Overview for FF Spotlight

Senate Should be GOP's 2012 Priority

Here's some advice for the GOP: focus on the Senate in 2012. A big Senate pickup could advance a conservative agenda even with a Dem in the White House. Here’s some early advice to the Republican Party: focus on the Senate in 2012. The presidency probably isn’t winnable but a big pickup in the …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Sunday April 17, 2011

Inhofe's Wild Flying

Ever wonder why Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) is so intractable in his insistence that global warming is a hoax? Ever wonder why Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) is so intractable in his insistence that global warming is a hoax? Thanks to a revealing incident that took place in Texas last fall and …

Written by Jim DiPeso on Sunday April 17, 2011

Ignatieff's Wink to Anti-Israel Voters

Liberal candidate Michael Ignatieff may not have mentioned Israel in this week's debate, but those who follow the issues closely saw signals of a return to Canada's old Mideast policies. Michael Ignatieff used this week’s English-language leaders debate to send dog whistle signals to anti-Israel …

Written by David Frum on Saturday April 16, 2011

State Debt: Washington's Next Budget Headache?

As Capitol Hill takes a breather from the budget battles, here’s an overview of the unresolved debates and still-mounting spending skirmishes. Congress may have finally approved the FY11 budget this week, but the next battles have already begun. The deficit debate awaits a proposed centrist …

Written by Steve Bell on Saturday April 16, 2011

GOP Freshmen Rally Behind Ryan Budget

The GOP allied behind Ryan's budget Friday. Yet amongst freshmen members, many who voted for the Ryan plan were also expressed support for the more aggressive RSC plan. The Republican Conference rallied around Rep. Paul Ryan budget plan this afternoon and approved the framework for the 2012 fiscal …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday April 15, 2011

The Prowl: Sleeping Your Way to the Top

I know a lobbyist rumored to be sleeping her way to success. I'd never copy her, but my crush on a staffer has shown me how easily the lines of professionalism can blur. I have a crush on a Hill staffer. This is something I would never do anything about, as I’m still fairly enraptured by my nice …

Written by Vivian Darkbloom on Friday April 15, 2011

Will Ayn Rand Strike Box Office Gold?

The big screen adaptation of Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged hits theaters today. But will viewers be turned off by the film's disconnect with real world events? Today’s April 15th, and it’s not just Tax Day (though technically this year Tax Day has been extended until April 18th) it’s also the day …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Friday April 15, 2011

Telly Davidson: Anchors Away!

With Katie Couric leaving CBS News, the era of the big name news anchor is coming to an end. But will anyone even miss it? Breaking news! This just in! Katie Couric is likely to leave the CBS Evening News after five years for a probable syndicated talk show (not unlike her CNN colleague, …

Written by Telly Davidson on Friday April 15, 2011

Centrists' Deficit Numbers Don't Add Up

The Gang of Six's efforts to reach a budget deal deserve praise. But by using Obama's deficit commission report as a starting point, their plan may not be much good. The Senate Gang of Six's efforts to reach a budget deal deserve a lot of praise: by putting everything including defense, security …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday April 15, 2011

Rand's Rant Against Green Bulbs

At a Senate hearing this week, Rand Paul channeled Ayn Rand to launch an attack on energy efficiency standards. Are green light bulbs really such a threat? The Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee got a dose of libertarian wackiness at a recent mark-up hearing that was strikingly …

Written by David Jenkins on Friday April 15, 2011

Obama's Right: Some Tax Breaks Have to Go

Republicans are wrong to consider any elimination of a tax expenditure as a tax hike. Many revenue expenditures should be treated as spending programs to be cut. President Barack Obama’s speech on deficit reduction left a lot to be desired: his agenda offers too many goodies for his party’s base, …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday April 15, 2011

GOP Freshmen Reflect on a Rough 100 Days

Today, freshmen congressmen mark their first one hundred days in office. F F surveyed the newly elected Republicans on the first days on Capitol Hill. Today, freshmen Congressmen mark their first one hundred days in office. So what have they learned over their first hundred days? Frum …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday April 15, 2011

Third of GOP Freshmen Rebel on Budget Vote

This afternoon, 27 Republican freshmen bucked the leadership's wishes and voted against the continuing resolution to keep government funded. This afternoon, 27 Republican freshmen bucked the leadership's wishes and voted against the continuing resolution that would fund the government through the …

Written by Tim Mak on Thursday April 14, 2011

Ryan Won't Disown Heritage Analysis

After an event where he defended his budget, I spoke to Rep. Paul Ryan about the controversial economic analysis from Heritage Foundation used in his recent proposal. Today, at an event hosted by the think tank e21 and moderated by Fred Barnes, Rep. Paul Ryan defended his budget proposal. I asked …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday April 14, 2011

Was GOP Fooled By Its Own Budget Numbers?

A number of Republicans are complaining about the “bad deal” their leadership struck last week. Were they confused about the actual budget numbers? A substantial number of the House Republican caucus are now complaining loudly about the “bad deal” their leadership struck to pass the Continuing …

Written by Steve Bell on Thursday April 14, 2011

Ryan: My Budget is a Political Winner

At an event hosted by the think tank e21, Paul Ryan responded to Obama's Wednesday budget speech and defended the political viability of his own proposal. Paul Ryan is shocked that the president has attacked his budget proposal and is now painting the GOP as a party which wants to leave seniors to …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday April 14, 2011

For Trump, There's No Bad Publicity

Donald Trump may become the first man in American history to actually run for President in order to make money. Say what you will about Donald Trump, but the man is nothing if not creative. Trump’s not the first uber-wealthy person with an outsized personality to run for President (see Perot, …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Thursday April 14, 2011

Romney: Not Cynical Enough?

Romney may be notorious for changing his stance on issues, yet lately he seems too eager to say what he believes rather than what will win political points. Is Mitt Romney's biggest problem that he’s just not cynical enough? It seems like a ridiculous conclusion since the man is notorious for …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday April 14, 2011

Obama Doubles Down on Price Controls

President Obama has outlined a set of proposals for reducing the cost of Medicare. But more price controls and panels won't get the job done. President Obama has outlined a set of proposals for reducing the cost of Medicare. The White House assumes that empowering an independent panel to simply …

Written by Stanley Goldfarb on Thursday April 14, 2011

GOP Freshmen: No Tax Hikes to Cover Deficit

Freshmen Republicans reacted negatively to President Obama's speech on the deficit Wednesday, with many echoing Boehner's 'line in the sand': no new taxes. Freshmen Republicans reacted to President Obama's speech on the deficit Wednesday, with many echoing Speaker Boehner's 'line in the sand' - no …

Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday April 13, 2011