Obama keeps his VP candidates guessing

Barack Obama kept his cards close to his chest on Friday after telling reporters on Thursday that he had made up his mind who he wanted for his vice presidential candidate. American news sites have been going into overdrive speculating about his pick, mainly concentrating on Joseph Biden, Tim Kaine and Evan Bayh.

CNN reported today that Obama had personally called the runners-up today to tell them they hadn’t been selected.

As for his choice of running mate, the smart money, says the Huffington Post, is on Joe Biden - the fast talking, Cadillac-driving, Delaware Senator. According to columnist Sam Stein, a political betting company called Intrade was selling Biden "at 55.0 a share, meaning that a majority of betters believe that he will end up as the vice president". This represents a remarkable turn of events for Biden who’s shares were closing 13 points lower until a few days ago.

David Brooks at the New York Times knows who he wants to see in the veep position. "I hope he picked Joe Biden," he says. "Presidents need someone who will be relentlessly direct. Obama, who attracts worshippers, not just staff members, needs that more than most." Biden, says Brooks, is nothing if not direct. Obama needs him "whether Obama was wise and self-aware enough to know it or not".

However, Alexander Cockburn, in his column for The First Post today, calls Biden a "remorseless gabber", a point Newsweek’s Alfred Romero also makes when recommending Obama use him as an attack dog: "If Jabbering Joe is responding to John McCain's shots with memorable one-liners of his own, Obama can stay where he wants to be - above the fray."

John Amato on Crooks and Liars is lukewarm about the prospect of a Biden vice presidency. "He is a pretty smart guy, but he doesn’t help Obama win in any area of the country - so what’s the point?"

LAST UPDATED 5:51 PM, AUGUST 22, 2008