Israel, Iran, and Nukes

Gershom Gorenberg analyzes the likelihood of and probabilities for success of an attack by Israel on Iran's Nuclear facilities. The Israeli media is fascinated by the possibility of an attack, although there seems be negative or mixed signals from the American military and Bush Administration.

The Ambassador's Bodyguards see a lot of movies

An enjoyable interview with Dan Gillerman, Israel's outgoing Ambassador to the United Nations.

According to Gillerman, "A diplomat is a person who can tell you to go to hell and actually make you look forward to the journey."

His replacement is the Gabriela Shalev, a law professor, and the first woman to hold the position.

VP Possibilities

I heard Mark Warner speak last night at a DL21c event. Warner was an extremely popular Democratic governor of Virginia and currently is the front-runner for a Senate seat.

He's also a possible V.P. pick for Obama. Warner's a centrist Democrat with extensive business credentials, sort of the gubernatorial version of Mike Bloomberg. Warner spoke very well, with a NY tailored speech delivered in an off-the-cuff manner, using yiddish, joking with the crowd about the competing Obama fundraiser uptown, and argued for massive federal investment in infrastructure.

Warner's sucessor in Virgnina is also a possible VP pick. Governor Tim Kaine has similar political leanings as Warner, and is similarly popular. One possible liability is Kaine's opposition to abortion on religious grounds (he's an observant Catholic).



Jim Webb is NOT interested in being Obama's running mate: in a statement he wrote tha""Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for vice president."

Warner seems likely, as does PA Governor Ed Rendell and Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.

Long Shots: former Senator Tom Daschle, former Clinton Defense Secretary William Cohen, and Bill Richardson.