|
Sen. Hutchison: ‘I do not want to be vice president’ |
|
By Bob Cusack
|
|
Posted: 02/26/08 01:31 PM [ET] |
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) reiterated Tuesday that she has no interest in becoming Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) running mate.
During an interview on MSNBC, Hutchison said, “I don’t want to be vice president. I’ve said that over and over again. I’m going in a different direction. I really do not want to be vice president.”
Pressed on whether she would turn McCain down, Hutchison responded, “I think there are a lot of people who are qualified to be president who could be vice president. And he’s got a lot of factors to consider. And what states he needs to carry, who are people qualified who have some national experience to be able to take over as president, some great governors. So I think that he’s going to have ample choices.”
Hutchison, who is said to be considering a gubernatorial bid in 2010, added, “I want to be helpful. I want to be on the team. I do not want to be vice president.”
Meanwhile, another lawmaker on Capitol Hill said the fight for the Democratic nomination is not over.
Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.), a supporter of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.), said in a separate MSNBC interview that the former first lady “needs to be herself” during Tuesday night’s debate with Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and “draw a contrast where appropriate.”
McGovern, who faulted the media for focusing on controversies and the horserace aspect of the nomination contest, highlighted the differences between Clinton’s and Obama’s healthcare plans.
Asked whether Clinton needs to send a message to her supporters that the race is not over and that she has a lot of fight left in her, McGovern said, “It is not over. It is not over. And I think what she needs to do is talk about the issues.”
|
