kimblr.com

John Nance Garner, eventually regretting his move from the House of Representatives to join Franklin Roosevelt’s ticket in 1932, said the office of the vice presidency was "not worth a bucket of warm piss."
The White House’s second fiddle might not offer much political power, but the right running mate can give a presidential candidate a boost over the top.
Selecting one is now presumptive Republican nominee John McCain’s most pressing decision, as he fights to secure the conservative base, appeal to moderate voters and re-enter a spotlight still dominated by the Democratic primary race.
Experts agree that a running mate could fix some of the problems faced by McCain, a 71-year-old war hero and senator from Arizona. They’re just not sure which one he should pick.
Analysts like Lisa Schiffren, with National Review Online, urged McCain towards someone able to reinvigorate baseline support. In a recent column, she mentioned several Republican governors: Bobby Jindal (Louisiana), Tim Pawlenty (Minnesota) and Haley Barbour (Mississippi).
On the other hand, said Suzanne Marilley, a political-science professor at Capital University, McCain could assume a captive Republican base and go after moderate voters by choosing a pro-choice, pro-environment Republican.
Here are several politicians being discussed by experts as potential VP nominees.
Pros: Has executive experience (also was Florida’s attorney general); backed McCain early in state primary; could swing Florida, crucial in 2000 and 2004 elections
Cons: Does little to help waning Republican support in the Midwest
Pros: Diversifies ticket; offers pro-choice stance and strong environmental record, which McCain lacks
Cons: Has no executive experience; relatively unknown
Pros: Charismatic; popular among hard-line party members; age, 36, is appealing; Indian-American background would diversify ticket
Cons: Relatively unknown; executive experience remains untested
Pros: Attracts independents by underscoring McCain’s bipartisan approach; could sway some New England and Jewish voters, who traditionally vote Democrat

columbusalive.com

“Idol Gives Back” (Fox, 7:30 p.m.) will succeed in being the longest edition of “American Idol” ever, starting a half-hour before prime time to fit in every celebrity promised for this 2 1/2 -hour telethon.
It was all taped Sunday at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, where Brad Pitt, Reese Witherspoon, Robin Williams, Peyton and Eli Manning, Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman all showed up on stage.
Fergie joins Heart to sing “Barracuda,” amid a roster of live performers that include Miley Cyrus, Snoop Dogg, Mariah Carey and Carrie Underwood, among others.
Calls tonight won’t be to vote, but to pledge donations for the charities: the Children’s Defense Fund, the Children’s Health Fund, the Global Fund, Make It Right, Malaria No More and Save the Children’s U.S. programs.
“The World Was Ours” (CPTV, 8 p.m.), a remembrance of the vibrant Jewish town of Vilna, Poland, before it was wiped out by Nazi Germany (it’s now known as Vilnius, Lithuania).
It’s produced by Mira Jedwabnik Van Doren of Cornwall and includes comment from Trinity Professor Samuel Kassow.
It’s a season finale for
We encourage you to share your thoughts about our stories. However, comments that are obscene, overly personal, racist or otherwise inappropriate will be removed. Because the messages are posted instantly and anonymously, Courant.com cannot vouch for their accuracy or authenticity. Report abusive posts by clicking the link found at the upper right of each item. — Courant.com

courant.com

Thursday night saw the final pre-strike “Lost” episode, but after a short break, the producers are promising five more “super-charged” shows to wrap up the season.
The thrilling sci-fi drama will return to CTV after a four-week break in a new time-slot, 10 p.m. ET, on April 24th.
On a previous edition of the official “Lost” podcast, producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse commented on how they had to change their original plan for 16 episodes before the writers’ strike. Tonight’s episode is the eighth episode of the season.
“We’re basically going to take our plan for eight episodes, and we’re going to try and compress it into five more episodes,” says Cuse.
Optimistic about how the new shows are going to turn out plot-wise, Lindeloff promises, “It’s going to be a super-charged five hours of show.”
On April 24th “Grey’s Anatomy” will also return with its first new episodes following the strike.
Last week’s episode, “Ji Yeon,” was originally planned to be the first “mini-finale” before the break, but instead “Lost” left us with a few more answers — and a couple of deaths. Rousseau and Karl were shot by an unknown party, leaving Alex — Ben’s “daughter” — alone in the woods and very, very scared.
“Meet Kevin Johnson” mostly followed Michael Dawson’s flashback, explaining where he’s been since leaving the island by boat in season two.
It also explained how he came to work as Ben’s spy on the mysterious freighter.
Harold Perrineau, who plays Michael, has recently said that he’s slated to appear on “Lost” at least until the end of this season.
Before he left on the island, Michael helped Ben (known at the time as Henry Gale) escape from the Hatch, where he was held captive by Jack and Locke.
In the process of freeing Ben, Michael killed Ana-Lucia and Libby, before shooting himself in the arm. Under suspicion, he was brought along with Jack, Kate, Hurley and Sawyer as they left on a mission to the other side of the island, where they were ambushed by a group of “Others.”

ctv.ca