6:30 a.m. E.T.

Presidents like to make their picks on their own timetables, without the speculation of the media, pundits, and Capitol Hill seeming to influence their choices. The Freak Show is unforgiving in scrutinizing potential nominees, looking for signs of weakness in possible choices and in the President. If the ultimate selections are stellar and confirmed, all the backing-and-forthing is easily and quickly forgotten.