Barack Obama's running-mate search just got a little bit easier.

Ted Strickland, the Democratic governor of the swing state of Ohio, attempted to rule himself out Tuesday, telling NPR's All Things Considered he would "absolutely not" join the Obama ticket.

Strickland, who supported Hillary Clinton during the primary but has been floated as a potential Obama running mate, told NPR in no uncertain terms that he is not interested in the job, and would not take it if asked.

"If drafted, I will not run; nominated, I will not accept; and if elected, I will not serve," Strickland said in the interview. "So, I don't know how more crystal clear I can be."

He added: "That does not mean that I am any less committed to helping Barack Obama become the next president."

The statement comes as Obama's running-mate search team meets with leading Democrats on Capitol Hill to discuss prospects.

North Dakota Sen. Kent Conrad told FOX News that the team met with him for an hour Tuesday. He said the team is looking for a candidate who is "well-rounded." He said the prospects are being divided into three categories -- top elected officials, former elected officials and former military officers.

Clinton is probably the most frequently mentioned candidate, but it's unclear how seriously the Obama campaign is considering that her.