A big unity fundraiser for the Maryland Democratic Party in downtown Baltimore tonight will be missing one of its headline draws as Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, reportedly on a short list of the party’s potential vice presidential nominees, canceled his appearance Tuesday morning.

“We’re disappointed but we understand,” state party spokesman David Paulson said. Kaine’s staff cited “reasons beyond anyone’s control” and “unforeseen scheduling issues,” Paulson said, but Maryland Democrats had been given a heads-up last week that Kaine might have to miss the fundraiser.

Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell and Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty are still scheduled to speak to hundreds at the $50-a-head event at the Iguana Cantina, along with Gov. Martin O’Malley and other state and federal elected Democrats. 

O’Malley stoked the speculation about Kaine on a joint radio appearance with the Virginia governor on WTOP radio Tuesday morning.

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In a discussion about interstate transportation issues, O’Malley volunteered, “We’re confident that Vice President Kaine will be a tremendous advocate” for federal transportation aid in the new administration.

Later in the same show under persistent questioning, Kaine adamantly refused to comment on his discussions with Sen. Barack Obama, whom he had supported since February 2007. Kaine did say there was “no secret meeting” scheduled with the party nominee on Tuesday and he “had no idea” when he might meet with Obama again.

“I don’t talk about my conversations with the campaign,” Kaine said. 

“I didn’t endorse Senator Obama to get anything or to get appointed to anything. I endorsed him because I thought he should be president.

“I’m going to help him win Virginia,” Kaine said. “That’s my highest and best use” in the campaign.

“I think I can make some news today,” O’Malley jumped in jokingly. “In deference to Tim Kaine’s candidacy, I’m willing to pull myself out of consideration” for vice president.

O’Malley was an early backer of Sen. Hillary Clinton and his name was sometimes brought up as a running mate for her.

“I am wholeheartedly supporting the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama for president of the United States,” O’Malley said. “He won the primaries. And I’m enthusiastically supporting him.”

llazarick@baltimoreexaminer.com