Overview for FF Spotlight

Palin Storms Into Rolling Thunder

Sarah Palin made an appearance at the Rolling Thunder rally Sunday in Washington, stealing the spotlight away from organizers and their important cause. When SarahPAC treasurer Tim Crawford emailed Politico to tell them that updates for Sarah Palin’s weekend itinerary “will be posted on the …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Sunday May 29, 2011

Wall Street's Getting Nervous About a Default

Who are you going to believe: the GOP Congressmen who say a short-term default won't matter or the financial professionals warning against that? “Don’t go to a butcher for back surgery.” My Air Force veteran father used to say that. It meant: don’t listen to folks about important matters unless …

Written by Steve Bell on Sunday May 29, 2011

Rick Perry: Too Lucky to Rule Out

It’s a mistake to underestimate Rick Perry's chances as a presidential contender. Throughout his political career he's exhibited an uncanny talent for luck and timing. There's been increased chatter this week about the presidential ambitions of Texas Governor Rick Perry. Governor Perry has made …

Written by Mark R. Yzaguirre on Saturday May 28, 2011

FrumForum Toasts New ACU Chair Al Cardenas

Frum Forum held a dinner Thursday, May 26 to honor Al Cardenas, the new chairman of the American Conservative Union (ACU) Frum Forum held a dinner last night to honor Al Cardenas, the new chairman of the American Conservative Union (ACU). Cardenas assumed the chairmanship during the 2011 …

Written by Fred Messner on Friday May 27, 2011

The Prowl: Why Do I Date Losers?

Recently, my friends decided to stage an intervention: they made it clear that I spend too much time with men who don't make the best boyfriends. It’s recently been brought to my attention that I'm not dating “winners.” While investment bankers may have "sexy banker moves" -- and no, I am not …

Written by Vivian Darkbloom on Friday May 27, 2011

How Oprah Became the Queen of Television

Few if any performers in history had the kind of impact that the Queen of Daytime has had on society, politics, and culture both high and low. When Chris Rock joked, “Look at the most powerful person in the world – and President Obama is sitting next to her!” at the December 2010 Kennedy Center …

Written by Telly Davidson on Friday May 27, 2011

GOP Base's 2012 Pick: None of the Above

A new CNN poll putting Rudy Giuliani at the head of the pack of potential 2012 GOP candidates only highlights the weak state of the current crop of contenders. The Iowa caucuses begin in 254 days. Not only do Republicans not have a clear favorite, but polls routinely show considerable support …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Friday May 27, 2011

Want Dems to Win in 2012? Then Default

Jim DeMint may try to place the blame for a potential default on Obama and Geithner, but voters will know to hold Republicans responsible in 2012. Senate Republicans are telling Treasury Secretary Geithner that a default will be his fault even though they are the ones refusing to raise the debt …

Written by Andrew Pavelyev on Friday May 27, 2011

Christie's Climate Change Straight Talk

Chris Christie may have pulled New Jersey from the Northeast's power plant cap-and-trade program but in the larger battle on climate change, he's on the right side. Chris Christie has pulled New Jersey out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, or "Reggie," the power plant cap-and-trade …

Written by Jim DiPeso on Friday May 27, 2011

SCOTUS: Immigration Isn't Just a Fed Problem

Thursday’s ruling upholding an AZ immigration law doesn't mean that a more controversial measure will stand, but it does suggest the Supreme Court is open to state enforcement. Thursday, the Supreme Court upheld a 2007 Arizona law allowing authorities to revoke the business licenses of companies …

Written by Fred Messner on Thursday May 26, 2011

Slow Growth Numbers Call for Smaller Cuts

If Republicans want to seize the upper hand after today's lackluster growth numbers, they will propose a series of more realistic and politically palatable cuts. The okay-but-not-great economic numbers (1.8% economic growth) posted yesterday offer talking points for both Democrats and Republicans. …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Thursday May 26, 2011

Obama's Mideast Meddling

Obama is just the latest in a long list of U.S. presidents who’ve sought to broker peace in the Middle East, and failed. It’s an issue that never goes away – a problem that never gets solved. It is peace in the Middle East. Once again it is front and center, largely because U.S. President …

Written by Peter Worthington on Thursday May 26, 2011

U.S. Can't Cut Its Way to Growth

Many countries have cut spending, reduced deficits and realized healthy economic growth. But there's a lot more that needs to happen for it to work in the U.S. In a recent blogpost debunking claims that reducing government spending always leads to a quick economic recovery, Frum Forum 's Noah …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Thursday May 26, 2011

Is the Right Still Afraid of Cass Sunstein?

Conservatives, led by Glenn Beck, fought hard against the appointment of law professor Cass Sunstein to a regulatory oversight agency. Two years later, he's speaking at AEI. Cass Sunstein will speak today at AEI about the Obama administration's deregulation agenda. NBC's Chuck Todd tweeted this …

Written by David Frum on Thursday May 26, 2011

NY-26's Biggest Loser: Medicare Reform

After the upset Democratic win in New York's 26th district, its clear that entitlement reform is again off the table. As a life-long Democrat, I should be celebrating the victory of Kathy Hochul in Tuesday’s special election for the U.S. House of Representatives. And the excitement I feel should …

Written by Les Francis on Wednesday May 25, 2011

Blago's Back on the Stand

Dragged to trial by federal prosecutors (again) for allegedly attempting to sell Obama’s old Senate seat, Rod Blagojevich began presenting his defense Wednesday. Blago is back. Dragged to trial by federal prosecutors (again) for allegedly attempting to sell President Obama’s old Senate seat, Rod …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday May 25, 2011

Is Bill Clinton Still Triangulating?

Cameras caught Bill Clinton sharing a few words with Paul Ryan at a recent event and encouraging him to call. Is the former president up to his old political tricks? In this video , ABC News catches Paul Ryan and Bill Clinton sharing a few words behind the scenes at a Pete Peterson Foundation …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Wednesday May 25, 2011

Admit it, GOP: Ryan's Budget Isn't Perfect

Why can't Republican leaders see what's obvious to others: that the Ryan budget has NO chance of passing until 2013, and isn't popular with voters? (NB: This is not addressed to any specific individuals. I also believe that supporters of the Ryan budget have every right to make their case as …

Written by Fred Bauer on Wednesday May 25, 2011

GOP Jews are Clear: Israel is an Election Issue

Despite cynical requests from Democrats, Republican Jews plan to keep Israel as an election issue in the next campaign cycle. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must have scored a big win in his speech to Congress. In a Monday meeting at the Blair House between Netanyahu and Jewish …

Written by Fred Messner on Wednesday May 25, 2011

Conservatives Scramble To Explain NY-26 Loss

Yesterday, the GOP lost an important race in NY-26. Conservatives are already offering excuses to minimize the importance of the loss. Yesterday the GOP lost an important race in NY-26 when Democrat Kathy Hochul defeated Republican Jane Corwin. Conservatives are already offering excuses …

Written by Tessa Berenson on Wednesday May 25, 2011