Aug 6, 2008 6:46 pm US/Central
Obama Campaigns With Bayh, Fueling VP Speculation
PORTAGE, Ind. (CBS) ―
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Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, who is perceived as a potential running mate, greet diners in Portage, Ind., on Aug, 6, 2008.
CBS
Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama spent a lot of time with Evan Bayh on Wednesday, fueling speculation that the former Indiana governor and current Indiana U.S. senator could be his running mate.
CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports that Obama and Bayh shared the stage, a handshake and a hug, but as far as whether Bayh was on his short list of vice presidential candidates, Obama was playing it coy Wednesday night.
Shoops Diner in Portage is usually crowded around noontime, but not like it was on Wednesday.
Tom Belt said he "saw the crowd and thought someone robbed a bank."
Some customers had been tipped off about "special customers." Belt voted for George Bush in 2004, but this year he said he'd vote for Obama.
"I like his idea of change," Belt said.
Spending the day with Bayh probably wouldn't have gotten much notice were Bayh not on Obama's shortlist of vice presidential possibilities. Obama ordered the house specialty: cheeseburgers and flashed a wry grin when asked "What does the vice president want?"
Obama's look said, "Nice try." Bayh denied they'd even talked about the possibility during the long bus ride from Elkhart.
"We talked sports and family," Bayh said.
Outside of the diner, reporters tried again to get an answer on the vice president question. "We're in Indiana, we're campaigning with the most popular politician in Indiana, that's the smart thing to do," Obama said.
But later, after the two shook hands, Obama's bus headed for the airport and a flight to Minnesota. Bayh, in his car, headed home and the Indiana senator talked about where things stood.
"It's flattering to be the subject of speculation, but the main thing is to help him lead this country in a better direction," Bayh said.
Asked what he would bring to the Democratic ticket if he were Obama's running mate, Bayh said, "I don't know how I could answer that question without seeming immodest, so I'll let other people answer that for you. But just suffice it to say I'm happy to help him in any way I can because this country needs a change in direction and he's the best one to take us there."
Asked if he expected Obama to make a decision on a running mate before he goes on vacation to Hawaii or somewhere closer to the Democratic convention, Bayh said, "You know again, I don't know what his timeline is and that's up to him, so we'll just find out all together."
Bayh, who's considered to be one of three or four names on that short list, was graciaous but careful and there was one question about Obama that the Bayh wouldnt even touch: How would he reconcile their differences over the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts?
"I think I have to go now," he replied.
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