OBAMA MAY ANNOUNCE RUNNING MATE TODAY

Rumors are swirling around Washington that today may be the day that Barack Obama announces his choice for a running mate.

One source claims that the Senator will make the announcement the first thing this morning.

Many believe that Delaware Senator Joe Biden is the odds-on favorite to run with Obama. Biden would be a good choice. He is strong in areas where Obama is weak, particularly in foreign policy.

But don't be fooled by Biden's 'good guy' image. He is a classic Democratic liberal who has made a practice of supporting everything conservatives, libertarians, and traditional Christians deplore.

Meanwhile, others believe that Obama will choose a wild card--someone who has not been publicly discussed as a potential running mate. My initial guess is that this option is probably more likely than Biden being chosen.

And then, Obama could potentially totally shake up the entire campaign in 2008 by choosing Hillary Clinton. The Party faithful would no doubt be wildly energized by this choice, but it would certainly bode ill for a potential Obama Presidency. And the candidate, and his wife, know it.

With the Democratic National Convention just around the corner, Obama has almost run out of time to make his announcement.

On the Republican side, John McCain is also running out of time. With the GOP Convention several weeks away, he has more breathing room than Obama, but time is of the essence.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindel, a rising star within the GOP, took himself out of the running on Monday by saying unequivocally that he has the job he wants and that he will not be McCain's choice.

Jindel has made the right decision. The experience being Governor will help him in the long run, and for someone with Jindel's personality, energy, and popularity, being a VP will certainly be beneath his level of gifts. Give him time, and this guy will be running for President in either 2012 or 2016.

This leaves McCain with Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, former Governor Tom Ridge, Senator Joe Lieberman, and Florida Governor Charlie Crist among those on the candidate's short list.

McCain Conducts First Round of VP Interviews

GOP Presidential nominee John McCain has begun conducting running-mate interviews. Reporters on the campaign trail note that McCain will meet with 3 possible VP nominees over the Memorial Day weekend--Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.

McCain staffers insist, however, that the Arizona Senator is not meeting with the three to interview them for the VP slot but that the meetings are 'purely social.'

All three have been mentioned in the Press as possible contenders for McCain's running mate.

Crist and Romney have obvious problems. Crist, for example, has irked some in the conservative GOP base. And conservatives simply do not trust Romney.

But Bobby Jindal could be considered a top choice and part of McCain's 'short list.' Louisiana's first-term Governor is already being touted as the next GOP 'star.' Jindal is never lacking in 'charisma,' and he knows how to rouse and energize the conservative base of the GOP with his unequivocal support for gun rights, immigration control, a strong national defense, low taxes, balanced budgets, and family values.

Thus, we can safely add Bobby Jindal to the McCain short list, along with Joseph Lieberman.

It is to be remembered that McCain's long-time allies and close friends in politics do not need to be 'interviewed.' Thus, the fact that some top contenders for the job of running mate are not being interviewed is no sign that they are not being considered.

Conversely, it is not to be assumed that McCain's final choice will be among those who will be interviewed.