Strategically speaking, when do you think Obama should let the VP cat out of the bag?

It is hard to imagine that Obama's VP choice would remain in absolute secrecy, only to be revealed with great suspense (drum-roll please) --- as the proverbial curtain opens at the convention next month.

Another strategy is to try and keep it secret, but purposefully leak some pretty strong hints regarding his choice. That would get the buzz up, and offer a chance to market test the selection before Obama makes it "official".

The last option would be to make his selection known before the convention, that would give suspense and drama a big hit, but in turn would allow real momentum to build for the Democratic ticket early and possibly upstage any McBush announcement regarding his VP choice.

If you were to advise Obama's campaign on the best way to handle this much anticipated VP announcement, what would you suggest?

I'm really curious to see what others think. :)

I say wait til you need a diversion from something.

You probably want to do it several weeks BEFORE Convention to get that excitement and coverage and possible bump in polling.

And then count on another bump for the Convention itself.

but I think it would be fun for Obama to first unveil his VP choice to 75,000 of his closest friends. :D

It takes away the boost McCain might get from his announcement and it keeps McCain from pulling a surprise nominee, ie Condie Rice or Elizabeth Dole.

:thumbsup:

McCain might wait for the GOP convention in order to give the press something interesting to report on for a change. If this happens, then Obama will have to announce first. If he's stupid enough to announce early, then I agree that Obama should announce the day after.

McCain is going to wait until his Party's convention which is a week after Obama's. Obama is going to need to announce his VP before or during the convention.

convention itself, with a good buzz campaign beforehand. And then a dynamite entrance and speech at the convention. That would be my preference. But there are very few who fit that bill.

Though I'm curious JenniferZ, who do you think is "rock star" quality? Someone that virtually everybody would be thrilled over!

The only name that comes to mind off the top of my head is Al Gore --- but he loves his day job.

liking his day job. OTOH, he could probably be thrown a really big carrot, like a mission on global warming with real power in it, that could persuade him.

n/t

I'll even wait to announce till after the convention. I never really understood why the deadline to select a VP is the convention, it was never done so before until Mondale.

And the rules are rigged in his favor since the Republican National Convention comes after the Democratic National Convention. Obama is, unfortunately, going to have to announce before McCain.

the more time the media will have
to trash him or her.
After all,
that is what they do
best.

I don't think he should ever tell us. At least not until after he's sworn in.

LBN-- http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3385846
(Poll: Pet Owners Prefer McCain Over Obama)

Leak first week of August that the VP pick will be campaigning with Obama at a specified location on a certain date in a week. Let the media spend a week talking about it. Unviel the VP during the 6:30 news cycle.

These people are masters...remember the Edwards endorsement.

then pick a Gov. of a swing state...

that's when they tradionally used to do it.