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Ohio Guv Won't Run with Obama
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ShareJune 10, 2008 3:55 PM
ABC News' Teddy Davis and John Santucci Report: Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D) was Shermanesque on Tuesday in saying that he would "absolutely not" be Sen. Barack Obama's, D-Ill., running mate even if asked to join the Democratic ticket.
Asked on NPR's "All Things Considered" if he is auditioning to be Obama's running mate, Strickland said, "Absolutely not. If drafted I will not run, nominated I will not accept and if elected I will not serve.
So, I don’t know how more crystal clear I can be."
Strickland was seen by some political handicappers as an attractive vice presidential pick for Obama because he is a popular chief executive and former House member who hails from Ohio, the state which decided the 2004 election.
Strickland was also a high-profile backer of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., which would have allowed Obama to present his selection as a play towards party unity.
Last year, Strickland made a Shermanesque disavowal of interest in being Clinton's running mate.
Though Strickland will not be on the ticket, the Obama campaign is recruiting Strickland adviser Aaron Pickrell -- who steered Clinton's successful primary effort in the state -- to run Obama's Ohio campaign in the fall.
When questioned by NPR's Michele Norris if his statement was the kind of insincere disavowal of interest offered by other VP hopefuls, Strickland contrasted his own flat denial of interest with what he has heard from other VP prospects.
"No, I don’t think they all say that," said Strickland. "I’ve heard people say, 'you know, if I was asked, it would certainly be something I would have to consider."
Despite his Shermanesque dismissal of being Obama's No. 2, the former minister and prison psychologist said he is committed to seeing Obama elected president.
When asked to rank the degree of difficulty of Obama carrying Ohio, Strickland says: “I would say somewhere around 5 in a scale of 1 to 10. I think it’s, I just think it’s a challenge because of the nature of our state.”
The audio of the entire interview will be available at approximately 7:00 pm ET at www.NPR.org
June 10, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (159)
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Smart cookie.
Wise man does not want to be associated with a landslide loss.
Posted by: geevill | Jun 10, 2008 4:04:59 PM
You must be confused with McCain.
Posted by: patriot | Jun 10, 2008 4:06:29 PM
The news just released Obama is considering former top Military leaders among his possible running mates.
Posted by: catleya | Jun 10, 2008 4:07:04 PM
bOY THE WALLS ARE CAVING IN ON OBAMA. IF HE DOESN'T CARRY STRICKLAND'S STATE, HE IS OUT!!!
Posted by: maggie | Jun 10, 2008 4:09:50 PM
Maybe because he is a prison psychologist.
Posted by: catleya | Jun 10, 2008 4:09:59 PM
Maggie, Geevil,
You are right.
What if Ed Rendell also doesn't want to join him? That make it worst.
Posted by: catleya | Jun 10, 2008 4:11:46 PM
If Obama tries to pick former top Military officer as his VP to make up his weakness on national security and foriegn policies, he may have more persons to consider to make up his inexperience on economy, healthcare or social security...
Americans will wonder: who will be real CIC to lead this country and what is Obama good at??
Posted by: True Truth | Jun 10, 2008 4:15:13 PM
Ed Rendell already said he does not want to be Obama's VP.
Posted by: Destini | Jun 10, 2008 4:15:51 PM
Both McCain and Obama are unconventional candidates. Don't expect the electoral map to run the same way as in the past. Ownership of Ohio or Florida may not be the clinching factor this year like in the past.
Posted by: sublingo | Jun 10, 2008 4:18:26 PM
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., said Tuesday he will not endorse Barack Obama for president.
"I still remain very concerned about the (Obama) voting record being the most liberal of the United States Senate," said
The internal poling must be coming in.
Posted by: geevill | Jun 10, 2008 4:20:20 PM
Destini,
Thanks.
Oh,,boy,,oh,,boy,,,he has to work very hard..LOL!!
Posted by: catleya | Jun 10, 2008 4:20:25 PM
Why would Obama want him? He's not even on the shortlist!
OBAMA/WEBB '08 & '12
Posted by: Roxie | Jun 10, 2008 4:21:15 PM
Obama will have trouble holding Michigan and PA. You think Iowa and Colorado will offset that?
Posted by: geevill | Jun 10, 2008 4:21:50 PM
Actually...Ed Rendell only said that he would advise Obama against it. He stated he wouldn't turn it down. Strickland is just from a very conservative state and has to get re-elected. It's that simple. However, he's going to work his hardest to get him elected, he just doesn't want to tick off his constitutents in doing so.
Posted by: Chris | Jun 10, 2008 4:22:26 PM
maybe obama does not want him so to make himself look good he has to say he dont want it
Posted by: angie | Jun 10, 2008 4:23:14 PM
True truth,
I agree.
I feel like it's a little bit unusual.
I hope MCCain would find a VP is good in economy strategy.
Posted by: catleya | Jun 10, 2008 4:23:31 PM
i live in pa and my vote and alot others will be going for obama!!!
Posted by: angie | Jun 10, 2008 4:24:22 PM
Obama has a list of 20 names. What he just needs is only one person. Even if 15 of them will not accept the offer, he will still get one from the remaining 5!
Posted by: Peace | Jun 10, 2008 4:25:40 PM
Dems could play safe this year by traditional strategy since economy is favoring Dems..
However, Dems will face more risk because Obama has made it more complicated on his race issue and inexperience on national security and economy...
No one knows whether the enough turn-out by his AA brothers and young votesr will put him over the top...
Posted by: True Truth | Jun 10, 2008 4:25:50 PM
You all aren't looking at the numbers...the real numbers...Obama's lead is still increasing and the Hillary factor hasn't even really started wearing off yet.
The bookies have himat 2 to 1...and with all the individual numbers of dem to repuub turn out matched with the fact that Obama's numbers in some of these states in the primary alone were more than the entire repub turn out when they had all their players still in play...
this will be a joke.
Strickland is afraid of the fall out from Hillary. Lots o promises made in that there camp. Lots o turn about favors done by the Clintons.
wouldn't want that wrath on me if that is where I laid all my eggs.
so don't fool your selves. None of Hillary's lackies will say they would take the job until it was offered...beheadings would abound if they did and they didn't get it.
Posted by: dl | Jun 10, 2008 4:28:27 PM
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