Overview for FF Spotlight

D-Day for Steele

As the balloting begins in the RNC election and incumbent chair Michael Steele fights to hold his seat, here are the key moments to watch for. Which RNC candidates should you watch on which ballots? Republican strategist Liz Mair and Hotline Editor in Chief Reid Wilson both have excellent …

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Written by Tim Mak on Friday January 14, 2011

No Surrender to Fat Defeatism

Millions of Americans have rung in the New Year with ambitious promises to better their health. Are they wasting their time? Millions of Americans have rung in the New Year with ambitious promises to better their health. Are they wasting their time? As America comes to grips with the disastrous …

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Written by David Gratzer on Friday January 14, 2011

Don't Diss the RNC

In 2010, third party groups stepped in to assist with GOP fundraising and campaigns. But don't write off the RNC as irrelevant just yet. Does the Republican National Committee even matter anymore? In the 2010 cycle, third party groups stepped in to assist with fundraising and ad campaigns. If …

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Written by Tim Mak on Thursday January 13, 2011

Arizona's Mental Health Budget Crunch

Even if Jared Lee Loughner had been referred to the right health professionals in time, he may not have received the treatment he needed. National Review has a fine editorial on the Tucson massacre and mental health: The tragic irony is that Arizona boasts some of the strongest [involuntar…

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Written by David Frum on Thursday January 13, 2011

Steele: Still Big in Guam

Michael Steele has built close ties to the RNC delegates from America's island territories. But will they stick with him through the balloting? With less than one day to go before the start of balloting for the Republican National Committee chairman elections, a large amount of attention will be …

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Written by Tim Mak on Thursday January 13, 2011

Why Daniels Should Speak at CPAC

The "draft Mitch Daniels" student movement has issued a response to calls from social conservatives to disinvite the Indiana governor from CPAC. The "draft Mitch Daniels" student movement has issued a response to the demand from the social conservative group American Principles Project to …

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Written by David Frum on Thursday January 13, 2011

America's Private Debt Binge

Americans are quick to criticize wasteful government spending, but since the 80s our debt load has been overwhelmingly private. Is public spending stimulative?  Is private spending stimulative?  The dichotomy in my opinion comes very close to being a false one.  Another dichotomy might be more …

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Written by Chris Douglas on Thursday January 13, 2011

Voters Go Wobbly on Deficit Cutting

A new poll shows that 71% oppose raising the debt ceiling. But a closer look suggests the public isn't as serious about the deficit as you may think. The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll provides yet more confirmation that the Tea Party's priorities are sharply at odds with those of the vast majority …

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Written by Andrew Pavelyev on Thursday January 13, 2011

Palin's "Blood Libel" Charge

Sarah Palin deserves a pass on the "blood libel" bit. There's enough to regret in Sarah Palin's video address without blaming her for what is merely obtuse. Sarah Palin deserves a pass on the "blood libel" bit. Yes it's a phrase that originates in the extremity of human suffering, and yes it's …

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Written by David Frum on Thursday January 13, 2011

Our Open Door Refugee Policy

In the midst of a recession and the war on terror, why is the U.S. admitting upwards of 80,000 refugees a year with only minimal security checks? It would come as unwelcome news to the vast majority of Americans that even now, in the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, and a decade …

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Written by Howard Foster on Thursday January 13, 2011

A Call to Unite

At the Tucson Memorial Service, Obama was a true statesman; someone I have not always agreed with but today am proud to call my leader. I was thinking about what I wanted President Obama to say on Wednesday.  I wanted him to honor those that have fallen and those who were gravely injured.  I also …

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Written by Elise Cooper on Thursday January 13, 2011

Obama Comforts a Nation

In his speech in Arizona, Obama showed himself to be a leader worthy of this great nation and worthy of this difficult time. Frum Forum readers know I have been quite critical of President Obama’s speeches and oratory. He’s been vastly overrated as an orator, I’ve argued, and too often has …

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Written by John Guardiano on Thursday January 13, 2011

The President's Speech

The president's challenge, as so often, was to make a human connection. In that, he succeeded tonight. What a terrible assignment, especially for a father of young daughters. The president did the job he needed to do, struck the appropriate notes in the appropriate way. He conspicuously forbore …

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Written by David Frum on Wednesday January 12, 2011

RNC Shocker: Boehner Backs Cino for RNC Chair

F F has learned that in an unprecedented move, House Speaker Boehner has officially endorsed RNC chair candidate Maria Cino. Frum Forum has learned that in an unprecedented move, House Speaker John Boehner has officially endorsed RNC chair candidate Maria Cino , just as RNC members gather …

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Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday January 12, 2011

Drug War Fears Shake the Border

A real climate of fear exists on the Texas border, and it can't be kept at bay just by putting up a border wall. David Frum has written about how things could get even worse in Mexico's drug war, with possible spillover into the United States. It's a topic I've written about at Frum Forum …

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Written by Mark R. Yzaguirre on Wednesday January 12, 2011

Obama Meets Lebanon's Hariri

With tension building over the imminent UN condemnation of Hezbollah for the murder of former PM Rafiq Hariri, Hariri's son and successor met with Obama. With tension building over the apparently imminent UN Special Tribunal condemnation of Hezbollah for the murder of former PM Rafiq Hariri, and …

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Written by David Frum on Wednesday January 12, 2011

Oil Spill Report Calls for Safety Overhaul

The commission investigating the Gulf oil spill released its final verdict Tuesday and there's plenty of blame to go around. Oil executives have been giving an earful to Bill Reilly, the Republican co-chairman of the federal commission investigating last year’s Gulf spill, about the panel’s …

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Written by Jim DiPeso on Wednesday January 12, 2011

Did CPAC Invite the Wrong Gay Group?

GOProud's sponsorship of CPAC may be grabbing headlines, but the rival Log Cabin Republicans seem to be doing the real work of advancing gay rights. The gay conservative group GOProud scored a big political win over its most dangerous rival last week.  No, I'm not referring to their social …

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Written by Jeb Golinkin on Tuesday January 11, 2011

King's Gun Ban Plan Won't Make You Safer

Rep. Peter King's gun ban proposal might be good politics for King, but its bad politics for the GOP. Fortunately, it has little chance of becoming law. The Daily Caller is reporting that Rep. Peter King (R-NY) "will introduce legislation to ban the carrying of any firearm within 1,000 feet of …

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Written by John Guardiano on Tuesday January 11, 2011

Does It Matter How We Talk?

What's bad about extreme political language is not the effect on crazy people. It's the effect on normal people. A suggestion: What's bad about extreme political language is not the effect on crazy people. It's the effect on normal people. It's not that wild talk might incite violence. It's the …

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Written by David Frum on Tuesday January 11, 2011