Obama, McCain hunting for veeps
WASHINGTON -- Barack Obama and John McCain have begun taking quiet but purposeful steps toward choosing their running mates, fresh signs that the Democratic nomination fight is over and the presidential race is rapidly moving toward the Obama-McCain general election matchup.
McCain has a head start in the "veepstakes," with Obama still fighting off never-say-die Hillary Rodham Clinton. The GOP candidate will be getting better acquainted with three potential picks during a holiday gathering at his home this weekend, while Obama's team is still in the early stages of compiling background information on possible running mates.
Former Fannie Mae CEO Jim Johnson is overseeing the early vetting for Obama, Democratic officials say, and that allows for a quick start. Johnson won't be starting from scratch, since he did the same job for Democratic nominees John Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in 1984.
Many of the people Johnson checked for Kerry will be likely candidates for Obama's consideration. Those names included Sen. Clinton, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, anti-war Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and Kerry's eventual choice, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.
McCain is hosting at least three Republicans mentioned as potential vice presidential running mates at his Sedona, Ariz., home this weekend -- Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. An aide said it's a social event with more than two dozen guests not meant for veep vetting. Still, the socializing is a prime opportunity for would-be running mates.
Before heading off to Arizona, Romney announced he was forming the "Free and Strong America" political action committee that will allow him to travel the country on political business and support like-minded candidates.
Some Democrats are calling for Obama to pick Clinton, but others say that couldn't work after their long and heated campaign.
Other possible options are governors such as Janet Napolitano of Arizona, Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas and Tim Kaine of Virginia; foreign policy experts including former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn, Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd or Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, or other senators such as Missouri's Claire McCaskill or Virginia's Jim Webb.
Obama could look outside the party to people such as Hagel or independent New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Or he could look to one of his prominent supporters such as former Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota or 2004 vice presidential nominee Edwards. He also could try to bring on a Clinton supporter such as Indiana's Sen. Evan Bayh or retired Gen. Wesley Clark.