Obama Names Vice President Search Team

By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press | June 4, 2008

WASHINGTON — Senator Obama pivoted quickly to the general election campaign for the White House today, naming a three-person team including Caroline Kennedy to lead his search for a running mate while expressing confidence that the Democratic Party would soon unify after a bruising battle for the presidential nomination.

"I'm very confident of how we're going to be able to bring the party together," Mr. Obama said after a brief conversation with Senator Clinton, his vanquished rival.

Campaign officials said Ms. Kennedy, who is the daughter of the late President Kennedy, as well as a former Deputy Attorney General, Eric Holder, and a longtime Washington insider, Jim Johnson, have already begun compiling information on potential running mates. They disclosed no names.

Mr. Obama clinched the Democratic nomination yesterday, taking a major step toward his goal of becoming the first black president. While Mrs. Clinton has yet to concede defeat, she and associates have been maneuvering for the past 24 hours to gain her a place on the ticket.