World | USA
Speculation on Democratic vice-president hits fever pitch
Supporters and journalists kept guessing as Obama toys with his secret.
- The New York Times Service
- Published: 23:51 August 22, 2008
Richmond, Virginia: Presidential contender Barack Obama said Thursday he has picked his running mate, but he won't say who it is or whether he's told the person.
"I've made my selection. That's all you're gonna get," Obama told reporters during a campaign swing through Virginia.
The Obama campaign has said it will text message supporters first with the name of the vice presidential pick but his appearance in Springfield, Illinois, this noon is expected to clear the uncertainty for good.
Springfield is where Obama announced he was running for president.
The out-of-control speculation and random guesses as to who will finally emerge as Obama's running mate has been swirling all week, and the candidate is clearly enjoying being the repository of the biggest political secret of the summer.
When asked by a reporter when the text would be sent, Obama grinned and said, "Wouldn't you like to know?"
In the past few days, Obama has mentioned what he does - and does not - want in a running mate.
"I want somebody who has integrity, who's in politics for the right reasons," he said to a crowd in North Carolina. "I want somebody who is able to say to me, 'You know what, Mr President? I think you're wrong on this and here's why.' "
His pick, he said, will not be like current Vice President Dick Cheney.
"I won't have my vice president engineering my foreign policy for me," he said. "He won't be one of these fourth branches of government where he thinks he's above the law."
Cheney has said he does not need to comply with executive orders for information because he is part of the legislative branch.
Throughout the past few days, every word - especially pronouns - has been fodder for a traveling press corps intent upon breaking, or at least not missing, the story. "If you go with every rumour, there must be at least five vice-presidential candidates now," said Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki.
On Tuesday, Obama referred to his future vice president as "he" at least twice. So New York Senator Hillary Clinton was out. Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius too. Biden? Must be the man.
As the Obama motorcade pulled into Richmond on Wednesday night, the new question emerging was whether the Illinois senator was staying at Tim Kaine's governor's mansion.
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| This article on the national political campaigns in the United States is from The New York Times. It was specially selected and prepared by the editors of The New York Times News Service. |
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