TechPresident.com notes that Sarah Palin’s Wikipedia page was edited more than 100 times in the five days leading up to John McCain’s running mate announcement. While none of this year’s likely VP contenders have seen a spike in edits that dramatic, Paul Ryan leads with the most changes during the past few days:
None of Wikipedia entries for the current candidates being bandied about by Romney-watchers — Rob Portman, Marco Rubio, Paul Ryan, Bobby Jindal, Chris Christie, Kelly Ayotte or Tim Pawlenty — are currently showing anything like the spike in edits that Cyveillance spotted on Palin and Biden’s pages back in 2008. But most of those came in the 24 hours prior to the official announcement. That said, if Wikipedia changes offer any hint of what’s coming, then today might be a good day to bet on Ryan. On the other hand, his page is hardly the most popular in terms of views, or watchers, as you can see:
It’s not a sure predictor, especially because Romney’s campaign (and his VP choice) will probably be more careful to avoid tipping off the media through Wikipedia changes this year. But at least it beats analyzing the contents of Romney’s grocery cart.
Meanwhile, the Obama campaign is prepping for Rob Portman as Romney’s VP choice, reports Politico. The president’s team sent out this email to Ohio supporters:
“Very soon, we’ll know if Mitt Romney is choosing our own Senator Rob Portman as his running mate. So Ohioans have a job to do. While Portman’s name has been floating around as a potential pick for Romney for a while now, most Americans don’t know anything about him. If and when Romney does select him, we need to be able to tell the full story about his record on Day One, which could very well be in the next few days. Share what you think Americans need to know about Senator Portman… It’s our responsibility to make sure he isn’t elevated to a position where he can do it again, this time, as vice president.”
No news yet about whether the Obama campaign is sending out similar blasts to supporters in Minnesota, Wisconsin or Florida.
It's inconceivable to me that Romney would choose Ryan. His budget offers a golden opportunity to the Dems and their media allies for demagoguery of the worst kind, that is for attacking Republicans as being cold-hearted and only concerned with the rich. ' n It was folly for the House Republicans to ''pass'' such a budget when they knew the Dem-controlled Senate wouldn't even consider it and wise Republicans have ignored the thing. If Ryan were chosen for VP nominee, the budget would be centerstage which would be a gift to the Dems.
Oh please, not a plain white bread male. That choice would be so silly! I'm a political junkie and I know zip about Portman. Of course, I also believe the GOP owes the Nation a real apology for fielding such a crappy candidate last time out.
0bama campaign: "Share what you think Americans need to know about Senator Portman… It’s our responsibility to make sure he isn’t elevated to a position where he can do it again, this time, as vice president.”_ n_In other words just tell us what you heard on the street, no proof needed. We're just looking for anything, any rumor, any dirt, doesnt have to be true, if you know what I mean._We'll take it from there.