THE CHOICE

Posted at 6:59 a.m. ET

I find all this fever-pitch speculation about the vice presidential choices rather amusing.  Many years ago the choice of the vice president was an afterthought - as long as the candidate was breathing, he was an okay choice.  Now a theatrical drama is put on for television and the press.  In reality, vice presidential choices rarely turn out to mean much during the election season.  People vote for the top of the ticket, not the August second-stringer.  The last time a vice-presidential choice was truly important was, of course, 1960, when Kennedy's choice of Lyndon Johnson, a choice deeply resented by northern liberals, brought him Texas, and the presidency. 

We're told that Obama will campaign with "the choice" on Saturday.  Now, either the choice has been or has not been told.  If he or she has been told, word would probably have leaked out already.  Staffs have to be prepared, travel arrangements made, talking points coordinated so the choice doesn't make a fool of himself or herself on the first day out.  Of course, if the choice is a real pro, and already has a campaign organization ready to roll, and can keep that secret...   Hmm.

Or, the candidate has not been told, and will learn along with the rest of us.  That's quite a jolt for someone who has to be ready to launch a national campaign within 24 or 48 hours.  Unless the choice is experienced at...  Hmm.

You know where I'm going.  There's only one candidate who can spring immediately into action, and knows the territory, and can take the scrutiny of the TV cameras on the very first day. 

But will Obama accept Hillary Clinton?  Will Michelle Obama accept Hillary Clinton?  Will Hillary have to leave Bill at home?  Send him to Dubai on a two-month business trip?

This is pure speculation.  I don't predict here.  I really think the odds are way against it.  I don't think, frankly, that Obama could stand the competition.  But he's languishing in the polls, and he may have to make a Kennedyesque decision to unite the party and pull off a spectacular. 

We'll know in a few days.  Remember, you heard nothing here first.

August 20, 2008.