Political Browser: The Trail
Barack Obama talks with T. Boone Pickens before their meeting in Reno, Nev. The two discussed U.S. energy needs in the coming years.
(By Alex Brandon -- Associated Press)
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WHO WILL BE NO. 2?
The Guessing Game Goes On for Democrats
RENO, Nev. -- The Barack Obama vice presidential sweepstakes has entered its breathless final phase.
Word is that the presumptive Democratic nominee hasn't placed final phone calls to any of the top contenders, and he may or may not have made up his mind. The notoriously tight-lipped campaign won't discuss who is on Obama's shortlist or drop hints as to when the big news might hit.
It may or may not be a coincidence that Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine and Sen. Evan Bayh (Ind.), two presumed top prospects, appeared on Sunday news programs. Further stoking the flame for Kaine, Obama is scheduled to campaign in Virginia on Thursday.
But the most curious development was Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s weekend trip to Georgia. Obama campaign officials said the fact-finding mission wasn't their idea, but they did confirm discussing it in advance with Biden's office.
As of late last week, the senator from Delaware was scheduled to spend the weekend at home with his family. His senior foreign policy aide, Tony Blinken, left for Hawaii on vacation. But on Saturday morning, Biden's office announced that he was headed for Tbilisi.
According to spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander, Biden had spoken to Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili on Monday, and on Wednesday the Georgian Embassy conveyed to the Foreign Relations Committee chairman that Saakashvili wanted him to come as soon as possible, as Georgia was seeking a truce with Russia.
Biden and Obama staff members discussed the proposed trip, and Obama officials said they were glad Biden was considering it. One source familiar with the discussions added that had the Obama team opposed the idea, the senator probably wouldn't have gone.
What does it all mean? Who knows? The vice presidential nominee is speaking a week from Wednesday at the Democratic National Convention, so Obama has to announce his decision before then.
-- Shailagh Murray
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