Dream ticket not dreamy for Obama backers

WASHINGTON, May 20 (UPI) -- Congressional supporters of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., say they'd prefer someone besides presidential rival Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., as a running mate.

Clinton's supporters are pushing a joint ticket with the senator from Illinois, The Hill reported Tuesday. The latest backer is Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, co-chairwoman of Clinton's national campaign, who said on MSNBC that she would like to see the senators run together.

Instead, Obama's backers proffered former Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sam Nunn, D-Ga., or former presidential candidate and ex-Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina.

Some congressional members said they were leery of Clinton being on the ticket because they think she is running a racially divisive campaign, the Washington publication said.

One Obama ally, Rep. Lacy Clay, D-Mo., said Clinton could unify the party but would anger black supporters.

"The downside is the divide that has occurred over the last year in this primary is pretty wide," Clay said. "I'm not sure the Obama supporters will fall in line and support her. It's evident that she and her husband started down this racial path shortly after the South Carolina primary and they continue to hearken back to racial divides in this country."