Overview for FF Spotlight

Obama's Cynical Drilling Drive

Obama's decision to expand U.S. oil production might be smart politically, but it won't do anything to reduce gas prices. What President Obama’s Saturday radio address should have said: "My fellow Americans. Today, I am directing the Department of the Interior to conduct annual lease sales in …

Written by Jim DiPeso on Monday May 16, 2011

Socialists Can't Escape Strauss-Kahn Fallout

If Dominique Strauss-Kahn's arrest on sexual assault charges drags on, it will be a daily embarrassment for the Socialists. IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn's arrest is quite a shock for the French political class and public. Strauss-Kahn is often perceived as arrogant; he’s certainly not someone …

Written by Jean Granville on Monday May 16, 2011

Abbas Wakes Up to Honor Killings

Maybe before launching attacks on its neighbors, the Palestinian Authority should complete the work of dragging its penal code into the 18th century? As Palestinians attempt to invade Israel, Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas suggests it may at last be time to punish men who murder …

Written by David Frum on Monday May 16, 2011

GOP Picks the Wrong Spending Fight

The GOP seems convinced inciting a debt ceiling crisis is the best way to restrain spending. But even a short increase in the limit can stave off a bigger crisis. One might note within many ostensibly conservative discussions about the debt ceiling a strain that comes far more from Leon Trotsky …

Written by Fred Bauer on Monday May 16, 2011

No Deal in Sight as Debt Deadline Nears

As the U.S. hits its debt limit, it's time for Republicans to take the matter seriously. They can start by putting revenue expenditures on the negotiating table. The debt limit that the United States hit yesterday isn't a big deal yet but, by any reasonable accounting, it could be pretty soon. If …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Sunday May 15, 2011

Sex Assault Charge Shocks France's Socialists

IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s arrest for sexual assault pretty much puts an end to his candidacy for 2012 and has thrown the Socialist party into turmoil. IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s arrest for sexual assault pretty much puts an end to his candidacy for 2012, and possibly to his career …

Written by Jean Granville on Sunday May 15, 2011

Is Boehner Ready for the Budget Backlash?

Republicans may have signed up for the fight of a generation, without understanding how much is at stake - or how fierce the resistance is likely to be. Here's another bit from Speaker Boehner's Thursday speech to the Economic Club of New York that commands some attention: There's another …

Written by David Frum on Sunday May 15, 2011

Debt Default Means New Recession

Tim Geithner has taken heat for suggesting that a debt default could lead to a double dip recession, but unfortunately he's absolutely right. There's no doubt that Tim Geithner is right to say that a debt default would result in a double dip recession. If anything, Geithner understates the case: a …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Sunday May 15, 2011

Washington Stalls on Debt Limit Deal

The most frustrating part of the fiscal and debt debates in Washington DC is that all the participants are using the same arguments they've always used. The movie, " Groundhog Day ," rushes to mind as we watch the tragicomedy of the recent debates on the national debt and the country's fiscal …

Written by Steve Bell on Sunday May 15, 2011

Is Larry Summers a Scientist or a Politician?

A new interview of Larry Summers shows the tension between his public persona as both a social scientist and as a political figure. A couple things in this interview by Andrew Goldman of Larry Summers currently irritated me. I'll give the quotes and then explain my annoyance. 1. Goldman: …

Written by Andrew Gelman on Saturday May 14, 2011

Stop Flirting with Debt Disaster

I always assumed that the first American political party to contemplate default as a way to achieve its political goals would be the Communist Party of the USA, not the GOP. The Wall Street Journal 's weekend interview with famed investor Stanley Druckenmiller may have the most eyebrow-raising …

Written by David Frum on Saturday May 14, 2011

Mel's Big Screen Midlife Meltdown

Mel Gibson returns to the screen this week with one of his best performances ever in Jodie Foster's new upscale suburban desperation dramedy, The Beaver . After having previously taken on Charlie Sheen and Donald Trump in the past several weeks, I suppose it was only a matter of time before I …

Written by Telly Davidson on Saturday May 14, 2011

Anti-Israel Critics Want More Attention

A debate over awarding an honorary degree to anti-Israel playwright Tony Kushner has led to the ridiculous claim that critics of the Jewish state don't have a voice. In a world full of problems, we all must make choices about where to invest time and energy. There are so many different …

Written by David Frum on Saturday May 14, 2011

McConnell Gambles on Real Medicare Cuts

After months of mostly symbolic action the Republicans are in a position to propose real Medicare reform can be signed into law. After months of proposing symbolic actions (cuts in domestic discretionary spending), decent if politically risky ideas (the Ryan Medicare reform) and one truly …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Saturday May 14, 2011

Toronto’s Elephants Need to Head South

Four elephants have died at Toronto's zoo in the last five years, and seven since 1984. Its time to move the rest to a new home. A recent column by the inimitable Joe Warmington, scolded that “phony American activists” were seeking to “hijack” the elephants at Toronto Zoo and send them to an …

Written by Peter Worthington on Friday May 13, 2011

GOP Energy Bills Won't Save You at the Pump

Republicans have applauded the passage of energy bills to address skyrocketing gas prices but conservative economists say they will have minimal impact. Even as Republican Congressmen applauded the passage of three energy bills they said would address skyrocketing gas prices, conservative …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday May 13, 2011

Climate Change Policy Won't Prevent Twister Deaths

After devastating windstorms hit the South in April, there's been a push to link climate policy to preventing more tornadoes. But there are easier ways to save lives. By any reasonable measure, the windstorms that ravaged the South in April present a massive tragedy: the most disaster-caused …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday May 13, 2011

Boehner Takes Heat for Hardline Debt Stance

Last week’s botched GOP messaging forced Boehner to "clarify” the party’s position. He ended up calling for $2 trillion in cuts and putting Medicare back on the table. House Speaker John Boehner is this week’s D.C. whipping boy. Whether it is A.B. Stoddard writing in The Hill or Ruth Marcus …

Written by Steve Bell on Thursday May 12, 2011

Will Pawlenty Defend His Health Care Record?

The GOP field hasn't pulled any punches when talking about Romney's health care record. But some of the other candidates have questions to answer as well. A question for Tim Pawlenty at the next Republican debate. "When you became governor in 2003, Minnesota had under 395,000 citizens without …

Written by David Frum on Thursday May 12, 2011

Romney's Health Speech Venue: Another Misstep?

Romney is set to deliver a major policy speech at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center. But the venue is raising some eyebrows. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich got off to a not-so-great start yesterday with some website problems just as he announced to 1.3 million people on Twitter that …

Written by Tim Mak on Thursday May 12, 2011