Overview for FF Spotlight

Pakistan: Origins of a Failed State

Today’s Pakistan is at war with itself, torn between competing ideas of what it means to be Pakistani. This failure to create a humane or liberal nationalism has its roots in Pakistan's foundation. This is the second installment in Kapil Komireddi’s series on Pakistan.  Click here to read the …

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Written by Kapil Komireddi on Wednesday November 18, 2009

Who You Calling a RINO?

Why is it that those of us who are willing to do what it takes to beat Democrats are called "Republicans in name only" or worse? Meanwhile those conservatives willing to accept years of Democratic government rather than adjust any point congratulate themselves on their commitment and dedication. …

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Written by David Frum on Wednesday November 18, 2009

What Obama Should Have Said in China

Conservatives should beware letting the (understandable) partisan impulse to accept all criticisms of the Obama administration no matter the source - and also the (less understandable) ideological conviction that a high dollar is always good - to mislead them into ignoring how much of the world's …

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Written by David Frum on Wednesday November 18, 2009

Still New York's Favorite Republican

As a Republican, Rudy Giuliani would face an uphill battle for statewide office in New York, but according to the latest polls he is still the state's most popular GOP politician. Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani trails current New York Attorney General and potential rival Andrew Cuomo by …

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Written by Chris Brown on Wednesday November 18, 2009

On Oprah's Couch

During her interview with Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Palin tried to come across as a “perky, folksy” working mom and blamed McCain campaign staffers for her shortcomings as a candidate. During her interview with Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Palin tried to come across as a “perky, folksy” working mom. She blamed …

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Written by Crystal Wright on Tuesday November 17, 2009

Sarah *Hearts* Learning

In her new autobiography Sarah Palin's attempts to establish her intellectual and educational credentials end up looking forced and do little to help her reputation. What’s the motivating factor behind Sarah Palin’s new autobiography Going Rogue: An American Life ?  Did she write it to make …

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Written by Stephen Richer on Tuesday November 17, 2009

Try KSM, Not Bush

The trials of Khalid Sheik Mohammed and the other 9/11 plotters in civilian court will degenerate into a show trial of the Bush Administration's methods in the War on Terror. So now Khalid Sheik Mohammed (KSM) and five self-confessed 9/11 co-conspirators are to be tried not as war criminals in a …

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Written by Brad Schaeffer on Tuesday November 17, 2009

Defending Sarah

Matthew Continetti's new book, The Persecution of Sarah Palin is lite-fare as much as it is red-meat, and should be taken with a barrel of salt. From the beginning, the Weekly Standard has been on Sarah Palin’s side. As the magazine’s associate editor Matthew Continetti reminds us throughout …

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Written by Alex Knepper on Tuesday November 17, 2009

GOP Must Rally Behind Kirk

A moderate Republican candidate like Rep. Mark Kirk seems ideally placed to win Barack Obama's old Senate seat in Illinois. A primary challenge that would force Kirk to run to the right though would jeopardize the GOP's chances for winning this seat in the general election. With the February 2 nd …

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Written by Jeb Golinkin on Monday November 16, 2009

9/11 Trials: A World Stage for Jihad?

Frum Forum interviewed families who lost loved ones on 9/11, and former FBI and CIA officials about the decision to try the plotters in federal court. All agreed that the defendants should not be allowed to turn the trial into a forum for promoting jihadist propaganda. The Obama administration …

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Written by Elise Cooper on Sunday November 15, 2009

Palin: Celebrity But No Credibility

One of the best arguments against then-presidential candidate Barack Obama was that he was just a celebrity without many accomplishments. The same criticism can be applied today to Sarah Palin. If there’s any silver lining to the miserable beating that Republicans endured nationwide in the 2008 …

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Written by Eric Trager on Sunday November 15, 2009

Rubio: The Beltway Candidate

Analysis by Frum Forum reveals that Marco Rubio, running as the candidate of the conservative grassroots, has relied much more heavily on fundraising and promotion from Washington D.C. than Charlie Crist, the supposed candidate of the Republican establishment. Analysis by Frum Forum reveals …

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Written by Tim Mak on Sunday November 15, 2009

Dems Keep Flu Vaccine for Themselves, Punish GOP Districts

Sources in Illinois tell Frum Forum that while Chicago and downstate Illinois (the homebase of Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin) are receiving large amounts of flu vaccine, the city's northern suburbs which form the congressional district of Republican Rep. Mark Kirk are receiving none at all. Is …

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Written by Jeb Golinkin on Friday November 13, 2009

Obamacare: A Public Policy Disaster

The problem with President Obama's health proposals rests in their very ideological underpinning: that only with a new, massive role for the federal government will we better American healthcare. Like many, back in January, I was willing to give the new Administration a chance. Let’s be clear: …

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Written by David Gratzer on Friday November 13, 2009

China & Pakistan: Nuke Suppliers to the World

China is the generator of the nuclear problems that stare us in the face today - but it's role has been generally ignored. Abdul Qadeer Khan, the founder of Pakistan's nuclear program, subsequently went about selling their technology to Iran, Iraq, Libya and North Korea. China is the generator of …

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Written by Kapil Komireddi on Friday November 13, 2009

Canada's Best

For many Canadians, the story of the Afghanistan war is personalized in Capt. Trevor Greene getting smashed on the skull with an axe in 2006, while talking peace with elders in the small village of Shinkay. For many Canadians, the story of the Afghanistan war is personalized in Capt. Trevor …

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Written by Peter Worthington on Friday November 13, 2009

Jerry Brown: Media Master

There is at least one good reason why conservatives should read the newly-released transcript of some recent Jerry Brown media interviews. They could learn a thing or two about handling reporters. There is at least one good reason why conservatives should read the newly-released transcript of …

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Written by Tom Gray on Thursday November 12, 2009

Poizner's Deep Pockets Keep Campaign Alive

Frum Forum 's analysis of California GOP gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner's fundraising reports reveals that Poizner’s personal contributions account for 82% of his campaign’s funds. Despite troubles in the polls, Poizner's personal resources make him Meg Whitman's most serious primary …

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Written by Tim Mak on Thursday November 12, 2009

Healthcare's Hidden Costs

Americans today pay just 13 cents directly for every health dollar spent. It’s one reason that health costs continue to rise, but the value doesn’t necessarily increase. We are, after all, always ready to spend – spend, that is, someone else’s money. “For years Dr. Linda Halderman operated a …

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Written by David Gratzer on Thursday November 12, 2009

Fort Hood: Same Battle, New Front

The Fort Hood shooting is yet another battle in our continuing struggle with Islamic radicalism. Americans are sharp enough though to know the difference between decent law-abiding citizens of any faith and mad jihadists. Just when I thought the p.c. culture in the United States could not be any …

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Written by Brad Schaeffer on Thursday November 12, 2009