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Obama: I'm Not Running For VP
March 10, 2008 1:55 PM
ABC News' David Wright, Sunlen Miller and Andy Fies Report: Sen. Barack Obama pushed back hard Monday against the notion of a "dream ticket" with him in the number two spot.
In recent days, Sen. Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton have both floated the idea of a joint ticket as a way to settle the nomination, suggesting that's where the race is headed.
On a conference call with reporters Monday, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson argued Obama hasn't passed the "commander-in-chief test" but suggested he may pass before the Democratic party's convention in Denver this August in time to be considered as a vice-presidential nominee.
"We do not believe that, as of this point, Senator Obama has passed that key commander-in-chief test," Wolfson said.
"Senator Clinton will not choose any candidate who has not, at the time of choosing, passed the national security threshold - period. But we have a long way to go between now and Denver, and it's not something that she is prepared to rule out at this point. But certainly anyone who is chosen as vice presidential candidate needs to be prepared to be commander-in-chief," Wolfson said.
Today, before an energetic crowd in Columbus MS, Obama not only made clear he's not interested, but also suggested the Clinton's offer is presumptuous and offensive.
Watch the VIDEO HERE
"With all due respect: I have won twice as many states as Senator Clinton; I have won more of the popular vote than Senator Clinton; I have more delegates than Senator Clinton," Obama said. "So I don't know how someone in 2nd place is offering the vice presidency to the person in first place."
Obama also questioned how the Clinton campaign could argue, in the same breath, that he is not ready to be commander in chief.
"I don't understand," Obama said. "If I'm not read how come you think I'd be such a great VP."
In a May 1992 interview with CBS, Bill Clinton outlined his own criteria for VP, saying that the most important quality is finding someone who would be a good president "if, God forbid, something happened to me the week after I took office."
Obama argued he is better equipped than Clinton to serve in the Oval Office: "The most important thing when you answer the phone at 3AM is what kind of judgment you have, not how long you've been in Washington. And I believe I have shown better judgment than Sen. Clinton."
Obama suggested the Clinton VP talking points are an effort to hoodwink the electorate, by suggesting the voters can have both Clinton and Obama.
"Am I clear? I want to make sure I'm absolutely clear," Obama said. "You are going to have to make a choice. Are you going with the past or the future?"
As if to make sure he was being crystal clear, Obama added once more: "I am not running for Vice President."
March 10, 2008 in Bush, George W., Kucinich, Dennis, Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (140)
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Obama is just showing his arrogance. He's ahead and surely, Hillary's supporters will bow down and worship him when and if he gets the nomination. What a disaster. It will be a contest to see who makes the first blunder, Him or his multi-talented wife. Now that she is finally proud to be an American, living in her million dollar home with her Princeton education weren't enough for her.
Posted by: KC_1971 | Mar 10, 2008 2:42:59 PM
Neither Hillary or Obama meet the standards the Democrats set for Republican candidates. Bill didn’t meet those standards either. Why do Democrats demand qualifications of Republican candidates then fail to meet those standards themselves?
Posted by: jijalagi | Mar 10, 2008 2:46:43 PM
Great comeback, Mr. Obama. You put her in her place by just stating the facts--no snipe, no spin, and no fabrication. Just the simple truth. Just goes to show you're a lot toughter than a lot of folks may think--and you don't have to be like SHE is to prove it.
Posted by: way to go! | Mar 10, 2008 2:46:57 PM
Too late Hillary..........Lies will always eventually come back to bite you. You should be dizzy from all the spinning you've been attempting. It's over sweetie.
Posted by: Joris | Mar 10, 2008 2:50:46 PM
Obama said he has good judgement. I just want to ask :
when he voted 129 times for present in Illinoi, where is his good judgement?
when he said he will meet wiht our enemy without precondition and clear purpose, where is his good judgement?
This is his judgement:invade our ally--Pakistan, make them become our enemy.
Meet our enemy, give them inspired talk and then sit down to hope, hope they become our friends.
I don't think they are good judgement.
Posted by: ring | Mar 10, 2008 2:51:18 PM
"I don't understand," Obama said. "If I'm not ready how come you think I'd be such a great VP."
Great point Obama -You AREN'T ready and would make a lousy VP. What an Arrogant divisive person he is.
Posted by: geevill | Mar 10, 2008 2:53:49 PM
Hillary never said he would be VP ... she was just being kind.
Posted by: Jackson | Mar 10, 2008 2:55:07 PM
In addition to experience, Hillary Clinton has been tested and vetted. Obama is still an unknown with a glass jaw - surprising since he's made it so far through the presidential primary. Of course, he's been promoted and carried on the shoulders of his media "guru" Axelrod and Emil Jones who took legislation away from other state senators who had done all the work to give it to his protegee Obama. I'm sure he created lots of ill will as a result - others did the work, he took the credit. It's been alleged that all of the legislation he cites was pushed through in a 12 month period - what was he doing all the rest of his time there?
He should look at the possibility of being vetted for the vice-presidency if and when it's offered. That's the best he's going to do - it takes big states not those that are reliably republican to win this nomination. "Wishing and Hoping" that these small caucus wins can translate into Democratic wins in the general election is just that. A bubble that will burst when Clinton pulls way ahead in the popular vote - now separated by about 3,000 votes (remember how much money he spent in Texas to even get 47 % - outspending Clinton 4 to 1).
Also, Obama supporters, he's so much smarter than most of you. If truth were told, he knows what the super delegates know. We're heading for a potential train wreck here. Will he let his ego and arrogance stand in the way of a certain Democratic victory in November?
Posted by: twinmom48 | Mar 10, 2008 2:55:15 PM
When Obama's right, he is right. thanks for pointing out you are not ready and qualified to be VP Obama.
Posted by: geevill | Mar 10, 2008 2:55:48 PM
Obama must concede the election immediately. Run as Hillary's Vice President. It is the only way you can gain the required expirience needed to run this country.
Obama you are tearing this party apart. It is your fault and yours alone. You must stop this and join under Hillary.
Posted by: tori | Mar 10, 2008 2:57:42 PM
Maybe he should "denounce AND reject". LOL!
Posted by: ROB | Mar 10, 2008 3:00:54 PM
tori - you must be a Clinton supporter if you think a call for the front-runner to step aside is anything but silly.
Posted by: Paul | Mar 10, 2008 3:01:51 PM
Rob - or maybe just "ignore," exactly as most of the rest of us have started ignoring whatever spews from the mouth of a Clinton.
Posted by: Paul | Mar 10, 2008 3:03:17 PM
Obama is not running for V.P. he is running from Gitmo
Posted by: Terresa | Mar 10, 2008 3:05:50 PM
Hillary’s judgment should once again be called into question!
1st: It was staying with Bill for political gain!
2nd: The war in Iraq vote!
3rd: Agreeing to sign up for the rules that were stated by the DNC in respect to Florida and Mich.
4th: Destroying the Democratic Party for her win at all cost policy.
5th: Slashing and Bashing Obama and then wanting him to be her running mate.
And this is who you want as President, come on women of America look at who you are supporting. It is her judgment that needs be the #1 issue of this campaign. She has poor judgment that is the bottom line issue for all of us to examine
Posted by: America | Mar 10, 2008 3:08:15 PM
Mr. Obama does not have the experience to shred documents, Money Laundering, Drug Trafficking and making people disappear. If that’s the experience you are looking for, vote for Clinton. Please educate yourself –
OBAMA # 1 NOT #2
Posted by: AMY IN FIFE LAKE MICHIGAN | Mar 10, 2008 3:10:48 PM
The issue here is why did she agree to those rule before the elections took place? Can any of you tell me why? If she did not agree with them; all she had to do back in August 07 is say I do not agree. I want the two staes two count in the process. Why did'nt she do that?
Posted by: America | Mar 10, 2008 3:15:33 PM
I think Obama has a very good vision for America. But, only issue I have with him is his readiness.
The issues on which he stumbled last week were very trivial issues but those issues defintely challenged his credential and judgement due to lack of experience. He along with media were very successful in doing cover up by distracting voters by pointing to Hillary.
Good Vision but less experience can impair judgement. Obama may right on Iraq war today but it was his gut feeling and not a concrete proof.
The reason I support Hillary is that she proved everytime including the voting for Iraq war that she makes decision based on proof and not on the gut feeling. Hillary will also be a friendly face internationally and would project better image of US.
I think Clinton Obama ticket will be best for US.
Posted by: Humm | Mar 10, 2008 3:17:28 PM
I want more details on this "commander-in-chief test" that Clinton keeps talking about. What kind of test is it, multiple choice or fill in the blank? I bet her test results are included with her tax returns ;)
Cheers!
Posted by: Matt | Mar 10, 2008 3:20:30 PM
There's really IS no stopping HRC. And there appears to be nothing she won't do to win this nomination. For those who worry that she will irrevicably split the party, I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about why she would do that. The answer is that she just doesn't care. I shudder to think what having her as a president would be like--except to say it would be a real shock to those who can't seem to see what she really stands for- her favorite cause; her favorite word - "I". I went from supporting her, to questioning her sanity, and finally to deciding she's plain "evil".
Posted by: given up on HRC | Mar 10, 2008 3:20:41 PM
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