Cafe Talk | Talking Points Memo | Obama's Search Team Begins To Vet

Obama's Search Team Begins To Vet

By liam - July 8, 2008, 5:53PM

http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/07/obamas_team_begins_to_vet.php

Excerpt from the article:

Barack Obama's vice presidential selection team has begun to ask
potential candidates for information and documents, a signal that the
formal vetting phase of the search process has begun.

Last week, members of the team gave Sen. James Webb of VA a list of what they needed to begin their investigation of his background and career. Webb refused, telling them that he did not want to be considered for the position.

In a statement today, Webb disclosed that he had "communicated to Senator Obama and his presidential campaign my firm intention to remain in the United States Senate, where I believe I am best equipped to serve the people of Virginia and this country. Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for Vice President."

A Democrat close to Webb confirms that a request for documents preceded his declaration to the Obama campaign. The Democrat said that Webb did not want to relive the vigors of a campaign so soon after his election to the Senate.

Webb's statement suggests that Caroline Kennedy and Eric Holder, the two leaders of the team, had received instructions from Sen. Obama to vet a number of finalists, including Webb.