Barack Obama is expected to choose his running mate this week in a key decision about the direction and narrative of his bid for the White House.
A person familiar with the campaign's planning noted that Obama's schedule at the end of this week is open, but said the announcement could come "as late as the weekend."
Obama and his inner circle have held his intentions tightly, while a wider circle of aides in Chicago has been kept far enough out of the loop that they’re willing to speculate freely on the possible choice.
There are plenty of tea leaves to read. Obama’s schedule this week takes him through the home states of a few possible contenders: He’s spending Monday in New Mexico (Gov. Bill Richardson) and Wednesday in Virginia (Gov. Tim Kaine and former Gov. Mark Warner).
On Saturday, Obama cited former Georgia Sen. Sam Nunn, 69, as a particularly wise adviser, touching off a wave of speculation.
There’s also a chance that the Summer Olympics, which run through next Sunday, could push the campaign to delay the move until the beginning of the Democratic National Convention the next day.
