A critical pick

The next secretary of state faces huge challenges; McCain or Obama must choose wisely PROVO, Utah - As the party conventions draw near, there has been a flurry of media speculation about the candidates' choices for vice president. Yet an arguably more important choice is the next secretary of state. For the most part, the vice presidency is a kind of understudy-in-waiting job, charged with a few ceremonial chores. To be sure, Dick Cheney has wielded considerable influence and power behind the scenes as vice president. But it is doubtful that Sen. John McCain's or Sen. Barack Obama's No. 2 would exert the same kind of authority. Mr. McCain is a confident practitioner of politics and foreign policy. Mr. Obama is a superstar who keeps his advisers under tight control. Neither man will seek a vice president likely to upstage him.... [read full story]