Candidates Grapple With Timing of VP Picks

Barack Obama and John McCain must do more than pick VP candidates—they have to time the announcements carefully, a key tactical move in a busy summer, the New York Times reports. Two national conventions, the Beijing Olympics, and Obama's Aug. 4 birthday all help or hinder the timing, but it appears that Obama, with a convention closer to the games, faces the harder choice.

Presumptive nominees often announce a week before convention-time, but such a move would pit Obama against the Olympics. And he likely won't risk announcing during the convention. Which leaves early August, but is announcing on his birthday "too cute"? McCain, with a later convention, will probably announce right after the Dems' to steal their momentum. (More Barack Obama stories.)