Is it Sebelius? Stay tuned

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Aug 20, 2008 by James Carlson

By James Carlson

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Tired of speculation about Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' vice presidential possibilities?

Then close your eyes and plug your ears because the next couple of days promise to be filled with anonymous sources and back-room conjecture after Sebelius showed up on what was said to be Barack Obama's final four-person list of potential running mates.

Joining her on the list put forth by media accounts this week were Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh and Delaware Sen. Joe Biden.

Obama could announce his decision as early as this morning in a news conference, according to some news stories. Or he might reveal his pick by cell phone instant message on Friday. Or at an event in Springfield, Ill., on Saturday. The speculators can't make up their mind on the specifics, but the choice is said to be coming this week.

A senior Obama adviser told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday that Obama and his veep choice will appear together in front of the former state Capitol in Illinois on Saturday, where he announced he was running for president in 2007.

Sebelius' office has released no public appearances for Saturday.

Adding to the din of political voices, local observers weighed in Tuesday on why Sebelius isn't likely to be plucked for the presidential ticket (but also why she could just buck the pundits).

For one, in political calculations, she doesn't appear to bring anything to Obama's campaign that he doesn't already have.

"She won't help pick up any states," said Burdett Loomis, a political science professor at The University of Kansas. "She's a woman, but she's also no Hillary Clinton with her recognition."

And while Sebelius got to introduce herself to a national audience by delivering the Democratic response to President Bush's State of the Union address in January, her speech was "largely regarded as a complete bust," said Corrie Kangas, political director of the Kansas Republican Party.

Also, similar to Obama's image, Sebelius is seen as a foreign policy novice. Biden would be a likely choice to shore up that side of Obama's candidacy, Loomis said.

Sebelius wasn't even on the radar of U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R- Okla., the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, who was speaking Tuesday in Johnson County. Cole said Clinton would be a good pick, and if not the New York senator then Bayh or maybe Biden, whom Cole said had plenty of foreign policy experience.

"That meets an obvious need on (Obama's) side," Cole said.

But don't scratch Sebelius from your vice president bracket just yet. Some bloggers have already anointed her to the position.

The Web site www.tribbleagency.com reviewed the owners of such Internet domain names as www.obamasebelius.com and www.obamakaine.com. According to the site, only the Sebelius site is owned by the Obama campaign. On another speculative front, some in the blogosphere pointed out that Sebelius had been removed from her speaking engagement at the Democratic convention. (Recent credible reports show she is still scheduled to talk next Tuesday in Denver.)

Those with a few more credentials noted one big reason why the Kansas governor could still land next to Obama on the presidential ballot -- they like each other.

"We shouldn't discount the weight nominees put on how comfortable they are with the V.P.," said Bob Beatty, a Washburn University political science professor.

Larry Gates, chairman of the Kansas Democratic Party, said Obama has a good relationship with Sebelius, whom Gates called "the pioneer of bipartisan consensus building."

"If Obama wins this election, he'll take the biggest job in the world, and you want to work with someone you trust," Gates said.

Sebelius was talking up Obama at an event in Michigan on Tuesday, but was mum on the issue of second-in-command.

Asked following the talk if she expected to be chosen, she said, "I think a week from tomorrow we will all know."

Until then, political observers are likely to continue the chattering, rumors and guesswork.

James Carlson can be reached at (785) 233-7470 or james.carlson@cjonline.com.