There is such a thing as too much hype, and too much coy manufactured suspense. It's the great American fault, a throwback to the country's vulgar vaudevillian and circus culture past, and now sadly Barack Obama has done it too.
Obama's VP should have been announced a day or two ago - when the wave of interest was cresting. Now? Who cares.
The unique and fresh idea of a text message announcement to loyal supporters has been made into a joke by countless text-messaging spoofs in the two days Obama overplayed the announcement suspense.
His VP pick is now gist for late night comedy monologues. Even relentless Obama cheerleader (well, for the past two months since Obama became the sure bet for nomination) Keith Olbermann seemed fed up last night when mentioning the text message announcement. It's morphed into a joke.
Obama can stick his announcement and his text messages. One thing the world doesn't need is another American salesman, gaming the hype till he blows it. We're going to our beach house this afternoon and staying for the weekend. No TV, no cellphones - only things that really matter: family, friends, wind, sand and stars.
And the yawning silent ocean that laughs at us all.