US News

OBAMA TO SHOW OFF VP IN SPRINGFIELD, ILL

Barack Obama plans to return Saturday to the historic city of Springfield, Ill. – the place where he launched his presidential run – to highlight his new running mate on the eve of the Democratic National Convention.

The city is home of the Old State Capitol where Abraham Lincoln served – and will be the backdrop for the unofficial beginning of the fall campaign against Republican John McCain.

Aides didn’t reveal whether Obama’s vice presidential choice – which insiders say will likely be selected by the end of the week – would join him at the noon rally, but the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Obama’s newly minted vice presidential pick will be on hand.

The news was the latest in a drip-drip about Obama’s plans to unveil his running mate, which has been a closely held secret among a handful of aides and his wife, Michelle.

The top choices are believed to be Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine.

Several boosters of Hillary Rodham Clinton were holding out hope that she would be the long-shot choice, while Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is also said to be in the distant running.

Team Obama has spent weeks setting up an infrastructure for the veep pick to take off running immediately after the convention next week in Denver, as vetters Caroline Kennedy and Eric Holder have sifted through names.

Obama is planning to announce his choice to supporters through simultaneous e-mails and text messages.

Bayh is widely considered the safest pick, given his experience as a former governor and his one-time support for Clinton – but that doesn’t mean Obama will go that route.

On the GOP side, McCain is also vetting a running mate, and has gotten blowback from conservatives for suggesting he’d be open to a pro-choice veep hopeful.

That came as some in his camp had floated former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, who’s pro-choice. But late today, Time magazine’s Mark Halperin reported that Ridge was no longer being considered.

McCain is also believed to be considering Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman – an independent who was a longtime Democrat – and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

maggie.haberman@nypost.com