WORLD> America
Obama's presidential choice now the focus
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-06-09 09:25

"I'm not expecting it, don't spend a lot of time thinking about it," Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia said on "Fox News Sunday." "Of course, it would be difficult for anybody in those circumstances to say no."

"I would leave that to Barack Obama," Sen. Jim Webb, a fellow Virginia Democrat, told CBS. "I'm happy to give him as much advice as I can, and support. I'm not really looking to be in that spot."

Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota said on Fox, "It would be an honor to be mentioned, honor to be asked. "It would be difficult to turn that down. But I don't have any designs."

Democrats have not won Virginia in a presidential race since 1964 and Republicans have not won in Minnesota since 1972. But both parties think they could win those states this year.

To win swing states, Obama must continue to draw support from independents as he did in the nominating contests and win the backing of the millions who voted for Clinton, a fair number of whom have indicated they are upset at her loss and are considering voting for McCain.

"Party unity is obviously one of the very top features that the Obama team will be weighing as they make the decision about the V.P.," Kaine said.

In her departure speech on Saturday, Clinton asked her supporters to rally behind Obama. She drew attention to the historic battle they waged between the first serious woman presidential candidate and possibly the first black president.

"Using Senator Clinton's help, he needs to reach out to the Clinton supporters, and he needs to reassure them as to what he would do in the agenda for change, because the comparisons with McCain are very stark," Feinstein said.

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