Sen. Reed: I'm Not Interested In Being VP

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island said Monday he was not interested in being Democrat Barack Obama's running mate.

Reed, a West Point graduate and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is scheduled to accompany Obama to Iraq and Afghanistan. Reed described the vice presidential spot as a "position which I have no interest in," adding he has not been asked by Obama's campaign to provide information that could be used to scrutinize running mates.

"There are people that are spending a lot of time, one, looking for candidates, and ... trying to promote themselves as candidates," Reed said. "And I'm in neither category."

Reed said he was focused on winning a third term in the Senate and doesn't take seriously much of the discussion surrounding him as a possible vice presidential candidate.

Speculation about whether Reed could be chosen for Democratic ticket increased after Obama said Reed and Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, both military veterans, would go with him to Iraq and Afghanistan. Reed would not give a more specific timeframe for the trip on Monday.

The three senators are interested in finding out more about what is happening on the ground there, including details about an upsurge of violence in Afghanistan, Reed said. In Iraq, he said pending issues include the status of forces agreement detailing the powers U.S. troops will have there, provincial elections in the fall and integrating Sunnis into the government.

When asked whether he could envision Hagel as Obama's pick, Reed said he could see Hagel as "a candidate for many things" but wouldn't speculate further.

Comments

[pupbayer]

And another one bites the dust.

[SeanGardner]

The list is still lengthy:

- Gov. Sebelius (Kansas)

- Gov. Tim Kaine (Virginia)

- Sen. Bayh (Indiana)

- Sen. Biden (Delaware)

- Gov. Napalitano (Arizona)

- Gov. Schweitzer (Montana)

- Gov. Freudenthal (Wyoming)

- Gov. Henry (Oklahoma)

- Gov. Gregoire (Washington State - MY STATE)

- Gen Clark

And I could on and on. So the "PUMA" trolls need to stop insisting that Obama's list of potential VPs is getting shorter. Dems are in all 50 states, and that Obama's search is expansive. To my knowledge, Gov. Strickland, Gov. Rendell, Sen. Webb and Sen. Reed are the only major names to say no. That's it.

So let's stop the madness. And get a life.

[PumaAnn]

Goodness, that list is getting shorter and shorter. Dems are fleeing!

[debwarot]

And yet it would seem Hillary is still interested.

[pupbayer]

I don't know what he needed a committee for. All he has to do is wait to see which one is willing to be his VP.

[SeanGardner]

But the list is lengthy, and filled with notable names. He does indeed need a committee.

[Bluedog12]

Jack! Go Airborne Westy!

[harriscrl3]

Maybe we'll get lucky and Senator Clinton will say I'm not interested in the Veep position.

Carol

[debwarot]

My fingers are crossed!

[wheresthebeef]

Too bad. As an ex-resident of Rhode Island, I can tell you that Reed would have made an excellent choice. He's a West Point and Harvard Law graduate with military AND liberal creds galore. Of course, since RI is always solidly in the Dem column for Presidential races, it wouldn't do much in terms of electoral college votes, but still...

[Wildcatdiva]

I'm so sick of reading that mess. The Media put that bs out there not knowing who in the hell is being asked. I don't want to's get on my nerves...and I don't want you to either.

[bdl0715]

Everyone says they are not interested, until they are asked. Most of them would run if asked, doing their duty to the country.

If they say they are interested and then don't get asked, they look bad, so if they say they are not interested, and don't get asked, then it doesn't look so bad.

[debwarot]

True! Good point!

[Plowboy]

I don't think I will run for VP today.
And I don't plan to fall in love either.
But I might get drunk --
if someone else is buying.

[Doofus]

Obviously, anyone who would want such a job
should not be selected. Harry Truman?
Dick Nixon? Dan Quayle? C'mon, People!

Think 'Warm Spit'. The only assigned duty is to
preside over the Senate, in an almost entirely
ceremonial way.

The hallmark of any valid VP candidate is that
they say they don't want the job, even if they do.

(Harry Truman felt that his role in history
showed that *anyone* could serve as President.
Therefore, also VP.)

[matilda2]

What about Cheney? He told Bush that "Vice" meant "Above"

[Doofus]

And if they say they can do the
job, doesn't mean they should.

[Doofus]

An unfortunate corollary: just because they say
they don't want it, doesn't mean they can do the job.

[dooleynoted]

Too bad, my dark hose pick just stumbled out of the starting gate. I thought he would be an excellent choice.

[longislandlol]

ON EITHER SIDE-- NO ONE SEEMS TO WANT THIS JOB-- A PICNIC IT AIN'T!!

[SaltySaltillo]

You seem not to understand how this works - when someone learns that they didn't make the cut, they are given an opportunity to save face by saying they never wanted the job anyway. I take this to mean that Webb and Reed couldn't pass the vetting process.

[mindlessmissy]

Exactly ....

[nibblybits]

He's just being coy. Reed sounds like he should be on the short list. Great resume and he seems like a stand-up guy.

Anybody want to fill in the details?

[oafishcad]

As long as Senator Obama doesn't pick another loser like Lieberman.

[heather11483]

I just want to let everyone know that I'm taking myself out of the running for VP. I'm not interested.

[Grunty1]

I'll take the job. A position where you don't have to do much except get ready to run for President in 8 years? I'm there! :-)

[4wehttam]

I'm not interested in VP either, so I hope they don't call me trying to get information for vetting. Although I could be persuaded to possibly be Secretary of State or maybe Secretary of Education.....hmmm let me think on it. So many choices, so little time.

[meanguy]

DANG! NOW what am i gonna do with this $1000 check made out to 'heather4veep08?'