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Warner, Webb stump with Obama in Va.

Kaine still in mix for No. 2

By Christina Bellantoni (Contact) | Thursday, August 21, 2008

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LYNCHBURG, Va. | Sen. Barack Obama offered "no hints" about his choice of running mate Wednesday, but campaigned hard through Virginia with two former contenders to prove he will compete in the state.

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is expected to announce his pick for No. 2 within the next few days, and Gov. Tim Kaine remains a strong contender. The two will campaign together Thursday.

Mr. Obama spent much of Wednesday with former Gov. Mark Warner, who took himself out of the running months ago, and Sen. Jim Webb, who said this summer that he wouldn't want the vice-presidential job.

The two Democrats offered their hearty endorsements for the senator from Illinois, who will formally accept the party nomination next week in Denver.

Pressed by reporters eager for a decision that will be telegraphed first to supporters via text message, Mr. Obama demurred. "No hints," he said. "No new hints."

But Mr. Obama praised Mr. Kaine in front of 350 people invited by the campaign and local businesses to see the Warner-Obama town-hall meeting at the Patrick Henry Community College Motorsports Facility.

"As governor, Mark Warner never forgot us; as president, Barack Obama won't either," said Brian McGhee, a laid-off worker who introduced the two men in Martinsville.

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Warner, Webb stump with Obama in Virginia

Sen. Jim Webb, Virginia Democrat, has said he wouldn't want to be chosen as the Democratic vice presidential nominee, but he was eager Wednesday to campaign for Mr. Obama in Lynchburg, Va.

The former governor - still popular in the economically depressed Southside region for his record of bringing new jobs - introduced Mr. Obama to many of his "friends," mostly local representatives, at Short Sugar's BBQ in Danville, where he ordered sandwiches and 2 pounds of pork ribs. He also picked up the tab for two other Short Sugar patrons.

As for the No. 2 spot on the Obama ticket, Mr. Warner said of Mr. Kaine that "I think he'd be a great choice," because of his "judgment and 20 years of experience in public life at the local level and now as governor."

He quickly added: "I think he may be the only one who knows; I don't know."