Biden His Time?

The text goes out. The media reports. The pundits ... talk. But what bounce, if any, can Obama expect post-announcement?

-- The conversation will change. Georgia/Russia, VFW, and now Musharraf all fall within McCain's comfort zone. Meanwhile, Obama's quelling ongoing Dem fears he's not hitting back hard enough. The downside: w/foreign policy in the spotlight, does a Bayh/Biden pick simply reinforce McCain's claim that Obama's not seasoned enough?

-- It distracts a media eager for Clinton drama on the road to Denver. The latest installment: B. Clinton plays bipartisan in Las Vegas w/praise for McCain's energy policies. This as McCain spends the a.m. on an oil rig chastising Obama for refusing to drill offshore.

-- It finally gives Obama an attack dog. Trying to run as a "different kind of candidate" boxed Obama in during the primaries. But w/a surrogate on his side, can't he stay above the fray and let his 'mate kick it old school?

-- Timing? Mid-week gives delegates time to digest. This may be a good idea since a CBS poll of delegates showed 28% want Hillary, while just 6% picked Biden. But a later roll-out would mean Obama gets to own the weekend. Not a bad thing on the eve of his Biggest. Week. Ever.