|
Gov. Tim Kaine speaks to reporters outside WTOP radio, where he was quizzed about the vice-presidency reports.
J. Scott Applewhite/ASSOCIATED PRESS
|
Is Kaine being eyed?
Kaine draws attention
By Chelyen Davis
Date published: 7/30/2008
RICHMOND-- Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine is playing it coy on rumors that he may be Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's vice-presidential pick.
In an interview on WTOP radio yesterday, Kaine deflected questions about talk that he is being seriously considered by the Obama campaign.
"I want to do what I can to help him win. I do believe that my highest value is doing just what I'm doing now, helping win Virginia. Because this year Virginia is in play," Kaine said.
"I don't have conversations about my conversations about the campaign."
Kaine repeated what he has earlier said: that he would have to consider it if offered.
The talk of Kaine as VP intensified this week, thanks to reports that insiders say Kaine is being seriously vetted, and quotes from Obama himself about what qualities he's looking for in a vice-presidential candidate.
The Washington Post and the Politico both yesterday cited unnamed sources close to Kaine and Obama as saying Kaine is being seriously considered by the Obama campaign.
Kaine was early backer
Kaine was the first statewide official outside Obama's home state of Illinois to endorse the senator's presidential bid. He made the endorsement in February of 2007, outside Virginia's governor's mansion, the day Obama was due to speak to state Democrats.
Kaine and Obama are personally friendly--they share roots in Kansas, time as civil rights lawyers, and seem to have a similar outlook on politics. University of Virginia political analyst Larry Sabato said yesterday that the personal chemistry between the two is one of the things arguing for a Kaine vice-presidential nod.
"Both Harvard Law graduates with Kansas roots, both attorneys with a central focus on civil rights, and both relatively new to the big leagues, Obama and Kaine clearly like one another and enjoy each other's company," Sabato said, writing in his regular e-mail newsletter. "Obama has realized that a modern vice president practically lives with the chief executive, especially in times of crisis, and he wants someone he can trust completely."
Date published: 7/30/2008
Most recent reader comments:
Kaine
(posted by
louturks
, July 30, 2008 3:57 pm)
Is a screw up. Why in the world would Obama want him.
its unfortunate
(posted by
jaeshuan
, July 30, 2008 12:47 pm)
our state has gone to hell under deomcratic leadership.. but thats the status quo. look at california before schwarzenegger took office. fortunately i think most americans realize that the only solution to a shortage of oil is to produce more. yea we'll get to alternative fuels but its going to be years before they become mainstream or even economical.
Kaine and Obama
(posted by
mikester
, July 30, 2008 10:41 am)
Those two deserve each other. The american people deserve neither
Oh. get over it Republicans
(posted by
patrick4hp
, July 30, 2008 9:43 am)
I still only give McCain a 10 percent chance of winning. This is a democratic year, thanks to Bush, and Obama will have to really screw up to lose, and he hasn't done that. Kaine accepting a VP nod won't be a screw up. Plus, I think the strategy of getting all this BS of Obama's character out in the summer so people can concentrate on his policies and Kansas upbringing in the fall is brilliant!! If he picks Kaine, he is really reaching out to undecided people in a big way, he still might pick Hillary.
If Obama
(posted by
mich22408
, July 30, 2008 8:55 am)
wants a Virginia Governor, he ought to be looking at Mark Warner, not Kaine. In two years, Kaine has done everything to screw up what Warner left behind. This is really tough though. If he selects Kaine and wins, we get rid of him. But then if he selects Kaine, it just amplifies his (Obama) lack of experience and foreign policy experience. We're screwed either way.
|
Star Directory
