He and partner James Yao, a former classmate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have assayed scores of bright ideas in Asiatech's brief history.

CNN: THE MONEYMAN

Maduro, a former bus driver who rose to become foreign minister and vice president under Chavez, offered no ideas of his own for resolving the country's problems.

NPR: Chavez Heir Begins 6-Year Term With Weak Mandate

"Ray Kelly has done a tremendous job for the people of this city ... but after 12 years, it's time for a new set of eyes and some new ideas and new management, " according to the campaign of Adolfo Carrion, a former Bronx borough president.

NPR: NYC Police Commish Says He's Not Running For Mayor

That person also would be charged with making sure government is more transparent and that there is outreach to the public to get the "best ideas on how we can govern the country, " says Kennard, a former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission in the Clinton administration.

NPR: Obama's Technology Outlook

At a small meeting in Des Moines, I listened to former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich come up with some intriguing ideas, such as cutting medical fraud by using the same systems as credit card companies.

BBC: Republicans ready for Europe crisis?