Obama’s announcement is just days away and the favourite is Joe Biden, Greasy Joe to the conservative blogosphere and the guy who in 1987 was forced out of the presidential race when he was caught plagiarising Neil Kinnock (hung for a lamb indeed).

But there’s only one constituency a candidate has to worry about when picking his vice president: the press.

That goes for Republicans in particular. In 1988 Bush thought his choice of Quayle was “exciting” and that there was something of JFK about him. Unfortunately, even before the national guard fiasco, the press decided Quayle was just the kind of Greg Marmalard from Animal House Republican they can’t stand. 

The same would be true of Mitt Romney today. Guest hosting on Brian and the Judge on Fox News radio this afternoon, liberal columnist Ellis Henican recoiled at the very mention of his name, calling him “plastic and fakey”.

Rich Lowry spoke up for Romney but had to agree: “He reeks of Mr Republican in a year when Republicans aren’t very popular.”

Newsbusters has a revealing flashback from 2000 showing how Dan Rather covered the VP picks on CBS. Anyone who still doesn’t understand why conservatives deserted the networks for Fox News ought to take a look.

UPDATE As Hot Air points out, telling reporters “I’m not the guy” is more than a non-denial denial. How’s he going to explain that away if it is him?

UPDATE He withdraws his denial! Sort of. Says “he hasn’t talked to anyone” – and surely he would have talked to somebody if he’s the pick. Joe, the idea is you’re not supposed to give anything away one way or the other. Time has the story plus earlier video.