Kaine sidesteps VP questions

Posted: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 10:50 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Democrats

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann and NBC's Ben Weltman
WASHINGTON DC -- Officially, Gov. Tim Kaine (D) is in Washington to talk traffic and see his daughter.

Asked by a DC radio host if he'll be meeting with Obama today, the vice presidential prospect replied, "My daughter and I are spending family time together today, and that's the only secret meeting that's going to happen."

VIDEO: While not making "categorical declarations," Gov. Tim Kaine says he's focused on running the state of Virginia and spending the day with his daughter, not talking to Barack Obama about a possible V.P. candidacy.

The Virginia governor, whose status as a "seriously considered" candidate for the Democratic vice presidency is getting front-page treatment this morning, appeared on WTOP's "Hands Across the Potomac" radio show to talk with local leaders about congestion, housing prices, and other local issues.

But less than a third of the way through the hour-long program, Kaine faced questions about his rumored vetting to be Obama's second-in-command. "It's flattering to be mentioned," Kaine joked. "My mom loves it."

But Kaine emphasized that his role in the gubernatorial mansion allows him the chance to boost his nominee's presidential bid. "That's my focus in helping him in any way I can, and the place I think I can be most helpful in my current capacity as governor is helping him out in Virginia."

Further pressed as to whether or not he is being vetted, Kaine repeated his desire to stay mum. The decision, he said, is "for the campaign to decide."

"I think I'm just not going to talk about my conversations with the campaign" he concluded.

Early Obama supporter DC Mayor Adrian Fenty was asked by host Mark Seagraves to chime in about his colleague's prospects. Fenty, who appeared on the radio show along with Kaine and Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, also demurred. "Whatever decision [Sen. Obama] makes I will support 100%"

Kaine is expected to take questions ON CAMERA from the press later this morning.

EMAIL THIS

Comments

Obama is the worlds hope for peace and jelling of races and religions!We must overcome those things that divide and do those things that can help us all.In the USA we definitely need a fresh point of view and actions.We do not have to look past a $450 billion deficit.over 4,000 troops dead and why? We will win more friends with bread than with bullets!!!

Robert Harrell,Suffolk,VA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 11:50 AM)

Kaine seems to be a good choice - but since he is faith-opposed to abortion and is decidedly Pro-Life won't that cause some Bob Casey-type problems?

Robert L. from Dallas, TX (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 11:53 AM)

I noticed that operation chaos is still blogging. See csh, IL post. "csh,IL" posted:
"No Hillary as VP = No vote for Obama.
And Obama cannot afford to lose any of her 18 million voters as reflected in the new USA Today/Gallup poll which shows him 4 points behind McCain."

This information is false. The Gallop poll for July 28, 2008 shows Obama 48% to McCain 40%. Lies usually are a dead give-away for Republican email blogger teams posing as disgruntled Hillary supporters.
Wyo

Wyo (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 11:55 AM)

Dodges and weaves. No wonder Obama likes him! A perfect fit it would seem, like attracts like, and two peas in a pod, all seem to fit.

A good fit for McCain would be Bobby Jindal especially if Obama picks Kaine. Jindal would blow Kaine away when they stood side by side citing accomplishments as respective Governors.

If the Republicans want to send a message of change, Jindal would certainly do it.

On the Dem side, they are all part of the same bunch. So we will see what Obama will do. It has been said he would only pick Hillary if he really believed he needed her to win, and Obama doesn,t think he really needs anyone, that he is already President. And he may be right for members of the media are already referring to him as "president.

roger, santa fe, nm (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 11:56 AM)

The only thing I can say after reading the blogs above is that the ingorance of the American people never will never stop amazing me!
If we take an old statement - You should judge a man not by the color of his skin but the content of his mind - then why would anyone vote for the most unexperienced candidate in the history of American politics. THe job requires that the individual know four basic areas of government.
1. Foreign Affairs - Obama no exxperience.
2. Military - Obama no experience.
3 Fiscal Responsibility - Obama no experience.
4 Governmental/Legislative - Obama a few years experience but was always running for another job while in all of his political offices.
If you were hiring this individual for a job his lack of experience would not even get him in the door no matter how nice a guy he was. We have had enough presidents lately who were elected without proper experience and look at the state of our nation today. We do not need another president learning the job on the job at the expense of the American people. Wake up America is this the beast we can do?

David, Las Vegas (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:00 PM)

Picking anyone but HRC indicates that BO believes he can win on his own, without her supporters. Every other VP possibility we hear about is as exciting as a wet mop. I'm not saying they wouldn't do a good job as VP, just that 'these guys' bring nothing to the table where winning the Presidency is concerned, regardless of what state they come from. BO is just filling a position with someone that won't take away from his popularity or anger his base. Can you see any of his picks making a serious run for the White House in 2012 or 2016??? No way.

R. Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:00 PM)

Obama is a poser...he's losing sooo much ground with his taxpayer vacations to see his connections in the Middle East and Europe...what a bunch of bs. He has risen from nowhere...wake up people and start praying...he's the most dangerous person we've ever had as a person "holding office" in our country. You Obama "followers" are brainwashed..he's all lip service...has spoken as a snake oil salesman.

USFreedom (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:01 PM)

MJ - You are correct that Warner didn't endorse Obama. But look where Obama traveled first, after leaving his announcement in Springfield.

Anyway, this is the story that's rising to a level of conventional wisdom here in Virginia. Warner really didn't want Clinton as the nominee, and when he was forced to drop out, he looked for a replacement who could beat Clinton.

Consider Obama's early fundraising, too. Do you really think a senator with so few years in the Senate could pull off those numbers without someone behind him? And it wasn't Kennedy. That support wasn't even known until after Iowa. I'm talking about things that may have happened back in the first quarter 2007.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:04 PM)

As a veteran of presidential elections since Kennedy vs. Nixon, I believe that many caucasion voters are having a private, internal struggle over race. These doubts may not show themselves until in the voting booth with no one watching.
Also, as a former, long time resident of Richmond,Va., I believe that ex-Mayor Tim Kaine would be a fine addition to any ticket.

C. S. Holt, Apalachicola, Fl. (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:04 PM)

I hope obama is a sinking ship and that mccain wins and this is based solely on the honour of the man and the fact that he fought for his country and his children are doing the same thing. cant stand someone who blows it out any oriface he can. waste of time and space is obama.

brenda, toronto, ontario (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:05 PM)

Hillary VP = No Vote For Obama.

I can't stand her, she is the face of evil.

Dan in Portland (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:06 PM)

Polls are always inaccurate. In 2004 they predited Kerry would take the popular vote and it was a tossup for the electoral college well we know not that Kerry did not take the popular vote. Polls fail to take in the decieve factor. There are many myself included that are less than truthful with pollsters and surveys. Just my legal way of messing with the system.
My prediction is McCain will win in a land slide and in 2 years Republicans will once again control both houses of congress.

Rich Minneapolis MN (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:06 PM)

When Joe Biden used the phrase "a noun, a verb, and 9/11", he basically initiated the process of eliminating Giuliani from the race. We need a smart, experienced attack dog like Joe to counter all of the lies of the repukes. Senator Obama, please choose Biden!

Obama/Biden

mad in Madtown (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:07 PM)

I work in Virginia and based on what people say around me Tim Kaine is considered heavy on taxation and less popular now that when elected. He's supported or put forth about every kind of tax increase he could think of, but the legislature here has not gone alone.

Tommy S. (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:07 PM)

It don't matter who is VP is. I will not vote for Obama ever.

qster, MO (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:07 PM)

Obama will need someone tough. Thats Joe Biden without a doubt. The man has tons of foreign policy experience and will not bs. He will always tell it like it is. Kaine is a good guy but not tough enough for the republican attack machine.

Bishop, Newport News, VA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:07 PM)

No Hillary as VP = No vote for Obama.
csh, IL

The idea that you'd choose McCain over Obama because you're a sore loser is ridiculous. Are McCain's views really closer to Hillary's?

Edwards is out of the picture as VP because of the possible adultery as well as the fact his wife is dying. I do agree that the VP should be a bit of an "attack dog" because McCain's team will stop at nothing in their attempt to destroy Obama. It's interesting that nearly all of McCain's speeches disparage Obama rather than explain McCain's ideas. Ah, Republicans! It's worked so many times before, but I truly hope this year is different. Hope springs eternal!

Kelly, Irvine, CA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:08 PM)

What a boring choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joan McHugh-Boise, ID (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:10 PM)

You Hillary idiots need to get a grip!! That nomination was here to LOSE and she did a BRILLIANT JOB of doing exactly that!!! Don't want to list all the specifics but here are just a highlight or two: Lies (bosina sniper fire), Delusionial campaign staff, introducing her as the "Next President" on the night when she had absolutely LOST, Money problems that still exist, not planning to take the race past Super Tuesday. Good Lord, and THIS is the person you STILL rant & rave about???? Go see a shrink. talk to a preacher get some help people!!! Because if you persist and take your little snide, hateful attitudes into the voting booth in November or even worse, stay home...you'll be the ones with the loudest WHINES when McCrypt-keeper walks into the Oval Office in January. You need to recognize that a vote for McIdiot or a no vote from you snot-nosed brats will be in your own WORST INTERESTS!!! McIdiot is a mean, twisted, arrogant and woman-hating old goat who would probably be in a better mood if Cindy changed his diaper on a more regular basis. Hillary LOST, she's good with it now and you ought to be too. Don't cut off your noses to spite your goofy face!!!! Now run tell that!

Victoria, Phillips Ranch, CA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:10 PM)

Oba-MaKaine

Richard, Washington State (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:11 PM)

He's been my choice all along.

RuthieM (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:11 PM)

I find it alarming how close these Obama/McCain polls are. Based on how horrible the GOP is viewed right now, the Democrat should easily have a double digit lead.

The fact that Obama does not.....tells me we have a fairly weak democratic nominee. If Obama does not win in Nov.....I want every DailyKoss'er and every Move On'er BANNED FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY!

Rob, Warwick, NY (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:12 PM)

If Hillary, Bill and their supporters would loose their self-centered attachement to personal power and whole-heartedly support Barrack there would be no chance of McCaine winning the election.

Joe Buck, Blakeslee PA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:13 PM)

My choice for Obama's VP running mate is Bill Richardson. Richardson has one of the most impressive records of foreign policy success of any American, is like and respected by the Hillary camp despite his Obama endorsement, and Richardson would infuriate Republicans because they would know that if anything happened to Obama, he would be replaced by a "Mexican."

(Footnote: I stole the punchline from the Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show." However, it IS true.)

Jym Allyn (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:14 PM)

Kaine is not even doing a good job as Gov. of VA. Approval rating below 50%, these poor ratings have not been seen from a VA Gov. in some time.

Tim, Richmond, VA (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:14 PM)

The only certainty about Obama's choice for potential VP is he/she will not be an African-American....

Mike Ryan, Tome, NM (Sent Tuesday, July 29, 2008 12:14 PM)

<< Previous

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=1230817