Obama's VP team raises 'a lot of names' on Capitol Hill
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/09/art.johnson.ap.jpg
caption="Jim Johnson and other members of Obama’s VP search team took to Capitol Hill Monday."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Members of Sen. Barack Obama's vice presidential search team had a "good, long discussion" with top House and Senate Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill over potential running mates Monday, one participant said.
Two members of the team, James Johnson and Eric Holder, met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for just over 30 minutes before heading over to speak with House leaders, a senior Democratic aide told CNN. They wrapped up their sessions Monday evening after a meeting with House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emmanuel, leaving without answering reporters' questions.
But House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said he had a "good, long discussion" with Johnson and Holder and added, "They mentioned a lot of names."
"What they're doing is talking to, I think, a lot of people about the alternatives and views that people have about the alternatives," said Hoyer, D-Maryland. Asked whether anyone raised the possibility that Obama's former rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton, could be on the ticket, he responded, "I think it would be reasonable to assume that all of the alternatives were considered."
One aide described the meetings as a chance for the Obama campaign "to show respect for party leaders and ask advice." The aide downplayed the significance of the meetings, noting there have been similar consultations in previous elections.
Obama, the Democrats' presumptive nominee, told CNN last week that he will not rush the selection of a running mate. He said he will "be deliberate and systematic about it, because this will be my final counselor when I am making decisions in the White House, and I want to make sure I get it right."
In addition to Johnson and Holder, Caroline Kennedy is on Obama's vice presidential advisory team.
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General Wesley Clark.
They should do an American Idol sort of thing. That might be kinda boring though, considering the primaries were already like that.
I think its great that he is really searching and asking the party elders what they think, we all realize its his decision to make but he is doing his homework...
A politician thinking, using judgement, thinking of others, consulting those who have different points of view, wow, this is eerie...
AS long as the name Clinton was discussed and quickly rejected, the time wasn't a total loss!! I wish Edwards would reconsider!!
Obama will make a mistake picking Hillary , although she worked hard ,he needs someone more compatible to his views ,and vision.....
Why should Hillary Clinton sell herself short? She suspended her campaign in high fashion and should not allow some vote beggars like Obama's campaign take that historic moment away from her. Hillary has nothing to lose to Obama. Her fame and legacy cost her $11.4 million but it was worth the money Hillary. Tell the Obamas and his supporters to keep it. You have all the time to make a re-run on the world stage. Women all over the world and at home need you to be our champion and take it to the finish line. God bless you and your family.
I trust he will take his time and get it right he has a skill for doing things the right way, the best way and the most effective way.
Oprah and Kennedy will only sway the people who follow celebrity endorsements and are willing to give away their one vote to the celebrity opinions.
Most of us lifelongs don't give a hoot. We knew the real deals: JFK, MLK, RFK. We ARE the marchers and the protestors of 1968- 1972.
We won't fall for imitators pushed on us by the media.
Here's hoping they're considering General Wesley Clark.
take your time and get it right
Obama should choose Hillary!
We hope Hillary is picked.
They could pull their votes together and beat McCain.
Obama/Hillary !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me throw my name into the race. That is the polical race. Not the race race. I am white.
Mr. Anonymous...he should chose Hillary if he wants to work in the White House with one hand tied behind his back...and then there is Slick Willy. Not a good idea and I trust that Obama will do what is best for the party and the country.
Me first.
Obama should pick Governor Kathleen Sebelius!
you can come up with all the names you want. He will not win without Senator Hillary Clinton. The dems think her voters are going to come around by nov. I would be very nervous. I am a Canadian and watched this primary process from the start. She was treated awful by the media, the party and her so called friends. The least the superdelegates could have done before pushing him over the edge was to wait till the polls closed that last Tuesday.Then she was trashed for not conceding right away. Why in every other election was everyone else given 4 months. Then all the calls for her to drop out of the race. Need I go on? She was the better candidate and as she was winning the superdelegates were going towards him. Why is that? Well you live with the choice you made. I feel she owes the party nothing. As for Nancy Pelosi, Howard Dean and Harry Reid God help America. But that is just my opinion and I am sure as a Canadian it means even less than the 18 million people who voted for her. Needless to say I will not be watching any more unless I hear her name.
I had hoped for John Edwards as his VP but I understand John doesn't want that spot...so ...willl it be???? I have mixed feelings about Hillary as VP, not that she isn't suitable..I just think she'd be more effective elesewhere in Government. I wish we had some names thrown out there so we could start our internet searches...vetting if you will...:-)
All alternatives are being considered and there are many highly qualified people as well as Hillary.
No on Hillary is a no on Obama . We will get something out of this mess.
If he should pick Hillary I hope she refuses because she can do more good for us where she is and maybe in 4 years when the country is even more all to hell if Obama with his no experience gets in , then Hilary will be able to beat him. Actually she beat him this time if one realizes Michigan and Florida all went for her and was not counted.
I hope the big mouthed news anchors are happy they have chosen our nomination. However, when McCain gets thru with him I doubt if he can win..I AM A DIE HARD DEMOCRAT BUT PLAN TO VOTE FOR MCCAIN. Hillary was treated way to unfairly for me to go along with this radical set of democrats.
Obama should not choose Hillary. Give her a cabinrt position.
At first I had my doubts about Clinton being a good running mate because I did not like the way she campaigned, but after her speech I was convinced that Hillary and Barak would make a heck of a team! If the democrats are serious about getting back into the White House, I think that these two would be great for the party as well as for the nation. I don't think that you can loose with the two of them.
I'll do what a past President did and release the names of the people who ill not be considered for the V.P slot..and the number one name on the list is 1. Hillary Clinton. the sooner I dont have to see or hear her or Bills face or voice the better....
Ummm, no he should not. Her weaknesses are too plenty. She has thrown to hard of punches to expect to be able to buddy up with Obama.