Obama Administration

WACO, Texas (AP) ― U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards says his name may have hurt his chances of becoming Barack Obama's running mate -- either because it's unknown nationally or is too similar to that of a scandal-ridden former candidate.

Edwards, who was on Obama's short list, said he thinks there was some concern that voters might confuse his name on signs and bumper stickers with that of John Edwards, the 2004 Democratic vice presidential candidate who recently admitted to an extramarital affair.

"I would not second guess for a minute the Obama campaign if this turned out to be a factor," Chet Edwards told The Associated Press in his Waco home Saturday. "In politics, perception is reality, and the reality would have been confusion."

John Edwards, who was mentioned as a possible Obama running mate after dropping out of the presidential race earlier this year, acknowledged two weeks ago that he had an affair with a campaign worker. He has denied that he is the father of her daughter.

The news hit just as Obama's campaign was ready to release its short list of vice presidential candidates, Chet Edwards said -- and his name would have been a big surprise. Besides Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, who Obama picked early Saturday, other reported contenders were Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana and Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

But the list was never released, and Chet Edwards never had the chance to get his face before millions in TV appearances planned for the contenders. In the last week the Texas congressman was told he would not be on the Obama ticket. Chet Edwards declined to say whether any reasons were given but said the former North Carolina senator's affair was not mentioned.

Chet Edwards said he is taking it all in stride because "I have learned long ago that there's no use worrying about things we can't control."

Former Texas Democratic House member Martin Frost said he does not believe the John Edwards scandal played a role.

"Chet had the right background -- he's a Southern moderate with strength in veterans issues -- but he's not as well-known as these other individuals," Frost said Saturday. "And it's very unusual for someone in the House to make it on the ticket."

Cal Jillson, a Southern Methodist University political science professor, said if Chet Edwards had been chosen, any confusion and perceived negativity could have been cleared up with publicity because he is very different from John Edwards. Jillson said he believes Obama chose Biden because he felt he was the best fit.

"Chet has really benefited by this process, and now more people know who he is and think positively of him," Jillson said.

Chet Edwards said he also believes Russia's invasion of Georgia was a factor in the vice presidential decision because it highlighted foreign policy, one of Biden's strengths.

"I think Joe Biden is an outstanding choice," the nine-term congressman said. "I feel privileged to have been considered."

Edwards, 56, whose district includes President Bush's Crawford ranch, was among Democrats targeted for removal in the GOP-led redistricting plan by former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. He was the only Democrat in a competitive race to survive the 2004 elections and was re-elected to his ninth term in 2006.

He first emerged as a vice presidential contender in late June when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi singled him out as the best House member for the job. Edwards had endorsed Obama earlier this year and had campaigned with him before the Texas primary in March.

But his name never surfaced publicly again, although he said he was contacted by Obama's campaign in early June and a few weeks later by Obama himself to ask permission to start the invasive vetting process. Edwards not only complied with Obama's confidentiality agreement but managed to stay under the national media's radar.

"My priorities have been my family and to fight for our district and be a champion for veterans and military families," he said. "To accomplish those goals did not require me to cater to the Washington press corps or to run around in the D.C. social circles. ... As a consequence, I am not known nationally, but that doesn't bother me. I just try to be a workhorse and not a show horse."

Because he is not well-known outside his district or Congress, becoming vice president would have been a dramatic change. He said he had many discussions with his wife and two sons.

"Our favorite questions didn't come from vetters but came from our 11- and 12-year-old sons, when they said, `Dad, if this happens, can the Secret Service agents talk and throw baseballs?"'

Edwards would not speculate on whether being considered as a running mate might lead to a Cabinet post if Obama is elected in November. He said he plans to focus on his re-election bid.

"I am more blessed than any person has the right to be," he said. "I have a wonderful wife, two healthy children and a job I consider a privilege going to every single day. I enjoy being a regular person who can walk into the grocery store and gas station and do it as the down-to-earth person that I am."

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)