Breaking News: Barack Obama rejects VP idea

Campaigning in Casper, Wyo., Friday night for the 12 delegates to come out of Saturday's Democratic county caucuses, Sen. Barack Obama refused the notion of becoming the vice presidential candidate on this fall's party ticket.

Obama was asked by a television reporter, "Can you ever see yourself on the same ticket as Sen. Clinton?"

And the freshman Illinois senator replied: "Well, you know, I think it’s premature. You won’t see me as a vice presidential candidate. You know, I’m running for president. We have won twice as many states as Senator Clinton, and have a higher popular vote, and I think we can maintain our delegate count."

Many Democrats have long thought of Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama as a dream ticket, offering both the first serious female candidate and the first serious African American candidate for the nation's top two political offices.

Clinton surprisingly broached the idea Wednesday morning after she won the popular vote in Texas and Ohio to regain some momentum after 11 straight ...

losses, though she still lags far behind in pledged delegates. She mentioned the possibility of a joint ticket again Friday morning during a campaign appearance in Mississippi.

Last night was the first time Obama commented on the idea.

It's political protocol when presidential candidates are asked about the vice presidency to twist the question back around to the top office and avoid a direct answer. But Obama's response last night was unusually direct and dismissive.

The 46-year-old candidate is expected to do well in Wyoming today, as he has done in virtually every caucus state. Wyoming, as The Ticket noted here in detail Friday, is not the most hospitable territory for Democrats.

Eleven months ago during an appearance on "The David Letterman Show," Obama said, "You don't run for second place. I don't believe in that." See his Friday statement for yourself on Billings TV station KTVQ, but only if you can sit through an interminable local vinyl fence ad with Danny, who seems strangely eager to hide his face beneath a dirty baseball cap. 

(UPDATE: For the latest Wyoming caucus results -- Obama was victorious -- The Times' Robin Abcarian has full details in her story from Cheyenne here.)

-- Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[John B Sheffield]

I fully agree why should Barack Obama want to be VP and have a joint ticket with Clinton. I

t s Barack as he points out who even after Ohio and Texas is still well ahead in the Delegate Count and No it is not necessary to change the rules that where agreed just to please Hilary with Michigan and Florida.

[Callimaco]

He had to put an end to the Clinton-Obama speculation -- and most of all Clinton's "maybe Obama will be my VP" gestures. He needed to force the choice: Clinton or Obama and not let voters weasel out of that choice by voting for Clinton on a two for one assumption.

Plus, do you really think he wants to be VP for someone who's just spent the last week telling everyone who will listen about how McCain is a better choice for president than him? I mean, let's get real: she's been saying Obama is manifestly unqualified for the office with one side of her mouth, and then she turns around and says with the other side of her mouth that Obama should be her VP -- a heartbeat away from the Oval Office and the red phone. the very things she was saying he is totally unqualified to handle!

She can't have it both ways. Neither can the voters. Obama just drew a line in the sand.

[Weston Nathanson]

Why would Obama accept a VP nomination even if Clinton got the presidential one? He wouldn't even be able to pretend he had any influence in a Clinton administration. Bill will be acting VP and top adviser no matter who got the VP nod. Better to be in the senate and wait 4 or 8 years.

[Paul]

If, in the end, Obama has more of the popular vote and more delegates, but Clinton uses her political clout to gain the nomination, then the democratic party will have failed me.

[Andrew Benjamin]

If anything, Obama should be at the top of the ticket. But even when he wins it won't be Hillary. It will be either Richardson or Napolitano. Clinton and Edwards might get the sentimental support of some Democrats but even they will realize upon sober reflection that neither of those two get you a state you need. Part of the reason that Hillary's big state argument is so funny is that and aardvark with a D next to its name on the ballot could win in California and New York. No what we need is some Southwestern love and that means taking NM or AZ. With Iowa trending strongly towards Dems again we can get to 270 without the Ohios an Floridas (read broken)states

[Bob]

Obama should be honored to be chosen as a vice presidential candidate just as Hillary should be honored to be chosen as a vice president. I could see 16 years of a progressive White House if Clinton were president and Obama vice president. Then Obama could run for president from a position of even greater strength as a vice president. It seems really difficult to unseat a sitting president and a vice president running for president is very difficult to beat. In any order, I would like to see both of them on the ticket. Would hate to see an Obama and Lieberman ticket (I know, he would not pick Lieberman; but, what if he chose some other doofus with demo-conservative credentials?).

[excel]

Arrogance. nothing else.
Barack is an empty rhetorical display of what a political sleaze is. No substance needed. Media darling. Hype maker and elite backed.
Hillary's been there done that, survived media savagery, resurrected after so many near deaths,victim of unpleasant marital scandal , withstood years of GOP crap and even a crappier FOX NEWS team, a Senate star, a kinder gentler face vs Michel or Oprah.
I prefer her. Obama is shallow. McCain is a Bush rehash.
And there is no darn perfect persona like Santa running.
And yes, do not put too much spin. Politics all around is crap.

[John Patrick Smith]

If Hillary and Bill Clinton have been thoroughly vetted, then why don't we have answers for:

1. What sort of firewall will Hillary place between herself and her husband's Russian, Chinese, Indian, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Brunei et al clients?

2. Do the Clinton Foundation's and Clinton's income tax records show a proper accounting for the funds received for charitable, political and public purposes versus the Clinton's private income?

3. Unlike her husband who before leaving office pardoned of Viktor Bout's partner Marc Rich, will Hillary Clinton "reject" any pardon request for the merchant of death Viktor Bout if she becomes president?

Contemporary historians must be amazed at the genius and sheer audacity of the Clintons' performance as they repeatedly make fools of the public. However, as the records of the Clinton administration are revealed, it may be left to later historians to write about the lowly purposes to which the Clintons applied their genius.

[Karen Cleveland, Ohio]

Obama needs to reset the campaign. Hillary is tricky and wouldn't think twice about stealing the nomination any way possible. Obama needs a serious Pennsylvania plan. If he can take PA that may seal the deal for him.

The games HRC plays are sickening. First she says McCain would be better than Obama and then she wants him as a VP? Obama needs to clearly define himself. By casting BO in so many different roles, HRC succeeds in confusing the electorate, and if voters begin to wonder who he is they won't vote for him. BO needs to take back the narrative before it's too late.

[KPLewis]

I agree totally with Sen Obama. He is running for President not Vice President. As Vice President to Hillary he will have to kow-tow to her vision and compromise his, which she does not share. He is calling for a different way of doing politics. The only way he can realize that vision is by being President or waiting four years and trying again. And besides, why will he have to settle for VP to her when he is the more popular candidate, the one who is ahead in the delegate count, the one who has universal appeal and who can draw out sectors of the electorate that otherwise would not vote? If anything a compromise situation should be the other way around with him in the Presidential slot and she in the VP slot. But shouldn't a presidential nominate choose a running mate who shares his/her vision? The suggestion that he should be her running mate in the VP slot sounds to me like a ploy to get his supporters if not now, in November. I think by drawing the line clearly in the sand he is doing the right thing. He is not about personal aggrandizement at any cost even if it means sacrificing his vision. He is a leader, not a follower, and a leader with a world-changing vision and a firm belief that this change is possible.

[Mike]

I knew Obama would reject the idea of being Hillary's VP. It's one thing to even consider running with Clinton, it's another thing to be her VP.

Now Obama has to focus on finally defeating Hillary and sealing the Democratic nomination, which he has mathematically done, because let's face it: Hillary is acting like a spoiled brat, and less and less people want her for President. She wants things one way, then she flip flops and wants it the other way, she's worse than John Kerry!!!!

[Michael Ladd]

I truly believe that the only Democratic ticket that can win in November is either an Obama-Clinton or Clinton-Obama ticket. Only a ticket with both candidates can quickly re-unite the party and galvanize the broadest electorate for the general election. If both candidates sincerely want to bring change to America, they will swallow their pride and be willing to serve the party - as President OR Vice President - for the better of the county.

[San Ying]

IF HC wants a threesome in the Oval Office should she not first consult both BO and BC?

[Robbie]

After ridiculing the man, Clinton now wants to place him as VP! Poor judgment on her part if she thinks him so incapable!
What she is attempting to do is drag Obama supporters along with her! After her comments that won't ever happen!

[Boriqua in the south bronx]

The poster Callimaco hit it right on the nail. Obama should run with this. How can clinton say she and Ncain are quaulified and barack is not. The vice pres is supposed to be ready to step in on day one. Why would she select someone who is not qualified?? Answer that you Lesbian carbetbagger.

[Frank]

Hillary go away...if Obama agrees to run with her on the ticket, then he is just another corrupt politician like she is.

[pedro]

Hillary is the past, she still doesn't get it!....
Obama will do better without her, this Country will do better without Hillary.
People are going to vote in masses because Obama....no for Hillary or McCain....just check the numbers.
People want to express their concerns, no just in the federal level, but in the State, Counties, cities.....too many corrupt people are in high places that think they are above the law (Mayor of Los Angeles, Los Angeles DA, Mayor of Detroit, Mayor of SF, Houston DA..and on and on) and moraly dishonest.
I am Republican, but I votes and I will vote for Obama. We need change in all levels...yes we can!

[Democrat to Win]

His arrogance is very unattractive. If he cannot unite on a ticket, then he is NOT a uniter and is bad for the party.

[Lorne Runge]

Barack should be number 1 on the ticket with Hilary and Bill as vice president. Hilary cannot claim independent experience apart from Bill as a wife is not a cabinet member. Bill's position as second vice president is close to the role he plays in the democratic party anyway.

[Tony S.]

Unusually direct??

All he said is he wants to focus on running for president, that all!

Direct response is, "No, I won't do it. Thanks for asking."

Apparently you obamanites can't accept that your candidate cannot even answer a direct question with a direct answer, so you make an indirect answer into a direct one in you heads.

(Did you really read the item? And you didn't see the lines that said: "You won't see me as a vice presidential candidate." Can't get much more direct than No.)

[Steve Wimer]

When elected Senator, Obama was asked if he was going to make a run for President. He begged off, saying he wasn't ready for the job. His initial judgement was correct. Obama would be a disaster as President. Ron Paul is the only straight talker around. Hillary is the second best man for the job. McCain is cannon fodder for the GOP. They know he will lose. No incumbent party is going to win with an economy in the toilet.
It will take a Clinton to clean-up another mess made by a Bush.

[Patrick Chan]

I guess most Republicans would agree if Clinton won the
Democratic nomination, Democrat would lose the
general election for sure. I for one will not vote for
Senator Clinton because she simply does not have the right quality for President.

[pedro]

Hillary doesn't know what she is talking about. Hillarysaid that Obama "was not ready to be President"....therefore he is not ready to be VP, right?.
I am fed up with the Clintons, and their 'double talk"...they think that American people are a bunch of ignorant individuals.
If Hillary becomes President...can you imagine the gridlock she will bring in Washington again. She claims she is a fighter....We don't need someone in Washington looking for fights...We need someone that bring all of us together and do things...Obama is the one , we need new blood in Washington, people with new ideas, with positive outlook about our future.....the Clintons's fear tactics are old dirty politics, we don't want that anymore...American people deserve better.

[mruth]

Hillary already has a vice president; his name is Bill.

[Terry K]

The bottom line is, she CAN NOT win this nomination based on the reality on the ground. She can not catch up with Obama on the delegates count. Her only plausible way to the nomination will be to tear the democratic party assunder and pave the way for president John MCcain.