White House press secretary Josh Earnest listens to a reporter's question during the daily briefing at the White House on July 20. | AP Photo White House says Obama and Clinton have talked about veep search

Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama have consulted over the presumptive Democratic nominee's running mate choices, which include at least two in the president's Cabinet, the White House said Wednesday.

And Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, while not a member of Obama's Cabinet, is about as close as it gets to a top pick, press secretary Josh Earnest said Wednesday.


Noting that Obama has previously described his choice of Joe Biden as vice president as "the smartest political decision" he had ever made, Earnest suggested while answering about the consideration of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that it would be logical to conclude that Clinton would consult with Obama on her choice after he was "extraordinarily well-served" by Biden.

"So when you consider how well that turned out, it seems natural that Secretary Clinton might consult President Obama about the process that he undertook to choose Vice President Biden. I’m not going to get into the conversations that they had about that or exactly to what extent those conversations lingered on specific candidates. But obviously the two men that you just named are among those who are considered to be on the shortlist," Earnest said in response to a question from radio host Bill Press.

One of the reasons there's so much public speculation about the Cabinet officials, Earnest explained, "is at least in part because they’ve served the country so well in the roles that they have now."

"These are individuals who are serious, who are focused on the right things," Earnest continued. "They’ve got their values in line, and these are two men who have dedicated their lives to public service. And they’re in it for the right reason. I guess my point is, that the reason that President Obama entrusted them with the responsibilities that they have now, which are substantial, their success in doing that job is exactly the same reason that people speculate that Secretary Clinton might be inclined to give them even more responsibility.”

As far as whether Obama has been lobbying for his Cabinet officials to Clinton on their behalf, Earnest responded, "Not necessarily."

“You didn’t ask me about Senator Kaine," Earnest told Press, who responded that the Virginia senator is not a member of the administration.

"That is true," acknowledged Earnest. "But he is somebody who is the subject of some rather intense public speculation about serving.”

Earnest then made the case for Kaine as one of the president's stalwart supporters from the start.

"Sen. Kaine was one of the first public officials to announce a public endorsement of Sen. Obama. Sen. Kaine served as the chair of the DNC during President Obama’s first year in office, and Sen. Kaine is somebody that the president deeply respect, and I think, it’s been publicly reported was even considered himself as a running mate back in 2008," he said. "So … I guess the point is that all of these individuals have fulfilled their responsibilities quite well, they’ve distinguished themselves, and the president is pleased that all three of them have distinguished themselves in serving the public while President Obama has been in office and while President Obama has been president. He’s benefited from their leadership and their good service to the administration and to the country. So I don’t know if the president has a specific favorite, but I know the president is extraordinarily proud of all three of those individuals and but ultimately he’s going to defer to Secretary Clinton to make the decision that she believes is best.”

Clinton is expected to announce her vice presidential pick in the coming days.