Obama, running mate to rally in Springfield
CAMPAIGN '08 | Biden tops list of veep contenders
WASHINGTON -- In the run-up to the Democratic convention, Sen. Barack Obama will showcase his new running mate Saturday at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, where he kicked off his campaign Feb. 10, 2007.
This doesn't mean that Obama will name his running mate at that time and place. He could make that announcement anytime from this morning on. The campaign will send out text messages and e-mails to break the news.
(Sun-Times file)
The Obama campaign confirmed the Springfield rally after I broke the story on my blog Tuesday morning that the freshly minted Obama ticket will appear in the city where Obama served as a state senator.
Obama's return to Springfield is symbolic, and it will kick off of a tour of Midwest battleground states leading to the Democratic convention, which starts Monday in Denver.
The vice presidential contender will travel with Obama to promote the new partnership, jumping off to speak to the convention Wednesday.
At the top of Obama short list for vice president is Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware. I broke the news Aug. 13 that Biden was moving up as a potential running mate. He's the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, a Catholic, has a middle-class appeal and was born in Scranton, Pa., useful because Pennsylvania is in play.
Biden joined the Senate in 1972 -- the year Obama turned 11. Obama got to know Biden during the Democratic primary; Biden dropped out after doing poorly in January.
Obama has to wrestle between his head and his heart in making the most important decision since he got in the race. If he lets his instincts strictly prevail, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine will have the edge.
I can see the appeal of Kaine even though he is in his first term -- as is Obama. The parallel narrative is compelling.
Their mothers came from the same Kansas town, both are Harvard Law grads with interests in civil rights; both married Harvard Law grads. Kaine and Obama also have great chemistry -- Obama stumped for Kaine when he was running for governor in 2005 and Kaine was the second governor to endorse Obama.
Also in play: Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. One veteran observer put it this way: If Obama was running well ahead, he could afford the luxury of Kaine. If he was was way behind, he'd have to consider Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton -- very much a long shot.
But with just a few points between Obama and Sen. John McCain -- his head will tell him a more cautious choice may be in order.