Why doesn't Mr McCain pick Joe Lieberman, a prominent Democrat turned independent? (The senators are seen so often in each other's company that they might be Siamese twins.) And why doesn't Barack Obama pick Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican and decorated Vietnam war veteran who has been one of the loudest critics of the Iraq war?

ECONOMIST: Lexington

Former Senator Chuck Hagel, Mr Obama's pick for secretary of defense, will face a confirmation hearing later this week.

BBC: US Senate approves John Kerry as secretary of state

In a reflection of how much the investment appeal of Microsoft has changed over the past five years, it was a value adviser, Chuck Carlson of DRIP Investor, who made the company his pick for 2006.

FORBES: Six Stocks And Six Funds For 2006