Ritter says he won't be Obama's running mate
By Ed Sealover, Rocky Mountain News
Published August 4, 2008 at 12:41 p.m.
Updated August 4, 2008 at 12:41 p.m.
For the record, Gov. Bill Ritter said today that he is not a candidate to be presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's running mate.
Rumors swirled around the first-term governor since a Washington Post columnist wrote Friday that the environmentalist and former Denver district attorney and would be a good choice to pair with the Illinois senator.
But Ritter said Monday morning on the Mike Rosen show that he has not heard anything from Obama and, therefore, does not believe he is under consideration for a position on the ticket. In fact, he said that with only 18 months as governor under his belt, he doesn't think he has enough experience for the office.
"Having been governor for 18 months has been a great experience, but it's only been 18 months," Ritter said. "I think Barack Obama will make a good choice for his vice presidential candidate, and it's not going to be me."
Asked who would make a good choice, Ritter first listed Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, a rumored leading candidate who, like himself, is considered a moderate governor in a swing state. He also tossed out the commonly reiterated names of Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
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August 4, 2008
12:57 p.m.
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Who_Me writes:
As if.
August 4, 2008
1:08 p.m.
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EastVail writes:
Isn't it a little presumptive (obnoxiously so) of Ritter to waste his time talking about this?
August 4, 2008
1:09 p.m.
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Scott writes:
RATS! I was hoping we could have gotten rid of Tax Ritter.
Scott
August 4, 2008
1:12 p.m.
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temurlan writes:
Definately laugh worthy...
http://michellemalkin.com/2008/08/04/...
August 4, 2008
1:15 p.m.
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ram1500slt writes:
totally agree with all comments, Darn thought we could get rid of him, oh well guess we just will have to vote him out, maybe we could vote him into poverty like he wants to tax us into....
August 4, 2008
1:18 p.m.
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ou8one2 writes:
I can see their campaign slogan:
Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb for Prez.
August 4, 2008
1:22 p.m.
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danirobi writes:
Ritter is an idiot!
August 4, 2008
1:31 p.m.
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Cwillyrun1 writes:
What's the difference between Ritter and Obama?
One of them knows he doesn't have enough experience for the office.
August 4, 2008
1:32 p.m.
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Brockage writes:
As a governor Ritter may turn out to be ok, but BO has dodged a bullet here -- a moribund campaigner he doesn't need.
August 4, 2008
1:39 p.m.
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Dick_Tater writes:
I won't be his running mate either.
August 4, 2008
2 p.m.
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temurlan writes:
I think the Governor of the 57th state to join the union is on the short list.
August 4, 2008
2:10 p.m.
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Newenergycommie writes:
For the record, I'm also will not be on the ticket with Obama. Although I've watched C-Span for 143 days straight and got an A in a high school civics class, I don't feel I'm qualified.
August 4, 2008
2:15 p.m.
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pj48b writes:
Oh sweet,,,,, tax mongrals in the number one and number two positions in government. Just what the average American does not need. But it would be nice to get Tax Ritter out of the governor's mansion.
August 4, 2008
3:14 p.m.
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RightDownTheMiddle writes:
Don't you have to be considered for VP BEFORE you declare yourself out of the running?
August 4, 2008
3:55 p.m.
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Scott writes:
Shaggy sez: "TaxRitter won't even be able to win a second term as Governor. Has he looked at his ratings lately?"
Hence TaxRitter's "priming the pump" to be considered for VP ;-) However, IF the messiah does win (God forbid) don't be surprised if the messiah appoints TaxRitter and Lickenpooper to some minor post. Kinda' like what Slick Willie did with The Runt (Pena).
Scott
August 4, 2008
4:13 p.m.
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redog writes:
Eastvail and Rightdown the middle-
Ritter was asked about running because of a Washington post op ed. He answered the question. If he hadn't responded to the rumors you would have said he was dodging questions. If you had listened to the show, you would have heard that. But of course, you prefer to base opinions on your complete ignorance.
August 4, 2008
4:32 p.m.
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Diff writes:
Duh!
who ever though he might?
I would like to see Richardson from NM take the job tho - a Western governor, who knows and understand Western issues and someone with a great deal of international and foreign realtions experience - He would make a good choice in my book....
but I doubt it will happen!
Scott, tell me, are you bitter?
Maybe you should see someone?!?!?!
August 4, 2008
4:37 p.m.
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Newenergycommie writes:
Rosen: “Why don’t you think you’d be a good choice?”
Ritter: “Well, just because, I think there are a lot of things that he has to take into consideration. I’ve been governor for 18 months. My experience before that was as a district attorney. I loved being a district attorney…but I don’t think that’s what Barack Obama’s looking for in a vice president. I’ve been governor for 18 months. It’s been a great experience. But it’s just 18 months…Obama has to think about experience…levels of experience…”
Caller Richard from Windsor: “Governor, you said 18 months’ experience wasn’t enough experience as governor to be the vice president. Would you want to contrast that with the 143 days’ experience Obama as senator before he decided he had enough experience to be president.”
Note to Ritter - Discussing experience with relationship to Obama is not a good idea. It's like discussing drilling for oil, Iraq, race relations, taxes or any other subject with relationship to Obama. It is best you stick to the "historic nature of his campaign" and his rockstar status.
Too funny.
August 4, 2008
6:22 p.m.
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jacka writes:
Too bad Governor Ritter could have given the Right-to-Work to all Americans.
I really appreciate the Governors PRO Right-to-Work policy.
YES on 47, equal workplace rights for all Coloradans.
August 4, 2008
6:27 p.m.
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Scott writes:
Diff,
Darn right I'm bitter! I've been a democrat since 1974 and the messiah hasn't yet offered me the VP spot! :-)
Naw, not about this topic. I'm just pointing out what may darn well occur if Obama is elected. Do I "know" TaxRitter and Chickenpooper will get jobs? No, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Scott
August 4, 2008
7:03 p.m.
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coarizona writes:
Everyone knows the V.P. does nothing. Ritter fits the job qualification perfectly.
August 4, 2008
10:56 p.m.
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BetterEducated writes:
Thank Heaven for small favors!!!
August 5, 2008
8:49 a.m.
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rickg19611 writes:
Ritter? Perhaps Democrats just want to lose. Packaging two empty suits that have been caught repeatedly lying may be appealing to Democrats, but Americans would reject them faster than an Osama bin Laden/Al Gore ticket.
August 5, 2008
8:50 a.m.
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Reason writes:
Still no coverage of the Florida town hall meeting from RMN...how disappointing! I want to make fun of BO's fear of someone stealing the mic from him, and RMN keeps making me do it on other threads. Shameful.
August 8, 2008
11:51 p.m.
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CADem08 writes:
No one wants to be VP on Obama's losing ticket. And Ritter is right - experience IS necessary. You need a little more than 143 days. Wake up DNC, bring back Hillary or we'll lose this thing!