But stranger things have happened.
We'll see.
We're preparing to cover it tonight, and we'll have a full report at 11.
Meanwhile, the John McCain campaign is trying to set expectations in anticipation of the announcement and the pending Democratic National Convention in Denver.
A memo went out today to campaign staff predicting that Obama could get a bounce of up to 15 points a week from today. That would be the second-highest "bounce" ever; Bill Clinton, also a relatively unknown running on a platform of change, got a 16-point bounce after the Democratic Convention in 1992 -- the highest since pre and post convention polling began in 1964.
The memo, written by Sarah Simmons, the McCain campaign's Director of Strategy, also chides the news media. Says Ms. Simmons: "Obama's stadium address on Thursday -- the 45th anniversary of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech -- will result in effusive and overwhelming press coverage. On Thursday, Obama will give a great speech, as has been his trademark. The press will sing his praises and remark on his historic address and Obama's place in history. For example, The Associated Press today published an article comparing the historic nature of the addresses – a week before Obama's speech. This coverage will be impenetrable and will undoubtedly impact the polls."
For the record, it is not the intent certainly of this news organization to "impact the polls." We do NOT have a dog in this hunt, or a horse in this race, or any other applicable cliché. We are covering an important Presidential race (aren't they all important?); that's it.
Just for the record.
We'll also have any breaking news of the night, the weekend forecast, and Scott Clark with the night's sports. I hope you can join Diana Williams (in for Liz Cho) and me, tonight at 11, right after 20/20.
And a reminder, I'll be in Denver, beginning tomorrow, with our reports starting Sunday night at 11. This column will be sent from there - perhaps up to twice a day.
As always, we welcome your thoughts about this historic convention. As they come to you, and if you want them published with your name, please e-mail me at bill.s.ritter@abc.com.
BILL RITTER
