Kaine still flattered by VP talk

Rob, Philly — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:55:50 GMT

All this Veep talk is so boring. Why can't people just wait? It's almost as lame of the story as "cone of silence-gate."

I wish they'd put this much energy into covering McCain's ineptness and presumptuousness in foreign policy. (Even a juicy story on his first wife would be better).

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

usa — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:56:05 GMT

When told his speaking services weren't needed, perhaps, he was told you're not going to be VEEP?

From Politico:
Wes Clark Dismissed by Obama Campaign
By Denise Williams
Aug 17th 2008 1:36PM
Filed Under:eBarack Obama, Breaking News, Veepstakes

Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark, a Hillary Clinton primary supporter and Veep pick favorite has been told by the Obama campaign that his services were not needed during next week's Democratic party convention.

Clark's son, Wesley Clark, Jr. relayed this information in a diary comment on Daily Kos:

For a long time but we have a very active business that he needs to travel a lot for. He wasn't invited to speak at the convention. I'm sure somebody in his office called the campaign and asked if he was going to be invited to speak because he needs to book meetings for that week if he isn't in Denver. Apparently the answer that came back was no.

It's not a fake out or some secret plan, he isn't going to be VP or probably anything else in an Obama administration, assuming he's elected.

What he is going to do is go out and campaign for Obama and plenty of Democrats in house and senate races this Fall.

I know some you think you can change this by launching VP diaries a couple times a day in hopes that Obama will be swayed by the "netroots." Dude, when has that ever worked with this campaign?

Clark had been considered by some to be a good choice for Obama's VP due to his outspoken support of progressive issues and foreign policy and military experience. There had been some speculation the theme of the convention's third night "Securing America" was a code that Clark would be the Veep choice. "Securing America" is the name of Clark's PAC.

Time Magazine's Swampland has had a running list of potention Dem veep choices striking out those who were due to speak at the convention which helped fuel some spectulation:

Sebelius (speaking)
Clinton (speaking)
Warner (keynote speaker)
Bayh (speaking -- see jump)
Kaine
Biden (speaking -- see jump)
Dodd
Richardson (speaking -- see jump)
Clark
Bloomberg
Reed
Strickland (speaking, took himself out)
Webb (took himself out)
Rendell (speaking*, took himself out, thanks ivb for the link)
John Edwards (took himself out)
Podesta (hosting a brunch)
Napolitano (speaking* and hosting a women governor's event)
Chet Edwards
MacCaskill (speaking)
John Kerry
Nunn

I'll note that I have been a Wes Clark fan since 2004 and personally believe he would have brought a lot to the table. I'm pretty disappointed if this is the case. Out of the potential short-listers not speaking at the convention the only one that seems even viable is Kaine and I think that would be a major mistake. The ONLY reason for picking Kaine would be to help deliver Virginia. I think the idea of delivering states for your candidate is outmoded and risky. Kaine brings next to nothing to the table.

I suppose at this point I can keep hope alive for Clark by assuming this is all a cute smokescreen. Obama needs to pick who's good for him - all personal wishes aside. I'm just not seeing anyone left on this list that adds much to the ticket.
I still anxiously await my text message.

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:58:06 GMT

Amusing to watch. Biden issues a denial and the next post up is about Kaine. I don't envy you guys and gals. You do a good job but I reserve the right to bitch incessantly.
Howard Fineman kinda hung it all out there too. One has to admit that the Obama campaign is pretty disciplined. If it is not Joe, they sure know how to head fake.

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

usa — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:00:19 GMT

Heard an interesting comment last night from Dick Morris about the possible Obama-Kaine ticket. We all know Obama has been a state senator. To say he has experience as a US senator might be stretching it a bit having worked only 143 days in the last 3 years.

Kaine has been gov for about a year. Before that, he was a mayor of a city of about 200,000.

Due to their limited time in current positions, Morris said the campaign would be billed as "the state senator and city mayor."

Chris Dodd might still be in the mix. But, he (and Obama, too) still have some explaining to do about those cheap Countrywide mortgages!

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

donna — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:02:10 GMT

Kaine the Harvard grad., and Gov. of Virginia that has had very impressive stats for business for the past three years, showed hgow he is formidable on 'Meet The Press' against Gov. Piyush 'Bobby' Jindal, (as inspired by the 'Brady Bunch'), on Sunday.

He also made Rove look like the simp that he is.

I trust Obama to make the right choice for us. I will love whomever he chooses.

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

Daniel, NY — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:04:35 GMT

McCain is posting some VERY strong numbers today. He gains nationally (+10% in LA Time poll), takes back lead in FL and expands lead in NC. Good thing for Obama that his VP pick/convention are coming: http://campaigndiaries.com/2008/08/19/how-significant-is-the-tightening/

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

curious — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:05:58 GMT

I know the Obama supporters cringe at the thought of HRC as veep. But, think about this. Some of the folks mentioned have been doing auditions on some of the talk shows. However, how many of them did BHO trust to go out alone to campaign and fundraise for him as she recently did in Nevada? I realize she has the brand that would draw a crowd whereas the others don't have that. But, it has just struck me that MAYBE he trusts her more to do it. Or, as he already knows, she knows how to campaign. Anyway, she probably won't be the pick but it's an interesting comparison. I think he will be sorry in the end that he didn't pick her.

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

game kid — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:10:10 GMT

Maybe he really is focused on being Governor, but Hillary Clinton repeatedly said she was focused on her Senate job before announcing her run.

I think ANYTHING can still happen here.

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

Ann M — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:15:12 GMT

Kaine waffling; Biden saying "no way".

I may just take to my bed and hope that I awake after Obama has been elected with whatever VP he chooses.

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

Floater Kane — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:20:47 GMT

John Edwards is still in the running because he knows how to hold bathroom doors shut. A big help because Obama is often constipated.

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

Richard, Washington State — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:27:04 GMT

Oba MaKaine. Almost as good as Bayh, Obama.

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

LJ — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:28:05 GMT

I like Tim Kaine and I think he would be a good VP for Obama. Both of them together will be strong and more than capable of taking on the McCain slime machine. As a child, the one rule I learned and that has stayed with me all this time is this, if you must resort to name calling, it's because of your own insecurities and inadequacies. This same rule applies to the McCain campaign as it did to the Clinton campaign. America has seen enough dirty politics, and is pushing back. McCain needs to get a clue after seeing what happened to Hillary.

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

Dan — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:07:17 GMT

You all are forgetting about General James L. Jones - I believe he is going to be the darkhorse candidate - he was the NATO Commander, Commandant of the Marine Corps, special assistant to Sec Def Cohen, Special Envoy to the Middle East and CEO XXIst Century Energy.

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

Hermine Clouser — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:51:39 GMT

Obama/Kaine (yes I hear the homonym) two brilliant relatively young candidates of faith and commitment, surrounded by a well oiled machine that has been able to keep the VP choice a secret... a winning combination... Obama/Kaine'08

Kaine still flattered by VP talk

DelawareDude — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:55:04 GMT

Obama / Biden '08