Hillary Clinton is spending two days at home in New York, finalizing her decision for a running mate, before formally introducing her Democratic ticket during a weekend campaign swing in Florida, according to several Democrats familiar with the search.
Clinton is planning to announce her decision in a message
to supporters, a campaign official told CNN, and make her first appearance with
her vice presidential candidate in Tampa on Friday or Miami on Saturday.
Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Agriculture Secretary Tom
Vilsack have emerged as leading contenders after a rigorous vetting process,
Democrats close to the selection believe, but they are not the only two
prospects still in contention.
"I don't expect a decision is made or announced
until the weekend between the convention," Kaine said Wednesday during an
appearance before the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. "It's
wonderful to be mentioned. But I love my job and trying not to overly think
it."
When asked about his prospects to join the Democratic
ticket, Kaine was self-deprecating, saying he went through the vice
presidential search in 2008 as well, when Barack Obama ultimately selected Joe
Biden. He laughed, saying: "I kind of know the rhythm of it."
Kaine and Vilsack have told friends they cannot talk
about the vetting process and are keeping their schedules until they hear from
the Clinton campaign.
"The conventional wisdom in this case seems likely
to be right," one Democrat close to Clinton told CNN, believing Kaine has
the upper hand but cautioning that Clinton could still deliver a surprise.
Clinton has not made her final decision, an aide said, or
if she has, she has not disclosed it. Even the small universe of advisers
working on the selection process, who are making plans to help on the
announcement, are not certain who she will choose.
She has consulted many people for thoughts and advice,
including President Barack Obama, who is close to Kaine and Vilsack, who serves
in his Cabinet.
The deliberations, led by campaign chairman John Podesta,
have been extraordinarily private -- a striking contrast to those of Donald
Trump. But Democrats say former President Bill Clinton also has been involved
in discussions and is impressed by Kaine, who has the support of Virginia Gov.
Terry McAuliffe, a longtime Clinton ally.
"He gets a say, but doesn't have a vote on
this," one Clinton friend said of the former president.
New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker also met with Hillary Clinton
at her Washington home on Friday, as the former secretary of state held a day
full of meetings with possible vice presidential candidates, a source with
knowledge of Clinton's vice presidential process tells CNN.
Booker, a charismatic New Jersey senator, is on Clinton's
short list, in part, because of his ability to fire up crowds and the fact that
he would consolidate the electorate that helped Obama win the presidency twice.
What's more, Clinton personally likes Booker, aides have said.
But Booker's possible candidacy comes with a host of
political pitfalls, too.
As the senator from New Jersey, Booker is closely tied
with Wall Street interests, something that could further anger liberal
Democrats who were excited by Sen. Bernie Sanders' anti-Wall Street rhetoric.
What's more, he hails from a state with a Republican
governor, meaning if Clinton were to pick Clinton, New Jersey Gov. Chris
Christie would be able to pick his replacement. That pick would -- obviously --
be a Republican, making it more difficult for Clinton's party to regain control
of the legislative body.
Clinton's frenetic search for a vice president appears to
have calmed down on Wednesday -- at least publicly -- with Clinton spending the
entire day secluded at her home in Chappaqua, New York. This was a marked
difference from the stream of candidates that visited Clinton at her home in
Washington last week.
Action around Clinton's home on Wednesday was limited to
gawking tourists, delivery trucks and pest control vans. No aides were seen
coming or going from the house, where Secret Service agents remained perched
throughout the day.
Several Democratic senators, donors and people close to
the campaign who have spoken to Clinton say she is aware of the criticism that
neither Kaine nor Vilsack is seen as a particularly flashy or exciting
candidate. She also has considered Labor Secretary Tom Perez, Sens. Elizabeth
Warren, Cory Booker and Sherrod Brown, in addition to others.
"I love that about him," Clinton told CBS'
Charlie Rose Monday night, when asked about Kaine being too boring, something
the Virginia senator has joked about. "He was a world-class mayor,
governor and senator and is one of the most highly respected senators I
know."
Clinton praised several candidates, saying she has the
"blessing of having some excellent choices."
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, who Clinton also met
with on Friday, is still in discussion as well, but would be a "stunning
surprise," in the words of one Democrat close to the process.
The location of Florida leads many to believe it would be
an ideal place to unveil Kaine, who speaks fluent Spanish.
Clinton will visit Orlando on Friday, scheduled to meet
with victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting, and travel to Tampa for a
campaign rally later that day at the Florida State Fairgrounds. She will hold a
rally on Saturday at Florida International University in Miami.
Clinton aides, who were far from open about the vice
presidential process, have grown even more tight about information after
watching how Trump's vice presidential roll out played out. Laughing at times
from their Brooklyn headquarters, Clinton's top aides pledged to avoid leaks
and embarrassing stories that plagued Trump's announcement of Indiana Gov. Mike
Pence.
What Pence did provide the Clinton campaign is more
freedom to pick someone who doesn't solidify a demographic base. Should Trump
have picked a woman or a black or Latino vice presidential candidate, Clinton aides
thought they would have to match Trump's pick to respond. But with Trump
picking Pence, a well-liked establishment figure, aides feel they have more
leeway to pick a more run-of-the-mill candidate.
Clinton has demanded a secretive selection process, even
as she has campaigned alongside Kaine, Warren and other contenders in plain
sight.
"Kaine would be best, but you know the
Clintons," one top Democrat said. "They may do something more
calculating."
**CNN's Jake Tapper contributed to this report.