More Indications McCain Could Announce Vice Presidential Pick Thursday Night

Thursday night is the big night for Democrats when their certain-nominee Sen. Barack Obama gives his acceptance speech — a speech that, for years and years, party nominees have given as the opposition party steps back and lets it be delivered as a kind of unspoken courtesy. But that may change this Thursday night…

According to Marc Ambinder, an earlier report that McCain was considering releasing the name of his Veep pick Thursday night when or after Obama gives his speech was not a fluke. It is seriously being considered and could happen. He also reports that independent Sen. Joe Lieberman is increasingly-high on the list:

Perhaps hoping to turn a fresh page from the Democratic convention, advisers to Sen. John McCain are considering a Thursday night vice presidential announcement, an aide said yesterday, although the unofficial word from campaign headquarters is that Friday is still more likely.

The prospect of a slightly earlier announcement has some Republicans worried that McCain has settled on Sen. Joe Lieberman., They assume that the campaign would not risk the bad form associated with jumping on Obama’s night if McCain announces a traditional pick, such as Gov. Mitt Romney or Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Several McCain advisers, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, are actively pushing for Lieberman. Others, including many top fundraisers, are hoping that McCain chooses Gov. Mitt Romney. A smaller faction that includes some of McCain’s longest-serving advisers believe that Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota would be a better pick.

McCain isn’t showing his cards, not even to the five or so campaign officials who have been privy to the vice presidential search process.

In a close race, releasing the name Thursday (to dilute the attention-deficit media’s coverage on Obama, particularly on cable news and cable talk shows) or after (again to dilute attention and make the story of the night not just Obama but Obama and the Demmies facing the new McCain nominee) makes political sense.

But it will also set a new precedent because, in some future year, the Democrats may decide to try and find a way to seize media attention away from the Republicans during The Big Night of their convention.

It’s like the old song: “What A Difference A Day Makes.”

UPDATE: According to The Politico, Obama’s selection of Sen. Joe Biden has complicated McCain’s Vice-Presidential choice.