(A) Obama's going to have to make the pick by Saturday afternoon. I originally reported that it'd be the first appearance with his ticket-mate. Then my sources got skittish and weren't so sure. The Obama campaign wisely let me stew in my own confusion and would not confirm to other reporters what I had reported. I still think that's it right, but I don't know for sure.
(B) I don't think Obama's going to announce the pick on Friday. Why? Because it's Friday. Why would you announce a pick on Friday?
(C) The best day to announce the pick would be Thursday. That'd let the nominee have a day to prepare for Saturday's speech. BTW: Are people going to watch the Olympics on Saturday? Or Obama's kick-off.
(D) Obama is scheduled to be in Virginia on Thursday.
(E) Announcing has several parts to it:
I. Obama calls his pick.
II. Obama calls the folks he didn't pick.
III. Someone tells Joe Rospars who the pick is, and Rospars sends out text and e-mails.
IV. The pick is "announced."
(F) The aftermath has several parts, too.
Hit one: the media confirms the pick and broadcasts it.
Hit two: the pick makes a short statement outside his or her home.
Hit three: Obama makes a brief statement about the pick.
Hit four: Obama and the pick make their first appearance together.
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