Obama VP speculation hots up as announcement looms

ORLANDO (Florida) (AFP) - If reports about Barack Obama’s vice-presidential shortlist are correct, he is thinking about adding foreign policy expertise, heartland appeal or reformist zeal to his White House ticket.

The Democratic presidential hopeful and his staff have maintained a wall of secrecy around his vice-presidential deliberations, in the run-up to the Democratic National Convention in Denver next week.

But speculation was further fanned by a New York Times report late Monday that the Illinois senator is working from a short-list of three names and will reveal all within a few days.

The newspaper said the list includes veteran Senator Joseph Biden, Indiana Senator Evan Bayh and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, though some Democrats are still variously quoted as saying Obama may surprise with a wildcard pick.

The current media favourite appears to be veteran Delaware Senator Biden, who burnished his long list of foreign policy credentials with a weekend visit to Georgia following its showdown with Russia.

Obama referred to “my friend” Joe Biden on Tuesday, during an address to military veterans here, and backed his call for one billion dollars in reconstruction aid to Georgia.