Psst. Did you hear the news? According to the New York Times, Barack Obama is "ready to announce [his] running mate this week"--with "an early morning alert to supporters, perhaps as soon as Wednesday morning." Unless, of course, he doesn't--and decides instead to "wait to announce his choice until this weekend or just before in hopes of providing a big boost before the convention opens Monday in Denver," as the Washington Post reports. At least we already know who Obama's veep pick is: either Joe Biden, Tim Kaine, Kathleen Sebelius, Evan Bayh or Sam Nunn. Unless it's Al Gore. Or John Kerry. Or Santa Claus.

In other words, we don't know jack. At this point, we can be pretty certain that "the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee will announce his running mate" "sometime before next week"--i.e., in time for the Democratic convention. Which is exactly what we knew last month. And the month before. And in 1987.

Still, that hasn't stopped us--and by us, I mean political junkies both professional and amateur--from indulging in all sorts of wild speculation about which pol Obama (and John McCain, for that matter) will elevate to the second highest office in the land. Why? Because it's the biggest thing to happen in presidential politics since June--and it's also, you know, fun. With that in mind, we hereby inaugurate the Stumper Veepwatch Office Pool. Read our profiles of the contenders, narrow down the choices and leave your predictions for both Obama and McCain in the comments section below. The winner--that is, whoever goes two-for-two--will be invited to post a guest item on the pluses and minuses of each pick right here on Stumper.

For the record, my (totally, irresponsibly speculative) predictions are--drumroll, please--Joe Biden for Obama and Tom Ridge for McCain. Biden's been at the center of the feeding frenzy lately, what with his visit to Georgia and reports that his foreign policy adviser Tony Blinken, who accompanied Obama overseas, was also vacationing in Hawaii last week. But for at least a month, my gut has said Joe. As I wrote on July 18, Biden's deep foreign-policy expertise, his ability to assume the presidency in an emergency, his blue-collar Catholic background and his status as Pennsylvania's third senator make him a strong pick, while his "serene self-confidence--even arrogance--would likely add a necessary dash of bareknuckle candor to Obama's 'high road' bid." He's just about the only Democrat able to attack--and get away with attacking--McCain on national security. Now, as my editor constantly reminds me, Biden's a self-aggrandizing blowhard who won't stay on message. That may be true. But for the past two months, he's maintained an unusual silence while awaiting Obama's decision. The point: to prove that he'll be on his best behavior as No. 2. We'll see soon enough--before the convention!--whether Obama is convinced.

As for Ridge, I've outlined my thoughts here and here. Bottom line: "by selecting the pro-choice Ridge as his running mate, McCain would a) appeal to moderate swing voters, b) extend an olive branch to pro-choice former Clintonistas dissatisfied with Obama, c) reinforce his perceived edge over the Democratic nominee in the experience and foreign-policy departments and d) have a shot at competing in Pennsylvania." Is McCain willing to risk losing anti-abortion activists in an effort to regain some of his maverick cred? He'll let us know next Friday, when he's scheduled to announce his pick before 10,000 supporters in Dayton, Ohio. Developing, as they say...

Agree? Disagree? Again, leave your predictions below. The comments are all yours.