Overview for FF Spotlight

Hayworth Launches Challenge from the Right

Earlier today, JD Hayworth, former congressman and talk radio host, officially entered the Arizona Republican Senate primary against John McCain. In his announcement, Hayworth channeled the far-right’s most common complaints against McCain. The GOP’s Tea Party insurgency has officially set its …

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Written by Paul Craft on Monday February 15, 2010

Steele to Tea Party: Let's Make a Deal

Today, RNC Chairman Michael Steele is meeting with approximately fifty tea party leaders to discuss cooperation going into the November midterm elections. Steele goes into the meeting with some new ammunition: a Rasmussen poll that shows the Tea Party losing ground to the GOP. Today, Republica…

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Written by Tim Mak on Monday February 15, 2010

Pawlenty Takes Aim at the GOP

In his recent interview with Esquire , Tim Pawlenty produced an honest -- and very critical -- assessment of the state of the Republican Party. Oh, the Republicans had their shot not long ago to address the real needs and concerns of everyday Americans, and they blew it. I think that's …

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Written by Bryce McNitt on Sunday February 14, 2010

When Conservatives Start Crying

Glenn Beck has made a routine of crying on his program. And last week, an article in the New York Times described GOP senatorial candidate J.D. Hayworth tearing up while discussing a movie about football. FF contributors N. Machiavelli and Tim Mak weigh in on the new conservative trend: …

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Written by FrumForum Editors on Saturday February 13, 2010

Snow Diaries III: "Safeway Is Decimated!"

By the time Snowmageddon II hit, just four days after the first, the unusual good cheer and neighborliness of our-capital-under-siege had melted away--and its usual nasty temperament reasserted itself, with extra viciousness. By the time Snowmageddon II hit, just four days after the first, the …

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Written by Danielle Crittenden on Saturday February 13, 2010

A Glimpse of the GOP Future

British Conservative party leader David Cameron's new pre-election broadcast offers some important lessons for the Republican party about attracting new supporters. Here is David Cameron's pre-election broadcast . httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzj_EMwZ4Bc&feature=player_embedded …

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Written by David Frum on Saturday February 13, 2010

Gov't Group Living it Up in Geneva

UPDATED: The scandal-ridden Rights and Democracy organization may have another controversy to explain: How some $150,000 of Canadian taxpayer money has been spent on a Geneva office that isn't even open--and why they are now paying an extravagant $3,000 per month for an apartment in France for …

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Written by Tim Mak on Friday February 12, 2010

Capital Snow Diaries II: Snowplow Politics

Washingtonians of certain zip codes and official levels are not accustomed to doing their yard work themselves. On spring and fall days I've watched crews swoop through the neighborhood, and wondered idly if the amnesty-for-illegals sentiment prevalent in the Capital stemmed in part from a …

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Written by Danielle Crittenden on Friday February 12, 2010

Why Won't GOP Condemn Hayworth's Birtherism?

McCain challenger J.D. Hayworth has called for President Obama to release his birth certificate. By refusing to support McCain in the primary, Senator Jim DeMint and the Conservative Senate Fund are sending the message that advocating for birtherism is OK. Van Jones, former green jobs czar …

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Written by Zac Morgan on Friday February 12, 2010

New Obama Tax Would Chase Insurers Away

A proposed protectionist tax in the Obama budget could cost consumers $10 to $12 billion in higher insurance premiums and make it harder for Americans in parts of the country susceptible to natural disasters from finding insurance at any price. Given its sheer size, it’s not surprising that the …

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Written by Eli Lehrer on Thursday February 11, 2010

French Left Silences Debate on Immigration

In Europe, we have a paradox: The more people view immigration as a major issue, the less they feel free to talk about it. In Europe, we have a paradox: The more people view immigration as a major issue, the less they feel free to talk about it. In October 2009, France's minister of immigration …

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Written by Jean Granville on Thursday February 11, 2010

California's Med Marijuana Laws Need to Get a Fix

California was the first state to approve the use of medical marijuana and now voters are considering decriminalization of all marijuana use. But before pushing for further legalization, California should focus on overhauling their current laws. California was the first state to approve the use …

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Written by Elise Cooper on Thursday February 11, 2010

Shelby's Hold Exposed Obama's Failure

My latest column for The Week examines why the Democrats were able to break Senator Shelby’s hold on appointees within days, but seem unwilling to break the GOP’s filibuster on healthcare legislation. My latest column for The Week examines why the Democrats were able to break Senator …

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Written by David Frum on Thursday February 11, 2010

Capital Snow Diaries: Longer Than Healthcare Debate

If I were any sort of intrepid correspondent, I would have begun this diary when the snow started last Friday. But oh, we were so happy then. Who knew that five days later, many of us would still be housebound -- indeed, that this whole snow thing would feel older than the health care debate? If …

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Written by Danielle Crittenden on Thursday February 11, 2010

Did Canadian Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Anti-Semitic Hate Fest?

FF EXCLUSIVE : A Canadian taxpayer-funded organization - already under fire for financing groups with alleged links to terrorism – may have also contributed financially to the infamous Durban II conference, FrumForum has learned. FF EXCLUSIVE : A Canadian taxpayer-funded organization - …

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Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday February 10, 2010

Bailing Out Greece is Just the Start

Reports suggest that Germany is preparing to lead a bailout of Greece amid speculation the Greeks could default on their government debt. The Euro-zone countries though should use this crisis to implement serious reforms to strengthen the European monetary union. If anyone wondered why the …

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Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday February 10, 2010

Sarah Takes on Wall Street

For how much longer will economic conservatives ignore Sarah Palin's anti-business rhetoric and continue to give her a free pass? The next time I say something negative about Sarah Palin and her Baghdad Bobs tell me to “go back to the Huffington Post,” please consider that they’re warming up to …

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Written by Alex Knepper on Tuesday February 9, 2010

FF Symposium: Where's the Vital Center?

UPDATED: American public opinion in almost every way we can measure bunches up toward the moderate middle. Yet increasingly the tone of politics seems to invite and reward extremism. Frum Forum asks whether it has to be so. The term the "vital center" was coined of course by Arthur Schlesinger …

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Written by David Frum on Tuesday February 9, 2010

The Perfect Storm for Illinois Dems

The withdrawal of Scott Lee Cohen, candidate for Lieutenant Governor, is just the latest in a series of embarrassments for the Illinois Democratic party. Being a Democrat is usually an advantage for a candidate running for office in the light blue state of Illinois. But don't tell that to Alexi …

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Written by Jeb Golinkin on Monday February 8, 2010

Questions Swirl Around NY Gov Paterson

Rumors abound that New York Governor David Paterson may resign from office as early as tomorrow despite vigorous denials from the Governor’s office in Albany. Rumors abound that New York Governor David Paterson may resign from office as early as tomorrow despite vigorous denials from the Governor’…

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Written by Richard Brownell on Monday February 8, 2010