Obama starts 'TOP SECRET' search for running mate

• AP foreign
•  Thursday May 22 2008

By NEDRA PICKLER Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic officials say Barack Obama has begun a top-secret search for a running mate. Democratic officials said Thursday the party's likely nominee has asked former Fannie Mae CEO Jim Johnson to begin vetting potential vice presidential picks. Johnson did the same job for Democratic nominees John Kerry in 2004 and Walter Mondale in 1984. The Democratic officials spoke on a condition of anonymity about a process that the campaign wants to keep quiet. Vice presidential searches are usually closely held secrets, but Obama campaign officials say the effort is being handled by a particularly tight circle of advisers. The campaign also does not want to discuss the effort because they are still engaged in a fading primary campaign against Hillary Rodham Clinton.   http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/7533986

BESIDES THE MILLION DOLLAR MANSION OBAMA'S CHURCH IS BUILDING FOR THE REV.!

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright watch: He's taking a rest

Along with winning the Oregon primary and passing his self-declared milestone of obtaining a majority of pledged Democratic convention delegates, Barack Obama had another reason to be in a good mood Tuesday, even as he absorbed a thumping in Kentucky.  The Rev. Jeremiah Wright -- his preacher-turned-bete noir,  canceled two approaching appearances in all-so-important Pennsylvania. Wright was scheduled to headline a revival at a church in the Philadelphia area on May 28 and 29, and then preach at another local church on June 1. But the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that he had decided to take a pass, citing fatigue. Understandable; we imagine that almost single-handedly wrecking the presidential campaign of a former parishioner can be quite exhausting (to recollect his now-infamous appearance at Washington's National Press Club, go here). This quote from one of the ministers who was going to host Wright, however, must have sent shivers up the spines of Obama aides. The Rev. Martini Shaw told the Inquirer that Wright "desired some time for refreshment and refueling."  TRANSLATION- WE PAID HIM OFF TO STAY LOW TO GET HIS PROTÉGÉ NOMINATED! Just what the campaign doesn't need -- Wright resurfacing at some point with a full tank of gasoline (figuratively speaking, of course). -- Don Frederick    http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/05/the-rev-jeremia.html  HOW MUCH DO YOU SUPPOSE THE REPUGS WILL PAY THE RABID REV TO SHOW UP EVERYWHERE OBAMA GOES, IF OBAMA GETS THE NOMINATION?