Tim Kaine and Tim Pawlenty in the early round of "Veep Idol'

Now that Barack Obama and John McCain have only to give their acceptance speeches before losing the adjective "presumptive" before the words "presidential nominee," attention is naturally turning to their choices for the No. 2 spot on the ticket.

McCain, of course, wrapped the GOP nomination weeks ago and spent Memorial Day weekend with several possibilities --  Florida Gov. Charlie Crist , Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. It took Obama until last Tuesday to get the final delegates to put him over the top, but he has named a committee (including Caroline Kennedy) to offer recommendations for a running mate.

Two potential veep contenders -- Tim Kaine, the Democratic governor of Virginia, and Tim Pawlenty, the Republican governor of Minnesota -- were interviewed this morning on "Fox News Sunday"  ...

... where host Chris Wallace welcomed them with a smooth bit of cross-promotion for another Fox show: "Consider this something of an 'American Idol' audition, because I'm sure they're watching back at campaign headquarters."

Each supported his candidate's views on a variety of topics: the role of swing states (like the ones they lead) in the general election campaign, the economy, energy prices, foreign policy and healthcare. And each, of course, demurred when asked about the possibility of joining the national ticket:

KAINE: I think probably it would be hard for anybody to say no under a situation like that.  But I'm not expecting it, not counting on it, certainly didn't endorse the senator with any plan to get anything out of it.  I just want to help him win, because I think our nation needs change.

and

PAWLENTY: If somebody came to me and said that, of course, it would be an honor to be mentioned, honor to be asked.  It would be difficult to turn that down.  But I don't have any designs, and it's not why I'm such a great and strong promoter of Sen. McCain.

So how did they do? Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell weren't available for comment, but Wallace closed out the segment with these words: "I must say, as far as I'm concerned, you both did great in your 'American Idol' audition.  It's on to Hollywood."

-- Leslie Hoffecker

Comments

[Wm Tate]

Not so fast, guys. I'm not so sure the fat lady has actually sung. I didn't actually hear Hillary actually release her delegates.
-Wm Tate,
http://www.atimelikethis.us/

[Mike Pierce]

Hillary is the only VP I would support for Dem Party!
Anyone else and I'm voting for A REPUBLICAN for the
first time in my life.

[Ted]

This is not rocket science, folks. It's GOT to be Sarah Palin and NONE OTHER. If there's still any question, see this morning's C-SPAN Washington Jounral Program. (Watch the entire segment)

rtsp://video1.c-span.org/archive/c08/c08_wj060808_oconnor.rm

[bruce beckerb]

Minnesota's Pawlenty is so driven to get the VP position he is now lying through his teeth about Obama.
Pawlenty makes up that Obama will cost us jobs, when in fact, Obama's plan to rebuild our infrastructure will create high paying jobs all across the country and it will happen immediately, as we make the steel and concrete and rebuild our roads and bridges.
Pawlenty is throwing labels around, redefining Obama as left of the DEM party. He makes false claims that Obama is out of touch with the mainstream. No, the people who are out of touch are Pawlenty's bosses in DC, spending our fortune on Iraq. Obama wants to serve America, first.
Pawlenty sounds like a perfect right-wing candidate. He is Spiro T Agnew the 2nd. Bring it on.
The public are sick of labels. They want jobs.

[bruce beckerb]

Mike,
Go ahead and vote for four more years of fascism. its your freedom.

[LonghornMama]

COUNT ME OUT! Do you think 18 million voters are going to work their hearts out for Hillary Clinton and then just give it to WHITE GUY X??? It's not going to happen.

Sure would be a shame to see the 72 year old in the White House instead of the young stud, but you put anyone other than Hillary on that ticket, and I'M DONE.

[JB in Canada]

Very interesting analysis, but kind of disappointing remarks from the comment crowd so far though.

The one undeniable fact that hasn't been mentioned that adds weight to the article and puts the lie to the "Obama is a sexist" crowd, is that Hillary's own husband is a sexist pig of the very first order. From what I have seen Bill Clinton treats women like objects to be used, including Hillary.

Obama on the other hand, was brought up mostly by women and has as his biggest mentor and influence, his wife Michelle. He has only daughters that he apparently loves dearly and treats all of them rather well by all accounts. No one is perfect, but if this man is a horrible sexist then what does that make Hillary's own husband?

[Roger Deem]

As I have said elsewhere, Democrats who are unwilling to back Obama now are probably one of two things: a racist or a woman. Skin color and gender are two lousy reasons to vote for or against a candidate. Go ahead and stay home. America needs informed voters, not mired-in-the-past neanderthals.

[Eli C.]

To LonghornMama,
We all know that the primaries and the results (both the fact that Obama won, and the fact that Hillary came so close) were historic. It means anyone can be a presidential nominee, regardless of race and gender (still waiting on other things like religion, sexual orientation, etc.). But now that it's over, let's not play racial and gender politics. If Obama puts "white guy X" on the ticket, it will only be because he is the most qualified and will be willing to support Obama's vision 100%, not because he is a white guy. Hillary would have great ability as a VP, but she has disrespected Obama so much that I couldn't see her as a no. 2 partner. I would love to see her as secretary of state. Going around the world conducting diplomacy is where she's had the most White House experience.

[Eli C]

Well said, JB.

[daryl]

If he doesn't pick Kucinich as VP, I'm voting for McCain.

[lupercal]

if mccain doens't peck ron apul as vp, im voting for obama.