It's Gonna Be Joe

All indications are that Barack has selected Joe Biden to be his running mate. Andrea Mitchell said on Today this morning that things are busy at Biden's Delaware home where family is gathering, a scene not reproduced at the homes of others rumored to be under consideration.

NBC’s Andrea Mitchell reports that one of Biden’s sons was flown in a private plane from Maine to the Senator’s home in Delaware on Wednesday. Biden is “gathering the clan,” she said.

It could be a cover-up for a Game Changer announcement, but who could that be other than Hillary? Only the reverse, I suppose - someone so unknown that the media coverage is huge just to introduce the guy - someone like Texas Congressman Chet Edwards, who Nancy Pelosi was rumored to be pushing last month.

Reporters say it's business as usual for Hillary - no signs that she's narrowed the gulf with Barack and being considered for the second slot.

Here's what they hope Biden will fix - The New York Times/CBS News poll asks voters "Do you think the candidate is prepared for the job." 68% said yes to John McCain, yet only 44% said yes to Barack. More people, 49%, said no, Barack's not ready.

Biden's selection reveals that the Obama campaign now correctly views his candidacy as flawed - the other potential VP's would have been electoral college plays - attempts to swing specific states over to Barack. Biden is a generalized pick, one who shores up the candidate's weaknesses, but doesn't deliver any specific, electoral map, benefit.

80% of voters think McCain would be, at least, somewhat likely to be an effective Commander in Chief. Only 58% say the same about Barack.

Biden will protect Barack from accusations that he lacks experience - Biden has too much - and he would add international credibility, which Barack failed to solidify with his world tour.

He also offers protection against a game changer choice from McCain, such as Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq.