EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed says he's not interested in being the running mate of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Reed said Monday in East Providence that he's a bit surprised with the swirling speculation over whether he could be chosen to run as vice president on a Democratic ticket. That speculation increased after Obama said Reed and Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, both military veterans, would accompany him to Iraq and Afghanistan sometime this summer.

Reed said he has not been asked by Obama's campaign to provide information that could be used to vet running mates.

Reed would not give a more specific timeframe for the trip on Monday.

He said Obama understands foreign policy and has a fine strategic view of the world.