The New York Times reported over the weekend that there were six serious contenders for Obama’s vice president nomination, including New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.



In addition to Delaware Senator Joe Biden, who was chosen, the campaign vetted Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana, Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, and Richardson.



Richardson described the experience to the Times, saying he had to check with his wife before agreeing to be vetted, and that ultimately the vetting process went well:

In an interview Saturday, Mr. Richardson said that Mr. Obama called him soon after he claimed the nomination on June 3 to tell him that he wanted to put him on his list of prospects.



But, Mr. Richardson said, Mr. Obama warned him that it would be an intensive process, and asked him to consider whether he was up for it. (After checking with his wife, Mr. Richardson said, he called back to say he was.)



Mr. Obama called to check in with him midway through the process, Mr. Richardson said, before his vacation to Hawaii. As always, Mr. Obama dialed Mr. Richardson himself from his cellphone. Mr. Richardson said he told Mr. Obama that he had not seen his name on lists in the news media, and Mr. Obama responded by saying, “No, you’re in this thing.”



Mr. Richardson was alerted weeks later that his vetting process had gone well, he said, but late last week — he would not say exactly when — Mr. Obama called to thank him and tell him, “I’ve made up my mind, and we’re going in another direction.”