Overview for FF Spotlight

Christians as Oppressed Now as Blacks Under Jim Crow?

If one idea unites Angelo Codevilla's "The Ruling Class" it's the conviction that white Christians are targets of discrimination equal to that which ever oppressed black Americans. Click here for Part 1 of David Frum's review of Angelo Codevilla's "The Ruling Class". What can we learn …

Written by David Frum on Monday September 20, 2010

Why I Will Never Be a Tea Partier

Tea Partiers have abandoned the cold rationalism of conservatism for the public theatrics and touchy-feely identity politics of the left. I have recently realized why I find the Tea Party phenomenon so grating. I have always believed that conservatism means not only a certain set of political …

Written by Andrew Pavelyev on Monday September 20, 2010

Tea Party Won't Share Goldwater's Fate

Republicans worried about the Tea Party's growth are drawing false parallels between 2012 and 1964 when upstart Barry Goldwater was crushed in the election. After last week’s U.S. primaries that saw conservative Tea Party candidates wipe the floor with establishment rivals, some Republicans fear …

Written by Peter Worthington on Monday September 20, 2010

False "Death Panel" Fears Get New Life

Obamacare opponents won't drop the claim that the bill institutes "death panels" which ration care. But what critics label healthcare rationing, isn't really rationing. Political scientist Brendan Nyhan has written about how many conservatives continue to push claims that “death panels” will be …

Written by Andrew Gelman on Monday September 20, 2010

How the Elites Became Tea Party Enemy #1

Angelo Codevilla's "The Ruling Class" reveals the Tea Party's belief in a nation divided in two: a real America versus an illegitimate America. Angelo Codevilla's American Spectator essay, "The Ruling Class," has now been released in book form , with an introduction by Rush Limbaugh. The essay …

Written by David Frum on Sunday September 19, 2010

Limbaugh's Case Against Obama Doesn't Hold Up

At first glance, President Obama's biggest "crime" in David Limbaugh's "Crimes Against Liberty" is his personality and not any real policy. David Limbaugh, Rush Limbaugh's brother, has written a book about (not surprisingly) President Obama. After scanning it and listening to his speech at the …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Sunday September 19, 2010

Values Voters Not Jumping on the Daniels Bandwagon

Mitch Daniels is often talked about as a potential 2012 or 2016 presidential candidate. But can he win over social conservatives with his mainstream views? When conservatives talk about potential presidential candidates for 2012 (and even 2016) who are not insane culture warriors or political …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Saturday September 18, 2010

Pence Wins Values Voter Summit Straw Poll

Today, at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, Rep. Mike Pence won both the presidential and vice-presidential straw polls. Rep. Mike Pence won the Values Voter Summit presidential and vice-presidential straw poll. The 2 nd place winner for vice-president was Sarah Palin. A total of 723 …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Saturday September 18, 2010

Gingrich: Time to Throw Out the Elites

At the Values Voter Summit, former House speaker Newt Gingrich argued that the greatest threat to America came from establishment elites. At the Values Voter Summit, Newt Gingrich, the former House Speaker, argued that the greatest threat to America came from establishment elites. Gingrich …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Saturday September 18, 2010

O'Donnell's Identity Politics Playbook

When Christine O'Donnell rails against "elites" she isn't targeting any policy differences, but rather mimicking the empty identity politics of the left. httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-npEhuweIyA I found watching a YouTube video of Christine O’Donnell at a recent town hall particularly …

Written by Napoleon Linardatos on Saturday September 18, 2010

Christine O'Donnell: We're Not "Wingnuts"

Christine O’Donnell’s speech to the Values Voter summit managed to capture the emotional spirit of the Tea Party movement. While Christine O’Donnell’s speech may not be accurate in a factual sense, it was accurate in capturing the emotional zeitgeist of the Tea Party. The thesis of the speech: …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Friday September 17, 2010

Meghan McCain's Not So Dirty Sexy Politics

As every unmarried male reviewer of Dirty Sexy Politics must do, I considered the effect a bad review would have on my chances of ever taking Meghan McCain out to dinner. As every unmarried male reviewer of Dirty Sexy Politics must do, I have to consider the effect that writing a bad review …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday September 17, 2010

Tuck in Your Shirt!

The manner in which other people dress does affect how we ourselves feel. Slouchy attire can look like a lack of respect for one's fellows and one's self. Writing in the Washington Examiner , Meghan Cox Gurdon tackles the trouble with dressing down. The supper party was a small one, and it …

Written by Meghan Cox Gurdon on Friday September 17, 2010

The IDF: More Than Just Parades

At the Values Voter Summit, one speaker claimed that nations which let gays serve openly care more about military parades than security. Well, what about the IDF? This year’s Values Voter Summit has had many speakers focus on “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” due to the potential Senate vote on Tuesday that …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Friday September 17, 2010

Romney Stays Mum on Hot-Button Social Issues

In his Values Voter Summit address today, Mitt Romney focused on the economy, failing to pay lip service to the social conservatism popular with the audience. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney delivered a Values Voter Summit address heavy on foreign policy and economic issues today, …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday September 17, 2010

2010 Voters: Anti-Moderate Not Anti-Incumbent

Pundits claim we're witnessing a wave of anti-incumbent anger directed against all Washington. In truth, the anger has only been aimed at both parties' moderates. In their quest to impose a narrative onto the primary season, pundits and newscasters have latched onto the idea that we're witnessing …

Written by Alex Knepper on Friday September 17, 2010

DeMint to GOP: Don't Drop Social Issues

In a speech to the Values Voter Summit, South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint argued that standing for God meant standing for smaller government. The challenge facing the Values Voter Summit is how it can keep social issues relevant when Republican candidates in many races are emphasizing economic and …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Friday September 17, 2010

Huckabee: Financial Meltdown is a "Moral Crisis"

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee kicked off the 2010 Values Voter Summit with a speech targeting Wall Street "greed". Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee kicked off the 2010 Values Voter Summit with a mixed message, arguing both that government shouldn’t interfere with American families …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday September 17, 2010

What's Behind Rove's Anti-O'Donnell Comments?

Why is the GOP elite still protesting the O'Donnell nomination win? Why not just pay her lip service, give her some cash, and let her quietly lose? Byron York asks some good questions on Twitter this morning. Why is the GOP elite still protesting the O'Donnell nomination win? Why not just pay her …

Written by David Frum on Friday September 17, 2010

America’s Birthday Gift to the Sheiks

This week was the 50th anniversary of OPEC. Thanks to the United States Congress, overseas petro potentates have had plenty to celebrate. September 14 was the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ 50th anniversary. OPEC has plenty to celebrate on its golden jubilee, thanks to the …

Written by Jim DiPeso on Friday September 17, 2010