The timing of Barack Obama's vice presidential pick, or ticket debut, just came into sharper focus: He's scheduling an event for Saturday at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois. Not coincidentally, this is where he announced his candidacy on a frozen day in early 2007.
Rich Miller, who publishes the not-to-be-missed Capitol Fax and The Capitol Fax Blog -- a great site for anyone interested in Prairie State politics -- is all over the story, with citations from the Chicago Sun-Times, Crain's Chicago Business, and the Springfield State Journal-Register.
My first thought is that this announcement confirms the notion that Obama's campaign re-creating the successful primary campaign strategy: Build the ground game via the 50-state strategy, then start stoking the fire from a smoulder to a roaring blaze. From our lips to God's ears, it should work so well again.
What a great 10 days ahead of us. Strap yourselves in and enjoy the ride.
P.S. For anyone going to Springfield from Chicago or St. Louis, Amtrak offers 5 trains daily in each direction, and the Springfield station is within walking distance of the Old State Capitol.