Three Up; Three Down

By The News Virginian Staff

Published: November 21, 2008

THREE UP

From the GOP ashes rises Rep. Eric Cantor, the lone contender for the job of Minority Whip. Now the No. 2 Republican in the House, the youthful Cantor ascends on a vow to give the party the vision it lacked during what proved to be a disastrous fall for the GOP. Question is, can he provide what he claims while staying true to conservative principles? We’ll see.
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For all of those dismayed by President-elect Barack Obama’s decision to pass over Hillary Clinton as running mate, the other shoe hit the floor. She is being vetted for the position of secretary of state. Other aspirants — John Kerry and Bill Richardson — along with the incoming VP, Joe Biden, get to move aside while the Hillary Train chugs by.
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An old GOP war horse might be gearing up for 2012. Newt Gingrich is kicking his idea machine into overdrive, and there’s speculation that he’s hoping four years of distance between him and his baggage will clear the way for a presidential run.

THREE DOWN

Get ready for the blank stares if you bring up the name of John Maynard Keynes to Americans who cast for Barack Obama. Keynes was an FDR-era British economist who espoused the kind of heavy government intervention that is all the rage these days. But blowback from talk of a Big Three bailout may finally have knocked the Keynesians off stride. Free marketeers, hail the moment while it lasts.
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In addition to owning the inside track on a job as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton deserves credit for being considerably stronger than she looks. Just take a guess at the collective weight of all those skeletons associated with her husband, President Bill Clinton. It can’t be easy trying to climb mountains with the weight of the world on your shoulders.
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Maybe Sarah Palin ran for the wrong job. Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens is out after 40 years in office, handed a stinging defeat on his 85th birthday. Stevens symbolized much of what is wrong in modern politics. He racked up earmarks, then seven conspiracy convictions. Good riddance.