Overview for FF Spotlight

Smoltz for Congress?

Pitcher John Smoltz won 212 games and recorded 155 saves in his 22 years in the major leagues. But can he win a congressional race? He won 212 games and recorded 155 saves in his 22 years in the major leagues. But could he win a congressional race, and does he even want to try? These are all …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Sunday February 28, 2010

W.H. Social Secretaries: Divas Need Not Apply

As Desiree Rogers prepares to step down as White House social secretary, here's a little friendly advice for her new replacement: focus on guest lists not self-promotion. As daring Desiree Rogers, the infamous White House social secretary prepares to dash out of the White House for not doing her …

Written by Crystal Wright on Sunday February 28, 2010

Slowing Down the Obama Agenda

The GOP is expected to score a big pickup of House seats in November's elections. But with President Obama still in the White House and the Democrats likely keeping the Senate, Republicans will need to focus on policies that can pull independent and Democratic support. As I wrote before , …

Written by John Vecchione on Sunday February 28, 2010

Giannoulias Bank Ties Could Hurt Campaign

Chicago’s troubled Broadway Bank -- owned by the family of Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias -- must raise no less than $75 million in capital by late April. This is just the latest distraction for Giannoulias in his tight race with Rep. Mark Kirk for Barack Obama's old Senate seat. …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Saturday February 27, 2010

The Brown Betrayal That Wasn't

Scott Brown has received a great deal of criticism from conservative circles for his vote in favor of the Democratic jobs bill. But the sense of betrayal amongst some of his supporters is overblown. Brown was never the Tea Party darling that many made him out to be. Why would anybody be …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday February 26, 2010

Caught on Tape: GOP Wins Summit Showdown

For months, Republicans ripped Democrats for the closed-door nature of their healthcare reform negotiations. Yesterday, Democrats threw the doors open for 6 hours. They would have been better off keeping them closed. As others have already noted, yesterday was a good one for Republicans. They …

Written by Henry Clay on Friday February 26, 2010

McCain's Risky Anti-Birther Gambit

Senator McCain's new ad attacking challenger JD Hayworth for his associations with the birther movement could further alienate McCain from the state GOP. Just this week, 40 Republican Arizona state legislators voted for a bill requiring presidential candidates to produce a birth certificate. …

Written by Paul Craft on Friday February 26, 2010

Fiorina: I Can Save Taxpayers a Half Trillion Dollars

In a recent interview, California GOP Senate candidate Carly Fiorina pushed her fiscal conservative credentials and claimed that she could help cut up to $500 billion in wasteful federal spending. “After going through chemotherapy and losing my hair, ” Carly Fiorina is telling an eager San Diego …

Written by Michael Rosen on Thursday February 25, 2010

Forget Hockey - Who Gets Better Healthcare?

The premier of Canada's Newfoundland and Labrador province raised heckles in his home country when he recently decided to leave Canada and travel to Florida for a complex heart operation. Danny Williams, the premier of the Atlantic Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador raised heckles …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Thursday February 25, 2010

Improving Steele's Youth Outreach

When RNC Chairman Michael Steele spoke at the Harvard Kennedy School recently he failed to offer any reasons why young voters who lean Democratic should support the GOP. Three weeks ago today, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele addressed a packed house at the John F. Kennedy …

Written by Zachary Kushel on Thursday February 25, 2010

Getting the Stimulus Wrong, Again

The Democrats whiffed on the first stimulus bill, spending $800 billion to create only half the jobs promised. Now the Senate has passed a $15-billion jobs bill. This second stimulus will take too long to help with the recession but it will help inflate the deficit. My latest column for The Week …

Written by David Frum on Thursday February 25, 2010

Daniels' Campaign Strategy: Refuse to Run

Mitch Daniels’ latest budge toward a 2012 bid belies a more than healthy distaste for jumping into the ring before he’s good and ready. Mitch Daniels easily has the most impressive 2012 campaign strategy of any contender in the field. It’s simple: REFUSE TO RUN. When that’s not enough for your …

Written by Bryce McNitt on Wednesday February 24, 2010

The Cost of "No" at the Health Summit

Congressional Republicans should realize the dangers of obstruction in the lead-up to tomorrow's healthcare summit. According to a new CNN poll , only 31% think the GOP is doing enough to work with President Obama. Two poll numbers will shock congressional Republicans into realizing the dangers …

Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday February 24, 2010

Gates: NATO Flunking the Afghan Test

Robert Gates had harsh words for NATO earlier today, raising questions about the organization's capacity to carry out its Afghan mission. Robert Gates had some harsh words for NATO earlier today. Speaking at the National Defense University about the future of the North Atlantic Treaty …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday February 24, 2010

A Canadian's View of NBC Olympic Coverage

Watching the Vancouver Olympics on TV in the U.S., where I’ve been throughout the Games, you get a different impression of Canada than when seeing them at home. Watching the Vancouver Olympics on TV in the U.S., where I’ve been throughout the Games, you get a different impression of Canada …

Written by Peter Worthington on Wednesday February 24, 2010

Gore's Stealth Plan for Climate Regs

While former Vice President Al Gore has argued for a full governmental assault on global warming, his own lawyer from Bush v Gore , has emerged as one of the most respected voices opposed to judicial involvement on climate change. While former Vice President Al Gore has argued for a full …

Written by Stephen Richer on Tuesday February 23, 2010

There's Something in the Water

At two recent dinners, President Obama has toasted his guests with water. This is a bit puzzling to those of us who think the only reason to put on a tuxedo is for the high-priced alcohol that usually ensues. At two recent dinners—the Governors’ Ball and the State Dinner for India —President …

Written by Stephen Richer on Tuesday February 23, 2010

Losing the Space Race

President Obama's request that NASA work on "outreach" to the Muslim world coupled with his budget cuts will gut an agency that has long stood for American technical leadership. When I first saw this report that President Obama asked NASA to work on outreach to Muslim countries, I thought I …

Written by Gusher on Tuesday February 23, 2010

Taking a Shot at Crime

Today, 39 states have laws that permit responsible people to carry a concealed weapon. While controversial, evidence is overwhelming that this law inhibits others from using guns indiscriminately. Back in 1987 when there was a rash robberies and killings of tourists in Florida, the state …

Written by Peter Worthington on Tuesday February 23, 2010

Miracle on Ice and in the Air

In 1980, at the height of the Cold War, American sailors in the Gulf of Aden would learn about the U.S. hockey team's shocking upset of the Soviets from an unlikely source. On the thirtieth anniversary of the Miracle on Ice, I thought it would be important to share a story about the effect of …

Written by Chris Brown on Monday February 22, 2010