R.I. senator not eager to be Obama's veep

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I., July 14 (UPI) -- Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island says he's not interested in becoming Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's sidekick in the race for the White House.

Reed, now in his second term in the Senate, said Monday it was nice to hear talk he is under consideration as the Illinois senator's vice presidential running mate but isn't interested in the post, The Providence Journal reported.

"I believe I have the best job in the world, and I'm going to work to keep it," the 58-year-old former Army paratrooper said.

Reed is to accompany Obama, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, on an upcoming trip to Iraq and Afghanistan. It will be Reed's 12th trip to the region.