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Not necessarily. The process doesn’t even start until three years from now.

One thing seems certain: There is going to be a great deal of change in this country and around the world in the next year, much less three years. Most of it will be good, I think. Trump seems to know what he’s doing this time, and his most dangerous opponents are on their heels, whether it’s Russia, Iran, or the media-academic axis. No Russia hoax to distract him. and a band of talented loyalists around to do his bidding. Things look good.

So it’s easy to assume Trump will anoint Vance as his designated successor, and hand him the nomination. But that’s an assumption, and as a wise old pol told me, “Assumption begins with ass.”

Vance’s own political skills, based on the record, aren’t particularly impressive. He won in Ohio in 2022 in a relatively close election, with 53% of the vote. The rest of the 2022 Republican ticket did a lot better.

I like Vance, and admire him, and think he’ll do a fine job. But it’s way too soon to think he’s got the nomination in the bag. Let’s see him earn it.

Talk about change! Syria has been a country for over 100 years, and now it’s disappearing before our eyes. Israel has now completely freed itself of the hostile powers surrounding it: Hamas, Hezbollah and Syria.

Maybe there will be peace in the Holy Land this Christmas. Now that’s change I can live with. Now if we can get peace in Ukraine, we can really celebrate. The natural order of the world, with Russia and China and the United States as the three hegemons, is forming. And there is no reason in the world that these three peoples would want to fight each other.

Merry Christmas indeed!