Clinton VEEP prospects dim
WASHINGTON - With Barack Obama poised to announce his running mate at any time, Hillary Clinton's prospects appeared to dim as sources said the Obama campaign never sought financial or other records from her suggesting she was never seriously vetted for the job.
Clinton has generally been viewed as a long-shot contender for the No. 2 spot, given the bruising primary battle between Clinton and Obama.
But the new revelation Friday offered fresh evidence that Obama would look elsewhere for a running mate. Clinton insiders said the Obama campaign never asked for the kind of information that would be a routine part of the vetting process -- the detailed scrubbing of a potential running-mate's past designed to avoid any post-announcement surprises.
In fact, said one Clinton source: "If it were to happen, the person who would be the most surprised is her."
Some Clinton supporters have suggested that Clinton might be able to sidestep that process, given how much is publicly known about her -- her Senate financial disclosure forms, the recent release of her tax returns dating to 2000 and reams of press coverage. However, those disclosures did not include the couple's full 2007 income tax return and other information, such as a list of donors to Bill Clinton's presidential library, which Clinton's campaign refused to divulge.
Amid the swirl of speculation about who would round out Obama's presidential ticket, Clinton herself traveled to Syracuse to attend the New York State Fair, taking a few bites of barbecue and shaking hands but declining to talk about her vice presidential prospects.
Clinton would not say whether she had heard from the Obama campaign about her running mate status. "My answer to any question about the subject that I think you're referring to is that all inquiries should be directed at Senator Obama's campaign," Clinton said.
She added: "I've always said that I will do whatever I can because I feel so strongly in making sure that we elect Senator Obama to be our next president."
Obama told reporters Thursday he has made up his mind but offered no clues when he would announce the choice beyond saying the two will appear together at a rally in Springfield, Ill., Saturday.
One new name surfaced Friday emerged as a possible contender -- Rep. Chet Edwards, whose district includes President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware and Evan Bayh of Indiana were also in the mix, as were Govs. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas.
Clinton has generally been viewed as a long-shot contender for the No. 2 spot, given the bruising primary battle between Clinton and Obama.
But the new revelation Friday offered fresh evidence that Obama would look elsewhere for a running mate. Clinton insiders said the Obama campaign never asked for the kind of information that would be a routine part of the vetting process -- the detailed scrubbing of a potential running-mate's past designed to avoid any post-announcement surprises.
In fact, said one Clinton source: "If it were to happen, the person who would be the most surprised is her."
Some Clinton supporters have suggested that Clinton might be able to sidestep that process, given how much is publicly known about her -- her Senate financial disclosure forms, the recent release of her tax returns dating to 2000 and reams of press coverage. However, those disclosures did not include the couple's full 2007 income tax return and other information, such as a list of donors to Bill Clinton's presidential library, which Clinton's campaign refused to divulge.
Amid the swirl of speculation about who would round out Obama's presidential ticket, Clinton herself traveled to Syracuse to attend the New York State Fair, taking a few bites of barbecue and shaking hands but declining to talk about her vice presidential prospects.
Clinton would not say whether she had heard from the Obama campaign about her running mate status. "My answer to any question about the subject that I think you're referring to is that all inquiries should be directed at Senator Obama's campaign," Clinton said.
She added: "I've always said that I will do whatever I can because I feel so strongly in making sure that we elect Senator Obama to be our next president."
Obama told reporters Thursday he has made up his mind but offered no clues when he would announce the choice beyond saying the two will appear together at a rally in Springfield, Ill., Saturday.
One new name surfaced Friday emerged as a possible contender -- Rep. Chet Edwards, whose district includes President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware and Evan Bayh of Indiana were also in the mix, as were Govs. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas.
<< Home