There's a lot to digest in the Wash Post reporter Dan Balz's VP article today. Let's focus on the timing question:

Obama now seems likely to make his selection when he returns from vacation, which would put it in the week before his convention. That is later by several weeks than John Kerry made his pick of John Edwards four years ago, but roughly the same timing as in 1992 when Bill Clinton picked Al Gore a week before his convention.

If that seems the most logical timing for Obama, then McCain's choices are clear: preempt Obama and move while Obama is away or wait until Obama has made his selection and counter with full knowledge of what his opponent has done.

Moving sooner of course risks getting caught up in the Olympics, which some strategists believe will overshadow everything else that may be happening in the world. That is a dubious assumption. While the summer games will draw enormous attention, it's hard to believe that the selection of a vice presidential running mate by either candidate will not punch through into public consciousness. Will CNN and MSNBC and Fox and the networks not carrying the games (CBS and ABC) -- let alone the worlds of print and internet journalism--not jump on the vice presidential story?

One of the savviest Republicans in the country was speculating about vice presidential matters a few weeks ago. He was asked whom McCain should pick. "I have a recommendation but it's not of a person and I shared this with them back in March," he said. "Wait till the Democrat convention is over and see who they pick...You'll have more information."

Indeed, you only have one shot at the announcement. Better to not waste it. For Obama, again, I think Balz is right. To think that somehow the Olympics will swallow a VP announcement a week before the convention, and coming from Obama no less, is downright silly.