New York Times: Obama "Appears Ready To Announce" His VP

Senator Barack Obama has all but finalized his choice for a running mate and set an elaborate roll-out plan for his decision, beginning with an early morning alert to supporters, perhaps as soon as Wednesday, followed by a trip to swing states by the new Democratic ticket, aides said.

Mr. Obama's deliberations remain remarkably closely held. Aides said perhaps a half-dozen advisers were involved in the final discussions in an effort to enforce a command that Mr. Obama issued to staff: that his decision not leak out until supporters are notified.

Mr. Obama had not notified his choice -- or any of those not selected -- of his decision as of late Monday, advisers said. Going into the final days, Mr. Obama was said to be focused mainly on three candidates: Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia and Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[BeatlesMania4]

Leaked: Obama is taking Richardson as VP to surprise of MSM: http://tinyurl.com/6xr3b7

[abby4ever]

We might not know by this Friday after all. Sibelius said today "I think a week from tomorrow we will all know." That would make it the Wednesday of the convention, August 27. That's the day Bill speaks.

I really thought re: the NYT report that Friday had been chosen so that everyone would know before the convention starts, then there wouldn't be any scenes.

D*mn. I am really disappointed and I really feel it's a mistake not to get it announced before the thing starts in Denver.

[HerbTee]

For those of you who keep harping that BO needs HRC as his VP to win, I'll say this. Picking a specific VP has only applied to a few unique occasions to win, such as JFK selecting LBJ mostly to win Texas and to narrowly defeat Nixon. VPs are also selected based on many other factors too, including factors which BO's looking at now...personality that meshes with his, least divisive and derisive, least amount of personal and political baggage, able to work well with others across party lines, having strong foreign affairs credentials, having strong military credentials, etc. Those are all winning VP traits to win elections as well.

Furthermore, what does HRC actually bring to BO's ticket? The vast majority of her supporters now support BO (except the Operation Chaos nitwits and the PUMA pukes). She doesn't even bring a state as NY is likely to go "blue" anyway without her on the ticket. All she brings to the ticket is bad baggage: divisiveness, selfish and manic attitudes, egotistical behavior, her proven failures as a very poor staff & fiscal campaign manager, a proven poor decision-maker who lacks judgment to make tough calls and of course, Bill Clinton!

[abby4ever]

***The vast majority of her supporters now support BO (except the Operation Chaos nitwits and the PUMA pukes).***

"At the Democratic national convention next week, Lynn Forester, Lady de Rothschild, one of Britain"s most influential political hostesses, will be contemplating treachery. She poured her heart and money into Hillary Clinton"s campaign and she is thinking of voting for John McCain, the Republican candidate, for president." (Times of London, August 17 2008)

Not all are nitwits and pukes; this woman, a close friend of Hillary's, is undermining Obama. Had Hillary asked at least those of her supporters who are close friends, to shut up and get behind Obama, this woman would have honored that. Here's the link to the article, it's not very long and it tells us that even Lou Panetta is nervous:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4547425.ece

[RButler]

If it's Biden, won't it look a little similar to the Bush/Cheney team where the VP has more experience than the president? It's hard to imagine that Biden would sit on his hands waiting to attend funerals. In a way, it would emphasize Obama's limited national experience. Plus, the VP debate would further contrast Biden with Obama as far as experience. Biden doesn't hesitate and stammer.

[abby4ever]

Biden would make a great Secretary of State. So if he's made veep instead, whio else would make a good Secretary of State? The importance of that post, in these times, can't really be exaggerated.

[AdLib]

Bill Richardson? Wesley Clark? Chris Dodd?

[abby4ever]

Of those three, it would have to be Richardson, for me, anyway. And yourself?

[williamg]

I wouldn't be suprised to see Kerry as Sec of State.

[gypsy508]

It's not going to come in the early morning. Why go to all the trouble of making the fuss of the whole cell phone text message thing and then do it when the west coast is sleeping?

[robodweeb]

The other day McClone said that the 86 year old agreement that allocates the scarce resource of the Colorado River among the seven states of the Colorado Basin "obviously needs to be renegotiated"

But now...

Tom Kise, the McCain campaign's Colorado spokesman, said McCain was not proposing that the 2007 agreement be reopened or any immediate talks on the compact.

(Kos)

Boy, this straight talk sure is confusing.

[Paris68]

I think it's Biden.

Reports are floating that Obama only really arrived at this decision while on vacation in Hawaii. I think that discounts Clinton or any other big-name prospect that he may have been holding up his sleave. Moreover, it was while he was on vacation that his foreign policy chops came under such scrutiny with his tepid response to Russia. Biden will help counter that. Plus, Biden took a beating early on for his "clean" and "articulate" comments. This will allow Obama to show that he values expertise over the silliness of "gotcha" politics.

Shame though. I think Biden is great on foreign affairs. But I will never forgive him for being a shill for the Credit Industry in Wilmington.

[postboy]

what matters is that they can win and i think they can

[joselopez]

Let's keep in mind he went on vacation after visiting Bayh in Indiana!! I hope for the sake of the ticket it is Bayh. I have a feeling any other candidate is going to create a buzz like Edwards did in 2004, but after the convention he was not able to do anything to help the ticket. Bayh has everything Obama needs to win. Keep in mind the Independents will decide this election not the far left loonies.

[BlindedbytheSlight]

I think it's Biden as well.

He gave Bar-ry early validation when he judged him to be a clean, articulate young black man. Kind of like a father's approval and Bar-ry would be particularly eager for that kind of relationship.

Also, Bi-den has the white hair and the Senate Foreign Relations experience and he'll have no qualms about being the attack dog.

Plus, for some reason, the base seems to like him.

Bar-ry and Bi-den.

[VolvoBirkenstock]

You have also predicted that Hiilary will wrest the nomination away at the convention.

Another "Mavs in 6!" moment from BitterBetty

[ThunderclapNewman]

Shall I start posting your r@cist comments again, Betty Jo?

Even if you're no longer calling yourself SweetSydney, you're still a depraved r@cist.

[williamg]

As a Senator, he is supposed to represent his constituency. Being that Delaware is the banking Mecca of the country, I would expect him to shill for the banking industry -- just as I would expect someone from Oregon to shill for the lumber industry, and Maine for the fishing industry.

[TheProverbialMan]

Agreed. And Obama is overzealous in his support for corn...because he is from Illinois. It's always kinda bugged me, but he still needs to represent his state.

[CostaMesaJoe]

Isn't Sen. Bayh linked to Mark Penn in someway...? Through Penn's wife or something?
If so, why the hell would O choose him?

[AdLib]

True and true, ain't gonna happen. Looks like Biden is the most likely.

[Midnightrain]

Enough with the charades! It's going to be H R C.

[AdLib]

No, I love charades! Okay, it's a person. Two words. First word sounds like "Pillory". Right, Hlllary! Second word, sounds like "Go Play"...that's right, "No way"!

[HerbTee]

LOL...! :-)

[abby4ever]

If it is, I'll need therapy.

(I know, I know, I need some NOW, but I just mean...)

[CtJean]

We'd be in the same group sessions.

I'd be the one who just pulled out all of her hair.

[knowwhatimsayin]

I think, given the recent events, the smart money is on Biden. He would shore up Obama's perceived weaknesses especially in foreign policy. I think Biden would have the ability to articulate the colossal failures of the Bush Administration foreign policy and link these failures to McSame. It really shouldn't be that hard given an unnecessary war in Iraq, with thousands of American soliders dead, and billions of dollars spent while a mass murder like bin Laden is still on the loose. Some great track record!

[RButler]

OBAMA HAS NO WEAKNESSES. But, seriously folks. He took a trip recently to far away places to give himself foreign affairs cred as though his expertize in domestic issues is a given. Other than a good deal on his house, what economic expertize does he have?

[ThunderclapNewman]

If you want to question someone's expertise, the least you can do is spell it correctly.

The house issue has been thoroughly debunked.

if that's all you have, just be quiet and sit in the corner so the adults can talk.

[zendem1]

Biden has been very, very quiet lately. Might read somehting into that.

[joselopez]

Zendem, that would be a long term bad sign, if he is picked. Imagine all the frustration he has pent up not being able to talk for such a long period. he will be bound to say something stupid/controversial on the campaign trail which will cost the Obama campaign days of message.

[CtJean]

You mean more stupid that m c cane?

Have you heard sindie say anything?

And you won't

[AnotherMcIntosh]

It's not too late to select Keith Olberman.

This guy can deliver a punch!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg5Iyh3LbM8

[robodweeb]

But who's going to support someone just because he speaks well...

Oh, wait...

(It's just a joke)

[abby4ever]

Cute.

[Gordon]

No jokes about the One are acceptable. It is blasphemy.

0bama be praised.

[quidam56]

A N Y B O D Y BUT KAINE ! His record as governor in Virginia has been abysmal at best, especially on health care and the environment,

a bitter, angry, tree-huggin' , redneck hillbilly activist.


www.caringbridge.org/visit/timmullins

[BlindedbytheSlight]

Kaine is the only pick that would make Bar-ry look like the adult in the room.

No small feat that.

[ThunderclapNewman]

Typical wing-nut---nothing but cheap insults.

By the way---there is no one named Bar-ry running for president.

[VolvoBirkenstock]

The BitterBetty sock would know all about "feat."

[robodweeb]

In order to try to demean the Senator from Illinois we are now being told that "pushing 50" isn't "adult".

You guys should stick to praying for rain.

[abby4ever]

Barry? Who calls him Barry? Or Bar-ry, as you put it?

[schicklett3]

I think Jim Webb is the choice.
Certaintly not Evan Bayh.

[ThunderclapNewman]

Webb has taken himself out of the running.

[abby4ever]

To my disappointment. I really like him.

[joselopez]

Webb was my first choice too, since VA would have locked it for Obama and he had military experience. Bayh was my first choice in 2004 and second choice in 2008 because he could potentially bring Indiana, help in Ohio, Michigan, and PA. He is a conservative Democrat as was Webb, which brings some moderation to the ticket. Bayh will not make a mistake on the campaign trail that would require the Obama campaign several days explaining the problem away..As they had to do when Clark questioned McCain's readiness to lead based on him being a Prisoner of War. For those who say Bayh is boring, please tell me who was the last VP who was exciting?!!!

[FogBelter]

Webb should be his choice. I have been cheerleading for Webb for a while now, he has his negatives for sure ... but his upside more than offsets it.

I know he took himself out of the running, but I really appreciate this guy, I even discovered I had read one of his novels, "The Emperor's General", without making the connection of Webb as the author. I was extremely impressed with that novel, and Webb's take on MacArthur and the exploration of how General Yamashita was tried and executed by an American tribunal to satisfy political concerns for the Japanese, certainly was a thinker's approach to that overlooked piece of WWII history.

In short, Webb reveals himself to be a thinker who despite outward appearance questions established orthodoxy. Making the connection that Webb was the author, observing his thinking process. only amplifies my original impression of him.

Obama will likely go with another, but Webb really would be a fantastic choice compared to the names being batted around.

(Actually, if Webb wasn't the choice, it might make it easier for me to get the book signed one day, but I prefer that he were VP and utilizing his talent, intellect, and experience for the Nation's benefit.)