"Obama running mate could come from left field
Fans of Evan Bayh, the clean-cut senator for Indiana, are hoping today will be the day he is selected as Barack Obamas vice-presidential running mate. They are likely to be disappointed.
Obama officials say privately it is unlikely a running mate will be selected before the candidate returns from a weeks holiday in Hawaii, which starts this Friday. That leaves about 10 days until the start of the Democratic party convention in Denver.
In spite of ever more feverish speculation about who Mr Obama is likely to choose Hillary Clinton having made a comeback in the past few days the decision is unlikely to be leaked. In addition to Michelle Obama, the candidates inner circle consists of just three people: David Axelrod, his senior strategist, David Plouffe, his campaign manager, and Robert Gibbs, a senior adviser.
All three are intensely loyal and discreet Obama professionals. It doesnt go much beyond this circle,-- says a senior Obama staffer. Others may be consulted on a case-by-case basis. But only the Davids and Robert are always inside the circle.--
It is even unclear whether Mr Obama has yet whittled his choice down to a shortlist. But a straw poll of Obama staff members and Democrats close to the campaign suggests that five or six names recur. Each is deemed capable of helping to neutralise one or more of Mr Obamas perceived weaknesses: inexperience, lack of national security credentials, the perception that he is aloof and his poor record of winning over blue-collar voters in swing states of the rust belt.
All are evaluated principally on their ability to help Mr Obama win in November, as opposed to the contributions they might make to an administration. In addition, good personal chemistry is essential."
www.ft.com
They go on to comment on each candidate.
Quaintly enough, I remember when the first consideration to qualify for VP was the ability to serve as President.
Of course, we know who most Dems voted that would be. (hahahhahha!)
