Several prospective running mates of Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain campaigned for their candidates on Thursday, while others spent time at home or work.
Obama says he knows who he wants. He is expected to make an announcement soon, followed by an appearance with his choice in Springfield, Ill., on Saturday. McCain is considering naming his candidate as early as next week.
A look at what the possible candidates did Thursday:
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DEMOCRATS
—Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and his staff had a 15-minute meeting with Obama at a hotel in Richmond, Va. The governor later joined Obama at a campaign event in Chester, Va., and said he would let the campaign speak about whether he’s been asked to be the No. 2. Kaine planned to fly late Friday night directly from Virginia to Denver, where the Democratic National Convention begins Monday, according to three people with knowledge of his travel plans.
—Sen. Joe Biden had no public events Thursday, his staff said. He spent most of the day at his home in northern Delaware with his wife, Jill; son, Beau, who is Delaware’s attorney general; and his niece, Missy Owens, who has worked in his campaigns.
—Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius participated Thursday morning in a U.S. Energy Department contest for students at a Topeka-area high school. She later flew to Iowa to campaign for Obama in the afternoon.
—Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh was working and spending time with his family at his home in Washington, said his spokesman, Eric Kleiman.
—Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed was working and spending time with his family at his home in Jamestown, R.I., Reed spokesman Chip Unruh said. Reed told an Associated Press reporter late Thursday that he was not Obama’s choice and had not been asked for any background information.
—New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton spent Thursday in Florida. She addressed sheet metal workers in Lake Buena Vista and campaigned for Obama in Boca Raton and Taramac.
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REPUBLICANS
—Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty met Thursday with young supporters for McCain in a bar across the street from the GOP convention site in St. Paul. Otherwise, he stayed away from his Capitol office; aides said he was in Minnesota, but wouldn’t provide details.
—Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney spent Thursday in the state. He was scheduled to make calls to several radio stations for McCain.
—Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, was wrapping up a three-day trip to Georgia, Ukraine and Poland. He was expected back in Washington on Thursday night.
—Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge was spending private time with his family Thursday, said Michele Nix, spokeswoman for Ridge’s Washington, D.C., consulting firm.
