WAITING FOR BARACK

Posted at 9:24 p.m. ET

Senator Obama announced today that...he has decided.  I think I heard a drumroll.

So whoever the vice presidential choice is, at least the presidential choice knows.  Now, the second guy, or woman, is supposed to campaign with the sainted one on Saturday, so Barack better inform the choice pretty soon. 

The only hint he gave today is his description of what he wants in a vice president:

Obama said he wanted somebody who is ‘prepared to be president’ and who will be ‘a partner with me in strengthening this economy for the middle class and working families.’

He said he was looking for not just a partner but a sparring partner. ‘I want somebody who’s independent, somebody who can push against my preconceived notions and challenge me so we have got a robust debate in the White House.’

Yeah, right.  I'll bet a president really wants a sparring partner.  I don't know of a single case where a presidential candidate has put out the order, "Get me someone who'll disagree."

If Barack wants a sparring partner, that rules out Evan Bayh, a nice guy but a marshmallow.  It probably rules out Tim Kaine of Virginia, who is not known as "Mr. Policy."  It probably rules in Joe Biden, who's volatile enough and egotistical enough to disagree with a man who's both a president and a messiah. 

And it sure rules in Ms. Hillary, who'll give Obama the kind of robust debate only a masochist could hope for.

I suspect the announcement will come tomorrow.  I also suspect we'll hear it and go back to sleep, along with the rest of the country.

August 21, 2008.