Overview for FF Spotlight

Why America Won't Repeat Russia's Afghan Defeat

This week, Mikhail Gorbachev warned that victory in Afghanistan is "impossible". U.S. forces though have been careful not to repeat the Soviets' mistakes. Remember Mikhail Gorbachev, the former leader of the Soviet Union? No? Well, you’re not alone. Most people no longer remember Gorbachev, a …

Written by John Guardiano on Friday October 29, 2010

O'Donnell's "Hook-Up": Gawker's in the Wrong

It’s a sorry moment in political journalism when we must look towards the National Enquirer as a standard-bearer in reporting ethics. I’m not a fan of Christine O’Donnell and until this moment (actually, including this moment) considered her an embarrassment to the GOP. However, if it is …

Written by Danielle Crittenden on Thursday October 28, 2010

Iran & Saudis Could Join UN Women's Rights Body

Just when you thought the UN couldn't lose more credibility, comes news that Iran and Saudi Arabia may join the UN body which promotes women's rights. Just when you thought the United Nations could not lose any more credibility, comes news that Iran and Saudi Arabia are poised to join the UN …

Written by Arsen Ostrovsky on Thursday October 28, 2010

O'Donnell's Radio Tantrum Shows She's Not Ready

During a recent interview, a Delaware station captured on video an amazing glimpse of Christine O'Donnell's imperiousness and entitlement. Delaware radio station WDEL captured on video an amazing glimpse of Christine O'Donnell's imperiousness and entitlement. It's visible on Facebook, here at the …

Written by David Frum on Thursday October 28, 2010

Will Foreclosures Hit Yet Another Peak?

Home foreclosures hit the highest level in U.S. history in September 2010. But will they jump higher in October? Home foreclosures hit the highest level in U.S. history in September 2010. At this pace, we have to fear that October foreclosures may have jumped higher still. Troubling sign: …

Written by David Frum on Thursday October 28, 2010

Teddy Roosevelt was a Backpacking Elitist Too

Charles Murray claims that anyone who knows of good backpacking spots in the Sierra is an "elitist". When it comes to Teddy Roosevelt, he may have a point. Sierra Nevada backpackers, beware! Charles Murray, the social policy savant and arbiter of cultural do’s and don’t’s, has proclaimed that …

Written by Jim DiPeso on Thursday October 28, 2010

Tea Party Boost May Be Short-Lived

In a recent column, Peggy Noonan proclaimed that the tea party "saved" the GOP. But its still unclear if the movement will have any staying power after 2010. Peggy Noonan recently wrote a piece in the Wall Street Journal in which she proclaimed, among other things, that "the Tea Party saved …

Written by Mark R. Yzaguirre on Thursday October 28, 2010

The Party of Medicare

John Boehner has pledged that Republicans will call a vote on restoring Obama's cuts to Medicare. It's a clever move and a warning of what's to come. On the Sean Hannity radio program this afternoon, Speaker-presumptive John Boehner was interestingly cautious about promising actually to do …

Written by David Frum on Thursday October 28, 2010

Scott Pulls Ahead After Blackberrygate

Polls show Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Scott ahead after his Dem opponent Alex Sink was caught breaking debate rules during their televised clash. Rick Scott just might win Florida’s gubernatorial race. A new poll conducted during and after Scott went after Democratic opponent Alex …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday October 27, 2010

The Wrong Way to Shrink State Govt

In a quest to save money some states are looking at downsizing their legislatures. But the moves will be bad for governance and save little money. In a quest to save money and improve governance, at least three states—Maine, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky—have given serious consideration to …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Wednesday October 27, 2010

Can Pawlenty Win Over the Tea Partiers?

Minn. governor Tim Pawlenty is known for his quiet and thoughtful manner. Can he really be the man of the hour in today’s tea party fueled volatile climate? President Obama was in Minnesota this weekend and Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota governor and unannounced 2012 hopeful, prepared a short video …

Written by Bryce McNitt on Tuesday October 26, 2010

Closing the Book on the Thomas Story

Despite new allegations from a former girlfriend of Justice Clarence Thomas, Washington looks ready to move on from the controversy. Clarence Thomas’ former girlfriend, lawyer Lillian McEwan, appeared on Larry King last evening and made new allegations: that Thomas had a pornography fetish, …

Written by Tim Mak on Tuesday October 26, 2010

Britain's Iraq Inquiry Drags On

Tony Blair has been asked to return before Britain's Iraq inquiry to answer even more questions. It's time for the panel to wrap up their work. The Guardian reports that former PM Tony Blair will be summoned back to the Chilcot commission to again answer questions about Britain’s role in the …

Written by Thomas J. Marier on Tuesday October 26, 2010

How the Right Came Back to Life

When Obama took office in January 2009, analysts spoke of a new era of Democratic dominance. Two years later, the talk is of a failed presidency. This is the first in a series, click here for part 2 and part 3 . On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama took the office of president with, it …

Written by Fred Bauer on Tuesday October 26, 2010

Can Obama Supporters Name One Achievement?

Economist and uber-blogger Bradford DeLong used to taunt Bush supporters to name a successful policy initiative. Can Obama backers do the same? During the Bush years, Berkeley economist and uber-blogger Bradford DeLong taunted Bush supporters with this question: "Give me one single example of …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday October 26, 2010

GOP Goes Soft on Pot

Support for decriminalizing marijuana seems to be gaining steam within the GOP and generating little opposition even among social conservatives. Is there an emerging GOP consensus on marijuana reform? Many GOP politicians are silently or openly supportive of efforts to either decriminalize …

Written by Ron Hill on Tuesday October 26, 2010

Hit Pause on Obama's Pipeline Plans

The White House is pushing a new oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf. But concerns about the water supply in the Midwest could send it back to the drawing board. Last week, senators pushed back at the administration's plans to approve an oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf, expressing concerns …

Written by Jim DiPeso on Monday October 25, 2010

Charles Murray's Bogus Elite

Charles Murray insists that America's elite isn't defined by money and power, but by education and consumption. Watch Mad Men ? Backpack? You’re in. Can you write about class without mentioning money? Charles Murray tries in Sunday’s Washington Post , and the results make for very, very …

Written by David Frum on Monday October 25, 2010

FF Symposium: Our Election Day Hopes

Everybody has midterm predictions. At F F , we instead asked our contributors to share what they hope happens on Election Day. Everybody is predicting. But there's what you expect - and what you hope. At Frum Forum , we've asked contributors: "Regardless of what you think will happen in …

Written by David Frum on Monday October 25, 2010

Turning Generation Obama On to the GOP

Young voters might be solidly behind Barack Obama now, but over time count on my generation to come around to the GOP. When you receive the global notoriety and million-dollar bonuses I do as a contributor to Frum Forum , it probably isn’t too smart to disagree with the guy whose name is on …

Written by Cheves Ligon on Sunday October 24, 2010