Easley? Edwards? Burr? All are 'veep' names

WRAL Election 2008 logo

Names are flying in the debate over who the presidential candidates will choose as running mates.

The blog of a CNN political producer has two North Carolina names on the Democratic short list.

Gov. Mike Easley is mentioned as a popular Southern governor. The blog also says Easley's endorsement of Hillary Clinton could help unite the party.

His cons? The blogger cites Easley's lack of foreign policy experience.

In a statement, the governor says he'll do anything he can to help Sen. Barack Obama get elected.

However, in an interview posted on WRAL.com on June 10, Easley says he would not be interested in being the VP.

"I am honored to have served the people of North Carolina for almost 30 years. I like it so much, I am going to stay in North Carolina," he said.

The other name is former senator and presidential candidate John Edwards. In recent interviews, he's left open the possibility if Obama ever asked.

WRAL News asked a couple of area Democratic political consultants about the prospect of Edwards or Easley on the ticket. They said neither was a good fit and couldn't even guarantee the state.

There's a North Carolina name being bandied around on the Republican side of the ticket, too.

He's not on the CNN blog, but some have suggested Sen. Richard Burr could end up as John McCain's running mate. Burr has campaigned for McCain and even spent Super Tuesday with the candidate.

Burr told WRAL earlier this year that the speculation was premature, but that he would accept if the position were offered.



54 Comments


Golo

Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.

You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.

View Comments View Comments

Ask Anything
  1. Greg Fishel
    10 questions with Greg Fishel

    WRAL's chief meteorologist answers your questions about severe weather, snow and why he loves his job.

  2. WRAL.com moderator
    10 questions with a WRAL.com moderator

    A WRAL.com moderator answers your questions about comments on stories, abuse reports and more.

  3. Bryan Beatty
    10 questions with N.C. Secretary of Crime Control & Public Safety

    Bryan Beatty answers your questions about homeland security, gang prevention and illegal immigrants.

Multimedia
  1. People_Robbins_Star
    The week in entertainment

    The newsmakers in the entertainment world this week as seen through the lenses of Associated Press photographers' cameras.

  2. India Hindu Festival
    Photos of the week

    See the major events of the week as caught in the lenses of Associated Press photographers.

  3. Australia_Markets
    Global financial meltdown

    A look at the global impact of the financial crisis, with market data and summaries of plans for several countries.

  4. John McCain, Barack Obama
    Compare attack ads

    The Associated Press evaluates two negative ads getting attention in the presidential campaign.

  5. Sen. John McCain
    Campaign trail photos of the week

    View photos from the past week on the campaign trail from AP photographers around the country.

Multimedia
  1. People_Robbins_Star
    The week in entertainment

    The newsmakers in the entertainment world this week as seen through the lenses of Associated Press photographers' cameras.

  2. India Hindu Festival
    Photos of the week

    See the major events of the week as caught in the lenses of Associated Press photographers.

  3. Australia_Markets
    Global financial meltdown

    A look at the global impact of the financial crisis, with market data and summaries of plans for several countries.

  4. John McCain, Barack Obama
    Compare attack ads

    The Associated Press evaluates two negative ads getting attention in the presidential campaign.

  5. Sen. John McCain
    Campaign trail photos of the week

    View photos from the past week on the campaign trail from AP photographers around the country.