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Ohio Guv Won't Run with Obama

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June 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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I don't blame him, his state voted for Hillary Clinton and he is representing the voters unlike Bill Judas Richardson

Posted by: Kardasia_Prime | Jun 10, 2008 4:29:05 PM

There will be alot of higher ups who are not willing to be in the #2 spot. Due to lack of intelligence they would rather be racist and judge Obama by the color of his skin and not by the context of his character. As a matter of fact through out the entire campaign there has been some form of discrimination (race, gender, age, religion, etc.) People be wise, if you go Republican our children will be in the war and we will not be able to afford a darn thing. A vote for Obama in 2008 is much closer to our parents who may at one point been considered low-medium class.

Obama 08 Yes WE Can!! and that's Change We all can believe in.

Posted by: hottie1 | Jun 10, 2008 4:29:37 PM

Obama could take Ohio, but still lose if he can't get new Mexico. The big problem is payback by Michigan Clinton supporters. It is easy to see MI, OH, and PA going to McCain. There is your blowout.

Posted by: geevill | Jun 10, 2008 4:30:07 PM

Strickland has been saying for years that he has NO DESIRE to be VP. The idea was floated 4 years ago as VP for Kerry and he said No. Strickland is 67 years old. He is too old to be VP.

Posted by: Kevin | Jun 10, 2008 4:31:45 PM

geevill

Obama is leading McCain in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Have you taken a look at the polls lately? He was leading even before securing the DEM nomination.

Posted by: Kevin | Jun 10, 2008 4:32:51 PM

Obama will pick Clinton as his VP. Go ahead and bet it. It's the only LOGICAL choice.

Posted by: Kevin | Jun 10, 2008 4:33:39 PM

Oh God, I love Ed Rendell....I hope he does not accept any VP offer if given one.
I don't think some big Dems are going to vote BO just because he was brokered for them. Geraldine Ferraro said she doesn't know if she can vote for him, just as Michelle Obama said early on she didnn't know if she could vote Hillary. SOUNDS LIKE SOME REAL PROBLEMS IN THE DEM PARTY. IN ALL MY 50 YEARS DON'T REMEMBER THIS MUCH DIVISION...NEVER HEARD ANY KERRY SUPPORTERS SAY THEY WOULD JUMP TO BUSH.

McCAIN '08/HILLARY '12

Posted by: Debra | Jun 10, 2008 4:33:42 PM

A true Democratic leader. A true patriot!

Posted by: SadStateOfAffairs | Jun 10, 2008 4:33:48 PM

and geevil those numbers are similar to just after Bill Clinton won the primary...with the same amount of defections saying they will leave...and in the end they didn't.

Now think about this year compared to 1992...

you think people are going to take McCain who sucks at the economy...as he is proving slowly this week more than anyone probably expected and he wants to keep throwing tons of dough toward Iraq...and watch Afghanistan and Pakistan sink into a worse situation...and not have countries feel we deserve a second chance because in their minds we chose Bush III

yeah... the fact that Obama has already gained more than Bill, Gore and the rest did after they secured the nom...means even more so it has a good chance of being a landslide.

but spin away.

These guys are just afraid they will upset the only candidate off that they signed allegiance to.

You think you want to run with no support come re-election they are all still afraid of the Clintons... sad.

Posted by: dl | Jun 10, 2008 4:37:05 PM

That's what I like a man that let you know where he is. Obama WATCH this man. And have other watch him.

Posted by: Zion Il | Jun 10, 2008 4:38:31 PM

True truth,

You are right.
The pundits have changed their prediction now, everyday they worry about him to get all those big states like MI,FL,WV ,, even NJ..

Posted by: catleya | Jun 10, 2008 4:38:32 PM

Polls are useless at this early stage of the game....a total expolsive tape of something could change the course as last as October.....so I don't ever look at polls (although I heard Obama should have a double digit lead from the bump he should have got from Hillary supporters).
I'm one of the 18 million cracks in her glass ceiling WHO WILL NEVER VOTE BO.
IF NOT HILLARY, THEN McCAIN '08/HILLARY '12

Posted by: Debra | Jun 10, 2008 4:39:12 PM

Hooray for him!!! I would not even want to be associated with Obama!! Maybe he could get some of his "friends" to run with him.

Posted by: virginia | Jun 10, 2008 4:39:39 PM

and geevil all your poll numbers are off...

and it is not just the bookies...the pollsters have numbers similar to the 2 to 1 chances it will be Obama.

He doesn't need Strickland and Strickland knows it. and just like the other two unless they are offered it they better not say they would like it. Can you imagine how Bill and Hill would take them down if they did?

especially if they aren't offered.

Posted by: dl | Jun 10, 2008 4:40:10 PM

Farrakhan paid for Obama's start in politics.

Posted by: kevin | Jun 10, 2008 4:40:41 PM

the primary votes tell the true story

Posted by: geevill | Jun 10, 2008 4:41:01 PM

Debra,

Good comment.
I like Ed Rendell also. I like Evan Bay too.
Hopefully they all follow Gov Strickland

Posted by: catleya | Jun 10, 2008 4:43:01 PM

Yet another elected Democrat who questions the DNC choice that they have attempted to shove down our throats.

What he's really saying to all you stupid Obama supporters is: He'd rather be Governor of Ohio than a VP nominee when Obama's ship sinks - maybe sooner than November too.

Posted by: s.valenti | Jun 10, 2008 4:46:38 PM

I did not cite any polls. That is the electoral college projection off real clear politics. I think they are correct McCain will hold the South. The map shows Obama winning.I don't see him getting Ohio. and PA -the Jewish vote will make it hard for him.

Posted by: geevill | Jun 10, 2008 4:47:00 PM

Hillary doesn't want the VP spot...Obama needs to lose on his own and she can run again in '12. Why should she turn over her 18 million voters (and delegates) to him...he limped to the finish line,losing 9 out of 14 primaries and the super dels had to push him over....disgusting that popular vote does nothing in Dem party. I bet their are party big wigs who won't even be voting for him in Nov.
McCAIN '08/HILLARY '12
COUNTRY FIRST - PARTY/PROMISES SECOND.

Posted by: Debra | Jun 10, 2008 4:48:00 PM

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