Obama: Running Mate a 'Partner' on the Economy

August 22, 2008— -- CHESTER, Va. -- Barack Obama, whose oratory and opposition to the war in Iraq helped propel him to the Democratic presidential nomination, said Thursday he's preparing for an election that he believes will turn on the economy.

In an interview here with USA TODAY, Obama spoke about his multiracial background, the meteoric journey that will take him to Denver to accept his party's presidential nomination next Thursday night and the potential obstacles that follow. The interview took place during a three-day campaign swing that took him through traditionally Republican communities of the rural south.

While Obama said he had settled on a running mate, he would not offer a name or even say whether he had yet informed his choice.Voters' economic anxieties played a role in his decision. Obama said he sought someone who "will be a partner with me in strengthening this economy for the middle class and working families."In addition to being a partner, his running mate will be a sparring partner, he said. "I want somebody who's independent, somebody who can push against my preconceived notions and challenge me," he said.

The Democratic ticket will appear together Saturday in Springfield, the state capital of Illinois. Obama began his political career there as a state senator and launched his presidential campaign there in February 2007.

Though polls indicate voters prefer Democratic policies on a wide range of domestic and foreign issues, Obama is not surprised that the race remains close between him and presumptive Republican nominee John McCain.

"The American people are still checking me out, because I am relatively new," Obama said. The closeness of the race "shouldn't be a surprise to anybody" given voters' greater familiarity with his GOP opponent, Obama said. "John McCain has been in the public eye for 25 years."

His opponent may have an edge on him during their three debates this fall, Obama said. He described McCain as "a very effective debater," and said he admired how "disciplined and concise" his Republican rival was when the two candidates made back-to-back appearances last week at evangelist Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in California. "I would say I'm going to have my work cut out for me," Obama said.