Free Republic

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro broke his silence about not joining the 2024 Democratic ticket as the vice presidential candidate — with sources attributing presidential nominee Kamala Harris’ snub to her fear that he would steal the “spotlight” and alienate the party’s progressive base over his support for Israel. ... Hank Sheinkopf told The Post that Shapiro was too hot to pick as Harris’ running mate because of his pro-Israel record, and that Waltz was a safer choice. “The ticket would have been too pro-Israel. Harris doesn’t need a battle over Israel-Gaza,” said Sheinkopf, who worked on Bill Clinton’s re-election campaign....

For the past 91 years California governors have taken part in the annual Christmas tree lighting on the grounds of the state capitol in Sacramento. But this year Gov. Gavin Newsom ended the tradition.The Democrat executive surrendered to pro-Palestinian activists who threatened to disrupt the ceremony.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Israel on Friday not to complicate the path to peace with the Palestinians through new Jewish settlements just as the date approaches for Israelis to fulfill a promise to leave other, established settlements. "We don't intend that the Israelis try to create facts on the ground," Rice told reporters traveling on the plane with her to Jerusalem. "They simply cannot engage in activities that are supposed to prejudge" the final terms of a peace settlement. Palestinians regularly charge that Israel has tried to force territorial concessions by building settlements and outposts on land that...