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.
Anyone but Hillary
... or not!
I am sure that he will do this the right way. I would like to see JOE BIDEN as VP or Sec. of State! There are many good choices. I don't honestly think Senator Clinton is a good choice. I think she would make a great Majority Leader or Cabinet member, or Supreme Court Justice. We Democrfats have many gifted people!
Unite the party! Choose Hillary!
It was just recently when Senator Obama was in a cross-country flight, he stated his VP search team has commenced. Obama went on to say there would be no word from the search team regarding the status of any nominees or the status of the search itself. Obama ended the conversation stating that the next words on the matter of VP would come from his own mouth to announce the search team's result. Obama wrapped it up by saying any other words coming from any other person other then himself would be rumors and without credibility.
So I guess Mr. Steny Hoyer has some explaining to do. You would expect the House Majority Leader to be a better role model and show people how to be discreet. Yes, it may seem like Steny's comments is just a little thing, but if everyone the search team spoke with provided just a tiny bit of information, any kid with a grade school education can put the pieces together and know the results and status of the search before Obama can make the announcement.
It would be nice if people can apply discretion during this search and vetting process, so we don't get any unnecessary drama during this very important procedure.
Thanks for being understanding.
Hasn't Hillary proven herself to be more than qualified for this position? Wouldn't it be ironic not to choose someone who already has 8 million votes?
obama best chance for sure win is to get hillary as his vp
wow, look how honorable Obama is. He is respecting his fellow workmates. This shows how this goverment will be efficient in the future.
No HRC! No Contons!!!
If Obama chooses Hillary, he'd better make sure the locks work well at the White House and sleep with one eye open!
Obama should choose Jim Webb!
I totally agree ! He shouldn't be looking around too much or he risks loosing the election. If he is so good and so smart he would put Hillary on the ticket, he needs her!!! This is not working out for him!!
Obama/Clinton '08! The unity ticket....the unbeatable combination.
Sebelius all the way to Penn Ave.
Hillary will be his VP solection.
On Obama choosing Hellary: You cannot put new wine into an old bottle, "else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved." Jesus said that.
I hope he chooses Hillary. An other good choice would have been John Edwards, but he doesn't seem to want to run again. Of course Richardson, Rendell, etc.... are good choices, but an Obama-Clinton would be the most credible, in terms of both political change and experience.
I can live with Hillary as VP. They would make a good team even if we their supporters don't. If we don't find some middle ground McSame and the Bush policies will continue. The devil will creep in through the back door and once the dust clears it will be too late.
That's right Obama.... Give respect, get respect.
Clinton supporter, you think the republicans (John McCain) care about you? They are playing on your anger and will use you as leverage to win in November. I was not a Clinton supporter, but I am a democrat and found this to be unacceptable for both candidates. Senator Dole said “Democrats had to choose between one candidate who said she’d obliterate Iran and another candidate who said he wants to invite Iranian leaders over for dinner and then maybe a chat after dinner with a good cigar—Cuban. I’d imagine. I don’t want EITHER of those two answering the White House telephone at 3 o’clock in the morning”. “We’re going to have to fight the ideal that this is a historic opportunity to elect Barack Obama” said Huckabee. “I salute how far he’s gone, but as far as I’m concerned, because of his views and what he would do --he’s gone far enough for me this year”. Some of you are selfish enough to agree in anger, so this is for the ones who want to vote democrat, please let's unite for the sake of us, our children and those who fight a war that was a lie. We are proud to be a democrat voters.
Obama keep doing what you are doing....they are running scared.
The DNC was right, two well experience and terrific candidates that can beat McBush in November. If not, we can all blame the republicans flunkies
Please Please have Bill Richardson on the short list!!! He would be a great boost to the ticket.
as a rep..i'm voting for OB... John MCcain is senile and doesn't represent our values..he forgets everything he says and is pondering to the left
Clinton is the best candidate for the ticket. What a historic change this would bring. A powerhouse combination!
he better choose Hillary so dems get a landslide in 2008 and Hillary will run in 2016 (as agent of change part two with a new image) Dems in the white house for 12 years 2009-2021.
I think his taking a long and serious path to determining the best VP candidate is absolutely the right thing to do. If he were to quickly pick Clinton, he could certainly be accused of making knee-jerk decisions without taking the time to consider all the options and rationally deciding on the best.....something everyone would like to see after 8 years of Bush Lite. If at the end of the day he picks Clinton, it will be after following due process.......if not, the same can be said.
Obama should NOT choose Hillary!