OK, Big Deficit Talkers: It's Time to Pick a Plan
For all the midterm talk about the budget, so far not a single elected Congressman has endorsed the Domenici-Rivlin or Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction plans. Yesterday, the Bipartisan Policy Center's Debt Task Force, a year-long fiscal reform effort headed by former Senate Budget Committee …Huckabee Wins GOP Popularity Contest
According to the latest numbers, Mike Huckabee comes ahead as the most popular of the Republican party's four top 2012 presidential candidates. Something likely to be overlooked in Nate Silver's post today on the favorability/unfavorability ratings of national political figures: Michael …Cao: Why I Lost
Congressman Joseph Cao was one of only two incumbent Republicans defeated on election night. He sat down with F F to discuss his defeat and his future plans. GOP Congressman Joseph Cao was one of only two incumbent Republicans defeated on election night. In an interview with Frum Forum , …Steele Ally Jumps Ship
In an interview with F F , one of RNC Chair Michael Steele’s key allies, Illinois state chair Pat Brady, announced he would not back him for reelection. One of RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s closest allies, Illinois state chair Pat Brady, told Frum Forum that he would not be supporting Steele …Kowtowing to Abbas Won't Keep Talks Alive
Obama is quick to criticize Israel for imagined threats to the peace process, while the Palestinian plan to pull out of talks has received no reprimand at all. Earlier this week, Palestinian officials announced that they would not return to the negotiating table even if Israel issued a 90-day …Bush's Rep on the Rebound
As he negotiates the publicity circuit with his memoir, Decision Points , former U.S. President George W. Bush’s popularity is steadily rising. As he negotiates the publicity circuit with his memoir, Decision Points , former U.S. President George Bush’s popularity is steadily rising. It’s …Get Straight Ticket Voting Off the Ballot
This year, more Texans voted a straight party ticket than in any election in a decade. But why do we let citizens blindly vote without even reading the ballot? Commentators throughout the country attribute the GOP’s Election Day gains to an American public tired of big government. Implicit in …Conrad Goes Chicken-Hawk on Deficit
Dem Senator Kent Conrad has made it clear that many politicians will just have to risk their seats to back tough budget cuts. But don't expect him to do the same. Last week, senator Kent Conrad summarized his heretofore successful career as a fake deficit hawk with near poetic accuracy. …Iranian Defector: Iran's Money Finances Terror
Former Iranian Air Force pilot Bahazad Masawi has tried to warn the West about the threat from Iran's theocratic regime. But will anyone listen? In an interview with Israeli Channel 10 News, former Iranian Air Force fighter pilot, Bahazad Masawi, called the Iranian regime the " world's biggest …Once Divided Michigan GOP Rallies for Anuzis
Michigan’s GOP establishment is rallying behind Saul Anuzis’ RNC chair bid, despite the traditional infighting that has dogged the state party. Michigan’s GOP establishment appears to be coalescing behind National Committeeman Saul Anuzis’ bid for the RNC chairmanship, despite the traditional …RNC Source: Steele Might Not Run for Reelection
A source close to the RNC tells F F that Michael Steele may not run again for RNC Chair, with a final decision on hold until around Thanksgiving. A senior Republican source close to the RNC tells Frum Forum that Michael Steele may not even run for the RNC Chairmanship in January, and that …Unleash the Credit Unions
Before it leaves Washington, there's one thing the lame duck Congress can do to help jump start the economy: raise the cap on credit union lending. Like most Congresses swept out in a wave of voter anger, the lame duck body currently in session seems likely to pass continuing resolutions, a few …Tax Spike Fears Are Killing Job Growth
For most small business owners like me who have their personal and company income linked, tax hike concerns have made new hiring impossible. What drives an entrepreneur to start a business? Is it solely about money? Or is there something more? I argue that often it is the same creative drive …Will Energy Bills Survive Reid's Lame Duck?
Harry Reid says he will look into scheduling votes on a series of modest energy proposals. But considering his record, the bills' chances don't look good. Harry Reid says he’s going to see what’s “doable” before committing to scheduling lame-duck votes on an assortment of modest energy proposals. …Jobs: Ugly Details Under the Happy Headlines
After a closer look, those seemingly positive October employment numbers are beginning to look much more troubling. A friend sends some supplemental information on those seemingly positive October employment numbers: The October employment situation was dramatically weaker than the headline …Two Cheers for the GOP's Earmark Ban
Mitch McConnell has finally come around to endorsing a moratorium on earmarks. It's about time, although still not enough to balance the budget. Mitch McConnell has finally come around to endorsing a moratorium on earmarks. It's about time, although it's not enough. However, while the ban won't …Diet Secrets of World Leaders
Thanks to Bob Shrum, the host at the NYU Florence conference, I had dinner tonight with former PM Gordon Brown. Big topic: getting into better physical shape. Courtesy of Bob Shrum, the host here at the NYU Florence conference, I had a chance to have dinner tonight with Gordon Brown, the former …Tea Partiers to Lame Duck: No New Bills
Today on the Hill, Americans for Prosperity held a rally to oppose the passing of Democratic bills during the lame duck session and to back the GOP's earmark ban. Americans for Prosperity held a rally this afternoon to oppose the passing of Democratic legislation during the lame duck session and …