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Clinton wasn't vetted for VP, her aides say

BY CRAIG GORDON AND ELIZABETH MOORE | craig.gordon@newsday.com and elizabeth.moore@newsday.com

August 23, 2008

WASHINGTON - With Barack Obama set to break his silence on a running mate Saturday morning, Hillary Rodham Clinton's long-shot hopes dimmed further Friday - as Clinton aides signaled Obama never seriously vetted her for the job.

Two Clinton sources said Obama never asked Clinton for financial and other records that would be a requisite part of the vetting process, the detailed examination of a potential running mate's past designed to avoid any post-announcement surprises.

Obama's campaign refused to comment. Clinton herself has told associates that she doesn't expect the job to come her way.

In fact, one Clinton source who declined to be identified said Friday: "If it were to happen, the person who would be the most surprised is her."

The no-vetting story touched off criticism from some in Clinton's camp that it was a dig at the former first lady, whose supporters already are threatening to make a noisy show of displeasure at the Democratic convention opening Monday.

"I don't think Senator Obama has had a conversation with Senator Clinton about the vice presidency, either about her, or about seeking her counsel about who it should be," James Carville, a Democratic strategist with ties to the Clintons, told CNN. "There's no doubt that some people are going to view this as she is not being accorded respect."

Clinton on Friday deflected talk about the VP slot and defended herself against questions over how hard she's working on behalf of Obama, saying, "I've done more than anybody has done in my position, and I intend to keep doing everything that I can."

Clinton also insisted to reporters while visiting the New York State Fair in Syracuse that she had never explicitly said she wanted the No. 2 slot - even though she told supporters she would say "yes" during a Long Island fundraiser two weeks ago.

Obama's campaign kept up its secrecy about his running-mate pick through the day Friday, saying only that he would unveil it by text message to supporters at the right time. He is scheduled to appear with his vice-presidential nominee Saturday in Springfield, Ill.

But Obama's campaign kept reporters in suspense, not to mention its supporters - some of whom said they took their cell phones to bed this week, to avoid missing the announcement.

By Friday, even some of Clinton's most stalwart backers seemed resigned that she wouldn't be on the ticket.

"If it's not her I'd be very disappointed. ... She would have been the perfect fit for him. I think he's going to need someone with her experience, someone who's been through the fire," said Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy said, "New Yorkers win either way. If she becomes vice president, we get more access. If she doesn't, we still have a great senator."

Brookhaven Democratic leader Marsha Laufer refused yesterday to say whether she thought Obama should pick Clinton. "I think Barack Obama should select a vice president that will be most compatible with his agenda and the administration he will lord over."

Staff writers Tom Brune and Celeste Hadrick contributed to this story.