Kaine plays coy . . . again
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/08/21/art.kaine0821.gi.jpg caption="Gov. Kaine campaigned for Sen. Obama in Leesburg, Virginia last week."]
(CNN) - As the veepstakes continue to dominate headlines, plenty of politicians have made it clear they’re not going to be on the Democratic ticket this fall. But with the final announcement perhaps just hours away, one of the men rumored to be at the top of Barack Obama’s VP shortlist declined a chance to clarify his own status.
Asked by CNN American Morning’s John Roberts whether the fact that he’d agreed to an interview at the height of the pre-announcement frenzy meant he would not be Obama’s running mate, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine demurred.
“You’ll just have to hear from the campaign, and they’ll make the announcement when [they’re] ready,” said Kaine.
Is Kaine still on the list? “I’ll go back to that answer,” said Kaine. “I’ll call that taking the fifth or something. Hear from the campaign, John. They’ll let us all know when they want to.”
Kaine also would not say whether or not he had been through the VP vetting process. “I’m going to stick with the first answer. It’s been flattering to be mentioned. My mom in Kansas City loves it when someone will talk about me as VP.”
Obama and Kaine are scheduled to campaign together in Virginia today.
If Obama wants to be a rel contender he had better pick Joe Biden. Biden has the necessary experience on National Security where Kaine and Bayh do not.
If McCain picks a V.P. who is pro-choice that will really tick off his base. I hope it is either Lieberman, Ridge or Romney. That way he will definitely be a two-time LOSER in November.
Doesn't Obama understand in this country that has to have instant gratification keeping your choice for vp under wraps is turning people off no wonder his poll numbers are dropping. Also it seems that the Clinton backers might know what they are talking about. You aren't going to win without Hillary on the ticket.
Tim Kaine is my Governor and I don't think he is ready for the job. He's only been Governor of Virginia for 2 years. I like the guy though. But when it comes down to who should be the VP, I'm still stuck on Clinton, Biden and Kennedy.
Now it seems to me that Barack's camp has wake up from slumber; fighting back as soon as you can, negative or issues ad work very very well especially those who watch tv for few minutes or hear sound bites for few seconds. Republicans 're good in doing it and they will not give it up. Nobody is talking about Dumb Bush and his misery he puts in every Americans– is all about Obama, he is this and that. Americans have short memories and 're politically dumb; they wouldn't mind voting for another idiot in office just to fulfill their ego and status quo. Obama has raised a lot money use those money wisely...don't be like Hillary who paid thousands of thousands of dollars to incompetent advisers and still lose.
I am a life-long Democrat living in Fairfax, VA.
I was born in Washington DC. I first worked on RFK's 1968 campaign.
I have every hope that obama takes Timmy straight down the tubes with him in November. I will never vote for obama nor will I ever vote for anyone that has supported him. This will be the first time I have voted for a republican presidential candidate( I voted for Connie Morella-republican for Congress- when I lived in Montgomery county, MD.) As a centrist moderate I will never vote to take our nation down a road to disaster which is what we would have should the socialist claim the presidency supported by Pelosi's left wing. At least with McCain we would have balance between the two branches where neither could do much damage.
Which scenario do you prefer a one party domination- GW Bush and the Republican Congress he had or a split one party in control of the Executive and one in control of the Congress- you know like Bill Clinton and the Republican Congress....if you even had to think to answer that...you're just not thinking or you drank the kool-aid...
Colin Powell best VP. Intelligent, strong, personable, experienced in military & foreign affairs and most importantly fooled once but won't be fooled twice.....................what more could you want.
The last adminstration was about the oil men who counter market got the price of oil sky high,just imagine what will happen if the mccain family gets there BEER will be sky high,now we just cant have that.Now all beer drinkers come together and lets make sure no mccain gets his wish
I hope it is Kaine. Then the dems will have dumb and dumber on the ticket.
Kaine is such an odd looking man I just can't see him as a VP.
By the way, Colin Powell will be a huge shock.
If Obama's not picking Hillary my vote goes to McCain!
ABC and I stand by that. I don't care who Obama takes as Vice as long as it is not Billary. Billary is helping McSame and we will all see the kind of low life person she really is. By the way Scranton is one of Americas top DYING cities so I would like to send Billary back there. Maybe after Obama wins he can have the town build windmills so that the windbag Billary can provide the power for the city.
McSame will draft your kids to send them off to DIE people. Check your vote.
Obama08
BTW – Kaine needs a new haircut – something that makes his head look less square.
He doesn't know how many homes he has, who is out vof touch.
I agree with "The Other Campaign Strategist". No Kaine, No Webb and no Warner. God help Senator OBama if he chosses Governor Kaine who has no proven himself to us Virginians.
He is just like Sen. Webb, they both run off their mouths and have no substance to support their words/comments. I and many of us Virginians cannot wait for the day Gov. Kaine is gone!! Sen. Webb only became Senator Webb because of the previous Senators mouth/comments. If the previous Senator only kept his mouth shut he would still be in the Senate.
Ooooh! Which party insider is going to help try to turn our governmnt into a solid DNC tax machine? The suspense is KILLING ME!!
...NOT!!
Just say Nobama '08
Please no Kaine
Obama/Clinton or NOObama
I really wish Kaine would do something else with his hair.
If obama picks Kaine that will be the end of him. I hope he has better judgement then that. I'm not a big HIllary fan but she the only one who can help him now.
Do people know that Kaine refuses to let Virginia State Troopers get "287" training so they can help ICE enforce immigration laws against the hordes of illegals given sanctuary? He's on the wrong side of that issue compared to a clear majority of Americans.
Who would believe anything said by Howdy Doody through a wired microphone?
Barack will have him sitting right there on his Liberal left knee.
I can't believe Hillary voters are still threatening to vote for McCain. Are you kidding me? He has stated his desire to fill the court with right wing judges like Scalia and overturn Roe v Wade. What do you think Hillary would have to say about that? Do you think she'd be grateful to all of her supporters who couldn't get over their hurt feelings and instead ushered in another 4 years of Bush?
Get real. Obama competed with and defeated your hero, but he is not your enemy. She is standing with Obama and her supporters need to do the same or the Democratic party will completely self-destruct.
Kaine – WHO? Never heard of him.
If Obama wants my vote – and many, many more – he'd better pick someone we know well, someone we trust who has the EXPERIENCE to handle these tough times - HILLARY.
Both Obama and McCain have ADMITTED they have learned a lot from her, and have used her material in their campaigns. ERGO – she's the VP of choice.
This is the one issue that really frustrates me. Kaine seems like a decent guy but we need someone here with more national experience. Biden would be fine; Bayh would be a good choice; at this point, I'll take Hillary if it will settle all of these ridiculous arguments.
Debby–please go to the Fox News boards where people who think like you can come up with smears against Obama and bogus reasons why McCain ain't Bush.
To all the people that will be voting for McCain, I hope your children understand that it was your vote and only yours that enlisted him or her into the DRAFT. I would rather have my sons go to jail and skip the draft process. I love my sons too much to send them off to fight a silly war that we will start in order to “win a war”.