(CNN) - He's making a high-profile trip to Iraq later this month with Barack Obama, but Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed says he has no desire to be the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate's running mate.
Earlier: Fueling VP speculation, Obama heading to Iraq with Hagel, Reed
Reed, a graduate of West Point has been mentioned as a possible VP candidate given his foreign policy credentials and bipartisan respect on Capitol Hill, told the Associated Press Monday being Obama's running mate is a "position which I have no interest in."
Reed, a two-term senator who is currently in a relatively easy race for re-election, also said the Obama campaign has not asked him for any official documentation pertaining to its VP search process. It has been reported that the Illinois senator's campaign has officially approached at least two candidates so far - Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd.
Election Center: Check out who's on the VP short lists
"There are people that are spending a lot of time, one, looking for candidates, and trying to promote themselves as candidates," Reed also said. "And I'm in neither category."
Reed is little-known beyond his home state, though proponents trump his working-class upbringing, heroic stint in Vietnam, and longtime tenure on the powerful Armed Services Committee as reasons why he could be a valuable asset on the Democratic presidential ticket. On the other hand the Rhode Island senator has a low-key speaking style, comes from a region that is already firmly Democratic, and likely wouldn't embrace the attack-dog role usually required of presidential running mates.
Still, Reed's name received new buzz late last week after it was reported he, along with Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel, would accompany Obama on an upcoming trip to Iraq. Hagel, an opponent of the Iraq war who has become increasingly critical of his own party, has said he would be open to serving as Obama's VP.
From CNN Politics
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all politicians say they wont accept a veepee post until they are asked; CNN dont make a big deal out of this........there is no news here!!!!!!!!!!
Only the knuckleheads Hillary supporters and the right-wing bigots will go about calling Obama name on hearing of this bogus news.....
Senator Reed is so thrilled to join Obama on his trip to Iraq...a man that is willing to risk his life for such a trip will accept a veepee offer in a heartbeat!
CNN, your political ticker have ALWAYS been slanted as a negative for Obama........we know you guys are in the tank for McShame; but I am sorry...........only a fool will vote a republican this fall. dont think that your avoidance of all of McSame negatives will make americans vote for him..........NOT THIS TIME!
OBAMA '08 – PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No we can,t..hide and watch us OBAMA people go for MCcane if Hillary is not ask to be OBAMA v.p...say what you may , we have been hurt because HILLARY has been hurt..I can,t understand why OBAMA keep saying what he does about BILL CLINTON...He sure don,t want anyone to say anything about him are his wife...No we can,t if HILLARY is not ask to be his v.p.
No wonder why Jesse Jackson wants to "cut Obama's balls off", He is a white man with a black appearence that talks down to Black People. I'd say the term "Oreo" about sums it up . Wait, what was all the fuss about again?
What a surprise. Newsweek has Obama in a tie with McCaine. As bad as the situation is in our country & as lame as McCaine is this is scary. I bet Hillary would be ahead by 20 points or more. Thanks again DNC. Obama is a joke!!!!
With all the ridiculous scrutiny of the press and the vemonous attacks by opponents why would anyone want to run as VP. Also, just because the press speculates doesn't mean he was being considered!!
Amazing what great lengths people are going to, to find just about ANYBODY but the most obvious, best choice: Hillary Clinton. All this gamesmanship and guessing is probably just to kill time till the convention in August, to keep everybody interested and busy.
If Obama doesn't pick Hillary he's going to be sorry, especially if it's really true that McCain is so close to Obama as it's being reported.
"We found out some of us are more Republican than Democrat."
No, you just found out that your racism is stronger than your grasp of the issues and your concern for America.
Not another one opting out – how many does this make now? What do these people know that we don't?
Why are all these people distancing themselves from Obama? This is sinister.
Oh brother! Of course all the potential VP's are saying "not interested" or "no" to the media. They can't very well tell us what's going on, the process is serious and silence is golden.
To all the McCain supporters, let me remind you of the last 8 years of failures by Bush & the Republicans, which by the way, were running even Congress until 06. So tell me, how are we going to:
PAY OFF $10 TRILLION IN NATIONAL DEBT, AND GIVE EVERYONE MORE TAX BREAKS?
DO YOU KNOW THAT MOST OF THE $10 TRILLION IN DEBT IS OWED TO CHINA.... SAUDI ARABIA... AND DUBAI?
ARE YOU WILLING TO CONTINUE TO PAY $1.38 BILLION A DAY FOR THE WAR IN IRAQ....... WHEN THE AVERAGE AMERICAN HAS TO DECLARE BANKRUPTCY DUE TO MEDICAL BILLS?
These are just a few problems that the next president will have to deal with. And hey, remember McCain's favorite tune:
"BOMB...... BOMB.......BOMB IRAN!"
Maybe everyone just needs to take a real deep breath.
The lists are specualtion anyway. Maybe these people on the "list" have no interest and are tired of hounding from the press. I am sure, when the time comes, Obama will make a good choice.
So, who is McCain going to choose? Romney? Huckabee? Guiliani?
That's what you guys should be worrying about.
Jeez! Another one?
Why are so many telling Obama to not even ask them to be on the ticket?
I thought he was the golden boy of the Democratic party. I thought he would unite the party behind him. I thought high caliber democrats would be lining up to get on the ticket. I though he said "Yes we can".
Seems more like "no you can't" ask me to run with you.
I think this is BO's strategy – to keep everyone guessing making the Republicans wonder. Who cares – no respectable person would vote for this charlatan. Hillary, as one of your supporters, I won't vote the ticket even if you are on it. Never, ever Obama.
These "no's" from these guys open the door for Hillary to be VP. It's all a game, let's get the VP named and be done with it.
BOB GRAHAM
No one seems to want to work with this guy!
don't care I think he knows he isn't ready. What happened to the news? It is all speculation. Why are rumers being reported.
Hah-hah-hah! Apparently the "change we can believe in" Liberation Front has a credibility problem – Glibamistas, don't worry! You still have Bill Richardson, epitome of character and integrity for VP.
No one says yes until they're asked. For now, everyone will say no.
maybe obama doesnt want him!!!!!!!!!
KE the American voters have spoken, Denfver is just a formaility the liar hillary will not be anything other than a foot note in history and a two term NY senator get over it!
As for the VP pick I find it amazing that everytime someone makes an appearance with the future president everyone starts talking about VP pick, Obama will make the right decision (NOT the liar hillary) when his advisors have vetted the people who he feels would make a good VP and they give him a short list to choose from. He will not be pushed into it by the moronic clintonistas still crying in their twisted panties nor the PUMAs who are nothing but closet republicans but like to call themselves democrats so they do not have to live up to the responsibilites they have for helping the current resident stay in office affter his illegal (and failed first term) Obama will look at the choices and make the decision, and like most of his decisions, it will be the right one!
Me I support an Obama/Sebelius ticket (although Webb or a moderate republican would really be a good choice also) but am voting for the next president
Senator Reed is a pretty cool fellow. Factual check: According to his biography, Senator Reed graduated from USMA in '71 and then went to get his MPP at Harvard. When did he serve in Vietnam?
Who gives a crap!
Another smart man who used his political acumen to see the sinking ship.
OBAMA HAS ALLREADY MADE UP HIS MIND A HE WILL TELL US IN HIS OWN GOOD TIME ..... JOHN MCCAIN IS A IDIOT AND NEEDS A MINT !! GOD HIS BREATH YOU DON'T WANT TO STAND NEAR THE MAN (YES OBAMA CAN)