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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



WV governor predicts Kaine as VP

Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 6:08 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under:

From NBC's Alex Wall 
Despite all the talk of Biden for VP, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin (D) said he predicts that Gov. Tim Kaine (D-VA) will be Obama's No. 2.

Speaking to a reporter from WSAZ in Charleston, W.V., Manchin made the case for his "dear friend."
 
"I am predicting that Tim Kaine will be the VP pick, and I think that this country will be blessed if that happens, and I know Barack will have a strong, strong ticket," he said. "Tim speaks very eloquently about the balance that's needed for energy and the compassion for people and the things that we believe in. It just resonates."
 
Manchin said he had just spoken to Kaine on the phone and that the Virginia governor still didn't know who the VP will be.
 
"Fingers are crossed," Manchin said. "He don't know. We just talked, he says, 'To be honest with you, Joe, I don't know.'"

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Comments

Let's hope that Obama realizes that picking Kaine would be a mistake.
Anything to divert attention from your poor candidate, right Obama supporters. Don't look how much our candidate (Obama) stinks, we'll manufactor something so that you'll focus on the other guy.

Obama is just so transparent. He just looking sillier by the day.
Gina Thomas, Albany NY (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 4:49 PM)
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WOW! That is the most prime example of the pot calling the kettle black I have ever heard. Who focuses all there energy on the other candidate? Who spends all there time calling Obama a celebrity? Comparing him to Britney Spears and Paris Hilton? Was swiftboating invented by the Dems? You are the one supporting the party of Karl Rove and you say we are the ones who divert attention from policy discussions?
Just look at your post. It says it all. No knowledge. No factual evidence. Not a shred of truth. Just anger and finger pointing. I will ask you the same question I ask all of you right-wingers.
Why do you support McCain? Health care policy. Economic policy. National defense and international diplomacy. What is it about his senate voting record that attracts you to vote for him? All of us stupid liberal Obama supporters would love to know.
When is Manchin going to predict something important? Like when Pelosi will allow a vote on drilling?
go ahead, bring Kaine.  NO EXPERIENCE. That will make a great ad for repubs....two in the white house with no experience.

of course, bring Biden if you want. Some of the right wing talk show folks can't wait. They say they have TONS of stuff on Biden.
"He don't know. We just talked, he says, 'To be honest with you, Joe, I don't know.'"

Did the Governor of West Va really say "He don't know." and not "He doesn't know"? Talk about promoting stereo-types!
Oh Boy....Two guys that haven't a clue in the first and second chair....
[I am predicting that Tim Kaine will be the VP pick, and I think that this country will be blessed if that happens]


Terrific. Another gift from God, huh Gov. Manchin? But, is the country ready for two Messiah's?
Maybe the VP pick is Manchin himself.  Forgot about him huh?  or Ritter of CO...  sorta forgot about them huh?
Rather then babble on endlessly about this dribble, what don't these guys actually get some work done?
Come on MSNBC this is a big deal game changing statement by McCain:

Today at a townhall meeting, an audience member praised Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) for his vow to "follow bin Laden to the gates of hell." After a long question about veterans' care, the questioner said she believed we needed to reinstate the draft, to which McCain seemed to readily agree:
QUESTIONER: If we don't reenact the draft, I don't think we'll have anyone to chase Bin Laden to the gates of hell.
[Appaluse]
MCCAIN: Ma'am, let me say that I don't disagree with anything you said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/20/mccain-on-bringing-back-d_n_120178.html
Maybe more people will sign up for the Obama campaign text message.  They get to hear the VP .2 sec before the MSM and all the Blogs report it, and the Obama campaign gets their cell numbers.  Ha!
Senator Obama, do your thing. I trust your judgement. I will love whomever you choose.
To all of you out there!!! Today at a McCain townhall meeting the word DRAFT came up and McCain said he is open to that.

He needs more of our kids (which he will not support in anyway) to fight his wars. Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Pakistan - we will be in war with all of these countries WWIII will occur.

And he's up in the polls. Be afraid very afraid - these are American lives we are talking about not your money honey. But of course, we won't have any of that either because we will be supporting the wars - watch your taxes - your head will spin - Bush is almost looking good. THINK BEFORE YOU VOTE. MCCAIN WANTS A DRAFT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tim Kaine...now there is a name that will have most people scratching their heads...Tim Kaine???
Tim Kaine will not add the much needed boost, excitement Obama needs nor will it motivate the Hillary supporters...it would be a disastrous choice. People are still learning about who Obama is...they don’t want to be asking themselves...who is Tim Kaine? McCain is going to pick someone who is a household name...McCain is a household name...familiar to anyone who goes into the voting booth uncertain about Barrack Obama.
Boring...


Obama/Biden '08!!!
All speculation.  I can't wait until the veeps are decided and announced.  Then we can go back to actual news stories.

http://thepajamapundit.com/
This on First Read when the Front Page story on MSNBC.COM is "McCain cuts Obama's lead by half - Why can't Obama Close"

I am too pissed for words.  Why can't the white guy with a pulse catch up?  Let alone close?  Why do you guys always have to frame the discussion as though Obama is lacking?  I am just so sick of the media love affair with the lying, sack o' crap McCain (& his merry henchmen).

Thank G-d Rachel is getting her own show.  I watched Keith LONG before this election cycle and he has certainly had his share of annoyances with the DEMS; but at this point, he is the ONLY national news program that even frames the discussion from a point of FAIR.  Actually, that's not totally honest - he does lean Obama; but it is the only way to even remotely put some weight on the 'top side' of the unbalanced scale.  And trust me, it will not be enough in November if the rest of the MSM doesn't stop posturing Obama from a perspective of defeat.  It is repugnant and I am sick of it.
Who is running Obama's V-P search committee?  That would be my choice.
Two inexperienced on the same ticket?

Hillary was his only chance to save himself.

Say hello to president mccain!
I'm predicting only Obama will tell us who  will be his choice. I trust Obama's thoughtfulness e.g. wisdom and vision.
===========================================
The second full of filth, and vile schemes to terrorize Americans, in order to win the Presidency, was written by John McCain, and shines a bright light into the black hole that is his soul.

Thank you Beverly from Chicago for the following link to McCain’s note:

http://weneedobama.blogspot.com/2008/08/secret-mccain-russia-memo-leaked.html
=================================================
Donna, first of all, let me just say I hope you and your family are all doing well. My mother succumbed to colon cancer.  I hope during this time you spent as much precious time as you can with your father.
If this really isn’t a joke, can you provide me the link. We need to educate the voters.
Best wishes,
Beverly in Chicago
Is Nancy Pelosi speaking at the convention?  I still think Obama/Pelosi would be the absolute best Democrat ticket.  She's already third in line for the presidency anyway.

Obama/Pelosi, the Vanna White ticket.
Keith Olbermann is about as "fair" as Rush Limbaugh, but not nearly as rich, or as smart, and has a teeny, tiny . . . audience.
Kaine is able.
Clara, Kansas City:

It's framed that way because Obama's disciples have been framing him as the second coming, right on the heels of 7 years of hell.

It's like Estonia holding their own against the Redeem Team in the Olympics (I know, Estonia didn't play them, just humor me).  That's the news when the slam dunk gets blocked.

Here we are, after 7 years of Republican disaster with the current candidate judged by all First Read super posters as even more inferior and your candidate can't hold a 9 point lead.  That's the news and that's what gets reported.

And you blame it on the media.

It's almost as entertaining as not watching Keith Olbermann.
Clara, Kansas City:

If you're too pissed for words, why so many?
My prediction has come to pass....Mr. McDraft will re-institute the draft!!!!  Anyone with a family should be shaking in their shoes.  This man is a warmonger and wants your children to go to war.  WAR WAR WAR WAR thats all he stands for please wake up.  

Bob, Chicago
Richard, Eric Holder and Caroline Kennedy are running the VP Search Committee.  
Maybe more people will sign up for the Obama campaign text message.  They get to hear the VP .2 sec before the MSM and all the Blogs report it, and the Obama campaign gets their cell numbers.  Ha!

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Wednesday, August 20, 2008 6:20 PM)


 And that's why the Obama campaign continues to do well. Yes, they realize that many, many people ONLY have cell phones and if you are interested in getting Obma's VP pick ahead of the lame-ass media, then that's the price. You'll notice something strange come November when polls (still calling those old folks on their landlines) totally miss the millions of young people who will vote or Obama and were never polled. The actual vote differential will be much greater than the polls because of this factor. Obama has already said this is going to be the first campaign using new politics for the 21st century and so far, he's proving it.
......................

ANYONE BUT HILLARY and The Clinton Magical Clowns.

.................................................
I think Tim Kaine would be great as Obama's VP.  All you Hillary people, give it a rest, aren't you at all aware of the disgusting baggage the Clinton's carry around with them, some if it would turn your hair white and I'm not talking about Monica either!  Be careful what you ask for, you may get it, and it would truly be the end of Obama.  The Clinton's are nothing more than hillbilly, trailer trash from Arkansas dressed up as millionaires.
I'm for Retired General Wesley Clark. There's no better military record to be had anywhere (unless you dig up someone like Patton or ??)

He would rip McCain's invisibility cloak of "POW hero" off, forcing McCain to rely on something other than events of 40 years ago as a measure of his moral character. Clark would force McCain to release his official military records.

And wouldn't it be nice to have someone who graduated 1st at his class (Clark at West Point) rather than 5th from the bottom (McCain at Annapolis)? Plus Clark has more medals than McCain could carry; Clark has actually won a war without losing US lives and has been a real commander in his service... not just some flyboy who crashed a lot of expensive jets and spent time in a POW cell. I don't mean to be harsh but where is that experience he touts? Crashing jets? Or.. being tortured? Hmmm... why can't he support No Torture then?

Obama/Clark, please. Obama can count on Clark to be a real attack dog on McCain. I know there was that whole flap over Clark questioning McCain's experience, but that IS the role of the Veep in the election... and if anyone can question it, it will be Clark...

I'm okay with Biden, but I think Obama will really miss out on a fabulous opportunity if he doesn't choose Clark. Plus, Clark will carry Arkansas - a red state and probably Virginia, too.
For his VP position, Barack Obama should consider using some 21st century thinking that's consistent with his "Change You Can Believe In" message:

Given our complex terrorist-laden world and economic-distressed situation here at home and abroad today, I think that millions of Americans would be hugely attracted to a new Co-VP position that offers specialized strengths (i.e., Joe Biden with his foreign policy expertise and Kathleen Sebelius with her domestic economic expertise).

This change, from a single VP position to a Co-VP position, is also consistent with our country's expertise-based society and current needs of the 21st century.  This position change would also underscore Obama's leadership in recognizing how our country and world have changed, while it simultaneously assures all Americans (especially senior citizens and Clinton supporters) that Obama will get America back on track nationally and internationally and that he's looking out for ALL Americans.

If Obama were to unleash this Co-VP position, McCain and the GOP would be left in the dust come November.  Comments, anyone?
YEAH HILLARY WAS SUCH A GREAT CANDIDATE SHE COULDNT EVEN RUN HER OWN CAMPAIGN.  HOW FAR IN DEBT IS SHE?  SHE JUST SCREAMS OF A COMPETENT LEADER.  GIVE ME A BREAK.  SHE IS 40 MILLION IN DEBT FOR A REASON.  SHE RAN A HORRIBLE CAMPAIGN, AND LOST!!!!
hey, why can't I get posted any more? I used to get posted but now? Just curious and would like a reason, since I don't use profanity or attack other commentators or anything?
And the survey ("national poll of record") says?
of course, bring Biden if you want. Some of the right wing talk show folks can't wait. They say they have TONS of stuff on Biden.
usa
********

Of course they have 'tons' of stuff on Biden...just like they have 'tons' on Obama.

When you make everything up and lie, there is no end to the crap you can spew.

And its so depressing so many of you buy into it.
How shameful is this truth?

Many Americans would rather vote for a White guy they hate, over a Black guy they don't know.  For shame.....

Hillary Fan
37 yr old WHITE FEMALE in Amarillo, TX

Obama '08 or we all suffer...for years...SUPREME COURT LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He needs Hillary to win.  18,000,000 is a lot of votes and voices to have working with you in the fall.  
they said
Obama can't fund a campaign with small donations, and he did,

He can't beat the Clinton machine in the primary, and he did.

And now he can't win with his OWN pick.  He has to listen to the 200 New Yorkers that still follow Hillary and pick her......

YES WE CAN
MSNBC - I too is fed up the McCain appeasement of and the MSM love affair. And the constant negative reporting of Obama the the questions of "Why Obama is unable to close the gap?" and yet McCain is lacking with the young, black, hispanic, and the military - I don't hear the question(s) of why McCain isn't closing the gap with any of these group of voters?  Thank God for Keith Olberman who sheds light on the MSM obvious bias.  
Tim Kaine would be a good solid Choice for Obama, I've met the man, people like him, he take's time to talk to everyone and really listen's to them. He's a Christian and is against abortion which he should be. That's one of the reason's I voted for him He graduated from University of Missouri, he attended Harvard Law School and graduated in 1983 and was admitted to the Virginia Bar in 1984. He worked with the Jesuit order as a Roman Catholic missionary in Honduras. He practiced law in Richmond for 17 years, specializing in representing people who had been denied housing because of race or disability. He was the Mayor of Richmond, Lieutenant Governor and now he's Governor of Virginia. Obama would do well to have Gov. Kaine on his ticket, if McCain don't chose Huckabee Conservatives could look to Kaine  

Well, the thing is this.  The VP will speak Wednesday and the theme is National Security. I beleive they are good friends and it seems they have a lot in common.  But based on the topic alone, the VP is Biden.
18 million voters just like us!

Chuck Todd doesn't get it at all. He's in denial like everyone else, that Hillary voters are going to cast our votes for McCain. That's why Obama's lead is narrowing. He's chasing after rightwing evangelical votes while he's ignoring party unity and 18 million votes at his feet who will vote for McCain when Obama doesn't choose Hillary. She got 18 millions votes and Obama is not making her his Vice President?!!! You have got to be kidding me. If she were a man Obama would make him his Vice President. Hillary's mistake is that she is a woman, plain and simple.
I have to laugh at Obama's "fight the smears and spread the truth" message whatta CROCK!
To say that Hillary does not fit Obama's message of change is a Damn Lie AND Obama knows it. To worry about Bill Clinton as baggage is absurd. Hillary can handle Bill, he has never interferred in her Senate position. She has an exemplary 6 year record of working both sides of the isle. Obama isn't man enough to pick her. He's too insecure.
18 MILLION VOTERS JUST LIKE US!
If Obama does not pick Hillary he won't be needing a Vice President. I look forward to his defeat in November if he doesn't pick Hillary for VP.
NoHillary NoBambi/Obysmal - Liberal for McCain 2008
This is a gender bias issue that must be confronted in this election now. Obama wants to be History's first black President yet he denies the rightful Vice President to be the first woman to hold the office.
18 million voters just like us! Payback's gonna hurt!
VOTE FOR OBAMA FOR CHANGE IF YOU LIKE THE COUNTRY IN THE SHAPE IT IS IN NOW CONTINUE WITH THE REPUBLICANS AND MAYBE WE WILL GO WAR WITH RUSSIA FOR ANOTHER 7+ YEARS ALSO!!! MAKE A CHANGE VOTE FOR OBAMA, DON'T BE FOOLED BY FALSE AD'S LIKE THAT USING POP CELEBS! HOW LOW CAN HE GO AND HOW CHEESY AND OUT OF TOUCH ARE THE REPUBLICANS THAT THEY THINK WE WILL FALL FOR THAT!
da worse date ever for dems
don't you all think that Obama should choose a VP that compliments him and his policies. Don't you all think if Obama is president for the next 8 years that Biden or Clinton if VP will be old to run for office, like McCain's is now. Aren't you tired of the old guards and their old ways running the country. I believe Obama will win this on his own, he doesn't need a well known VP candidate, but someone who will be an extension to his policies and his successul platform. Read about Kaine and you will see what I'm talking about.  
Where is the respected, straight talking Gen. Wesley Clark when you need a VP?
Anyone who's read my posts knows I'm no fan of Hillary but I prefer Obama pick her as VP over listening to the next president open every sure-to-be nauseating conversation with the words "my friends". McCain, and the neo-nazis who back him, must be stopped at any cost.
Colin Powell would just kill McCain / whoever.

Drill me: Divisive, not-pressing issues R us!
Hillary can't be his VP because she and some of her supporters are snuggling up to McCain. Yeah- she cares for the people. Right!

I am with you Donna!  I trust his judgement and whomever he picks would be fine with me!


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