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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
July 1, 2008
/ 28 Sivan 5768
In This Year's VP Search, Boring Is Better
By
Roger Simon
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
I do not know exactly whom Barack Obama and John McCain will select as their running mates, but I do know this: They will be dull.
They will be safe choices, and not just because of the old rule that the person in the second spot should never overshadow the nominee.
That is not the problem this year. The presumptive nominees of both parties are so high profile that they cannot be overshadowed.
But this also means they do not have to pick a running mate that will add "excitement" to the ticket.
As hard as it is to believe now, in 1996 Bob Dole chose Jack Kemp because Kemp was supposed to add "pizzazz" to the ticket. (By the time it was over, I don't think even Jack Kemp thought Jack Kemp had added pizzazz to the ticket.)
And in 2000, Al Gore thought Joe Lieberman, the first Jewish vice presidential nominee, would be an exciting choice. (Go figure.)
But this time around, Barack Obama and John McCain don't need an exciting choice in the No. 2 slot. They generate their own excitement. They need a nice, safe choice who will first do no harm to the ticket and second bring something positive to the ticket.
They have a number of choices, of which the following are only a few. On the Republican side, there is:
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Tim Pawlenty, the governor of Minnesota, where the Republican convention will be held this year, who is 47 years old (to McCain's 71) and who was an early supporter of McCain. Could Pawlenty swing Minnesota over to the Republicans if he is on the ticket? Maybe. Which makes him a safe, solid choice.
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Rob Portman, former congressman from Ohio, and the former U.S. trade representative and budget director for George W. Bush. Major positive: McCain needs Ohio. Major negative: McCain cannot be seen as George Bush's third term, and Portman may be too closely tied to Bush.
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Charlie Crist, governor of Florida, who not only endorsed McCain when he really needed it, but also supports McCain on offshore oil drilling. Crist would be a good defensive choice to keep Florida in the Republican column, because if Obama can pry Florida away from McCain, McCain might have a hard time getting the presidency.
On the Democratic side, there is:
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Tim Kaine, the governor of Virginia, which may be a very critical state for Obama. Kaine endorsed Obama very early when Obama did not look like a winner. Politicians remember things like that. Kaine also is a Catholic (a former Catholic missionary to Honduras, no less), and while decades ago that was a negative in national politics, it now could be a positive: Catholics are classic swing voters.
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Evan Bayh, a U.S. senator from Indiana, who has also been governor of that state, and could possibly put Indiana in play for the Democrats. (Only two Great Lakes states went for the Republican ticket in 2004: Indiana and Ohio.) Major negative: He endorsed Hillary Clinton early.
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Kathleen Sebelius, governor of Kansas, who gave a dull response to President Bush's State of the Union address this year (but remember that dull is good). Major advantage: She could help Obama with women. Major disadvantage: Can Obama put a woman on the ticket other than Hillary Clinton and not make it look like a slap in the face?
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© 2008, Creators Syndicate
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