that the convention speakers are being scheduled independently of the VP decision.  If Obama has not decided, this is certainly plausible.

For what it's worth, I just got an email from the Obama campaign highlighting Tim Kaine's activities this weekend on behalf of Obama:

This weekend, August 16th and 17th, Governor Tim Kaine will be hosting Town Hall meetings all across Virginia to talk about why he's supporting Barack Obama for president.

I think people are reading way way too much into this convention stuff.  

If everyone in charge of scheduling the convention knew who the VP was going to be, wouldn't that have leaked by now?

Hmm... I haven't seen Wes Clark's name on any of these lists... unless I just missed it.   Hmm... maybe they went with the smart choice.

Ambinder is completely right when he warns to discount the scheduling. The people who know the VP pick are completely separate from those who are planning the convention, and Obama's team is not stupid enough to approve or disapprove based on who is the pick. If that were the case, all it would take is one mention of "don't schedule them in yet" and we'd hear all about it in the press.

It's very necessary to plan the convention, and it'd be foolish to forgo planning 99% of the convention while waiting for 1 key bit of information.

Well, we were trying to keep this under wraps, but let's just go and get this out into the open.

It's going to be me. I'm the VP pick.

I offer fresh new ideas and an ability to work across party lines. I take America's national security seriously, as I do our reputation abroad. I care about America's energy future and independence from foreign oil. I will never shy away from diplomacy, but will use force when necessary. I favor tax cuts for working class families, and ensuring that big corporations don't get tax breaks from exporting your jobs overseas. I will work with our leaders in Congress to cut the deficit and return fiscal sanity to Washington.

Thank you all, and I'll see you in Denver.

Here's how you do it:

Imagine, if you would, at the stadium in Denver, that the film of the idealized memories of Robert and John Kennedy fills the screen, and then comes Ted Kennedy slowly walking to the microphone, and says, "The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans. I give you the senator from Illinois."

It would make for a remarkable moment.

well, Clark would be my choice. But that's just because my paranoia (lots of talk from Jerome about paranoia lately) has kicked in. I don't want to lose a senate seat in either VA, KS or MO.

Another tidbit to overanalyze:

Joe Biden, NOT Chris Dodd, will be addressing the IAFF convention on behalf of Barack Obama.

When I look down and see Kaine on my cell, I'm gonna punt my phone all the way to Denver.

Strange that the keynote speaker and the VP would both be from Virginia. Doesn't sound right to me.

I'll be ecstatic if Bayh is not the VP choice. Same for Sam Nunn. Haven't seen Jim Webb's name on any of these speaker lists, even though he is one of the best voices on national security.

Sounds like Kaine might be getting closer, but I think Biden would be a much better choice.

I don't know why everyone gets so worked up about this.  Pick whoever maximizes our shot at victory in November and be done with it.

John Kerry.. I called it first..

Joe Biden is perhaps one of the most qualified people in the country to be president, let alone veep. The question is whether he can keep his ego and mouth in check.

That can be changed at a moment's notice. I would not pay too much attention to these press releases.

I still think it's Hillary and they are just fakin' us out....

why?

cuz she brings the most votes and secures "party unity"

Bill will introduce her and it won't have anything to do with the speech the night before which will be about women's rights....

I know it's wishful thinking on my part, but I truly cannot understand how he could NOT choose her.

All Kaine brings is VA (maybe) and a bunch of pissed off women that may choose to stay home.

Biden brings really no votes at all to the table (considering how poorly he did in the primary) - can Bayh deliver IN? maybe - but nothing else.

And Hillary?

Several million "hold outs" - probably NV, OH, PA, puts FL into the running and maybe AR.

She appeals to the older group (like my mom), etc.

I could be totally wrong - but if everyone else is already on the list to speak (including Hillary) - then why not Hillary?

The only ones left are: Al Gore (somehow I don't see him wanting to be VP AGAIN) or Wes Clark - who never gets mentioned (and also won't bring any states with him)....

I dunno.....still seems like the 'secret' Feinstein meeting deal was probably an "arrangement":

HRC is VP (but do a bunch of 'fake outs')

She helps with the fundraising in the meantime

Her name in nomination has a somewhat meaningless outcome because HRC will say - Vote for Obama AND ME.....

I realize that almost NO ONE agrees with this...but, hey, as a diehard HRC supporter - it's the only thing left that matters to ME.

And sorry to say - but if he wants MY vote - it is what he will have to do to get it....PROVE to me, Barack, that you WANT party unity and put the one candidate on the ticket with you that will secure your walk to the whitehouse.

I hope and think the pick will be Wes Clark.

"we know now that its not Bayh, Biden, or Richardson."

actually we don't know anything.

the speaker schedule could be completely changed after the VP is announced.

There is a very small group, less than a handful who are aware of the VP vetting. Only these few people know if Obama has made a choice yet and, if so, what that choice may be. Obama wants the process to be leak free and so far, none of the people who know are talking.

There are many people that are creating the schedule for the speakers at the convention. This process is completely sepearate from the vetting process. In order not to "give away" Obama's VP choice, those in the know aren't saying anything to the people making the speakers schedule. If someone is told "Don't schedule Biden as a speaker. Barak wants him to do something else" within 5 minutes the world will know that Biden is VP. the same with any other speaker slot.

Kaine being left out is suspicious...I don't think it's dispositive, but it is worth noting. Obama certainly wants to payback Kaine for his loyalty at the very least.

in no particular order.

warner, biden, hillary, clark

ok, in order

warner, clark, biden, hillary

I agree with all of the people that have stated that looking to the scheduling of the convention is no way to count anyone in or out of the Veepstakes. They are trying for maximum surprise and excitement and so I don't think that releasing the schedule and having one of the speakers actually be the choice is playing games with the media. Its just maintaining secrecy, something he should do.

Let it be Wes Clark!

Obama has the punditry right where he wants them.....clueless and confused.

My guess is Sebelius or former Oklahoma Governor/Senator David Boren

ALthough I am hoping against hope that it is not Kerry. But i am beginning to think that we are reasing too much into the list of scheduled speakers.

I am surprised to see how everybody discounts Sebelius.
The fact she gets so little coverage is a plus in the Obama campaign mind. Remember No Drama Obama ?
Sebelius is as discreet and on-message as can be.

And frankly how would the claim picking another woman is an insult to Hillary be sustained over more than 24h without the logical fallacy of them becoming obvious to everyone ?

Governor Bill Richardson and Senators Evan Bayh, Joe Biden and Jay Rockefeller will echo Obama's call for a new direction in national security and outline his policies and plans to secure America's future.

It is Biden.  One of these guys scheduled is going to be the VP.  

I think the schedule is given to the press to throw them off, hands down.  

After months of keeping it under wraps, would Obama make it this easy to figure out?

I am actually thinking Clinton today.  Don't forget that the "nomination process" is Wednesday.

Could it be that "both parties agreed" to include Clinton's name so easily because it directly feeds into her VP nomination that night?

- Matt

Who cares? Obama could pick FDR's ghost and you wouldn't be pleased.

Perhaps you should check on the family members....

If Kaine's brothers -- one of which is a doctor -- in Kansas City is canceling appointments and going to Denver, then you might be onto something

If Sebelius' judge husband is not on the bench during the convention... perhaps.... or if her two sons are attending (particularly the non-political/fashion designer one

Come on, dig deeper :)

or Richardson. The fact that they are speaking on the night we know the VP choice will be speaking doesn't eliminate them, it probably makes it more likely one of them will be chosen.

Biden

I've gotten 3 emails from Biden's Prez campaign, Biden's Re-election site and his son's (the DE AG) political website touting Obama...

Seems like anm odd move when the oprez camapign site has been dark since late Feb

his son's website has been dead since last year

and the Senate campaign site contacted me (I was a Prez supporter) and did not ask for money

Its seems a littel odd... and Biden has been keeping quiet whereas everyone else has been noisy (esp Kaine and Bayh).

Why keep quiet unless you're working on a speech and some logitics for your Fall

That is all.

Colin Powell? This idea came to me recently and I must say, it would be a gutsy move. But a good one? Hard for me to get past Powell's presentation to the Senate right before the Iraq invasion. But who knows, he may have repented, at it sure would look good to independents and undecided moderate republicans.

not on the speakers list and would be such a great choice for running-mate