Bayh dampens VP speculation

ELKHART, Ind., Aug. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh says speculation that he's about to be announced as a running mate for likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is wrong.

With political bloggers and pundits surmising the Indiana Democratic would be tapped by Obama, D-Ill., on his trip to Indiana Tuesday and Wednesday, Bayh told the Indianapolis Star he hasn't even talked to Obama about the vice presidency.

"I'm absolutely confident there will be no announcement (Wednesday)," he said. "I guess the best way to put it is, if there's an announcement (Wednesday), I'd be as surprised as anybody else."

Bayh introduced Obama at a campaign event in Elkhart, Ind., but told the Star he knew of no plans for a private meeting with him.