ben smith politico blog

[Muttocracy]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/

...
The Associated Press. The wire service prominently cited Obama associates who “believed Biden was the choice, though they cautioned they had not been told directly."

ABC is also reporting that the U.S. Secret Service has assumed protective responsibility over Biden.

Both reports are hedged enough to avoid a “Dewey Defeats Truman” Hall of Shame moment if it turns out not to be Biden, but not enough that there won’t be some 'splainin to do if it is someone else.

Politico sources were also pointing very strongly — though not conclusively — in Biden’s direction.

Just as significant were more concretely reported stories about politicians not in the running. AP said that Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine has told Democrats that he is not Obama’s choice. And CNN said it has confirmed that Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana is out of the running.

So these are not just the whispery smoke signals that have been emananting from the highly secretive Obama selection process in recent days. A belching smoke stack is more like it.

Those people who really care about this should be ready to stay up very late or set the alarm very, very early. A hypercompetitive journalistic chase is likely to result in this space being updated often.

Alternately, relax, get some sleep, and see what’s news by the time the sun comes up Saturday.

[gateley]

1. God. Even more news outlets are confirming it --

But I wonder HOW they're confirming it -- with whom?