By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star editorial page columnist

Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius seems to have made the "final four" in the vice presidential sweepstakes--at least on the lists of most pundits.

For some candidate, at some point in time, Sebelius would make a fine running mate.

But Barack Obama is not that candidate, and now is not that time.

Three reasons why:

(1) Obama, as he himself notes frequently, is a different kind of candidate. Polls indicate that voters are seeking a comfort level. Sebelius would be only the second woman on a presidential ticket, and she's pretty much of an unknown. That's not going to console those voters who are wishing to hold onto a bit of familiar turf.

(2) At a time when parts of the world seem to be going nuts, Sebelius has no foreign policy experience.

(3) The Kansas governor is a skilled back-room negotiator and administrator. But she doesn't exactly light up a podium when she gives speeches, and nothing suggests she would excel in debates.

For the three reasons mentioned above, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware is Obama's best pick. He's got strong foreign policy credentials, he does love to talk, and he's a white guy who's as familiar as an old shoe.

Sebelius would be a great choice for cabinet secretary.