Terry McAuliffe, Hillary Clinton's best buddy, picks another for VP

Terry McAuliffe is known for being loyal.

As Hillary Clinton’s longtime friend and campaign manager, he battled on her behalf until the bitter end of her long quest for the Democratic presidential nomination.

So the former Democratic Party chair made waves this week after he told a crowd of Virginia Democrats the politician he thinks Barack Obama should choose as his vice presidential running mate.

It wasn’t Clinton –- a possible clue that the Senator from New York has been bumped from Obama’s list of potential VPs. If you needed a clue.

Instead, according to the Falls Church News-Press, McAuliffe pointed to Virginia Governor Tim Kaine. “McAuliffe was adamant in his recommendation of Kaine as the Democratic Party's vice presidential nominee,” the News-Press reported.

On Thursday, McAuliffe aide Tracy Sefl wouldn’t say whether McAuliffe’s speech was actually an endorsement for Kaine -– or what it might mean for Clinton’s shot at the VP nomination.

"Mr. McAuliffe obviously thinks very highly of Governor Kaine and praised him in his trademark exuberant way to a packed room of Virginia Democrats,” Sefl said.

And then, the requisite hedge: “There's a tremendous field of potential vice presidential candidates.  And Mr. McAuliffe supports whatever decision Sen. Obama makes."

--Kate Linthicum

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Jen]

McAuliffe and other Hillary Clinton supporters know she shouldn't be on that sinking ticket. He lost major support in four battleground states (MI, CO, OH, etc.). It seems like people can't remove themselves fast enough from his short list. Hillary is right to stay away from that loser.

[Vegas]

I like the idea of Tim Kaine. He's an excellent choice. How is he on foreign policy? He doesn't have a military background, but he does have executive experience, because he's a governor. I believe that an Obama/Kaine ticket is a great choice. I think they would do a better than fine job in the White House. Fresh new ideas and two people with brains running the USA. Fabulous!

Obama/Kaine 08!!!!!!!

[DrWilly]

Is it possible that Obama caught the Clinton campaign leaking the "Edwards Love Child" story, Inquiring minds want to know.

[DoTheMath]

When I saw the headlines about Clinton being "vetted" for VP, it made me wonder what would happen if that process ruled her out.

Many of us who are anxious to see the Democratic candidate make it to the White House are wary of the effect that any VP choice besides Clinton might have on Clinton's supporters. Yet, what could the Obama campaign do if the vetting process turned up problems?

They would be in the awkward position of not being able to select Clinton and not being able to explain why. In a case like that, the best solution would be for Clinton to announce that she has decided she does not want to be VP and that she whole-heartedly supports the choice that Obama makes.

All of this is purely hypothetical, of course.

[Bruce becker]

Thank you Terry for making it clear that Mrs Clinton is moving on to the Senate race. That should help her supporters get in acceptance and look at the issues facing the nation.

I like General Clark. I liked when he put down McCain's military experience, as a pilot, as irrelevant to the higher requirements of commander in chief. Just that, makes him my first choice.

[becky langley]

Hillary is above the crowd regardless of who says what for or against her -for or against Obama. The nation lost when they gave (for whatever reason) the ticket to BArrack. I have little to say about him but have seen and spoken to Hillary a couple of times and was surprised by the impact she had on me. A poweful yet warm and compassionate person - just what we need to navigate through the labarinth of issues facing this nation.

[N. E. BodybutHillary]

Terry McAuliffe wont have a granule of clout when Barack is elected president. He and the Clinton Klux Klan need to hide out for about 8 years.

[antifish]

It's so refreshing to hear that Mr McAuliffe is looking out for Hillary Clinton. The way Obama's campaign is going, he will soon be the laughingstock of the world. Clinton should be no where near him when he implodes.

It's interesting how short his list of VP picks is getting. So many possible choices have told him they are not interested. They see the writing on the wall. The American public is starting to wake up as well and see this megalomaniac for what he truly is. Anyone who associates themselves with him is committing political suicide.

[kmb08]

BO is so arrogant, maybe he doesn't even think he needs a VP....maybe he can be both Pres & VP??

I'm a loyal Hillary supporter, primarily because I judged her for myself, rather than relying on the negative image the Republicans so successfully marketed for 16yrs. ad nauseum. What a loss for this country. Hillary is the only candidate who had the right combination of brains, compassion, toughness, integrity, policy knowledge, and she worked her heart out! BO lets his money do the work....he doesn't so much like to get down in the trenches as Hillary would.

I sure hope Hillary doesn't want to be VP, and I hope she wouldn't accept. She'd do all the work, and he'd get all the credit. Sure, it would be a winning ticket, but BO and his supporters have been saying for quite some time....we don't need Bill, Hillary, or her supporters. Better watch what you wish for.........

Some of BO's supporters seem surprised at how close the polls are....I'm not the least bit surprised, but then again, I'm a Hillary supporter. I also supported the only Democrat to win two consecutive Presidential races in the last 40 yrs.........................

[fsteele]

Hillary has stated that she does NOT want to be VP. She would only take it if requested as a favor by the party.

Why should she give up her own Senate career to iron Obama’s shirt for eight years! The years between 60-68.

Someone else would take her NY Senate seat. When she was free again, at age 68, would you expect her to bump off that person (if a Democrat)?

Any true friend would try to get someone else to take the VP job, not Hillary.

[wbboei]

II am a lawyer and am writing an extensive paper on the primary campaign. Based on what I have read and observed he is the last guy in the world I would ever want as president. I realize others feel different but I have yet to hear a single persuasive argument, I do realize that he reads a telepromter well but fail to see how that would qualify him to be president, I guess i just cant suspend belief long enough to drink the koolaide.

[magdalen]

obama should concider himself lucky when Democratic Presidential Nominee for 2012 Senator Clinton picks him for VP.

[Michael]

Wow. How many paid McCain operatives are posting here? Obama just came off a pretty amazing world trip where the primary complaint was that he looked 'too presidential.' Aren't we ready to have someone leading our country who appears presidential? Who commands admiration and respect on a global stage? Who plans more than six months ahead? It appears to me that on both sides, the VP pick might help win one state, but in general, the VP selections are mostly unknowns. Kaine may help Obama win Virginia and he may be a good guy, but he's not a household name.

[jeleanoro]

Good for Terry, he's a smart guy. I don't think any real Hillary supporter wants her to be Obama's VP, but I do know some Obama supporters that want it...they know he needs the help! She is so far beyond him in qualifications...and "no" it's not because she's overqualified to be president...it's because he's really underqualified! It's a sad state of affairs in this country right now...it seems we're now an American Idol culture!

[obama ignores soliders]

OBAMA SELECTING A REPUBLICAN AS VP RUNNING MATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is just another example of how Obama is destroying the democratic party! SENATOR CLINTON'S 18 MILLION SUPPORTERS SHOULD VOTE FOR MCCAIN SINCE OBAMA WANTS A REPUBLICAN TOO OR NOT VOTE AT ALL!!!
Its also time to clear out the DNC next elections....What are the LAME ducks NANCY PELOSI AND HOWARD DEAN doing!!!! Asking dems to give money to DNC and Obama when the nominee is considering a republican running mate!!!!
WE ARE URGING ALL PUMAS! TO WRITE SENATOR CLINTON'S NAME ON BALLOT AND NOT TO SUPPORT THE LAZY OBAMA....
The democratic party is a thing of the past, My family and friends has enough of DNC and Obama... We are changing our party affiliation to " Independent"
Barack Obama's vice presidential search team names member of President Bush's Cabinet, Ann Veneman, as Obama's VP running mate.

The mention of Veneman's name surprised Democratic lawmakers. The low-profile Republican was close to food and agriculture industries but clashed with farm-state Democrats and environmentalists.

Veneman, biography A Republican raised on a California peach farm, she rose to become the nation’s first female agriculture secretary.

The selection of a Republican could bolster Obama's unifying message, a Capitol Hill Democrat familiar with the discussion said.

Other Republicans mentioned as potential Obama running mates include Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel, who accompanied him to Iraq, and retired Marine Gen. James Jones.

UNICEF spokeswoman Kate Donovan declined to comment on the news that Veneman's name had been mentioned as running mate to Obama. She said Veneman is traveling in Africa and could not be reached.

Though Veneman's biography and Republican affiliation make her a plausible, if surprising, candidate to be Obama's running mate.

"Are you serious?" one lawmaker asked vetters when Veneman's name came up, a second source familiar with the conversations said.

The surprise stems from the fact that, while Veneman was seen as an experienced leader for her department, she often clashed with Democrats on a central battle front of the Bush years: regulation. Venemen was criticized by some Democrats and environmentalists, and praised by agriculture and food interests, for lightly regulating the industries and for encouraging trade and biotechnology during her tenure.

She also clashed with Democrats — including then-Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, who is now an Obama confidant — over subsidies for small farmers, which they sought to expand.

In the best-known incident of her tenure, she led the administration's response to cases of Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis, known as mad cow disease. The epidemic was contained, but the relatively light U.S. testing regime has led to continuing barriers for American beef exports.

http://www.dontvoteobama.net

[Lynn]

Why doesn't Obama run as his own VP . . . "both-ways" Obama doesn't need anyone else ( certainally not anyone who might challenge his omnipotence ). HE already has 300 foreign policy advisors . . . so there is his State Department. And I'm sure there are other weasels lurking around to complete the government.
What a ticket Obama & Obama . . . bull**** all over Washington.

[Pat]

Another take would be that even her buddy McAuliffe doesn't believe in Hillary.

Hillary people are so spiteful they are willing to jeopardize the hard fought women's rights to show they are hurt by not getting their Queen.

Subjects: get over it!

[Carol]

I hope Hillary stays as far away from this loser as possible. It is only a matter of time before he implodes. Mark my words.

[F. Steele]

Hillary overqualified to be President? Now there's a thought. It does seem the really qualified people are the ones trashed by the media: Gore, now Hillary.

Hillary has alreadly stated that she does not want to be VP, but would accept if requested by the party.

I hope Pelosi, Kennedy, and others will continue their opposition to an Obama/Clinton ticket. There is also overwhelming opposition when the subject comes up on PUMA sites such as bitterpoliticz, pumapac, hillaryis44, etc.

[Blondshag]

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON is the right president for America.

HILLAY RODHAM CLINTON is the GREATEST campigner in all American History.

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON is the BEST candidate of the two.

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON is the candidate to change American and get All people back on the right track with opportunities for All people.

HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON --- needs to run as an INDEPENDENT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE in the November Election.

AMERICA NEEDS -- HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON!!!

[kat in your hat PUMA]

Senator Clinton needs to stay far away from Obama. There are millions of us who dead against the "nightmare ticket." I know that it is the only way that Obama could win, so you see, I would not want him using Hillary or her supporters to try to win the White House. If we have learned anything by now, we know that Obama would take credit for anything positive, while Hillary would become the scapegoat for all his faults. Hillary would do all the work and Obama is the sort who would LIE straight into the cameras and claim her ideas to be his own, and it has been that way throughout the entire primary season. When is the biased media going to stop lying to the public, and when are they going to stop this unAmerican propaganda machine? Obama ought to realize, his "good press" is terrifying Americans away from voting for him! Just Say No Deal; The Denver Group; Puma Pac; No Quarter. PUMA!

[Jaimie]

Terry Mcauliffe? Terry Mcauliffe is likely to be very influential, What a Party? Terry will tell you. This race will be interesting, that's for sure!