Napolitano among Obama VP choices?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano autographs Obama placards at the Barack Obama election party in the Wyndham Hotel in downtown Phoenix, Feb. 5, 2008.

WASHINGTON — Likely Democratic nominee Barack Obama has begun a top-secret search for a running mate, fresh signs that the general election campaign is well under way and the primary race against Hillary Rodham Clinton is basically over.

Obama has asked former Fannie Mae CEO Jim Johnson to begin vetting potential vice presidential picks, Democratic officials said Thursday. Johnson did the same job for Democratic nominees John Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in 1984.

The Democratic officials spoke on a condition of anonymity about a process that the campaign wants to keep quiet.

Vice presidential searches are usually closely held secrets, but Obama campaign officials say the effort is being handled by a particularly tight circle of advisers.

Obama's campaign refused to talk about who was being considered, but possible options are Clinton; governors such as Arizona's Janet Napolitano, Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas and Tim Kaine of Virginia; foreign policy experts like former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd or Delaware Sen. Joe Biden; or other senators such as Missouri's Claire McCaskill and Virginia's Jim Webb.

He could look outside the party to people such as war critic and Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel or independent New York mayor Mike Bloomberg. Or he could look to one of his early prominent supporters such as former Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota or try to bring on a Clinton supporter like Indiana's Evan Bayh.

Johnson's role running the veep process was first reported on TheAtlantic.com.

The campaign did not want to discuss the effort because they are still engaged in a fading primary campaign against Hillary Rodham Clinton, with three primaries left in Puerto Rico, South Dakota and Montana. The voting ends June 3. Obama has repeatedly declined to discuss possible running mates while the primary is ongoing.

“We're not commenting about this process,” said Obama spokesman Bill Burton.

But they are taking behind-the-scenes steps to move toward the general election campaign, with just 61 delegates needed to clinch the nomination according to the latest Associated Press count.

Obama has 1,965 delegates to Clinton's 1,780, with 2,026 required to secure the party's nod under Democratic National Committee rules.

The Obama campaign is rapidly adding to its campaign staff, both at the headquarters and in general election swing states. Obama has been traveling to some of those battlegrounds — Missouri, Michigan, Iowa and Florida in the last nine days — while the campaign is registering voters across the country for the November vote. And top Obama organizer Paul Tewes is in discussions to take over the Democratic National Committee.

It's all part of an effort to lay the groundwork for an aggressive kickoff to a general election campaign. Republican John McCain has a head start and has been building his effort for several months since the GOP primary race wrapped up in early March.

McCain is hosting at least three Republicans mentioned as potential vice presidential running mates at his Sedona, Ariz., home this weekend — Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. A top aide said it's a social event with more than two dozen guests not meant for veep vetting.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/200...aveep22-on.html

[Empress of Groovy 373]

The husband and I saw Janet at a Sports Authority here in Phoenix a couple of months ago. She was in front of us in line, and the cashier was having trouble scanning her check (!). She was shorter than I'd imagined. At first I thought it was her sister, but the cashier confirmed it was indeed Janet. I wonder if she lives nearby. She's definitely an everyday kind of person.

Even my brother, a crazy Republican type (he works for DHS), said he was impressed by her. He met her when she was attorney general and said she was very pleasant and down to earth.

I think she's done a fine job in a very difficult state.

That would be one interesting ticket!

[almaty 19]

she be a good choice

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The husband and I saw Janet at a Sports Authority here in Phoenix a couple of months ago. She was in front of us in line, and the cashier was having trouble scanning her check (!). She was shorter than I'd imagined. At first I thought it was her sister, but the cashier confirmed it was indeed Janet. I wonder if she lives nearby. She's definitely an everyday kind of person.

Even my brother, a crazy Republican type (he works for DHS), said he was impressed by her. He met her when she was attorney general and said she was very pleasant and down to earth.

I think she's done a fine job in a very difficult state.

That would be one interesting ticket!

Interesting. I saw Gov. Ev Mecham in person...he was something to behold with his helmet toupee.

I really think Napolitano would be a perfect fit...a popular Governor from a Southern state and she'd help squelch some of the bitterness by some of Hillary's supporters who believe she's been unfairly targeted because she's a woman. She's one of Obama's earliest super delegate endorsements too. Hope she gets chosen.

Edited May 22, 2008 by Jabberwocky

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I don't think anyone thinks of Arizona as a southern state...

Geography notwithstandng

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I don't think anyone thinks of Arizona as a southern state...

Geography notwithstandng

Arizona is home of the saguaro cactus and the famous gun battle in Tombstone. There was even a battle during the Civil War at a place called, Picacho Peak.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Oh no... You created a thread about Sen. Obama's potential VP choices. VJ's Sen. Clinton supporters are going to be really upset with you Jabba.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Oh no... You created a thread about Sen. Obama's potential VP choices. VJ's Sen. Clinton supporters are going to be really upset with you Jabba.

Jabba?

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I don't think anyone thinks of Arizona as a southern state...

Geography notwithstandng

It does have its yee-haw component and lots of trucks.

[Sheriff Uling 3]

Oh no... You created a thread about Sen. Obama's potential VP choices. VJ's Sen. Clinton supporters are going to be really upset with you Jabba.

Jabba?

Oppsss... Jabbe... You're so crazy!

[Ban Hammer 14,668]

I don't think anyone thinks of Arizona as a southern state...

Geography notwithstandng

It does have its yee-haw component and lots of trucks.

still don't make the grade of being southern to me.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I don't think anyone thinks of Arizona as a southern state...

Geography notwithstandng

It does have its yee-haw component and lots of trucks.

still don't make the grade of being southern to me.

Southwest?

[Ban Hammer 14,668]

I don't think anyone thinks of Arizona as a southern state...

Geography notwithstandng

It does have its yee-haw component and lots of trucks.

still don't make the grade of being southern to me.

Southwest?

[Empress of Groovy 373]

I don't think anyone thinks of Arizona as a southern state...

Geography notwithstandng

It does have its yee-haw component and lots of trucks.

still don't make the grade of being southern to me.

Grits?

[Ban Hammer 14,668]

I don't think anyone thinks of Arizona as a southern state...

Geography notwithstandng

It does have its yee-haw component and lots of trucks.

still don't make the grade of being southern to me.

Grits?

we done stereotyping yet?