Economist, Nov. 4

The editorial endorses George W. Bush. He has the mettle to reform out-of-control entitlements, and he won't reverse globalization in the event of recession. He lacks foreign policy experience, but so do most presidents at the start of their terms. … An article reports that corrupt Peruvian security chief Vladimiro Montesinos has sped Peru's transition to democracy by returning from exile. To fend off critics who say he is still influenced by Montesinos, President Alberto Fujimori has been forced to bargain with the opposition. It now seems inevitable that clean elections will take place next year.

New Republic, Nov. 13

The cover story argues that welfare reform has driven northern Republicans to the left. In the 1970s and 1980s, Democrats' redistributive policies fed a racial resentment among white suburbanites. But welfare reform prevents Republicans from playing the race card, and the GOP now must cater to Northeastern voters who favor gun control and the environment. … A piece explains why the conventional wisdom about the vice-presidential candidates has flip-flopped. Dick Cheney, once an agonizingly bad campaigner, has improved, while Joe Lieberman has suffered from unrealistically high expectations. His religiosity, which plays well on the stump, infuriates the pundits, and he has been grilled for normal political compromises because he seemed too pure at the outset. … An article questions Bush's strategy of campaigning extensively in California in the closing weeks of the campaign. His aides want him to look confident because they believe the undecideds break with the winner. But Bush is wasting valuable time he could be spending in battleground states he has a chance to win. (Mickey Kaus explains Bush's California con game in thisSlate "Kausfiles.")

New York Times Magazine, Nov. 5

The cover story looks back over Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan's career. He was the last great intellectual senator, a brilliant writer and thinker who brought scholarly respectability to the deliberations on the Senate floor. But he accomplished very little in terms of legislation or constituent service, and his arrogance and hypersensitivity about perceived slights often led him to seek petty revenge. (The piece is by Slate political correspondent Jacob Weisberg.) … A profile of Jean-Bertrand Aristide finds the formerly humble theologian has become a luxury-loving cynic. Aristide lost his political innocence after being unseated in a coup and exiled. But he controls the still-failing government remotely through a puppet and has made enemies of the reformist leaders who were once his allies. … An article describes "the know-it-alls," a coterie of professional quiz show contestants who spend their time boning up on trivia and sharpening their buzzer-finger reflexes. Leszek Pawlowicz has won the Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions, all of Ben Stein's money, and $1 million at GoldPocket.com. He lost Millionaire but is practicing feverishly for a rematch with Regis.

Time and Newsweek, Nov. 6

Similar presidential election covers. Time explains why, even though both candidates are fighting for centrist swing voters, Bush advertises his huge tax cuts and Gore talks like an old-time populist. Both learned from their fathers: Bush's father lost because he raised taxes, and Gore's father made his career as a raging populist. The problem is that the candidates are so inconsistent that voters don't know what they're getting. … Newsweek says this is the least inspiring election in years. The race has lacked lofty rhetoric, bold policies, and defining moments. As it winds down, Gore appears desperate and Bush is being extra cautious.

A Time piece analyzes AT&T's self-imposed divestiture plan. Its vision of providing bundled telephone, cable, and Internet service failed badly, and investors demand a shakeup. However, the breakup plan has not impressed industry experts, and the real problem is that deregulation has decimated AT&T's long-distance profits. … An article reports that Israel is considering radical separation if Yasser Arafat unilaterally declares a Palestinian state. Israel would pull its troops from the territories, heavily guard its borders, and cease economic contact with Palestinians, which would cripple the already struggling economies in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

A Newsweek article explores the controversy surrounding basketball incorrigible Allen Iverson. Chronically late, lazy, and abusive, he was passed over for the Olympic team, and his coach almost quit because of his tantrums. Now the NBA is upset because his upcoming rap album promises to be extra violent and misogynistic. … A piece reports that Hollywood will go on a moviemaking spree in preparation for more actor and screenwriter strikes next year. As a result, no-name actors are getting big breaks, and next summer's crop of movies could be the worst in a long time.