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

[Dr. Jesse Kally-Williams]

The real moral and political impasse of the VP hints coming from Clinton is as follows. Clinton has again and again stated categorically that she has been tested and is experienced and prepared as the next CIC of the most powerful nation in the world. That she is what Obama is not. But by the American constitution, as soon as she lays her hand on the Bible next year and swears the oath as the CIC, the VP becomes her second in command. If anything tragic should happen to Clinton even a second after she is sworn in, the VP is quickly sworn in as the CIC. If Obama is so inexperienced as Clinton wants us to believe, why is she risking the security of the American people by wanting Obama to be her VP? So is she telling the voters the truth about Obama’s leadership ability? Clinton’s supporters ought to see these blatant contradictions. The problem lies then not with Obama’s “arrogance” to reject the VP insinuation. Moreover, who is leading in this quest?

[Starr]

Let us not forget that we are selecting the president who is the most powerful man in America not to mention in the world. Both Clinton and Obama may be good politicians who know how to excite the people. Excitement and promises don't protect America nor pay my bills. Action speaks louder. I still like McCain and John Kelly ticket if it is all possible. Am I dreaming?

[David]

Mw wife and I are enthusiastic Obama supporters. But we will not vote for any ticket that includes Hillary Clinton. If she is anywhere on the ticket, we will hold our noses and vote for John McCain.

[FMann]

Hillary will do or say anything to get elected. She does not want to lose the votes that the Obama brings to the polls.
She is not about change... just more of the same old...s**t.
By the way, the phone heard ringing at 3:00am is Monica looking for the Big Dog. She wants to know if he still has a bone to throw her way.
Turn the page people!!!!

[P. N. Duvall]

Running as Clinton's vice-president would only invite more of the same ugly manifestations of her true personality and lack-of-character. Bottom line: she would treat Senator Obama as a "houseman", or "house-Negro".

There has probably never been, in American politics, a more negativitely single-minded person, seeking the Presidency, than Clinton. Her ravenous appetite for the office far exceeds "ambition", and frankly, it is frightening to watch.

She refuses, thus far, to release her tax-records.....and, probably with good reason. Her husband refuses to allow her personal papers, from her "first" Presidency, to be released........citing "national security", etc.

She is incapable of admitting errors, and apologizing........

My question is.........What ARE the American people getting in Clinton?

In my opinion, it's "Bonnie and Clyde", and a smarmy repeat of the 1990's.

Don't we deserve better, as a nation?

[Harry Grace]

I'm glad he ended the idea. It was clearly an attempt by Clinton to say, "I'm going to pull a Republican attack on him, but then we'll make nice and I'll throw him the VP bone". An obvious attempt to get back in the graces of Obama's voters (like me) she's turned off with her Rovian campaign, and knows won't turn out in November if she steals the nomination. Besides, everyone on Earth knows Bill will be the VP.

[JIM]

I THINK IT IS TIME THAT OBAMA LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE,HE WIN'S THE SMALL STATES BUT HAS LOST EVERY LARGE STATE,I THINK A JOINT TICKET NO MATTER WHO IS IN THE DRIVERS SEAT WILL BE THE ONLY WAY TO GET INTO THE WHITE HOUSE,THE FIGHTING BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM CAN ONLY HURT OUR COUNRTY FROM GOING IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION.SO STOP THE WHO IS RIGHT AND WHO IS WRONG.

[Romelee]

I think Obama should be the next president he he has what it takes He can talk to people over seas and here He is what we need ayouger person with fresh ideas And not wonting war.Iwill be very disappointed along with many more.

[V. O. Reason]

Both candidates have significant strengths and fatal flaws. Rosa Brooks's smug and self-serving arguments that the Wicked Witch of New York should withdraw for the good of the party/country are EQUALLY applicable to the Pied Piper of Illinois. My opinion is that BOTH candidates should step aside and support a compromise candidate -- Al Gore, perhaps? -- who can begin NOW (not in September) to accomplish the essential task of keeping John McCain at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue.

[Love bins]

It would insulting to BO supporters, if he accepts VP position.

He should not allow the DNC establishment say otherwise.

[Romelee]

I think Obama should be the next president he he has what it takes He can talk to people over seas and here He is what we need ayouger person with fresh ideas And not wonting war.Iwill be very disappointed along with many more.

[sandra melendez]

I'm glad he's rejected this idea. Did you see the comments made by Kellyanne Conway on Larry King last night? She said " Hillary and Obama argue about whether she should let him sit on the back of the bus of her presidential ticket". Shame on her! I think an appology is in order. She should be held accountable for her racial remarks.

[sly]

C’mon guys, we have already won OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA “…….We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek…….” This was Barack’s super Tuesday theme line and we should never doubt it.
I am 52 yrs old and travels all over the world given the nature of my job. What I have seen all over is this : Right now as we speak, and for the past several months, lives are already undergoing positive transformation all over the world as a result of the inspiration that Barack Obama is bringing, not only to America, but to the entire world. There is electricity in the air and a new beam of light is shinning on the planet. All over the world, people of all ethnic backgrounds, races, colors and religion suddenly and simply seem to be much happier with them selves just because of Obama. The US democratic process this year is up-lifting the world much more than ever before just because of Obama. He is putting in a fresh drop of faith, hope, togetherness and humility and that is having a ripple effect worldwide and this, fundamentally would ultimately work towards world peace. In the current world chaos, Obama, a people’s man, has the communication skills and charisma required to properly handle World Leaders – then imagine the positive impact that would have on world economy and trade. “Obamania” alone, is making these RESOUNDING CALLS, and that is why it is receiving a RESOUNDING YES from even outside America. At the same time, the Clinton premise on the so-called "experience" issue, as they define it, is receiving a RESOUNDING NO.
FIRST of all, if Hillary makes it to the White House, her Vice President risks facing the nightmare sometimes of determining who really were President – Hillary or Bill. Bill’s attitude seems to be showing that already. We used to have a lot of respect for him in this part of the world.
SECONDLY, Hillary should realize that, in comparison with Barack, most of the world leaders she’s had the chance of meeting during some of her travels abroad have been more concerned on being “polite” to a former 1st Lady rather than being factual with her on real issues and promises.
THIRDLY, regarding her premise on “experience”, it seems to us that some very very experienced people have plunged America into a rather sad State of the Union and Strain Diplomacy. Barack Obama, alone, seems to have a different strategy based on good judgment and his ability to RELATE with people for a change of MINDSET.
FINALLY, the ENTIRE WORLD is crying out for DIALOGUE with America and a new American Leadership owes that to WORLD CITIZENS even those leaving under the worst forms of dictatorships always often not of their making. Obama alone seems to understand that most of these Dictators with “Armed Regimes” are basically cowards and always often do not have the least support of even their own people and that what matters in the final analysis is the people and not the dictators.

[Sunshine]

How arrogant.

[tiredofit]

So much for being a uniter. (Just words?) Guess we should have known this when Michelle Obama said she could not support Hillary if she were the nominee. So much for uniting the party. It appears that OB would rather see John McCain as our next president than try to unite the Dems behind Hillary. Change you can believe?

When are people going to start seeing Obama for what he is?

[Mimi Schaeffer]

Obama's response confirms his arrogancy!

Why should I be the vice president after he won all those states that will go to McCain the fall???

Give me a breek! Whether Clinton or Obama are at the top of the ticket, with Dem voters so evenly split, it's the ONLY WAY!

[Nancy]

I appreciate Senator Obama for stating that he has no intentions of being on a ticket as Senator Clinton's VP. Clinton is a life size display of a muckety-muck and I for one do not want her as President or VP. Obama is qualified and ready to lead this country to higher ground.

[smchris]

He's forced to take that stand:

1) Too much like "Driving Miss Daisy". Young talent doing the scut work for old power.

2) Who in their right mind would sign on to be the third wheel in the "Hill and Bill Show"?

3) Hillary is and always has been a loser choice. Why agree to go down with that ship? Hillary needs someone like Obama but she's too stupid or insider corrupt to see it. Obama is too smart to think he needs Hillary even if pigs started flying and he was "offered" the top spot.

I would have preferred Obama as a vice-presidential candidate actually: Edwards/Obama. As it is, he's now our best hope against the horrors of a McCain regime.

[Romelee]

Obama deserves the right to be president he tring to run a clean campaign and he inspries so many votiers who are tired of the same old way of govering. I`am a senior and I believe we need younger people with fresher ideals. He is capibal e of uniting the rest of the countries.

[Jonathan]

Hubris is the most divisive of the frailties of man. These guys are running for office as a Democrats. If having both on the ticket would virtually insure a landslide election, isn't it time for either one of them to pledge to do the work of the party, and not the work of their ego, and take a vice presidential position? Obama has a point, but as a Democrat I'm not really totally pleased that in his caucuses Republicans and other have had significant input, and, Hillary is correct in that she has taken all the traditional Democratic Primaries in the big states. Why do their egos have to stand in the way of a united ticket?

[Henry]

Considering the fact that he is the most junior among the 2008 presidentiables, ruling out the no. 2 position betrays an overly ambitious, arrogant and maybe to a certain extent delusional attitude of this man.It's President Obama or nothing... and I guess it'll be nothing for him.

[PMC]

Well that is fine with me. I do not want him as President or Vice President.
His ego would never allow a VP position anyway! His only goal since winning the US Senate seat 2 years ago was to take the pay and benefit from the US Tax Payers and use it as a campaign ground for running for President instead of doing the job he was paid to do. As far as his qualifications for President, well I guess he read the employment ads under CEO NEEDED for the most prosperous nation in the world and then the ad ended with No Experience Necessary.

Hillaryspeaksforme.com

[Bob]

Slick Willary is making a calculation that she can attract some wavering voters with the idea that a vote for her will also include Obama in her administration.

[sukkee]

That's another trick of desperate Hillary who is trying to cheat some dimwits to vote for her. Really, she is a disgusting monster to do anything to get there. She is not qualified for US president job. Period.

[Mariposa4Life]

It's ridiculous that people think Obama is "arrogant" just because he said he won't be VP. He's running for president and while he is ahead in wins, delegates and popular votes why should he consider it? Anyway, I don't see Clinton saying she would except VP even thought SHE is the one behind not him.
It's also ridiculous that people think he would have a shot at president if he was VP after a Clinton presidency. What, like chance Gore had? He benefited so much from the scandals of the Bill Clinton presidency. If Obama was VP with the Clintons there would be nothing but one scandal after another that Obama would be able to "benefit" from.