Informed Speculation

…and all signs seem to point to Kaine:

ABC News’ Teddy Davis, Tahman Bradley, and Ayana Harry Report: Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine (D) said Tuesday that Sen. Barack Obama’s, D-Ill., list of possible vice presidential running mates “seems to be getting shorter”.

“There has been a long list. It seems to be getting shorter. And I’m still being mentioned,” said Kaine. “A lot can change day-to-day. But we’ll see.”

After Kaine commented on the media’s VP list to a Virginia resident who was also visiting the carnival grounds on Chincoteague Island, Kaine friend Donna Mason, chimed in, saying of the governor, “I think he is at the top of the short list” to which Kaine chuckled without saying anything.

Kaine’s discussion of the media’s VP list “getting shorter” comes on the same day that The Washington Post reported that the Virginia governor has told close associates that he has had “very serious” conversations with Obama about joining the Democratic presidential ticket.

The Washington Post reported that Kaine has provided documents to Obama’s campaign so that the governor’s background can be thoroughly examined.

The newspaper reported that Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., are also being “seriously vetted” by Obama’s campaign staff, according to sources with knowledge of the process.

Bayh?  Maybe…but Biden? Not a chance.  Nope, Kaine is, in all likelihood, the man.  Non-denial denials are one thing, but he’s almost openly saying he’s going to be the pick.  Of course, nothing’s set in stone until Obama gives the word, but if I were a betting man (and God help me, I am), I’d put a stack on the governor of Virginia about now…