It's Tim Kaine?

Drudge is reporting the VP is most likely being announced Wednesday morning.

Barack Obama is here on Wednesday and Thursday.

What a nightmare and debacle. 

Comments

[t]

I reported this over three weeks ago.

I reported my intel as "rock solid".

Why are you now surprised?

He's gotta announce some time in the next couple days...

I feel more and more like we're fucked. and that this is a huge joke leading to mccain's election.

JOHN MCCCAIN NEEDS TO BE DUMPED.

MAYBE GIULIANI WILL KEEP THE VP OPEN FOR HIM?

MOUSE! (McCain the Old Useless Senile Error)

[Doug]

If it is kaine, I will say t is right, but a broken clock is right twice a day.

There is about a 2% chance it is kaine. It is Biden, Bayhe or Jim Webb, or Seibieeielelelus. Or me. Or Colin Powell (that's my actual real first pick) or Fienstien. Actually, I think she is the dark horse no one is thinking of.

Come on, Ben. Don't be so dense. The Wednesday and Thursday events were scheduled before the VP decision was imminent. These events can easily be rescheduled so that Obama can be in Wilmington, Indianapolis, wherever.

My bet is that he remains 3rd on the list. It gives him credence for a cabinet position.

Lynchburg = short drive from Bayh's alma mater, UVA.

[the poster formerly known as 147.]

Outside of Clinton's affair, when is the last time drudge has had an inside scoop on a Democrat?

[Janie]

I am sick of him talking about when he's going to announce. Just do it!

[Janie]

Stick a fork in him, Obama's done.

[RicJohn]

Don't take the scheduling too seriously. The Obama campaign arranged these events in advance and said yesterday that they will change the appearances at a moment's notice to suit the needs of the VP rollout schedule. I think Kaine is a good guy who does have a vision for the state (despite the House GOP obstructing everything he does), but Biden brings the foreign policy gravitas the Democrats need and is more credible in that respect. I wouldn't underestimate the potential for Kaine's appeal, but I just don't know who Obama feels will help him the most at this point.

Polling shows Obama competitive in Indiana, so having Bayh might lock up that state. Kaine is marginally popular in Virginia, but I don't know if he can help secure the EV's for Obama. The Democratic primary results were promising, but that was just a snapshot of a slice of the electorate. Delaware was already going to vote for Obama anyway, but maybe Biden would help in Ohio and solidify Pennsylvania and New Hampshire?

[PM]

Jake Tapper at Political Punch is reporting that the McCain campaign is calling around to state GOP officials and asking about the possibility of a pro-choice VP, which would most likely mean Ridge. If he picks Tom Ridge, it will be a brilliant move. Ridge was a very popular governor of Pennsylvania, and it will likely (I'd say 60-40) win McCain PA. The Dems already have lost KY and WV, and OH is back to a tossup. This is going to be a close finish (unless the Dems come to their senses and nominate Hillary -- which won't happen). Obama may win Virginia, but it won't be because of Tim Kaine.

[John]

I am very worried about McCain picking Ridge. Maybe Obama should consider Rendell. I wish Ted Strickland hadn't been such an ass and taken himself out of the running - he would have been the best pick of all.

Ultimately I think Obama should pick Bayh, but I think he will pick Biden. I don't think he wants to lose b/c of national security inexperience. Biden is from Scranton, PA originally, so perhaps they could do the roll-out there.

What a campaign. Notice the position of the stars on this flag. http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/19/inverted-optics-dncc-wraps-obama-in-upside-down-flag/

[Pete in Williamsburg]

RicJohn,

Rock solid assessment especially with regard to Biden. There continues to be some underground buzz that it's Bayh. I even saw an article that says the Obama campaign mistakenly released Bayh's name as they drafted the announcement email.

Though there are other decent choices, Kaine would be an outstanding VP candidate. Great fundraiser, spanish-speaker, religious, brilliant on the stump, great chemistry with Obama.

t, I'm a Kaine fan so I hope you're right. Scuttlebutt at this point says it's Bayh.

[NotJimLarranaga]

As someone who grew up in Pennsylvania - and worked in the state legislature...The notion that Tom Ridge left the governorship as "popular" is the funniest thing I've ever read on this blog. For you Virginians, Ridge has more the legacy of Jim Gilmore than he does the legacy of Mark Warner.

If McCain picks Ridge, we democrats should pop the champagne corks and start the Obama inaugural celebration.

You will quickly find that Ridge is an arrogant walking gaffe machine.

[Pete in Williamsburg]

PM,

I think you're wrong about Ridge. Ridge would be a disaster for McCain. McCain's biggest obstacle has been convincing his base that he's not a RINO. A pro-choice VP like Ridge does not help him. Also, Ridge is a stiff and poor campaigner just like McCain. As for delivering Pennsylvania, no way. Pennsylvania is a solid Blue state with too few rock-star Repubs to put it in play. Look at Lynn Swann's 40-60 loss.

[Rowhey]

I've always maintained that Gov. Richards of NM would be the best choice.

Bayh is the safe choice and probably the least controversial -- even still is would be an uninspiring pick.

A Kaine pick wouldn't even double the ticket's experience level in terms of high office experience. If Obama wants a pick that would make him look more experienced, Kaine is the guy.

His answers on the Georgia situation were laughable and show that he is clearly over his head.

A Biden "I'm a known plagiarizer" pick will necessarily bring a host of issues/challenges to the ticket. Aside from the fact that Biden has never met a microphone that he didn't like, he seems to always consider himself to be the smartest guy in the room.
I think the results of that pick could be explosive.

If Obama had any real balls, he would be pick Hillary. For starters, it would unite the party and would give older white females a reason to be excited about this election.

[charlie]

As I've said before, Biden is book smart, but with zero foreign policy instincts. He'd also might prefer to be the chair of the Senate Foreign relations committee for life than VP.

Ridge would be an interesting pick. The man who brought us TSA, color coding, and every other stupid security measure of the past eight years. I'd love to see a democrat run on the platform that TSA is stupid, pointless, a waste of money, and a republican monster worthy of killing.

Kaine is a midget. He now can't balance his checkbook. Picking him is a sign that Obama can't be on stage with anyone that might outshine him. I hope t is wrong and just pulling out legs.

If Kaine is picked, he should resign immediately.

[Pete in Williamsburg]

Rowhey,

I continue to cringe at the thought of Hillary as VP. I disagree that there is a need for healing within the party. It would also just look too contrived and any chemistry would be forced... not that a VP selection is anything less than sterile electoral calculation. Lastly, I just don't think anyone will believe that she'll be a happy veep. She wants the top of the ticket or nuthin.'

She's a terrific person and very qualified, but 2008 is not her year. 2012 or 2016? Fair or unfair, the GOP successfully made her radioactive. In light of that, I don't think the presidency will ever be a reality for her.

[dems4dems]

While Obama has poured a ton into Virginia, Indiana may be more fertile territory for a big steal. If the private polls say that, Bayh may be a brilliant choice.

I've seen Ridge's management style up close in the federal government and he's a stuffed shirt and an a-hole. Not afraid of him, not even a little.

[t]

After Kaine is picked he will NOT resign, despite the clamor from his jealous former confidants that he must.

Kaine isn't that strong of a candidate in that he doesn't bring to the table what Obama needs - national security gravitas. Not sure Biden of Byah do that either.

He does bring one thing though - he'll drive NLS crazy. Having NLS trying to smear you as his full-time job (BTW- why does New Media tolerate that?) only seems to help candidates though. Look at his track record - serial loser the last couple of cycles.

[kelley osborn]

Ridge, though very experienced, etc, would bring to McCain's ticket the same "boring old white guy" problem that McCain has with some groups. Personally, I like Romney, but McCain has not consulted with me.

As for Osama, I hope & pray he picks Kaine. A disaster for the Dems! Yeah!

[Blah]

Ridge's acts after 9/11 were so stupid, I can't believe he's even being mentioned. He ought to be put in his "safe room" with duct tape, gas masks, and Cipro, etc.

[Doug]

Rowhey- I agree with most of what you wrote except for Clinton. It's not going to happen anyway, but I don't think it would be a good idea.

Anyway, it's still going to be a surprise- Jim Webb while Obama is doing a populist stop in Martinsville tomorrow.