Thomas J. Whalen is an associate professor of social science at Boston University and author of Kennedy versus Lodge, A Higher Purpose, and Dynasty's End. An expert in modern American politics, American foreign policy, and the American presidency, Whalen's commentary has appeared in the New York Times, ABCNews. com, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, Politico, and the Associated Press. He has also appeared on several national broadcast outlets including CNN, NPR, and Reuters TV.