Overview for CNN Archive

Bristol Palin and the Future of Marriage

Last week, a federal judge declared same-sex marriage a constitutional right. Meanwhile, Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston again broke up their on-again, off-again romance. Last week, a federal judge declared same-sex marriage a constitutional right. Meanwhile, Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston again …

Written by David Frum on Monday August 9, 2010

Time for U.S. Government Yard Sale

Some say that the United States is incurring too much debt. Others that the worst recession since World War II is no time to cut spending or raise taxes. They're both right. Some say that the United States is incurring too much debt, more than $1 trillion in the past fiscal year. Others say …

Written by David Frum on Monday July 26, 2010

At Last, Obama Backs Colombia Trade Pact

It's good to see President Obama belatedly waking up to America's national interest in a peaceful, prosperous Colombia. The question ahead: How hard will the president work to advance that national interest? Finally. In a speech this week, President Obama urged Congress to ratify the U.S.-Colombia …

Written by David Frum on Monday July 12, 2010

Why Good Jobs are Going Unfilled

The United States needs a human capital policy that emphasizes skilled immigration and halts unskilled immigration. It needed that policy 15 years ago, but it's not too late to start now. We're getting to the point where even good news comes wrapped in bad news. Good news: Despite the terrible …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday July 6, 2010

Getting Off Oil Easily is a Fantasy

President Obama is right: We can take the U.S. off oil. But he omitted to mention the fine print: Doing so will be slow, will be expensive, and will involve huge dislocations in American lifestyles and business. President Obama is right: We can take the U.S. off oil. But he omitted to mention the …

Written by David Frum on Monday June 21, 2010

Obama Waiting to See If His Bets Pay Off

Even if he were to serve eight years in office, Barack Obama has likely already made all the most important decisions of his presidency. Even if he were to serve eight years in office, Barack Obama has likely already made all the most important decisions of his presidency. That's the nature of …

Written by David Frum on Monday June 14, 2010

Stop the Hypocrisy about Israel

Turkey is a NATO ally, an applicant to the European Union. What is it doing allowing its nationals to smuggle cement that could build bunkers? Especially when those nationals belong to a group, the Turkish IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi) that Israel has designated a terrorist organization? Enjoy …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday June 1, 2010

Just Saying 'No' Won't Win It for GOP

Here is something for Republicans to consider: Normally, challengers do not bother to develop much of a positive message in a recession year. "Things are awful -- they're in charge -- vote for us" usually does the job. But that approach may not work for Republicans in November 2010. To understand …

Written by David Frum on Monday May 24, 2010

Attack on Cartoonist a Threat to Us All

Firebombed. Cyberattacked. Attacked by a shouting mob. That's what happened to Lars Vilks in the week ending May 16. Firebombed. Cyberattacked. Attacked by a shouting mob. That's what happened to Lars Vilks in the week ending May 16. And if you think: "Well thank goodness my week was a lot …

Written by David Frum on Monday May 17, 2010

Is Obama Leading, or Ducking Blame?

The biggest environmental disaster in recent American history reveals an important "leadership secret" of Barack Obama. The biggest environmental disaster in recent American history reveals an important "leadership secret" of Barack Obama: Although President Obama has not entirely escaped blame …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday May 11, 2010

Ending Illegal Immigration Benefits Economy

When Arizona police ask suspected illegal immigrants for IDs, they are protecting your grandchildren's economic future. When Arizona police ask suspected illegal immigrants for IDs, they are protecting your grandchildren's economic future. Three years ago, ETS -- the people who administer the …

Written by David Frum on Monday May 3, 2010

How Democracy May Come to China

It's a grim ironic paradox of modern China: China's vast new middle class -- not to mention its estimated 600,000 millionaires -- look to one-party rule by Mao Zedong's communists as the best protectors of private property. "Why do you assume that we want Western democracy?" The question was put …

Written by David Frum on Monday April 19, 2010

My Dream Product from Apple

I want Apple to do for my library what the iPod did for my record collection: eliminate it. I belong to that class of person once mocked by The Onion: "If it's shiny and made by Apple, I'll buy it." But I won't be buying the new iPad. I can't see why I need it: an iPhone that cannot make calls, …

Written by David Frum on Sunday April 4, 2010

Republicans' Big Hope for 2010

California Republicans are feeling an emotion they have not felt for years: hope. Might the state of Ronald Reagan be returning to its old party loyalty? Even a little? If so, that return will have powerful consequences not just for California, but the country. California Republicans are feeling …

Written by David Frum on Monday March 29, 2010

How GOP can Rebound from its 'Waterloo'

Some Republicans are talking of repealing the whole Democratic health reform bill. That's not very realistic. Even supposing that Republicans miraculously capture both houses of Congress in November, repeal will require a presidential signature. What the hell do we Republicans do now? In the …

Written by David Frum on Monday March 22, 2010

Blame Yesterday's Reforms for Today's Gridlocked Congress

In the mid-1970s, Congress underwent a revolution. The power of the committee chairmen was broken. The number of subcommittees proliferated. The committees met in public. Amendments multiplied. Congress become more open, more egalitarian, more responsive. And stuff ceased to pass. Again and again, …

Written by David Frum on Monday March 1, 2010

Ron Paul's Money Plan is Far from Golden

Ron Paul-style themes have percolated through the conservative movement since Paul's beat-the-spread 2008 presidential campaign. Of all those themes, the one that has achieved the widest audience is Paul's call for a return to money based on precious metals such as gold and silver. The annual …

Written by David Frum on Monday February 22, 2010

Is Israel-Bashing Anti-Semitic?

It's possible to hate Israel without hating Jews. It's even possible to hate Jews without hating Israel. But these interesting theoretical potentialities exist mainly on the blackboard. In real life, it becomes very difficult to separate hatred of the Jewish state from hatred of the Jews who live …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday February 16, 2010

Obama's Anti-Terror Policy is a Mess

The Obama administration says it will assign terrorists on a case by case basis, sending some to civilian courts, others to military tribunals. This seems to offer the worst of both worlds. It took the United States government 18 months to capture Khalid Sheikh Mohammed -- and seven years to …

Written by David Frum on Monday February 1, 2010

"Obama the Populist" Doesn't Ring True

If you are a unifier, you have to do unity -- and do it all the time. As President Obama acknowledges, his administration hit a buzz saw in Massachusetts last week. The president will respond as he always does to emergencies: with a speech. In this case, it's his State of the Union address. The …

Written by David Frum on Monday January 25, 2010