Told You So

A few days ago I speculated that the panicked McCain camp might try to steal Obama's thunder by announcing their VP on Thursday night, maybe before or even during Obama's acceptance speech.

Well look at what Marc Ambinder is reporting today:

Perhaps hoping to turn a fresh page from the Democratic convention, advisers to Sen. John McCain are considering a Thursday night vice presidential announcement, an aide said yesterday, although the unofficial word from campaign headquarters is that Friday is still more likely.

The prospect of a slightly earlier announcement has some Republicans worried that McCain has settled on Sen. Joe Lieberman., They assume that the campaign would not risk the bad form associated with jumping on Obama's night if McCain announces a traditional pick, such as Gov. Mitt Romney or Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

I'm convinced that the McCain campaign still has no idea who they will pick for VP. The longer they wait, the more panicked they become, the bigger the chance that they make a huge strategic error.

Folks as diverse as Andrew Sullivan and Mike Huckabee think that Mitt Romney would be a disaster.

Joe Lieberman has been called a disaster by Rush Limbaugh, and it's hard to see evangelicals falling in line with a pro-choice VP. The press would love it, obviously, but it would be the oldest, most out-of-touch ticket since Dole/Kemp.

I think Pawlenty would be the safe choice, although you'd be conceding that he'd lose the VP debate. But at least he doesn't piss anyone off in the base! Sarah Palin is compelling too, except for her current scandal.