Unfortunately, the relative safety enjoyed by World Cup tourists was a striking deviation from the norm.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Out of South Africa

So while it is possible that, like Mr Reagan in 1980, Mr Kerry will finally settle on the man he beat in the primaries, he is first likely, argues Norm Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute, to look for someone who combines the virtues of both safety first and a jolt to the ticket.

ECONOMIST: John Kerry's running-mate