It's Friday, Fax that Release!

It's Friday, the start of a long holiday weekend. And what has become a tradition in politics, Friday afternoons mark an opportune time to release embarrassing information.

Since newsrooms are understaffed over the weekend, Saturday circulation is the lightest of the week, and Sunday news stories are written and pre-packaged by Friday night, it often isn't until Monday that bad news makes the newspapers. And by Monday, who cares?

By Tuesday a new spin is pitched, by Wednesday friends and allies are recruited. By Thursday a new secretary is appointed, a new bill is drafted, a new candidate is recruited, or a fine is paid, time is served, contributions returned, a girlfriend goes into hiding.

By Friday afternoon, it is time to fax another release, admitting the affair, the embezzlement, the bribe, the DUI, the termination.

Success in politics? It all comes down to timing.