Speaking with Kaine in Chincoteague

Posted: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:23 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Democrats

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann

CHINCOTEAGUE, VA -- Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine tells NBC/NJ that he doesn't "have any idea about where the process is" for the selection of the vice presidential nominee, and that he has not spoken to Obama "for a number of weeks, since before his trip."

Kaine, widely rumored to be at the top of Obama's veep short list, attended the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim this morning with his 13-year old daughter. In an interview with NBC News and the National Journal, Kaine downplayed chatter over his potential role as Obama's No. 2 as a more casual matter than the frenzy makes it seem. "I have no idea how serious it is or anything," he said, "but it's been kind of fun."

Asked if he's spoken with the Illinois senator recently, Kaine responded, "No, not for, gosh, for a number of weeks. Since before his trip. And I really don't have any idea about where the process is."

VIDEO: A Hardball panel discusses who are the top candidates on Barack Obama and John McCain's short list for vice president.

Kaine insisted that he has "no hints about timing" for the veep rollout, whoever the choice may be. But he doesn't seem to mind the spotlight in the meantime. "It's nice to be speculated about," he said with a smile.

Square on the back of Kaine's screen-printed tee: the calendar year "08."

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Comments

I don't understand why MSNBC continues to employ Joe Scarborough. He's a disgrace! Please forward to him directly!

Beth (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:28 AM)

Latest Rasmussen polling: 33% of the undecided are Democrats (overwhelmingly older white women) while only 19% of undeciuded are Republicans.
Obama has a problem among women over 40 and a big problem among women over 50. These groups, normally the staunchest of Democratic supporters, are showing a propensity to back McCain and a disinclination to support Obama.
Obama is winning among women under 40 by 13 points, but McCain is winning among women aged 41-45 by four points. Among women 50 and over, McCain is three points ahead. Obama's 48-35 lead among women under 40 is normal for a Democrat, but to trail among women in their 40s by 45-41 and by women over 50 by 38-35 is extraordinary.

Obama will lose this election without Hillary. That's the bottom line.

Troy Williams, St Louis MO (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:29 AM)

First Read: THE KAINE STORY IS NOT NEWS!!!!

You guys STILL won't cover McCain . . . and you owe the Obama camp an apology for reporting a false story!!!!

Integrity died with Tim Russert!!!

Matthew (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:29 AM)

Man
Kaine sure is getting a lot of Milage out of this story.
Two days ago i didnt know who he was. now hes everywhere. (Like the newest Disney kid band)

GDI in Michigan (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:30 AM)

I also spoke to Obama yesterday, therefore I am on top of the VP list. MSM, Please get a life

Jay Jay - Informed Voter (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:32 AM)

I agree with what everyone had to say this morning about "us". I don't see any far left anyone here.

You are all intelligent, thoughtful, informed & honest.

Please remember - the GOP know how to run a campaign. They don't know how to govern.

They're all the same. And they're everywhere.

Joe Scarborough, we all used to love your program. You are turning us all away. We wanted a thoughtful political morning program. It's not what we have been getting. You have bought into the kitchen sink strategy. You have bought into Pat Buchanan's way of thinking.

This is the bottom line - we have two choices - Senator John McCain or Senator Barack Obama. That's it.

The commentators on tv - everywhere - are not telling the truth about Senator McCain.

What is wrong with Senator Obama being confident? Nothing. Why don't you look at how intelligent he is? How accomplished he is? Are you jealous?

We need a smart man in the White House. We have two choices.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:37 AM)

I like Kaine, but still think the best choice is Sebelius. Here's a case for her:

http://strategy08.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/okay-i-give-in-my-case-for-kathleen-sebelius/

Dan, New York, NY (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:37 AM)

I'm really sick of Joe Scarborough - why does he even have a show. Talk about arrogance! This has to be one of the most arrogant person on TV. He's completely racist and totally sickening. The show is for idiots! I'm not sure why they have that silly guy doing News you can't use. And Mika - why is she there. Joe looks like a tyrant and everyone is scared to disagree with him. This show belongs on Fox News - totally worthless.

MSNBC is looking increasingly racist in it's coverage. You keep showing false attacks on Obama as if they are true and then you let McCain get away with countless mistakes and lies every single day. I guess you are competing with Fox News! You are getting very hard to watch. Thank God for Keith Olbermann.

Great Obama Stuff!

http://www.artwearactivist.com

Obama Voter (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:38 AM)

Can we be spared all of the 'Time Kaine' caneing today? How many licks did we get yesterday, 4?

donna (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:39 AM)

From the looks of the last board, I'm not the only one who is no longer watching GOP Joe. And Joe, you arrogant a**, there are a heck of a lot of people out there who would run circles around you intellectually who happen to disagree with you. That does not make them ideologues or cheetos-eaters. Just like a good Rovian Republican, when Joe doesn't have a good response in a debate ("good" defined as promoting his agenda), he engages in ad hominem attacks against the other side. It's GOP Debate 101 and Joe has it mastered. Only question is: why does MSNBC continue to try to beat Fox and Friends in the morning instead of offering a real TV show? Put Rachel Maddow on there and call it the Joe AND Rachel show. We'll see how long Joe runs his ignorant mouth.

Need New Coffee, CA (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:40 AM)

Kaine is right about that. The hype of this potential pick and much of the media coverage this election cycle has been "kind of weird" and "surreal."

The chief cause at the moment, in my guess, is that the media feels a need to protect McCain from himself, so it hyperfocuses on Obama.

Why? Does the media want McCain to win? I don't think so, and not primarily because of any pro-Democrat bias on its part. The media has its own self interests, which coincide with its business interests.

For the near-term, it wants a competitive race. That sells copy and gains viewing market share. If the media had focused on McCain for the past 3-4 weeks, with his string of goofy statements and flip flops, this race might well be over now. That's a lot of advertising revenue lost between now and election day.

But for the long-term, it wants an interesting administration. Which would be more interesting - watching McCain roll out some of the old and some of the new GOP names for cabinet positions, or watching Obama roll out a completely new line-up, while promising to refocus foreign policy and take differing approaches to domestic policy?

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:42 AM)

Gov. Kaine is not good looking enough to be running mate.

Obama needs to pick someone who's really good looking. Sen. Bhay [sp?] from Indiana fits the bill.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:45 AM)

Kaine certainly has some querks that may make the base go pull thier hair out, but he has some big positives going for him as well. One wanders , does it ever do a presidential nominee any good to try and balance the ticket for those elusive independents and reagon democrats. I had hoped that Obama would go for awoman and there are plenty of good ones out there , not to mention Hillory, which I hear is off the list partly because they don't line up idealogically. It seems to me putting this guy in there would blow that theory out of the water. If you look at history and see what Lincoln did by picking his cabinet out of the opponent field and it worked very well for him, you have to wander will Obama be that kind of president. He certainly put together a fince mtg. with folks from both side of the aisle last week. And I hear that he carries or has carried Doris Kearns Goodwin's book around with him and it's one of his favorites. It's called Team of Rivals and may give us some idea of the kind of president Obama aspires to be.

Dand1212 (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:47 AM)

Why isn't Keith Olberman ever invited to appear on Morning Joe?

Dottie Swarthmore PA (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:47 AM)

Again Kaine
says Abortion morally wrong but that he won't overturn Roe ...what does that mean?(the same as Bush said in 2000)

is against freakin civil unions never mind gay marriage... in freakin 2008.

said he was against stem cell research...when McCain and Nancy reagan were fighting for it.

Kaine has nothing to add but Virginia and a lack luster 2.5 years executive experience in virginia...

Kaine gives McCain cover to pick who he wants...Ridge.

so there goes the VP debate...

the framing of the election because inherently with a McCain/Ridge ticket and an Obama/Kaine ticket it is about foreign policy, security and experience...right where McCain wants it

for the slight difference in bump from what Obama would have gotten just having Kaine campaign as gov with Warner and Webb... (and if McCain picks Ridge) the republicans get Pennsylvania, probably Ohio at that point and definitely NH with 2 vets on the ticket against 2 harvard grads... maybe Michigan...

and drumroll

the heavily military most often right leaning state...of ...Virginia.

oy Kaine is the worst choice for VP out there.

Obama's issue is familiarity...he is the change...he needs familiarity and trust to walk that change through the door.

and no matter what anyone says in the next few months...he needs the attack dog.

dl, Exeter, NH (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:47 AM)

Mr Chuck Todd,

I watched you this morning on Morning Jealous...error Joe. Nice try in trying to label Obama as an arrogant person. Arrogant is you!!! You think you know everything about politics. You need to cut that garbage out boy!!!!!!

SAM (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:49 AM)

Joe Biden would be great. He has recently learned to be less verbose and is stellar at explaining both foreign and economic policy in easy to understand language. He did well in many of the debates. He has warmth and humor. He has foreign policy cred. And it's not so much about being a senator and therefore insider as it is about being able to credibly support Obama's vision for change which Biden should be able to do easily enough.

Still can't get over the HRC supporters who would prefer to see McCain elected since they can't have HRC considering that he is opposed to HRC on every issue relevant to women, families and working America in general. Hopefully the percentage of women who prefer spite to supporting women's issues, the middle class, working poor, single moms and vets are a tiny silly minority.

Felix, CO (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:51 AM)

MSNBC has moved from "cocky" to "arrogant". The next step is confident. This morning I read most of the posts from First Read(ers). There was more comments about the media's reporting than about the VP picks or any other news for that matter. Don't you think its time to have an office meeting with an agenda item, "What the Hell are we doing"? You all know the power of the press and the media. You are shaping this election more than the candidates. You are getting more criticism than Fox News, CNN, NBC, ABC. Why? Clue...It has to do with your personnel.

Ron Indiana (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:54 AM)

boxers or briefs. come on, inquiring minds want to know.

some of the articles here are so juvenile, it's embarassing

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:55 AM)

I think Obama has chosen Bayh (Indiana) as his running mate.

Check this website out:

http://OBAMABAYH08.COM

It takes you to the democrats website

Obama / Bayh - 08/12

Tom, Hartford, CT (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:56 AM)

We have been enduring a 'Republican Crime Wave' for the past 7 years

Sen. Ted Stevens, crook
Sen. Larry Craig, sexual outlaw
Sen. David Vitter, Family Values playboy
Rep. Duke Cunningham, crook
Rep. Mark foley, child molester
Rep. Bob? Nay, crook
Rep. Rick Renzi, crook
Rep. Vito Fossella, drunk playboy
...

to say nothing of the Bush White House....
Alberto Gonzalez
Jack Abramoff
Paul Wolfowitz
Karl Rove
Scooter Libby
torture
Haebeus corpus
ad nauseum...

It IS time for a change

Obama/Biden '08
Go get 'em

MSierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:58 AM)

I think Obama has chosen Bayh (Indiana) as his running mate.

Check this website out:

http://OBAMABAYH08.COM

It takes you to the democrats website

Obama / Bayh - 08/12

Tom, Hartford, CT (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 10:58 AM)

Hey FirstRead. I respectfully request that you put a POST CLOSED indicator after the headline when you decide to not post any more comments. It's your site, I enjoy it, and you should run it how you wish but if we know it is closed we won't waste our time posting and traffic to your site will reduce and storage space will not be wasted. What do you think?

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:00 AM)

I think Obama has chosen Bayh (Indiana) as his running mate.

Check this website out:

http://OBAMABAYH08.COM

It takes you to the democrats website

Obama / Bayh - 08/12

Tom (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:02 AM)

Best choices for Obama now that McShame is out of control

Obama/Biden
Obama/Hagel
Obama/Clarke

Nj (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:04 AM)

Kaine, who called the hype "kind of weird," and "surreal," was clad in a t-shirt celebrating the Virginia town's annual Pony Swim, when Chincoteague's trademark breed of ponies are herded across a channel from a nearby island for penning and auctioning.

Square on the back of Kaine's screen-printed tee: the calendar year "08."

-------------------------------------------------

But was he wearing shorts or long pants?

Sneakers, loafers or sandals?

Seriously, if your reports are going to be this "provocative" (NOT!) at least have the decency to hire Joan Rivers!

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:05 AM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com
The greed and stupidity of the Baby Boomers knows no limits! Bush and Congress just agreed to borrow billions more to bail out deadbeat Boomers and their banks! Read more at my blog!

twocanpete (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:07 AM)

Square on the back of Kaine's screen-printed tee: the calendar year "08."

????? Is this like reading teas leaves looking for a sign?

TEC-spring-tx (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:07 AM)

My number one guy would be Biden, he can be Obama's attack dog. I liked Biden he could be the crazy uncle in the closet. Good Cop, Bad Cop, Obama/Biden

Capt. Smash, Salt Lake City, utah (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:10 AM)

what's a chincoteague?

Bill S. Preston Esq. (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:12 AM)

Isn't Kaine pro-life? Can anyone verify that?

Elizabeth, Phoenix (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:13 AM)

Pat Huntington NY: '... feel that everyone should calm down over Obama's VP pick...whoever he picks, he/she will be better than anyone McCain is contemplating. All Dems. should accept and celebrate whoever Obama picks, and not let this be another thing that could divide our party. Seems like whenever one group of Dems don't get their way, they slam their arms with fists to the sides, and stomp their feet like a 4 year old having a temper tantrum [sound familar PUMAs and other disgruntled Hillary supporters?]. I say, Dems should take a cue from the Republicans, and unite behind the party and the judgment of the party leader. Plain and Simple! This former Hillary supporter has done that, and all should do the same!...'

Hey ! Thanks for that, Pat

It's good to be on the same side
It's also good to see a Hillary supporter stand fast with the Democratic party

I might not have been so mature if the decision had gone the other way
Let's win this thing !!

Obama '08

(but, hopefully, Obama/Biden '08)

MSierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:14 AM)

kaine will not be obama's pick no matter how much the media pushes him, biden is clearly a better chose, give it a rest already

MK,MO (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:14 AM)

I'm personally thinking of Bayh or Biden. I think the centrist approach from either of these guys helps tremendously.

I'm publicly thinking that whomever Senator Obama selects will be a smart choice. He's been smart in every facet of his campaign thus far, I can't see him doing anything goofy now. So, if he goes with Clark, Clinton, Dodd, Kaine or Bayh or Biden, I know he's made the right choice.

By the way, for the Senator Clinton fans, especially those who say "Hill or I vote for McCain", I suspect that the vast majority of you are Republicans. Why?
Because you would recognize the issues with trying to bring her back into the campaign.
1) the vetting of their money (talk about elitist, $109 million in just over 7 years, wow)
2) speaking of money, she didn't do a good job of handling her enormous funds for the primary. What makes you think that anyone (she or Obama) can convince the general public that she can help be a good steward of the tax dollars received?
And by the way, if Obama wants 95% of what Hillary wants, and McCain only goes with Hillary 5% of the time, help us understand clearly why you'd vote for Senator McCain?
I mean, it doesn't make any logical sense, but instead of calling you idiots, I'm willing to sit and learn the positions you hold and McCain hold that Hillary previously championed.

Roofin Reality, Houston, Tx. (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:18 AM)

FR: thanks for reporting the full statement Washington Post didn’t. May I suggest this narrative…?

Obama is not presumptuous or cocky; but optimistic and self-assured.

Obama does understand because he can listen, comprehend, remember, present chronological facts, and analyze, unlike Duel personality McCain, who can’t get anything right!
Also let’s pay more attention to McCain’s memory lapses. Voter’s, America and the world need to know if it’s organic.

As long as the choice of Veep is not Hillary Clinton, this will undermine change and hope’s timeline. I’m sure whomever Obama chooses will translate into what Obama has said succinctly integrity and chemistry.
===============================================
Bev LA
I'm a 64 year old white working woman and I'm angry! Now CNN is spreading this garbage. I was defending CNN against Joe on MSNBC when I wrote the following to them.

MSNBC GET RID OF JOE SCARBOROUGH!
******************************************************
Now it’s time for this Beverly in Chicago to give my input. I gotten up early, in the past to watch Morning Joe; I can no longer do that. Joe is a disgrace to what MSNBC has prided itself to be; Pat Buchanan is an ardent racist, Mika is disrespected, Chris Matthew’s sardonic ah-a-h-h and enthusiasm for Obama has diminished as well as all other shows with the exception of Keith Olberman. Unless I read FR I no longer know what happens on Morning Joe. Keith Olberman and Rachel are your only salvation; if MSNBC is to maintain its integrity Here’ my rap...
JOE MUST GO!

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:21 AM)

FR....WHERE is the McCain FLIP FLOP ON TAXES?

COME ON NOW......GET WITH THE PROGRAM!!!!!!!!

Matthew, Bloomfield Hills Michigan (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:26 AM)

Just like e Republican Joe's( Morning Joe) comments on Obama flip flopping on Iraqi withdrawl dates( which he did not) the comical but shoddy reporting on the supposed Washington Post story that Obama made an arrogant comment( leaving out the full quote which would of provided context) needs to be repudiated. Is it so hard to report the full facts before making a comment about his and the Democrats arrogance. To give a free pass to McCain on his tax flip flop and focus on a partial quote is not of the standards of NBC news.

Terry, Great Plains (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:28 AM)

where are the comments? get on the ball already! whats the point in posting!

Angry Poster (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:32 AM)

Why can't they just leave the dude alone...I personally think the announcement is coming soone enough... http://www.enewsreference.wordpress.com

eNews Reference (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:34 AM)

NO idea where Obama is in the process? Kind of weird? Surreal?

Makes me think of an old book ... "Misty of Chincoteague."

How appropriate.

A children's book with a reading level similar to the content of this story.

Obama/Richardson 08/12

Amy Andersen, Eden Prairie, MN (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:40 AM)

First Read:

There is some big news going out today in the news based on doubts issued from Chief Justice Robert's recent 2nd epileptic attack: That the results came back as cancer.

The Boise Idaho News radio 580 AM mentioned it around 7:15 this morning, they typically follow right leaning events.

This is huge news, imagine if such a young right leaning justice were to be replaced next presidency?

Matt, Idaho (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:40 AM)

As was evidenced throughout the primary campaign, the MSM was way behind the American voter.Day after day goes by with the Pundits trying thier dambest to Force thier view upon anyone watching.These Puppet's of the Rich, actually think that most other's will be inclined to agree with them, just because it's being told on a national level.I'll give them the fact, that older voter's get thier news from the National news agency's, but,the American Electorate is going younger.Young voter's(tech savy) have a weapon to use against the Corparate Media& are using it to show them just how "Out Of Touch" the Media Elite are.

This Arrogant Barack Obama has been at least 3 steps ahead of the closest compitition for sometime now.He's used his Brain against the Brawn to make them look like Schoolyard Bully's, very effectively too. Take for instance, Hillary in Ohio"Shame on You Barack", made her look like everyone's Mother(which is'nt a bad thing).It brought out what everyone already thought of her, which was Negative.Now we have Mccain, with his snide little smirk(who laughs at thier own jokes anyways)bumbling & fumbling every opportunity to make his case to the American voter.The MSM see's this as Mccain being Mccain, however, again, the voter see's a much different picture. We see an Incompetent man trying to be Forcefed to the voter(by the MSM)& it aint gonna happen.

Since Mccain once was a POW & think's that Entitle's him to the Presidency, I once hit a Home Run, does that make an equal to Babe Ruth? I think Not!!

As for 1st read's attempt at Comedy with the Michele remark,how about doing something for your Country & report the fact's as they Are, Not how you like to see them in Print.

Delusional Thinking By Common Sense American's Is Over !!!!

If i can see this from very Rural Kentucky,then anyone with an ounce of a Brain, can see it also!

Rick,Ky (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 11:47 AM)

Surely I won't be the first to point out how dumb your last observation is. What on earth is it supposed to mean that he has '08 printed on the pack of his Pony Swim t-shirt. Earth to First Read. It's been '08 for almost 8 months now--even in the non-campaign universe. Shocker, I know.

Carly, Iowa City (Sent Wednesday, July 30, 2008 12:13 PM)

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