Obama's VP Shortlist: Bayh, Biden, Kaine

Washington Post:

Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has told close associates that he has had "very serious" conversations with Sen. Barack Obama about joining the Democratic presidential ticket and has provided documents to the campaign as it combs through his background, according to several sources close to Kaine.

Sens. Evan Bayh (Ind.) and Joseph R. Biden Jr. (Del.) are also being seriously vetted by the campaign staff, according to sources with knowledge of the process.

Obama has revealed little about which way he is leaning. And despite rising anticipation that a decision is imminent, campaign officials said an announcement is likely in mid-August, shortly before the Democratic National Convention. Obama's top aides, David Plouffe and David Axelrod, huddled yesterday in the Washington office of Eric Holder, who along with Caroline Kennedy is vetting potential running mates.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[Wildcatdiva]

I want biden, but he's getting up there, has had health issues. kaine is relatively young, he and 0 have a visible comfort level and they really like one another.

[ohmercy]

Kaine is centrist at best. And bordering toward the right.

Getting up there?
I think he's only 62.

I keep forgetting how young the new people at HuffPo are.
Sheesh.
When you turn 60 babe you will realize just how young it is in this day and age.

[Faith101]

I still think that the VP will be someone under the radar, I am leaning towards a gov or formal gov. I like Biden better for Sec of State.

[GayGrandpa]

Kaine looks great! Progressive...but I can see the right coming after the "gay agenda!" Oh yeah...well let's see if this country truly wants change or not...Bush started this with announcing a 'cultural war'...and now with billions spent and the average household owing almost a half of a million dollars**, bridges collapsing, families and seniors in crisis...$4 a gallon gas and inflation on the rise...let's see how much these issues mean to the average American in 2008! As W. likes to say...BRING IT ON! I would like to say right back to him and all those greedy right "religious" people with their hypocrisy, BRING IT ON VAVEE! Gramps

I don't fear because we believe in the words of Jefferson, the very words that inspired Lincoln,

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

**"This hidden debt equals $473,456 per household, dwarfing the $84,454 each household owes in personal debt."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-10-03-debt-cover_x.htm

[dejtemper]

The only "problem" I see with Biden is that he is a Senator, and everyone says you should not have two Senators on the same ticket. I really do believe that Obama needs to pick someone who has Washington knowhow. As much as he wants to change Washington, and he should, he needs to work in it before he can change it. Biden could help him big time in that regard. I don't know much about Kaine, but what I do know I don't care for. Pro-life, anti-choice - don't like that at all. He does not seem to have anything that stands out about himself or his record. How would he be on the attack? I have no idea, but Biden would be great. I would love to see a Powell or Hagel, but again you run into some of their viewpoints (GOP). As much as everyone is saying there are so many, I don't think his choices are that great.

[MildenHall]

He needs to pick someone who is going can whip up on Congress and keep them in line as Obama tries to keep his program in line. That person is going to need to know his way around Capitol Hill so that person could be Joe Biden. But that comes at risk because who takes over the party after Obama? An older safer choice right now Joe Biden type or a younger closer to Obama's age Tim Kaine type.

[hudsuckerproxy]

My preference is Biden because he has the foreign policy experience required to balance the ticket. The fly in the ointment is that Biden has made it clear he's not interested:

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jJN7RiZZ2yE9zm3LAEL0pIzARPUA

Of course, he would serve if asked. The question is, would Obama ask someone who truly doesn't want the job?

[nclayla]

All this speculation is interesting, exciting even, but its just speculation. I'm not sure the 'leaks' and 'sources' are genuine. I am sure that Obama will make a reasoned and brilliant choice for his running mate.

[ebanks84]

I believe it's between Biden and Kane and would be happy with either, even though Kane as governatorial background which could help Obama tremendously. Biden is a strong force of comraderie and legislative expertise.

Bayh, NO! This man was so stuck on HRC that I wouldn't trust him no further than I could throw him. Obama needs a partner he could trust with his life.

I can't wait for the announcement.

[Yesbama]

If Obama doesn't pick someone with foreign policy experience he will look arrogant. He himself said that he is humble enough to know his shortcomings, and that he would surround himself with people that can fill in the gaps so to speak. No, no. no to Kaine or Bayh.
Biden is the way to go.
With that being said I personally think that Hillary Clinton really should be seriously considered. The primary elections SO close. It's seems like the Democratic thing to do. And no I am not a HRC supporter and never was. Maybe I've got it all wrong, but it still feels like the party is very divided. I've canvassed for Barack and they either love him or hate him, but even the people that hate him say they would vote for him if Hillary was on the ticket, and I live in NH.

[Lion24]

No conservatives. No Republicans. No blue or yellow dogs.

[Kathyann1]

I've wondered why Bob Graham was never mentioned even if it were just speculation. He'd be great for VP.

[Ramus]

He would be great..voted correctly on the Iraq blank check..was on the intelligence committee..knows a lot of foreign policy stuff..but he's old and has had heart troubles...ten years younger and no heart troubles and he'd be perfect

[ohmercy]

http://tinyurl.com/6hptuf

some good, some bad- like most.
* Voted for Patriot Act, but against Patriot Act II. (Jun 2003)
* Created jobs as Governor, with focus on minority business. (May 2003)
* Put the Civil War behind us: end Confederacy extremism. (May 2003)
* Voted YES on adding sexual orientation to definition of hate crimes. (Jun 2002)
* Voted YES on loosening restrictions on cell phone wiretapping. (Oct 2001)
* Voted YES on expanding hate crimes to include sexual orientation. (Jun 2000)
* Voted YES on setting aside 10% of highway funds for minorities & women. (Mar 1998)
* Voted NO on ending special funding for minority & women-owned business. (Oct 1997)
* Voted YES on prohibiting same-sex marriage. (Sep 1996)
* Voted YES on prohibiting job discrimination by sexual orientation. (Sep 1996)
* Voted YES on Amendment to prohibit flag burning. (Dec 1995)
* Voted NO on banning affirmative action hiring with federal funds. (Jul 1995)
* Rated 60% by the ACLU, indicating a mixed civil rights voting record. (Dec 2002)

* Voted YES on restricting rules on personal bankruptcy. (Jul 2001)
* Rated 32% by the US COC, indicating an anti-business voting record. (Dec 2003)

# Voted YES on defunding renewable and solar energy. (Jun 1999)
# Voted YES on approving a nuclear waste repository. (Apr 1997)

# Voted YES on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)

[fourex]

Very short on quality.

[Bagger]

Obama/Bayh is a winning ticket. He has to win the Independents to win this thing. Kaine isn't bad either. Mark my words...it will not be Biden.

[ebanks84]

No. That's more like a threatening ticket to me.

[Norm]

Obama needs to bring in those people he lost by giving his speech to 200,000 in Germany. Where I am Massachusetts), it is not playing well at all. With Hillary he will win, with the others it's a ****shoot.

[wanj]

Biden!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSMS85bo4WM

[MaryfromMontcoPA]

Wasn't it Biden who figured that "we" ought to divide up Iraq into 3 sectarian states? How very imperial and arrogant of him. One might consult the Iraqi people before "deciding" for them. Most Iraqis have consistently wanted Iraq to remain unified, as has the majority of Iraqis' only elected representatives, their Parliament.

[ohmercy]

agreed