Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsMonday, March 10, 2008 11:08 PM CDT
Comments Comments (12) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
Obama: Don't assume I'll take VP slot
By Charles Babington
Associated Press
Advertisement

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- Democrat Barack Obama ridiculed the idea of being Hillary Rodham Clinton's running mate Monday, saying voters must choose between the two for the top spot on the fall ticket. | Video

The Illinois senator used his first public appearance of the week to knock down the notion that he might accept the party's vice presidential nomination. He noted that he has won more states, votes and delegates than Clinton so far.

``I don't know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who is first place,'' Obama said, drawing cheers and a long standing ovation from about 1,700 people in Columbus, Miss.

Saying he wanted to be ``absolutely clear,'' he added: ``I don't want anybody here thinking that somehow, 'Well, you know, maybe I can get both.' Don't think that way. You have to make a choice in this election.''

``I am not running for vice president,'' Obama said. ``I am running for president of the United States of America.''

Obama aides said Clinton's recent hints that she might welcome him as her vice presidential candidate appeared meant to diminish him and to attract undecided voters in the remaining primary states by suggesting they can have a ``dream ticket.''

Obama had never suggested he might accept a second spot on the ticket. But until Monday he had not ridiculed the notion so directly, even if he did not completely rule it out in Shermanesque terms.

He told the audience that it made no sense for Clinton to suggest he is not ready to be president and then hint that she might hand him the job that could make him president at a moment's notice.

``If I'm not ready, how is it that you think I should be such a great vice president?'' he said, as the crowd laughed and cheered loudly.

Mississippi holds it primary Tuesday, the last contest before the Pennsylvania primary six weeks from now.

Clinton and her husband, the former president, had suggested recently that a Clinton-Obama ticket would be popular and formidable against Republican Sen. John McCain in November.

``A lot of Democrats like us both and have been very hopeful that they wouldn't have to make a choice but obviously Democrats have to make a choice and I'm looking forward to getting the nomination,'' Clinton said Monday in Scranton, Pa. ``And it's preliminary to talk about whoever might be on whose ticket.''

Many political activists discounted the notion all along. They noted that the two senators lack a warm relationship and, more important, that Obama would be ill-served by hinting he might accept the vice presidential slot when he holds the lead in delegates and hopes to win the presidential nomination.

In the latest Associated Press count, Obama leads Clinton, 1,579-1,473. He has won 28 contests to her 17.

Moreover, many insiders feel the ambitious and fast-rising Obama would chafe in the vice president's job, especially in a White House where Bill Clinton would almost surely play a huge advisory role.

Still, the notion of a Clinton-Obama ticket has received ample discussion in recent days on cable TV news shows and newspapers such as New York City's tabloids.

In an interview Friday in Wyoming with KTVQ-TV, a CBS affiliate based in Billings, Mont., Obama's comments were somewhat mixed.

``Well, you know, I think it's premature,'' he said of accepting the second spot on the ticket. ``You won't see me as a vice presidential candidate.''

His Monday remarks were more detailed, pointed and humorous.

Of course, they will not completely end the speculation. Presidential candidates routinely disavow any interest in the vice presidential spot. But some, including John Edwards and Al Gore, change their minds when they fall short of their top goal.
Take a look
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., speaks at a town hall meeting at the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, Miss., Monday, March 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 12 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

VoiceInWilderness wrote on Mar 17, 2008 1:20 AM:

" We need to know more about the influence that preacher that said "God Damn America" in the pulpit has had on Obama. "

Lizzie wrote on Mar 11, 2008 8:29 AM:

" Hillary has a better healthcare program and a whole lot more experience backing her up. Go Hillary!!! "

ML wrote on Mar 11, 2008 6:05 AM:

" I'm seeing flashes of attitudes in Obama lately that I don't care for. He really does seem to be a wee bit too arrogant for my liking. "

Annienap wrote on Mar 11, 2008 1:05 AM:

" OH, the ARROGANCE of his man! If he IS on the ticket as Hillary's RUNNING MATE, I will not vote. I do NOT like this man, I do NOT trust this man and I REFUSE to put my 'mark' on anything that has his name on it. GO HILLARY!! But PLEASE don't put this fake on the ticket with you! Please don't do it! GO HILLARY, GO HILLARY! I'm with you as long as Obama is NOT with you!!! "

Zeva wrote on Mar 10, 2008 9:08 PM:

" Aren't we on an ego trip???? You know in todays world two heads are better than one and if they can join forces, put their heads together maybe, just maybe they can clean up the mess the Bush clan made!! If this is how you feel, if she wins, then I'd be looking for a new running mate and leave you in the dust. What a shame that you feel you can't join forces. "

Meh wrote on Mar 10, 2008 9:04 PM:

" dwarf, Edwards didn't help Kerry pick up Ohio or Missouri. A better choice would be Richardson, who has foreign policy experience. "

dwarf wrote on Mar 10, 2008 7:56 PM:

" I can't imagine Obama would ask Sen. Clinton to be his veep. He needs someone with good experience & broad appeal. Honestly, I think Edwards would be a much, much better choice - and it would help him pick up Ohio and other heavy-labor states in a general election. "

noone wrote on Mar 10, 2008 5:56 PM:

" Ron Paul "

T-one-and-ONLY wrote on Mar 10, 2008 4:49 PM:

" Has anyone asked Hillery if she would be Obama's Vice? "

ktlin wrote on Mar 10, 2008 3:55 PM:

" Good for you Obama! I am sure Hillary is reeling because she is not used to being questioned. Everyone is supposed to fall in lock step for Queen Hillary. If they were to think about stuff they might get a big shock! People seem to have forgotten about the scandal a day and many were convicted or found guilty all the way to her cabinet. The Clintons were one of the most secretive administrations and are still getting by with that. They were known as the most corrupt administration. But instead people want to think how "good" is was. Remember how often Clinton waffled depending on the audience. And he was impeached and pardoned for a felony for draftdodging. And Obama gets criticized for knowing someone that is just going to trial. Funny today I saw a lot of pictures of her being chummy with Gov Spitzer in New York. What's right for the goose is right for the gander. "

long_time_gone wrote on Mar 10, 2008 3:52 PM:

" The only way Hillary Clinton will beat John McCain is if Obama is on her ticket. I guess she can really kiss it goodbye now. "

cats55ire wrote on Mar 10, 2008 3:41 PM:

" Go Hillary - all the way to the White House!

HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT!!! "
Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy