The Associated Press
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Miss. – Democrat Barack Obama ridiculed the idea of being Hillary Rodham Clinton’s running mate Monday, saying voters must choose between the two for the top spot on the fall ticket.
The Illinois senator, speaking on the eve of Mississippi’s presidential primary, noted that he has won more states, votes and delegates than Clinton so far.
“I don’t know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who is first place,” Obama said, drawing a standing ovation from about 1,700 people in Columbus, Miss.
“I am not running for vice president,” Obama said.
Obama aides said Clinton’s recent hints that she might welcome him as her vice presidential candidate appeared meant to diminish him and to attract undecided voters in the remaining primary states by suggesting they can have a “dream ticket.”
Clinton and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, had suggested recently that a Clinton-Obama ticket would be popular and formidable against Republican Sen. John McCain in November.
“A lot of Democrats like us both and have been very hopeful that they wouldn’t have to make a choice. But obviously Democrats have to make a choice and I’m looking forward to getting the nomination,” Clinton said Monday in Scranton, Pa.
“And it’s preliminary to talk about whoever might be on whose ticket.”