June 11th, 2008
03:42 PM ET
15 years ago

Obama's VP vetter steps aside

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/11/art.jim.ap.jpg caption="Jim Johnson is no longer involved in Obama's VP search."]

WASHINGTON (CNN) - A key member of Barack Obama's vice-presidential search team, James Johnson, is stepping down after criticism over a mortgage he received, the Obama campaign said.

"Jim did not want to distract in any way from the very important task of gathering information about my vice presidential nominee, so he has made a decision to step aside that I accept," the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee said in a statement.

Republicans had been hammering Johnson since the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that he received a good deal on a mortgage from Countrywide due to his friendship with the company's CEO Angelo Mozilo. Obama has criticized Countrywide in connection with the subprime mortgage crisis.

WATCH Obama defend Johnson Tuesday

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Filed under: Candidate Barack Obama
soundoff (303 Responses)
  1. Dusty

    Need not to worry Obamites, you're super-hero Telfon-man will lie his way out this one as well.

    June 11, 2008 03:28 pm at 3:28 pm |
  2. Miss M/ Nevada

    This all makes me sick...While we struggle to fuel our cars, buy groceries, and lose our homes....

    June 11, 2008 03:29 pm at 3:29 pm |
  3. TW

    Unfortunately, the press will dig up anything on anyone tried to presidential canidates. And we're quick to jump on the ban wagon and keep this mess going.

    I can care less what these people do in their private lives.....I care about Gas prices ,war, mortgage foreclosures and health insurance....I care about my children and granchildren future.

    June 11, 2008 03:29 pm at 3:29 pm |
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