[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/06/19/art.obamaplane0619.ap.jpg caption="The Obama campaign says a VP candidate's ability to carry a state won't be a factor."]
(CNN) – With debates raging over who strategically would be the best vice presidential picks for the candidates, Barack Obama’s campaign manager said Wednesday the Illinois senator's choice would not be based solely on geography.
“I think Barack Obama will pick someone first of all who he believes is most qualified to be president,” David Plouffe told reporters. “Whether someone helps you in an election I think is kind of a side benefit. You certainly want to pick someone who doesn’t hurt you.”
Check out who's on the VP shortlists
Plouffe pointed to Dick Cheney and Al Gore as examples of VP candidates who weren't necessarily chosen to help win states.
“I don’t think that that’s going to be a factor in the selection,” he added.
Obama vice presidential vetters Eric Holder and Caroline Kennedy were seen leaving the Democratic National Committee headquarters shortly before Plouffe’s press conference began.
“That’s unfortunate,” Plouffe joked regarding the press' sighting.
Those of you blackmailing Obama to get Hillary on the ticket are absurd. by the way you are talking you would probably cast your vote with Bush if he was running again.
She is the one pick that is certain to jeopardize Obama's candidacy
... Hill would use the VP spot to campaign for 2012
... Bill would threaten Obama's authority in the White House
... for every vote swinging to Clinton for VP, there would be another for McCain.
Hillary Clinton has a long political career ahead of her. Obama should invite her to serve on the cabinet (after the election is over), work the economy with Bill for 8 years, and then run in 2016 after Bill has become a distant memory.
It is unbelieveable that many of my comments don't make it on, "awaiting moderation" when CNN allows so many racist and bigoted comments to be posted. Like those by peakarach who got two posts just for this article, and Nancy from Fl who calls Obama 'boy'. CNN is a disgrace. Not only will they not admit that race has a major part to play in this election...that there are many more people who will NOT vote for Obama bcause he is black than will vote for him because he is black...some of them hide behind a wealth of obviously manufactured reasons, but if they would have voted for Clinton based on her stance on the issues how can they on principle decide to vote for McCain who opposes her on almost all of them. We all know the reason, yet no one wants to talk about it, and racist comments like Nancy FL even make on to the blogs in the MSM. It is unbelievable, and Americans like to claim the racism is a thing of the past....yeah right!!! then so is crime, poverty, disease, hunger, war ...
John Edwards, Bill Richardson, will give Obama supporters what they want – new leaders, however, it won't give you the GE so like it or not you have no choice but to put Hillary Clinton.
What is puma? Hillary Dems for McCain – that is pathetic.
I Nominate Rush Limhaugh for McCains VP.Two bags of hot air,both bought and paid for by BIG OIL.Rush still thinks GLOBAL WARMING IS NOT REAL.Now what does that tell you???
For Karl Rove to call Obama arrogant is the height of arrogance. The Bush administration, starting with Cheney's "So" comment about no support for the Iraq war, has been the most arrogant in American history, not caring at all about what the American people think or need and pursuing its policies in support of oil companies, against the environment, and supporting unnecessary aggression overseas on their own. CNN should not publicize that "critics think Obama is arrogant" when those critics are people like Rove who is not a critic and lacks any independence or objectivity, the necessary characteristics of a critic. I expect more from CNN than that!
I think Nancy from Florida cleared up for all of us what the puma pac consist of. (God Bless America)
CNN, I can't find the Anderson Cooper and Al Sharpton story anywhere on the homepage or on his site. Let me know where I can find it or post it so I can read it, thanks...hahaha
You so called Hillary supporters are doing yourselves alot of damage with you outlandish statements. No true Democrat would ever support McCain and his Bush policies. No true intelligent woman would support McCain and his anti-rights policies. No true Democrat would support a man who thinks the war is fine, the economy is ok and
flip flops constantly.
No true Democrat would put their petty feelings ahead of what is
good for our country. No true American would put their spitefullness ahead of trying to undo the many crisis the republicans have
created for our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren,
who will be burdened with the republican mismanagement for years to come.
To Nancy from FL – GO PUMAS!!! – You are the kind of American as part of the problem in this country. For all the posters to this blog, please look at this comment. I have no problem with someone disagreeing with anyone, but look at what is being said and then make up your own minds.
This shows that no matter how far this country has come on racial harmony, there's still much more room to go. This is actually the first comment I've seen that has used the word "boy" referring to Senator Obama and asking white Americans to vote based on race alone.
As a veteran who has fought for this country, this kind of comment makes you wonder, why?? Sad, very sad and disappointing.
Sharon, I'm really beginning to doubt that these Hillary posters are 1) actual Democrats. 2) mostly women. I believe that they are mostly male Repugs doing whatever they can to cause chaos. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Joe Biden is definitely the best from the stand point of foreign policy. He doesn't live in DC, commutes to Del. by train-this could diminish the "Wash. insider" view to some extent. I see him sharing the same family values of BO-should help with the ability to work well together. Should appeal to most men as he is a true straight shooter-doesn't mince words.
Pat
OBAMA?BIDEN "08
i won't vote for him no matter what. how dare he ask the people to help pay hilary's debt. That just goes to show you he has no idea how difficult this economy is for us taxpayers. All he wants is to squeeze more cash from us poor american citizens. I like hilary however why should we help a millionaire pay her debt.....will she help us pay ours...will obama help pay the mortgages for people who are losing their homes or put gas in their car or food on their table. Perhaps Obama should pay off her debt he seems to have all the cash.......this is all bull and a slap in the face to the american taxpayer.
He will lose without HILLARY.
Hillary or Biden. Or Gore. Or Bloomberg 🙂
NO to John Edwards, Bill Richardson–Edwards is a populist moron with a dumb haircut and Richardson is a snooze-inducing, flip-flopping Judas. Also NO Sebelius–she's just Diet Hillary Clinton.
It doesn't matter who his VP candidate is. Moderates will not vote for him anyway.
It seems "dreams die hard" with the Hillary or bust crowd. 'I too agree that they need to give it a rest. They should go post on Lanny Davis's blog. Misery loves company.