Kaine, Bayh ruled out as VP choices for Obama

The announcement is to be made sometime this morning by text message.

WASHINGTON (AP) — On a day and night of political suspense, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden emerged as a leading contender Friday to become Barack Obama’s vice presidential pick as two running mate rivals learned they had been eliminated.

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine spread word he had been ruled out, and Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana was told he was not Obama’s choice, according to party officials.

The normally loquacious Biden maintained a low profile as associates said they believed — but did not know — that he would be tapped. They added they had been asked to stand by in case their help was needed.

Additionally, several associates of Obama — including some at his campaign headquarters in Chicago — said they believed Biden was the choice, though they cautioned they had not been told directly.

Compounding the mystery, conservative Rep. Chet Edwards of Texas emerged — however briefly — as a contender.

Former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton’s chances remained uncertain on a day filled with them. Senior aides said the Obama campaign had never requested financial or other records from her.

Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius rounded out the roster of likely contenders — a list that did not take into account any surprises that Obama might harbor.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, nooooo,” Sebelius told reporters who asked for her latest thoughts on the months-long search.

Three days before Democrats open their convention in Denver, officials said the Obama campaign had taken the trouble to print material bearing the names of several potential ticket mates. The result was to minimize the significance of a report that one company was churning out signs bearing Bayh’s name.

Obama told reporters Thursday he had made his choice, and aides used the prospect of a text-message announcement to try and attract additional supporters by soliciting their cell phone numbers and e-mail addresses.

Even that became occasion for intrigue.

Late Friday, several officials said the text message announcement would be distributed this morning, a few hours before a scheduled rally at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill., where the Democratic ticket would appear for the first time.

Several GOP officials said Friday that Arizona Sen. John McCain, Obama’s Republican rival, had not settled on a running mate — nor offered the job to anyone — although former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty were under serious consideration. It’s likely McCain will wait to see who Obama selects before picking his running mate.