Ralph Nader backs Hillary for V.P.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Ralph Nader says he thinks Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton would be Democrat Barack Obama's best choice for a vice presidential running mate.

Nader, an independent presidential candidate himself and consumer advocate, indicated he doubts that Obama will select Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia or Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware or Evan Bayh of Indiana, Politico reported Wednesday.

"I don't think he's that dumb," said Nader. "He just has to swallow hard and do what JFK did" in 1960 when he chose rival Lyndon Baines Johnson.

Nader says his own sources lead him to believe that the New York senator remains in serious contention.

In Nader's opinion, Biden, Bayh or Kaine would not help Obama politically, adding that speculation about the three is merely a "smokescreen."

Nader says if Obama wants a traditional white male politician, former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn would be a better pick.