A Clinton loyalist has a VP suggestion

Terry McAuliffe is known for being loyal.

As Hillary Rodham Clinton’s longtime friend and campaign manager, he battled on her behalf until the bitter end of her quest for the Democratic presidential nomination.

So the former Democratic Party chairman made waves this week when he told a crowd of Virginia Democrats the politician he thought Barack Obama should choose as his vice presidential running mate.

It wasn’t Clinton -- a possible clue that the senator from New York had been bumped from Obama’s list of potential VPs.

Instead, according to the Falls Church News-Press:mcauliffe-touts-kaine-for-v-p-in-fairfax-talk&catid=13 :news-stories&Itemid=76, McAuliffe pointed to Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine. “McAuliffe was adamant in his recommendation of Kaine as the Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee,” the News-Press reported.

On Thursday, McAuliffe aide Tracy Sefl wouldn’t say whether McAuliffe’s speech was actually an endorsement of Kaine -- or what it might mean for Clinton’s shot at the vice presidential nomination.

“Mr. McAuliffe obviously thinks very highly of Gov. Kaine and praised him in his trademark exuberant way to a packed room of Virginia Democrats,” Sefl said.

And then Sefl made sure no one would take offense.

“There’s a tremendous field of potential vice presidential candidates. And Mr. McAuliffe supports whatever decision Sen. Obama makes.”

-- Kate Linthicum