The list of contenders Clinton is seriously weighing is believed to be fewer than five, several Democrats familiar with the process say, and all contenders are not on equal footing. She has a preferred candidate or two in mind, CNN has learned, but intends to keep her options open until Donald Trump reveals his selection.
Cheryl Mills, a longtime confidant who is taking a lead role in the vetting process, walked into Clinton's residence in Northwest Washington on Thursday morning. James Hamilton, a veteran Washington lawyer who is overseeing the teams of lawyers researching the candidates, also was on hand. Clinton arrived less than an hour later and stayed until past sundown.
For nine hours Clinton's home was the site of constant activity, with more than half a dozen cars coming and going from the estate. All the cars were directed by Secret Service agents into the property through the protected driveway, so it was not clear who was inside the vehicles.
Mills and Clinton remained inside the entire time, joined off-and-on by teams of Democratic lawyers on the vetting team, each of whom are tasked with a particular assignment about one of the contenders. Only Clinton and a small clutch of advisers know which way she is truly leaning, but several Democrats familiar with the process describe this list of Democratic contenders:
Tim Kaine
The Virginia senator -- who Clinton has invited to campaign with her next Thursday in his critical battleground state -- is seen as a leading contender, several Democrats familiar with the process believe.
Kaine, a former governor and Democratic national chairman, is well-liked and seemingly checks Clinton's requirement for someone who could credibly step into the presidency. He is also fluent in Spanish, which the Clinton campaign believes could be a considerable asset attacking Trump in Spanish-language media.
He does not help Clinton shore up the liberal base of the party,...
Elizabeth Warren
The Massachusetts senator, once seen as an unlikely choice, is getting a more thorough review in the wake of rising populist sentiment in the electorate and Trump's harsh critique against Clinton on trade.
Warren's stock inside the campaign rose significantly after her appearance with Clinton last week in Cincinnati, according to aides. Noticing the response to their events was electric both inside and outside the room, aides believe Warren would provide an infusion of excitement to the campaign, especially with Sanders supporters.
Her vetting is the most complicated, people familiar with the process say, because she has been in the public eye far less than Kaine. And she also comes with a key issue: Questions remain about how Clinton and Warren would work together and whether Warren would overshadow her.
...
Castro, Becerra
Housing Secretary Julian Castro and Rep. Xavier Beccera, whose names were on a broader list, are no longer thought to be in serious contention, several Democrats close to the process believe.
While chemistry remains the most important ingredient in the decision, several Democrats close to the process say, Clinton is also keenly focused on how the political environment has changed since she started her search. The Brexit vote and Trump's relentless criticism of Clinton's position on trade agreements is something she is weighing, aides say.
I hope they are wrong about Becerra since he is my choice and seems to be the choice of many people here. Let’s not take the Latinx vote for granted.
*Again I ask people not to be rude about candidates you might not like as that person may well end up our VP candidate & we do not have to do the republican’s work for them.