Crist Could Be Key as Veep Pick

Already-strained relationship exploited by McCain ad

(NEWSER) - In a meeting soon after Hillary Clinton conceded the nomination, Barack Obama told her he probably wouldn’t select her for the VP slot, sources close to the conversation told the Washington Post. She had requested that he not put her through a charade of vetting if she wasn't a serious candidate; he didn’t want to raise false hopes and knew after the rough primary season that the two wouldn’t make a good match. More»

But Clinton backers see mockery in 3am announcement

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton tried to rally her disappointed supporters behind an Obama-Biden ticket today, praising her “colleague and friend” in a statement. “Sen. Biden will be a purposeful and dynamic vice president,” Clinton said, adding that he was “an exceptionally strong, experienced leader.” Clinton had little realistic chance in the veepstakes, but supporters had held out hope anyway, Politico reports. More»

Del. senator dampens speculation; Obama calls running mate 'he'

(NEWSER) - After a day in which the media obsessed that Joe Biden was Barack Obama's near-certain choice for a running mate, the Delaware senator appears to have dismissed his own chances, writes the New York Times's Caucus blog. Yesterday evening as Biden got into his car, he told reporters staked out at his home, "Hey guys, I’m not the guy. See ya." More»

(NEWSER) - John McCain would consider a run for the White House with a pro-choice veep at his side, ABC News reports. When asked about Tom Ridge, McCain told the Weekly Standard that the former Homeland Security chief shouldn’t be “ruled out” for the No. 2 job because he supports abortion rights. Dem-turned-Independent Joe Lieberman, another McCain short-lister, is also pro-choice. More»

Poll surge noticeable but brief: Gallup

(NEWSER) - Much ink has been spilled over Barack Obama and John McCain’s upcoming VP selections, but a running mate is not a game-changing choice, the Chicago Tribune reports. History suggests the effect on opinion polls will be noticeable but not huge: Gallup shows recent candidates getting an average 5% bump after announcing their picks. More»