Update: Jonathan Martin reports this is unlikely to happen. Just an obvious attempt to divert attention from McCain's Iraq problem.
Original post: Bob Novak's political report is now saying that "Sources close to Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign are suggesting he will reveal the name of his vice presidential selection this week while Sen. Barack Obama is getting the headlines on his foreign trip."
I'd love to brag about having predicted this yesterday, but Novak isn't the most credible person in the world. Last week, he reported that Phil Gramm had patched things up with John McCain, and by evening, Gramm had left the campaign.
Whether or not it actually happens, it's obvious that McCain's camp is floating this to distract attention from the fact that "events on the ground in Iraq" have dealt a potentially fatal blow to the rationale for his candidacy. He needs to figure out a way to change the topic soon (and also to mollify panicking conservatives).
I'm going to stick with my Mitt Romney prediction, but I will say this: it would be a big mistake for McCain to pick a VP this week because it would be a blatant act of desperation and would make him look weak.
© Jed Lewison