RNC Candidate's Firm Got Clients Stimulus Funds
F F has learned that RNC Chair candidate Reince Priebus' firm lists him as a lawyer on a team which helps clients secure federal stimulus funds. Frum Forum has learned that Reince Priebus, the state chair for the Wisconsin GOP and a current RNC Chair candidate, is listed as working as a …
How Gridlock is Created
With 1,177 presidential appointments already needing Senate confirmation, are we asking Congress to do too much? Maybe we're just asking Congress to do too much? From a new report by EJ Dionne and Bill Galston on the calcification of the presidential appointments process: When Ronald Reagan …The Dems' (Last Minute) Estate Tax Gamble
The Dems had two years to craft an estate tax plan. Why then wait until the last moment to make the issue their tax policy line in the sand? The Democratic members of the House of Representatives are upset that the negotiations between the President and the Republican leadership will result in the …Lame Duck Senate Goes on an Earmark Spree
After looking at the Senate's new $1.1 trillion omnibus bill, one could forget that in November, Americans voted for smaller government and fiscal restraint. Did the November elections really happen? Did Americans, in fact, vote for smaller deficits, smaller government, and fiscal restraint? …Hamas: We'll Never Recognize Israel
At a rally in Gaza, Hamas celebrated their 23rd anniversary by handing out cards and candy to attendees and threats to Israel. Next time you think about blaming Israel for the current impasse in the peace process, instead look first to Hamas – and reconsider who really is the biggest impediment to …Remembering Richard Holbrooke
Richard Holbrooke epitomized the Washington elite which though much derided believes in America and rises to serve on her behalf. One of America’s top diplomats and premier foreign policy Democrats, Richard Holbrooke, passed away yesterday after undergoing a second round of emergency surgery for a …Romney’s Triangulation
I understand the politics behind Mitt Romney's opposition to the tax deal. But his stated grounds of opposition to the deal still make no sense. I understand the politics of Gov. Mitt Romney's opposition to the tax deal. In an oped in the Dec 14 USA Today , Romney has aligned himself with …Meet the Real John Boehner
The Dems have tried to paint Boehner as a suntanned corporate shill. His profile on 60 Minutes Sunday was his chance to set the record straight. This Sunday, 60 Minutes ran a segment on Speaker-elect John Boehner that would have made Horatio Alger proud. In the run-up to this year’s …How the Dems Bungled DADT's Repeal
With majorities in Congress and Obama in the Oval Office, Don't Ask, Don't Tell's repeal should have been a slam dunk for the Dems. For all practical purposes, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal is dead for the foreseeable future and there is plenty of blame to go around in both parties. Republica…Why is Junk Food OK, But TV Smut Wrong?
Conservatives are OK with using government to protect children from smut on TV. So why not enlist government to ensure healthy eating in schools? Michelle Obama on Deciding What Kids Eat: ‘We Can’t Just Leave it Up to The Parents' That's the ominous headline on a CNS story about the new …Steele Seeks Second Term
Chairman Michael Steele has announced in a conference call with RNC members that he will be running for reelection when his term is up in January. RNC Chairman Michael Steele has announced in a conference call with Republican National Committee members that he will be running for reelection when …Collins Announces RNC Chair Bid
Frum Forum has learned that former RNC Political Director Gentry Collins will formally announce his candidacy for RNC chairman today. Former RNC Political Director Gentry Collins is formally jumping into the race for RNC chairman today, announcing his candidacy after about a month of consulting …Washington's Never-Ending Tax Cut Fight
At a recent tax policy symposium, I was struck by the extent to which business leaders have lost faith in Washington's ability to craft a coherent tax policy. Last week, I moderated a small year-end tax planning symposium for chief financial officers. During my career, I have probably moderated …Why is the Fed Public Enemy #1?
A new poll shows that most Americans want the Fed abolished or subject to greater oversight. But how well does the public understand the its role? Alexander Hamilton wouldn’t have approved of Sarah Palin or the Tea Party’s distrust of the establishment. A new Bloomberg poll on the Federal …Steele Close to Decision on RNC Chair Run
It’s looking increasingly likely that RNC Chairman Michael Steele will be announcing Monday evening that he won’t run for a second term. It’s looking increasingly likely that RNC Chairman Michael Steele will be announcing Monday evening that he won’t be running for a second term. Steele has …Bush vs. Gore: Ten Years Later
10 years ago, the Supreme Court's decision in Bush v. Gore pulled the plug on "The Election That Wouldn't End." The mainstream media called it “The Seinfeld Election”, the “show about nothing.” An election at a time when the Internet 1.0 fueled-economy was considered by some to be “recession-proo…The Crime That Could Fell Hezbollah
Hezbollah is about to be accused of a crime, and it is doing everything it can to warn its accusers to stand down. Hezbollah's political headquarters in Beirut fronts a busy four-lane road heading south toward the airport, about 50 yards from a KFC franchise. The building is unmarked, but it takes …Cino To Announce RNC Chair Bid
F F has learned that Maria Cino, the CEO for the 2008 Republican National Convention, will formally announce her candidacy for RNC Chair Saturday. Frum Forum has learned that Maria Cino, the CEO for the 2008 Republican National Convention, will formally announce her candidacy for RNC Chair …Which Party Owns the Payroll Tax Break?
Obama is using the payroll tax holiday to convince Dems they got the better end of the tax deal. Why won't the GOP more visibly own and take credit for the policy? As David Frum wrote this morning, the GOP needs to reposition itself as the party of the payroll tax cut to prevent President …