Obama Claims Historic Nomination

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, who was one of the vice presidential finalists, devoted a significant portion of his speech -- a few minutes after 8 p.m. on the east coast -- to the importance of personal faith. Kaine quoted from the book of Matthew, adding: "Faith is more of words than doctrine. It is about action."

Kaine also took a few jabs at McCain, one of the first speakers of the night to do so. Referencing McCain's inability to remember how many houses he owned, Kaine joked: "Maybe for John McCain the American Dream means seven houses and, if that's your America, than John McCain is your candidate."

Looming over tonight's proceedings was the possibility that McCain would reveal his vice presidential pick this evening - a scenario that grew more and more remote as the night wore on.

Dan Pfeiffer, communications director for Obama, told reporters this morning that if McCain announced tonight it would amount to "political malpractice" as the vice presidential choice would be swamped by the wall-to-wall coverage of the historic nomination of Obama as the first African American to lead a major-party fall ticket.

The speculation in recent hours has centered on two men: Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Pawlenty cancelled a series of scheduled appearances in Denver today to return to Minnesota, stoking talk that he would be the pick.

Pawlenty has been the tortoise in this race -- never really emerging as the buzz candidate but never falling too far off the lead pack either. His combination of Midwestern roots, conservative credentials (particularly on the abortion issue) and a longtime friendship with McCain appear to make him the safest choice available.

McCain is expected to formally unveil his running mate tomorrow at a rally in Dayton, Ohio. The event will comes just 72 hours before the scheduled start of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.