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Exclusive>> Possible Obama Running Mate Gov. Tim Kaine On McCain
Governor Tim Kaine of Virginia woke up this morning to a new reality. He is, as reported by the Washington Post, on the short list to be Sen. Barack Obama's running mate.
Kaine's monthly radio appearance to discuss local issues pre-scheduled for today on WTOP radio in Washington, DC, was cast in different, higher intensity light. Kaine was joined by his colleagues DC Mayor Adrian Fenty and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley.
It was quite a scene with a catered buffet (which included an omelet station) and a throng of reporters waiting to get an answer to the question of the day: will Kaine be Obama's Vice-Presidential pick?
Listen to the entire audio piece here:
Here are images from the studio:
Immediately following the radio broadcast, we were able to get a few minutes with the Governor and ask a number of questions about his personal reaction to the attention he's receiving and to get his response to Sen. McCain's recent attacks on Sen. Obama's overseas trip.
Kaine on McCain's campaign:
"It's just desperation. They're just looking for a handle to grab on and slow the momentum of this bus down. And, it's a different strategy every couple of days. It really has the air of desperation about it."
Kaine on Vice-Presidential Speculation:
"...I'm not going to make the case for myself because that's not why I've endorsed Senator Obama..."
"And, it still seems unlikely to me, it's nice being mentioned. My Mom likes it, you know, but look, I got on board in February of '07 because I knew the country needed a change in direction and from a good Democratic field-- I thought the field was a good field-- he just struck as the guy who could change the direction of the nation. I'm just so gratified by the way the campaign has been run and the chance we have nationally but also in Virginia."
"It's a little surreal. It's surreal to be mentioned and again it's nice to be considered but I know there's a lot of folks they're looking at-- there's a lot of different skills and attributes that they have to weigh-- personal, geographic, political -- a whole series of things. But, you know, I have grown to have tremendous confidence in Barack's judgment, in the judgment of his team, in very hard moments along the campaign, you know, I've kind of been with him when things were going well and not so well but they've always, in a cool and deliberate way, made a good judgment, and I have no doubt that the pick they make is going to be a strong one."
For more images click here.
All Photos Snapped by Kate Sokolov.
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Ah, ha! The word from a reliable inside source. Just in time, too!
No KAINE do!
Picking Tim Kaine as his VP could cost Obama the election. He is already being successfully defined by the McCain camp as too inexperienced and too risky. Selecting a VP with even less experience than himself will allow the Republicans to hammer away at the most inexperienced TEAM of candidates to run in the modern era. Watching Obama the past couple of weeks, one wonders what the hell is campaign people are thinking. McCain is proving to be an extremely bad campaigner but the Obama camp is giving him a free ride and every day the Republicans are working away at defining Obama. That is how they have won the past two elections.
I'm not sure if this is true but I heard on MSMBC that Kaine is a prolifer and against stemcell research. That would pretty much cost Obama the election. forget the 14% of Hillary supporters who have still to come on board. And, I suspect, many independents who are against the mix of religion and politics would have a problem with him as well. Absolutely the worst choice he could make!!!!!
You got to be able to think wider! Even if what you suggest is true...it might be worth it because the #1 moral issue to Catholics is not the 'gay agenda' it is the 'ABORTION ISSUE!'
IF Obama can pick off even 5% of the Catholic vote! The Catholics will vote Obama because of Kaine...this would be a very shrewd move on Obama's part but I see the logic. It is brilliant!
We are talking one issue...AND LET US BE VERY CLEAR do not think the the Obama/Kaine people might not deliberately release (false information) such as the idea that "Kaine is a pro-lifer and against stem cell research." There are all kinds of "shrewd and dirty" politics in and election and what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Do not think that the Democrats will not be very clever this time around...so put you thinking caps on people! We are in it to win and an OBAMA/Kaine may be that winning ticket.
I can't imagine any woman - or any true liberal - in their right mind supporting Kaine for VP. Read Sam Stein's July 30th report here on HuffPo.
I agree. This one makes me queasy. Pro-life convictions alone are enough to send women (the overwhelming percentage of likely dem voters) over the edge. A betrayal of monumental proportions!
WOW, he best articulated Obama's campaign platform and goals better than ANY surrogate to date outside of Wexler. I don't think Bayh could do this convincingly enough. He seems VERY insincere in his Obama support. Biden tends to go TOO hard, over the top, has more room for gaffes, and seeks the limelight a bit too much. Kaine is VP, the others are better suited for top cabinet roles. If people can't see this then I'm sure they thought Bush was right in 2003 and we really should let him "finish the job" in 2004 or Hillary would have been far ahead in the polls had she won the primary.
Sorry folks - Tim Kaine will be bringing way too much religion back into the white house.,
I am very religious - but more religion in government IS NOT A GOOD THING for the country.
Every evil thing Bush did - he felt God told him to do it.
I hope it is Kaine. I know they are friends and their wifes attended the same college. I think he will come out attack back on the right. He will be a good pick and they are around the same age which is good.
i have no problem with kaine but i definitely think there are better candidates. eg:
sebelius (i know....it will never happen becaaauuuuuse......)
reed
clark
biden
kerry
(in that order)
Kerry?! No way.
Certainly not Reed. When I hear the Dems are weak - he's the one I think of the most.
I don't see Kerry helping the ticket in any way.
Jack Reed is our Senator here in Rhode Island. He would be a wonderful asset to the ticket but he doesn't want it. He is so bright, articulate and he works quietly. No fanfare but he gets a lot done for all of us in this country. Check his record, you will be very impressed!!!
I know nothing of Tim Kaine but am willing to have an open mind. My favorite is Joe Biden!!!! I think he would be an A +++++++ for the ticket!!
My first choice is still...
Obama and Governor Kathleen Sebelius
Two neophytes? Even though Sebelius comes from a political family (Ohio I think) she lacks foreign affairs experience, and Kansas.......have you ever been to Kansas?
Yep. My family's from there, and they all think Obama's a Muslim. Having Sebelius on the ticket and speaking out about Obama could potentially help to swing Kansas, Missouri, and even Oklahoma into Obama's column...
But then, getting people down there to turn off FOX News would help too.
On that note...I was in Wisconsin two weeks ago, and the resort we were staying at had cable. The only "news" channel available in our room was FOX News...wtf? Before this experience, I would have thought that CNN at least would be availalbe EVERYWHERE, if not MSNBC as well. I'm still trying to figure out whether this was a choice by the resort, or wtf was going on, because if this is widespread in rural areas, it's no wonder Obama's not resonating with small town America...
I'm with you Texas4Obama. I like Kathleen Sebelius too. She is just great! I am just disappointed that she is not getting any coverage... so I think she is a long shot.
I am not very impressed with any of the 3 men they have been talking about.
VA + IA = the new Ohio
Obama/Kaine '08
Not pleased... This choice will alienate large parts of the party. Obama is catering to those who believe he needs to win the South when he really needs NY, PA, CA - the big states. John Kennedy did the same thing but Lyndon Johnson had years of political expertise. Kaine is not Lyndon Johnson. Evan Bayh would be more appeasing.
In my humble opinion, I honestly feel that if Obama wanted to cater to anyone, it would be to those people who think he needs to have someone with foreign policy experience. That would be the easy way out. But Obama is a man of principal, so I think it has more to do with having someone by your side who you can unequivocally trust and whom he must know brings a lot to the table. Virginia is already in play. The Catholic & Hispanic pull could be side benefits. But I think he's really interested in an energy and respect that can translate itself into more "hopeful" scenarios.
I just want to trust Obama's judgment. He'll be criticized no matter what he does. But right now, I think he probably needs to be more proactive in combating the attacks from the right. WHY isn't the Tax flip-flop of McCain on MSM?? Please Obama - combat these attacks and take McCain to task!!!!
"Obama is a man of principal"
Really? We have been seeing his principles and integrity these last few week since he became the presumptive nominee..........and now the MSM has picked up on my expression....presumptuous nominee.
Yes we Kaine!
O-K 2008
I'll start printing the bumper stickers...
LOL @ "yes we kaine!"
i love it!
That is perfection!
I LIKE THIS GUY ALREADY THAT'S RIGHT ATTACK THE MCSURGE CAMP THEY ARE DESPERATE
TRYING TO STEAL OUR BIG MO ,BUT IT WON'T WORK !!!!!!! THE FACT THAT MAKES TIM A GOOD PICK IS HE HAD FAITH IN O FROM THE START!!!!!!!
OBAMA/KAINE 08 !!!!!!!!!
I heard from Howard Fineman, who claims to have an "inside source" (for whatever that's worth) that the list has been narrowed down to 3:
Evan Bayh
Joe Biden
Tim Kaine
Kaine, YES
Biden, yes
Bayh, NO!
I don't mean to pick on you but I'm really at a loss to understand the appeal of the second name on your list.
Can you explain?
His positions?
The great electoral advantage he brings?
Or is the strategy to start him talking and thus crowd out everyone else?
Biden, Biden, Biden. The best choice.
McCain's only chance is to pick the Dalai Lama for his vice-president.
The Dali Lama might not pick him back.
According to Mc.Cain Logic, the Dalai Lama is a troop hater who coddles terrorists. In other words, he's anti-war. Mc.Cain can't handle anti-war. Mc.Cain defines himself through the prism of war. He doesn't know how else to live.
The logical choice is Omorosa.
Love it!
Not according to the new political genius pundit......Rachel M.
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Posted July 29, 2008 | 12:26 PM (EST)