'smarter than the rest of you' guy.
3. People remember his 'coal miner's daughter' or whatever it was 'exaggeration' and think he's a little fake-y.
4. That said, a lot of people liked him---about number 5 of those running.
5. Obama could do better (and worse).

iowan (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:34 PM)

Hagel.

Frees up a Sen seat for a Dem to take. He's got the foreign policy creds and the financial stuff too.

Bipartisan and totally honest. Wants to clean up gov't and knows all the right people across the aisle.

Anti war. Decorated Marine.

Brings some more Ne votes too (not that it matters).

Get over his being a Repub. He's pretty moderate. Not an evangelical or born again whacko either - just a nice Catholic boy.

Obama/Hagel

nebraska can help (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:45 PM)

Reading the contrail of the plane, it seems he is still in deliberations.

His brown shoes are a mismatch with his suit, but still kind of cool, so I am going with Clinton.

Mark Thieme (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:51 PM)

How come all the men running his campaign are WHITE guys in suits cant a brother get some love?
***************
Ken, His "main man" Reggie is a brother. Eric Holder is brother. Susan Rice is a "sista" and I could go on and on...lighten up.

Judy Ovilla TX (Sent Monday, July 28, 2008 2:54 PM)

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