Opinion: Terry McAuliffe, Hillary Clinton’s best buddy, picks another for VP

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Terry McAuliffe is known for being loyal.

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

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

It wasn’t Clinton –- a possible clue that the Senator from New York has been bumped from Obama’s list of potential VPs. If you needed a clue.

Instead, according to the Falls Church News-Press, McAuliffe pointed to Virginia Governor 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 for Kaine -– or what it might mean for Clinton’s shot at the VP nomination.

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

And then, the requisite hedge: “There’s a tremendous field of potential vice presidential candidates. And Mr. McAuliffe supports whatever decision Sen. Obama makes.’

--Kate Linthicum