Overview for David Frum in Print

Mike Huckabee: Answers and Questions

A recent spate of good press has properly highlighted the qualities that could make Huckabee a winning candidate in 2012. Absent, though, have been the lingering causes for concern. That was a surprisingly positive profile of Mike Huckabee in the em> New Yorker

Written by David Frum on Wednesday July 7, 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 Ready for Canada's 150th Birthday

Maybe it's a good time for Canada to think a little ahead and start planning for the 150th anniversary of Confederation. Canada Day 2010 finds Canadians in a rare mood of self-confidence. The country has suffered less from the global recession than any other major economy. No region is threatening …

Written by David Frum on Saturday July 3, 2010

The Krugman Question

Nobel laureate Paul Krugman is warning — perhaps rightly — that the U.S. has entered an economic depression. His policy prescription is misguided, but where are the conservative solutions? What if Paul Krugman is right? Or at least in the neighborhood of right? The New York Times columnist …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday June 30, 2010

Obama's Parade of Foreign Policy Failures

Can you name one major foreign policy initiative of the Obama administration that is not mired in horrible failure? Can you name one major foreign policy initiative of the Obama administration that is not mired in horrible failure? The Afghan war is going wrong. Diplomatic outreach to Iran was …

Written by David Frum on Saturday June 26, 2010

The Cruel Hoax of Green Jobs

Today's young job seekers confront narrowed choices, pinched futures and the deceptive promise of an industry yoked to subsidy and regulation. I graduated from college in 1982, so I have sympathy for the classes of 2009 and 2010. Unemployment was officially higher in 1982 than it is today, …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday June 23, 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

José Saramago's False Courage

The words of protest José Saramago never uttered against dictatorship in Portugal he unleashed against democracy in Israel. Jose Saramago, Nobel laureate in literature and anti-Semite, died Friday aged 87. Saramago won his prize in 1998. He put his new global fame to the service of a new cause: …

Written by David Frum on Saturday June 19, 2010

Obama's 'Courage and Candor' Gap

From the economic crash to energy policy, the president has diagnosed what ails us. It's a pity he doesn't follow his own prescriptions. This is becoming a pattern. Twice before in his presidency, Barack Obama has faced a crisis or major challenge. Twice before he has summoned the nation to …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday June 16, 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

The Gaza Flotilla’s Real Message

By forcing world leaders to grapple with the Gaza embargo, the flotilla organizers managed to focus attention on the fundamental problem: Hamas rule itself. Told ya. Last week in this space, I offered some predictions of winners and losers from the Gaza flotilla. Among the winners, Palestinia…

Written by David Frum on Saturday June 12, 2010

Helen Thomas and Other Weapons of Mass Distraction

The abrupt end to Helen Thomas' career has triggered many tributes to her supposedly tough questioning. But it was not tough. Helen Thomas will no longer be sitting in the front row of the White House press briefing room. The abrupt end to her career has triggered many tributes to Thomas’ …

Written by David Frum on Thursday June 10, 2010

Why Hamas Lost the Flotilla Fight

There are winners from the Gaza flotilla and losers. In human terms, the losses begin with the battered and injured IDF soldiers who boarded the Mavi Marmara. But there is a geopolitical scorecard too, and Hamas is a major loser. There are winners from the Gaza flotilla and losers. In human terms, …

Written by David Frum on Saturday June 5, 2010

The Greek Crisis isn't Greek

Greek debt, German banks, and your 401(k) are all connected. And there's no way to rescue only the innocent. Who has had the worst month? BP? The Israeli navy? Or German bankers? Global financial markets collapsed in May, the worst month for U.S. Stocks since 1940, as investors began to …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday June 2, 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

U.S. Spending Pile Up Will Lead to Crash

At the time, the United States most desperately needs to create new wealth, we're piling spending atop spending in ways not easily undone. Wages down, government benefits up. Yesterday, USA Today published a troubling report on trends in American incomes. Of every $100 received by Americans, …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday May 26, 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

Angry GOP Voters Flirt with Danger in Kentucky

Rand Paul is poised to be the GOP senate nominee in Kentucky. Republicans there are determined to send a message — even if it hurts. For Republicans, one of the most ominously symbolic races in the country this year is the impending victory of Rand Paul in the Kentucky senatorial primary. …

Written by David Frum on Thursday May 13, 2010

Offshore Oil Drilling is Still Necessary

Despite the recent BP catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, we should keep drilling for oil. It hasn't been the greatest couple of weeks for the offshore oil drilling industry. The next few months will be even worse: congressional investigations, huge clean up costs, new regulations. The offshore …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday May 12, 2010