Kabul, Afghanistan - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is meeting with Afghan officials in an area that's been a hotbed of Taliban and al-Qaeda activity. The Illinois senator is on a tour of combat zones and foreign capitals in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Nebraska Republican Chuck Hagel is on the tour with Obama, along with Rhode Island Democrat Jack Reed. Both senators are military veterans, and both have been mentioned as potential running mates for Obama. Reed has said he's not interested in the job. Last month Hagel said he would consider serving as Obama's Vice-President, but he doesn't expect to be on the ticket.

CBSNews.com's political team now thinks Hagel is one of the top three possibilities. First is Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, followed by Indiana Senator Evan Bayh; both are Democrats. Hagel is the only registered Republican in CBS' top ten.

Posted by Jen Kucirek, jkucirek@action3news.com.