Overview for David Frum in Print

Ignatieff's Wink to Anti-Israel Voters

Liberal candidate Michael Ignatieff may not have mentioned Israel in this week's debate, but those who follow the issues closely saw signals of a return to Canada's old Mideast policies. Michael Ignatieff used this week’s English-language leaders debate to send dog whistle signals to anti-Israel …

Written by David Frum on Saturday April 16, 2011

Ryan's Budget Gives Obama What He Wants

The Republican plan to cut taxes and slash government health care spending gives the president prime opportunities for political victory. “Whatever you do, don’t serve to his backhand.” “Don’t be nervous. I have the new Ryan serve. It’s bold!” “Trust me on this. Don’t serve to his backhand.” …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday April 13, 2011

Big Banks Want a Favor -- At Your Expense

Banks are again asking Congress for another special favor. This time, they want to prevent a limit on the fees you pay every time you swipe a debit or credit card. You might think the big banks would be too embarrassed to ask Congress for more special favors. You think wrong. The big banks …

Written by David Frum on Monday April 11, 2011

A Budget That Can't Budge

The Ryan Plan won't become law. So what's it for? What is the much-discussed Paul Ryan plan ? You probably know the plan’s main elements: A huge cut in Medicaid, a big cut in the value of future Medicare coverage for those under age 55, substantial cuts in discretionary domestic spending, …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday April 6, 2011

It's Time for a Florida-First Primary

A primary system that started in Florida would press presidential candidates to talk more about the issues most Americans care about. At the end of World War II, a new secretary of state faced a tough management decision. The State Department's old quarters had become desperately cramped and …

Written by David Frum on Monday April 4, 2011

Harper Makes Ignatieff Reveal His Worst Flaw

By challenging Michael Ignatieff to a one on one debate, Stephen Harper has made Ignatieff reveal his worst flaw, his disrespect for his opponent In any multiparty election contest, the #2 candidate always wants to be alone with #1. Stephen Harper would have known that before he made his …

Written by David Frum on Saturday April 2, 2011

The Real Libya Policy Obama Won't Admit

President Obama’s campaign in Libya may be the most deceptively sold U.S. military policy since World War II. And people say George W. Bush lied about Iraq! President Obama’s campaign in Libya may be the most deceptively sold U.S. military policy since Franklin Roosevelt’s “all aid short of …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday March 30, 2011

5 yrs of Twitter? I cn hrdly blv it

Y it seems just ystrdy oped clmnsts wd go on & on. Ponderously using 900 wds to make a pt that cd be made in a sentence or 2. 5 yrs of Twitter? I cn hrdly blv it. Y it seems just ystrdy oped clmnsts wd go on & on. Ponderously using 900 wds to make a pt that cd be made in a sentence or …

Written by David Frum on Saturday March 19, 2011

Follower-in-Chief

In his desire not to repeat our open-ended commitments in Afghanistan and Iraq, Obama's just pledged the U.S. to an open-ended fight in Libya. It’s not just generals who fight the last war. President Obama’s speech about Libya on Friday afternoon served notice: he is still fighting against the …

Written by David Frum on Friday March 18, 2011

Cut Medicare for the Richer, Not the Younger

Paul Ryan's budget ideas make a lot of sense. But there's one problem: why load more burdens on those under 40? Paul Ryan's advance previews of his budget ideas make a lot of sense. But they are missing one important piece. Here's the Wisconsin Congressman, head of the House Budget …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday March 16, 2011

Does Obama Prefer a Qaddafi Victory?

The White House has moved slowly on Libya. Does Obama genuinely want to see Qaddafi toppled or has he decided that America is better off with his regime in place? The Obama administration has moved slowly on Libya. My latest CNN column asks: has the White House decided America will be better off …

Written by David Frum on Monday March 14, 2011

Canada's Bogus Scandal Frenzy

The Harper government is hardly composed of saints. Yet it is surely the most honest federal government Canada has produced in a very long time. Of all the bullpucky political scandals in history, the latest series from Ottawa must be the bullpuckiest. Italy has Berlusconi. Britain has the …

Written by David Frum on Monday March 14, 2011

Why Obama Must Intervene in Libya

Obama is wrestling with whether or not to intervene in Libya. One consideration should top his thinking: What message will it send if Qaddafi survives? President Barack Obama is wrestling with a decision whether or not to intervene in Libya. Here is a consideration that should top the president…

Written by David Frum on Monday March 7, 2011

Feminism's Multicultural Blind Spot

Throughout Europe, women's rights are regressing rather than advancing, as immigration from North Africa and the Middle East transforms European societies. The first International Women's Day was observed in Germany a century ago. How are things for women in Germany today? Pretty good, you …

Written by David Frum on Saturday March 5, 2011

Europe's Coming Refugee Crisis

The turmoil in Arab North Africa is not only a political crisis: It could soon trigger a global migration crisis. The turmoil in Arab North Africa is not only a political crisis: It could soon trigger a global migration crisis. Already, 5,000 Tunisians have attempted to migrate to Italy since …

Written by David Frum on Saturday February 26, 2011

What Does Bahrain's Turmoil Mean for Iran?

The West's response to the protests in Bahrain should be guided by one test: Will our decisions bring us closer to - or further from - democracy in Iran? Bahrain is an island nation in the Persian Gulf, connected by a causeway to Saudi Arabia. Bahrain has been swept by protests against the …

Written by David Frum on Saturday February 19, 2011

The GOP's Healthcare Dilemma

Coverage for all: We do it, why not say it? If I were working for a 2012 Republican presidential aspirant, I’d be preparing now for this debate question: "Governor/Senator: Do you believe that the federal government should ensure that all Americans can buy an affordable health-insurance …

Written by David Frum on Thursday January 20, 2011

What the American Right Can Learn from Canada's

As Canadian conservatives have moved toward inclusion and policy seriousness, American conservatives are following a very different path. Five years of Conservative government in Ottawa. It's a great achievement, and not Stephen Harper's achievement alone. It's an achievement for which …

Written by David Frum on Saturday January 15, 2011

The Democrats' White Flight Problem

Historically, the Democrats were the party of the white working class. But now those ties are breaking down. "That's not an election. It's a census." That's what outside observers sadly had to say about Iraqi elections, in which party support broke down along ethnic and religious lines. You …

Written by David Frum on Saturday January 8, 2011

A Realistic Plan for Reforming the Health Care Act

Next week, Republicans in the House will vote to repeal Democratic health reform. Then the act will proceed to the Senate, where nothing will happen. What then? Next week, Republicans in the House of Representatives will vote to repeal Democratic health reform. Promise kept! Then the "Repeal-th…

Written by David Frum on Thursday January 6, 2011