Overview for FF Spotlight

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

A Conservative Vote for Hawaiian Freedom

UPDATED: The Senate has taken up the Akaka bill which will restore certain rights to Native Hawaiians and it looks like it will pass. National Review and other conservatives are wrong to attack the bill as a return to segregation or race-based laws. UPDATE: Two months back, I argued in the …

Written by John Vecchione 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

Obamacare: Still Dead in the Water

White House officials insist that Obamacare is very much alive. Their actions suggest otherwise. There was a time when Obamacare was draft legislation with the potential to reengineer a sixth of the national economy, a sweeping policy vision for America. After the Massachusetts election of …

Written by David Gratzer on Monday February 22, 2010

Paterson Falls Further Behind

Polls now show David Paterson trailing former GOP representative Rick Lazio in a potential matchup for New York's governor's race. For the first time, New York Governor David Paterson trails former Republican Representative Rick Lazio among registered voters in what could be a potential matchup …

Written by Chris Brown on Monday February 22, 2010

Nixon in China Wrong Model for Iran

When Barack Obama began “engaging” with Iran, he explicitly cited Nixon’s historic opening to China as an example. But one need not be a geopolitician to see that none of the same conditions apply. Sunday marked the 38 th anniversary of the beginning of President Richard Nixon’s historic trip …

Written by Gusher on Monday February 22, 2010

Brown's Bullying Could Cost Labour

A new book which reports claims that British PM Gordon Brown was abusive and bullying towards staff members will only make Labour's bid to retain the House of Commons more of a challenge. On a day on which the Sunday Times published a YouGov poll revealing that the gap between Labour and the …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Sunday February 21, 2010

CPAC 2010's Highs and Lows

The Conservative Political Action Conference wrapped up on Saturday evening with a chalk-waving rant by Glenn Beck. But not everything at CPAC over the last three days was so bizarre - in fact, there were a lot of promising signs. The Conservative Political Action Conference wrapped up on Saturday …

Written by Tim Mak on Sunday February 21, 2010

Coulter at CPAC: "Olbermann is a Girl"

Before a packed crowd at CPAC, Ann Coulter didn't deliver a speech so much as a stand-up routine with many crass one-liners. Follow Frum Forum ’s coverage of CPAC via twitter @DavidFrum, @FrumForum, @timkmak and @noahkgreen. Click here for liveblogging of CPAC 2010 convention speeches …

Written by Tim Mak on Saturday February 20, 2010

Bolton: Senate Should Kill Arms Reduction Treaty

UPDATED: In his address to CPAC today, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton predicted that President Obama would soon announce a strategic arms reduction deal with Russia and urged the Senate to reject the treaty. Follow Frum Forum 's coverage of CPAC via twitter @DavidFrum…

Written by FrumForum Editors on Saturday February 20, 2010

Remembering Arnold Beichman

Let me add a story to the reminiscences of the great Arnold Beichman. I last saw Arnold in October 2008 at the beautiful home he shared with his wife Carol in Naramata, British Columbia. Let me add a story to the reminiscences of the great Arnold Beichman. I last saw Arnold in October 2008 at the …

Written by David Frum on Saturday February 20, 2010

Tiger's Mea Culpa

The big question after Tiger Woods’ much-anticipated (and ballyhooed) apology to the world for his behavior is whether it’s real or more spin. The big question after Tiger Woods’ much-anticipated (and ballyhooed) apology to the world for his behavior, is whether it’s real, or more spin. Maybe …

Written by Peter Worthington on Saturday February 20, 2010

Is Jindal Looking to 2012?

Not that we would ever speculate, but Bobby Jindal seems to be taking a page out of President Barack Obama's campaign playbook. Not that we would ever speculate, but Bobby Jindal seems to be taking a page out of President Barack Obama's campaign playbook. Jindal's new book, titled, On Solid …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Friday February 19, 2010