j-mac to pick veep in dayton!

In what is bound to be the coolest thing to happen in a town named after me since the Scopes Monkey Trial (that was Dayton, Tennessee), John McCain will apparently name his Vice President Friday, August 29. .

While politico.com is about as reliable a source as there is in insider politics, two things about the situation seem peculiar.

First, the event is on the least media-productive day of the week. Fridays are generally the day where you put news you don't want anyone to know about. (i.e. John Edwards and Rielle Hunter). The weekend news programs are far less viewed than those during the week.

Second is the fact that August 29 also happens to be Senator McCain's 72nd birthday. In a race where McCain's age is a major liability, it seems odd that his campaign would plan one of its most significant news events on the birthday. It essentially guarantees mentions of him being old will be in the top two paragraphs of every story regarding the VP selection.

After some consideration, the date may not be so bad. This Friday is different than any other Friday- it's the day after Obama's glorious acceptance speech at Invesco Field. Announcing the VP selection the following day essentially undercuts what is sure to be the universal praise for the speech. Also, it sets up the Labor Day weekend as a McCain weekend leading up to the RNC starting on Monday.

As an aside, I'm sure intrepid journalists are checking the schedules of everyone even remotely considered for the veep spot to see if they are free the 29th.

Also, does having the event in Ohio make it more likely Rob Portman will be the one selected? The district Portman represented in Congress is within shouting distance of Dayton.

Lastly, will the University of Dayton Cheerleaders attend? They look like they might be doing a McCain "M" in the photo...