Good question.

Markos wonders...

Who is going to break it to the conservatives that Romney is still on the ticket?

From the "Wasted Opportunities" file

Reuters - Former Vice President Dick Cheney signed a secret resignation letter shortly after taking office in 2001 and kept it in a safe, according to an excerpt of an NBC interview released on Wednesday.

Locked away with his conscience, and about as useful it turns out.

Veep v. Veep.

Outgoing on incoming...

"...if he wants to diminish the office of the vice president, that's obviously his call."

Well, no, Dick. The call goes to the Constitution.

But you've never been much for that "government of laws" stuff, have you?

Just a month 'til we're rid of America's best argument against impeachement.

From the "Be careful what you ask for." file…

Palin's 'going rogue,' McCain aide

…or, if you prefer, she's going 'maverick.'

(Cross referenced to the "You get what you pay for." file.)

Visual aids.

From Aden Nak…



…and The General.

Heh™.

jnfr...

Hmm...

The WaPo...

Not anticipating that McCain would choose a woman as his running mate, the speech that was prepared in advance was "very masculine," according to campaign manager Rick Davis, and "we had to start from scratch."

If they wrote it for Mittens, I figure they had to butch it up for Sarah Sureshot…

Separated at birth?

Hat tip to the Brilliant and Beautiful Bride of Upper Left.

They'll take the high road…

Our ticket on their ticket…

“We send our congratulations to Governor Sarah Palin and her family on her designation as the republican nominee for Vice President. It is yet another encouraging sign that old barriers are falling in our politics. While we obviously have differences over how best to lead this country forward Governor Palin is an admirable person and will add a compelling new voice to this campaign."

Those generous sentiments aren't universal. Blogtopia (™ Skippy) responds...


jnfr

Clearly in choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate, McCain has successfully rounded up the WTF? vote.

Goldy

I think McCain would have been better off picking Michael Palin.

Trapper John

Sarah Palin is the most unqualified VP nominee in modern history, with the possible exception of Admiral Stockdale.

Kevin Drum

This is ridiculous.

One thing seems clear to me. Republican women who can't pass an extremist litmus test applied by theological zealots continue to face a formidable glass ceiling. It's abundantly clear that Sarah Palin isn't the best they've got, merely the best they can get away with.

Debates. I want debates.

Obama-Biden '08.

So sez CNN, AP and the NYT.

Could be a head fake, I suppose. After all, I still haven't received a not-me call.

I'm thinking it's Joe, though, and I'm pretty good with that.

Me, me, me!?!

David Kurtz says maybe him…

I can confirm that Sen. Obama has not called to tell me that I am not going to be his running mate. I can read the tea leaves as well as anyone, and I think this is pretty conclusive proof that I am not yet out of the running.

…but I haven't received a not-me call yet either. Maybe Barack doesn't have my cell #. That's OK, though. I'll be at the perfect tavern all evening and it's listed.

Fresh from the toaster.

Robert Novak via Political Wire…

"Sources close to Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign are suggesting he will reveal the name of his vice presidential selection this week while Sen. Barack Obama is getting the headlines on his foreign trip."

The VP choice is about the highest card a campaign can play in the game of steal the headline. Obama's trip, with the accompanying Maliki announcement, must have shaken the McCain camp to the foundations for this notion to be taken seriously enough to be passed around even as a trial baloon.

There are a lot of big Obama moments to come - his own veep announcement, the convention and who knows what reactions to what breaking events or evolving issues. If McCain's ready to use up his best response now, Obama could own the pace and content of the traditional media message from now to November.

Senator McSame? Toast, I tell ya'.

The Case for Biden…

…is, I admit, pretty appealing.

Then again...

Progressive?

Check.
Gender balance? Check.
Regional balance? Check.
Against the war from the beginning? Check.
Veteran's best friend in the Senate? Check.
Respected by colleagues? Check.
Beloved by constituents? Check.
Appealing to Team Clinton? Check.

So, why not Patty?

Hmm...

Jeff Zeleny at The Caucus…

Barack Obama has asked a tight circle of advisers to begin conducting a confidential search.

Not tight enough for confidentiality, apparently.

Good question.

Barack, on Hillary's expressed interest in a joint ticket...

“I don’t understand if, I’m not ready how is it that you think I should be such a great vice president? Do you understand that?”

Nope, I don't.