Joe Biden to the New Hampshire Leader in 2007:

Biden was generally critical of the far left wing of his party and of the strategies the frontrunners are using to win the nomination.

He said Democrats would do better if they stopped dividing the electorate by playing to their base and instead brought people together. He criticized the left wing of his party for demonizing the rich and Republicans.

“Rich folks are as patriotic as poor folks, but we don’t talk that way,” he said.

Biden also talked about his electoral strategy:[More...]

Bump and Update: CNN confirms at 12:43 am ET that it is Joe Biden. So the world didn't find out by text message after all. The mainstream media learned it from highly placed sources. Nothing new here.

It's a love-fest on CNN. Their reporters are probably all hoping for the first one-on-one interview. I'm sure the law enforcement community is also clapping. What a disappointing choice.

(B.B.King, The Thrill is Gone)

Looks like it's a done deal. CNN confirms it's not Kaine, Bayh or Clinton. The Secret Service has been dispatched to Casa Biden and a Netjets plane left Chicago Midway for Delaware.

The text message will go out tomorrow morning. As I wrote here:

For all the change that Obama promised to bring to politics in Washington, how's Obama going to explain driving up with Joe Biden in his father's Oldsmobile?

Big Tent Democrat called it correctly. Is anyone besides me extremely unhappy with Joe Biden, the ultimate crime warrior, on the ticket?

One of my favorite Joe Biden gaffes below:

A workplace raid a la Postville, Iowa appears imminent in Mississippi. From the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance:

A series of preparations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the Gulf Coast has local advocates on edge about the possibility of yet another worksite raid, and yet another devastating blow to businesses, families and communities in the name of immigration enforcement.

"The preparations we are seeing ICE make are alarmingly similar to what occurred immediately prior to the raid on the Agriprocessors, Inc. Kosher meatpacking plant in Postville, Iowa, a few months ago, " said Patricia Ice, an immigration attorney and spokesperson for MIRA. ICE has reportedly booked dozens of rooms in hotels on the Gulf Coast. They may be checking in as early as tonight.

More....

Jack Johnson - Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

Unless the Obama campaign intends to send a text at bar time (when I will be soundly sleeping), the suspense will build until morning. I'm guessing 10:00 EST. It'll happen when it happens, it'll be who it will be, but you can make your guesses here. Or you can find something else to discuss.

It's good that someone is keeping track:

As of Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at least 4,146 members of the U.S. military have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. ... The AP count is two fewer than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Thursday at 10 a.m. EDT.

It's the economy (but not just the economy), stupid.

While I was waiting for Sen. Barack Obama to announce the other half of the Democratic ticket, I made a backup site for TalkLeft in case this one goes down during the convention, like it did on primary and debate nights. Also I can blog from my i-phone on it which I can't do here since Scoop isn't coded for it.

One problem: I can't figure out how to make the comment page include my sidebar. I need for the sidebar to appear on every page. Suggestions, anyone?

I guess I'll miss the momentous announcement since I'm about to leave for dinner with Jane of Firedoglake.

Here's an open thread to continue the discussion. I still don't think it will be Joe Biden, or maybe it's just wishful thinking.

Well, for one thing, it would explain burying it on a Friday/Saturday. Talk about a snorefest.

Here is some silly stuff to make you think it could be Bayh - First this site was redirecting to Obama home site until a few minutes ago. Then this.

I say it is Biden and that since Obama will not pick Hillary and Clark is under the bus, imo, then Biden is his next best choice POLITICALLY.

This is yet another Open Thread because Jeralyn went out to dinner and I am sedated now. You're on your own until Jeralyn or Chris come back. So behave.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

So says one of the musicians that plays with him.

No word yet what night or what event. Will he be the intro at Obama's acceptance speech?

More music: Lifetime Networks and Rock the Vote will feature Ashanti at an Every Woman Counts event Tuesday night at the Cowboy Lounge.

The big Rock the Vote ballot bash is Monday night, followed by a private party. FALL OUT BOY, N*E*R*D and Jakob Dylan will headline the main event at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, while the official afterparty will feature D.J. Nick Cannon.

Look, it's Biden. Ok. It just is. I know, Obama has not said so, but it is Biden.

I can't take it anymore -

Twenty-twenty-twenty four hours to go
I wanna be sedated
Nothin' to do and no where to go-o-oh I wanna be sedated
Just get me to the airport put me on a plane
Hurry hurry hurry before I go insane
I can't control my fingers I can't control my brain
Oh no no no no no

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

I've been offline running around doing convention things all day and all they say on TV is "any moment now." What's the hold-up?

And, it may or may not be Joe Biden. There are other serious contenders and until it's announced, keep in mind that everything you are reading is opinion only.

Okay, can someone explain to me why Biden has not been announced already? Seriously.

What's the point of the timing on this?

This is an Open Thread.

Will you roll Biden out already? Sheesh.

This is an Open Thread.

On CNN, a video clip is played of Hillary being asked who Obama should pick, her answer "I'm not in that arena." Then she was asked about whether she is doing enough for Obama. She said "I've done more than anyone who has ever been in my position." Hillary is out.

The pick (Joe Biden) has been told says Gloria Borger.

So the VP announcement is now officially a Friday night news dump.