Historically, running mate talk in April is meaningless. But It's rare if not unprecedented that someone on the VP short list would become a virtual partner with a candidate the way Paul Ryan has with Mitt Romney. And as Ryan said it would his budget, debt and entitlement reform proposals are becoming the centerpiece of the 2012 election. Observers have asked all along; how can Ryan's ideas be the focal point of the campaign without Ryan there to defend them?

The Wall Street Journal is right; this is Washington's favorite parlor game, guessing who the VP will be. And Romney's right; he's not the nominee, yet. But he almost certainly will be. And Ryan aleady has the feel of a partner in this candidacy, if not the feel of a running mate right now. Democrats relish the thought of pushing grandma over the cliff all fall long as the demonize Ryan and his plans. President Obama already started this week.

That would be another benefit if he does goes with Ryan. Ryan's involvement in the campaign, and the debate this early will make a lot of that liberal demagoging sound tired by November. If Romney hasn't locked in on Ryan for VP this early, it would seem the congressman from Wisconsin is destined for some major player role in a Romney administration, if there is one beginning January 20, 2013.