Who Will Win the Veep Sweepstakes?

James Jones, retired NATO honcho, surfaces in Hill talks

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama’s VP selection team had a busy couple of days on Capitol Hill, talking up possible running mates with legislators. A new name in the mix is that of retired Gen. James Jones, MSNBC reports. Joe Biden and Ohio governor Ted Strickland also came under scrutiny; Bill Richardson, Janet Napolitano, Mike Bloomberg, and Chuck Hagel did not.. 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»

Says talks are 'very serious'; Biden, Bayh, Sebelius in contention

(NEWSER) - Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine is in “very serious” talks about a spot on the Democratic ticket, sources tell the Washington Post. The 50-year-old has joined Sens. Evan Bayh, Joe Biden and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Barack Obama’s shortlist, bringing outsider credentials though no experience in foreign affairs, which is perceived as an Obama weakness. More»

Blogger runs down likely veep candidates for Obama and McCain

(NEWSER) - “Since McCain and Obama appear to have the nominations locked up,” it's time to start eyeing the veepstakes, Chris Cillizza writes in The Fix blog. Here are his top three for each presumptive nominee, GOP first:

1. Tim Pawlenty: The Minnesota governor is a longtime McCain backer, and widely admired.
2. John Thune: A handsome conservative who also beat then-senator Tom Daschle 4 years ago.
3. Rob Portman: From Ohio, a crack economist, and not well-known—which could actually be a good thing.