Overview for FF Spotlight

Conservatives AWOL on Fighting Defense Cuts

The Right is too lazy, myopic, and mired in its Cold War ways to think imaginatively and creatively about the defense budget. The American Enterprise Institute’s (AEI’s) Center for Defense Studies is lamenting what it calls the “isolationist urges” of some conservatives and many Tea Partiers. …

Written by John Guardiano on Wednesday June 9, 2010

Americans Uninterested in Gaza Flotilla Story

Despite the extensive media coverage, a new Pew Research Center survey reveals that Americans were as interested in reports about the Gaza flotilla incident as they were in coverage of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Pew Research Center provides a weekly survey to determine which news stories might …

Written by Elise Cooper on Wednesday June 9, 2010

Ayaan Hirsi Ali's Message to the West

Ayaan Hirsi Ali is the world’s most effective critic on Islam’s treatment of women and has continued to speak out despite threats to her life from extremists. The packed audience at the CBC’s Glen Gould Studio this week, didn’t quite know what to expect when invited by the Donner Canadian …

Written by Peter Worthington on Wednesday June 9, 2010

Crist's Flip-Flops Evade Scrutiny

Charlie Crist’s positions on the teachers unions, offshore drilling, and a host of other major issues change daily. What has not changed is Charlie Crist's front-runner status in the Florida Senate race. Charlie Crist’s positions on the teachers unions, offshore drilling, and a host of other …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday June 9, 2010

Attacks on Haley Flop

Say what you will about South Carolina, but at least the whole “raghead” thing didn’t work. Say what you will about South Carolina, but at least the whole “raghead” thing didn’t work. State Sen. Jake Knotts (who infamously called Rep. Nikki Haley AND President Barack Obama “ragheads,” which …

Written by Cheves Ligon on Wednesday June 9, 2010

Angle's Scientology Problem

So the good news is that Sharron Angle, winner of the Nevada GOP Senate primary race, is not personally a member of the notorious Church of Scientology. The bad news: She seems to be a gullible person, easily deceived by persons with sinister agendas. It's early days yet, but it does seem we can …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday June 9, 2010

GOP Gov Vulnerable in Nevada Primary

For the first time in Nevada’s history, it’s looking as if the incumbent governor will be defeated in the party primary. Nevada is poised to watch an electoral first as U.S. District Court Judge Brian Sandoval continues to lead in the polls ahead of incumbent Governor Jim Gibbons. For the first …

Written by Rachel Ryan on Tuesday June 8, 2010

Will Tea Party Hurt GOP's Chances in VA-5?

With the establishment candidate set to win the GOP primary in Virginia's fifth congressional district, attention now turns to whether the Tea Party will back an independent challenger in the general election. When I visited the town of Lynchburg, Virginia in March earlier this year, there were …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Tuesday June 8, 2010

The GOP's Foolish Defense of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Instead of preparing for the next round of pork-laden "jobs" bills or increased regulations from the Democrats, Republicans are wasting their political capital in defense of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Not wanting to be on the unpopular side of a controversial issue, Massachusetts Senator Scott …

Written by Jonas Stankovich on Tuesday June 8, 2010

A Sad End For Helen Thomas

In a way, it’s too bad (albeit deserved) what has happened to Helen Thomas. Her ground-breaking achievements as a pioneering female journalist all will fade in light of her fall from grace. I wasn’t anxious to write about Helen Thomas, the living (sort of) legend of White House correspondents, who …

Written by Peter Worthington on Tuesday June 8, 2010

Canada's Tough Afghan Choice

Regardless of their personal feelings, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Defense Minister Peter MacKay are committed to withdrawing fighting forces by next summer. So far, they show no inclination to change their minds. There’s nothing quite like seeing reality for oneself. And that was the …

Written by Peter Worthington on Tuesday June 8, 2010

Tea Party Looks to Unseat Reid

In Nevada, recent polls suggest that Tea Party-backed candidate Sharron Angle may be the GOP's best bet to defeat Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Sue Lowden’s website for her Nevada Senate campaign includes a press release entitled: “It’s Unanimous: Angle in November Means Reid in December.” …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Monday June 7, 2010

Haley Looks to Avoid Runoff

In the South Carolina gubernatorial race, Nikki Haley will almost certainly win the GOP nomination despite allegations of marital infidelity. The only question for her is whether she can win it without a runoff. In the South Carolina gubernatorial race, Nikki Haley will almost certainly win the …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Monday June 7, 2010

Inglis Trailing in SC-4

In South Carolina’s 4th congressional district, polls show incumbent GOP Rep. Bob Inglis running behind conservative challenger Trey Gowdy. In South Carolina’s 4 th Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Bob Inglis is on the rocks. The South Carolina 4th is super-red and super-conservative. It …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Monday June 7, 2010

Whitman Holds Lead in Cal GOP Gov Race

One day away from California’s gubernatorial primaries, GOP candidate Meg Whitman is carrying a 20 point lead in the polls. One day away from California’s May 7 th gubernatorial primaries and all eyes are on Republican candidates Steve Poizner and Meg Whitman. While former Senator, and …

Written by Rachel Ryan on Monday June 7, 2010

Palin Looks Ahead to the Iowa Caucuses

If Sarah Palin is not planning to run in 2012, then her decision to endorse former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad in the current Iowa gubernatorial battle does not make a whole lot of sense. If Sarah Palin is not planning to run in 2012, then her decision to endorse former Iowa Governor Terry …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Monday June 7, 2010

Iran Threatens to Break the Blockade

According to reports, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has offered to escort future convoys to Gaza. If Iran follows through on these threats, it would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Israel. According to a report by AFP today, the Iranian Red Crescent has decided to send two aid ships …

Written by Arsen Ostrovsky on Monday June 7, 2010

Why Paris Trumps Washington

Our capital city, Washington D.C., is a second-tier, second-rate city. And the country is better off for it. I disagree with Rachel Ryan . Quite simply, Paris trumps Washington, D.C. Paris is a bigger, more interesting, and more significant city than the American seat of government. And …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Sunday June 6, 2010

FrumCast with Hitchens

I sat down with Christopher Hitchens to discuss his new memoir, Hitch-22 , the end of the Empire and the state of modern Britain. I sat down with Christopher Hitchens to discuss his new memoir, Hitch-22 , the end of the Empire and the state of modern Britain. Click here to download …

Written by David Frum on Sunday June 6, 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