WICHITA, KS, July 18, 2008 -- The more they talk, the more they put Kathleen Sebelius on the short list to become Barack Obama's Vice Presidential candidate.

Who are they?  The speculators, of course.  But with Obama within weeks of naming a running mate, the Kansas governor just won't go away.

The Boston Globe this week writes "Sebelius Rises in VP Derby” calling her a "kindred soul" of Obama.

The economist says "Kathleen Sebelius is in many ways Hillary without the dark side."

As Obama comes closer to naming a running mate, the Kansas governor's name seems to be always in the mix.         

“Her chances are definitely going up,” said WSU Political Science professor Jeff Jarman.  “They clearly think she's a viable candidate and they put her on the short list. But the shortest list is the list of one and that will be a hard one to make.”

Jarman says Sebelius's lack of foreign policy experience and the fact she's not from a key swing state could work against her.

In her favor: Sebelius's similar style of governing and political tone.

"On the other hand if they want to emphasize image, if they want to emphasize political style then all of a sudden the dynamic changes and she moves higher to the list," said Jarman.

Obama himself has been candid about his feelings for Sebelius.

"I love Kathleen Sebelius,” he said recently.  “I think she's as talented a public official as there is right now.  Integrity. Competence.  She can work with all people of all walks of life."

The governor has even seemed to change her tone.  Her office is now referring any questions about the vice president nomination to the Obama camp.

But when the Boston Globe asked her if she would feel ready to be president of the United States, the governor answered she would rely on bright and talented people and "that capacity to make decisions and kind of trust your instincts, has been confirmed to be pretty good in the past."

"It does seem like she is interested and if selected I'm sure she'd say yes," said Jarman.

The Governor, in the United Kingdom this week at an international air show, told the New York Times all this attention makes her a little uncomfortable.  But the paper quotes her as saying "I hope it puts the focus on Kansas. Maybe they'll buy airplanes."