GOP Veepstakes: Preparing for a Leak

David Schoetz reports: Sen. Barack Obama’s vice-presidential pick was supposed to come on his own terms last Saturday — a text message bomb that would hit millions of people with news that fellow senator Joe Biden was Obama’a much-anticipated choice. So much for best-laid plans. ABC News confirmed and reported the Biden pick at 1:49 a.m. Saturday, more than an hour before cell phones started to buzz. The timing forced "Nightline" to react. The show was updated to reflect the breaking news in West Coast broadcasts — a situation that could play out again tonight. The Veepstakes speculation has again moved into overdrive as Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, readies his pick. ABC News confirmed this afternoon that McCain has his mind made up and will announce the choice at an event Friday in Dayton, Ohio. The McCain campaign may try to stave off a leak, but with the media frenzy swarming and his decision made, that could prove a tall order. ABCNews’ Chief Washington Correspondent George Stephanopolous told "World News" anchor Charlie Gibson that he has his doubts the McCain team will be able to keep a lid Republican vice-presidential pick. ABCNews’ reporting points to four most likely picks: Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Massachusetts Mitt Romney, Democrat-turned-Independent Sen. Joseph Lieberman and former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge. Stephanopolous, however, cautioned against convention wisdom and said the pick may be a "wild card." "John McCain loves surprises," he said. Stay tuned.