Overview for FF Spotlight

Laffer: Soaking the Rich Won't Cut It

In an interview with F F , economist Dr. Arthur Laffer argued against letting the Bush tax cuts expire and explained how higher taxes on the rich alone reduces revenue. In a podcast with FrumForum, economist Dr. Arthur Laffer – author of the Laffer Curve, criticized President …

Written by Tim Mak on Thursday August 19, 2010

Will Republicans Learn from Cameron Conservatives?

As David Cameron marks 100 days in office, the GOP can learn an important lesson from his success. David Cameron's coalition cabinet just celebrated its first 100 days in office. My latest column for The Week argues that there is an important lesson for the GOP in his success. The new …

Written by David Frum on Thursday August 19, 2010

You Read it First at FrumForum

Politico reports that the "ground zero" mosque backers may lack the funds to proceed with the project, a development first predicted here at FrumForum. The efforts to launch the $100 million Cordoba House (now dubbed Park51) two blocks north of the World Trade Center site have been an uphill …

Written by FrumForum Editors on Thursday August 19, 2010

Cameron's Unrealistic Expectations

The odds that David Cameron will be able to significantly shrink Britain's government, after making concessions to voters and a left-wing party, are slim. Today, David Cameron’s coalition government reached its first 100 days in power. Frum Forum is marking the day with an online symposium. …

Written by Jean Granville on Wednesday August 18, 2010

More Oversight Won't Mean Lower Premiums

Washington will spend $45 million to help states regulate health insurance rates. But don’t expect the move to stem the rise in premiums. A recent headline in the Washington Post described how the federal government has just spent 45 million dollars so that 45 states can “improve the review …

Written by Stanley Goldfarb on Wednesday August 18, 2010

Cameron's Coming EU Crisis

The biggest event in Cameron’s first 100 days has been the PM's silence over a proposed European Union move to begin directly taxing the British people. Today, David Cameron’s coalition government reached its first 100 days in power. Frum Forum is marking the day with an online symposium. …

Written by Jeff Cimbalo on Wednesday August 18, 2010

Cameron's Reforms Have Only Begun

In his first 100 days, Cameron not only preached smaller government, but practiced it, setting in motion plans to further decentralize power from Whitehall. Today, David Cameron’s coalition government reached its first 100 days in power. Frum Forum is marking the day with an online symposium. …

Written by Andrew Murphy on Wednesday August 18, 2010

Blago 1, Voters 0

Before voters scream and yell about the miscarriage of justice that the Rod Blagojevich verdict represents, we should take a long look in the mirror. Confusion, and then anger....this will be the progression of emotions that will confront many Americans when they hear that Rod Blagojevich was …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday August 18, 2010

Is the Honeymoon Over for Cameron & Clegg?

So far, Cameron has enjoyed a political honeymoon. But as his coalition cabinet pushes forward with tough budget cuts, the public’s mood may change. Today, David Cameron’s coalition government reached its first 100 days in power. Frum Forum is marking the day with an online symposium. We …

Written by Nick Denys on Wednesday August 18, 2010

Offended by the 9/11 Mosque? Get Over It

A mosque at Ground Zero may offend some, but as conservatives pointed out during the Mohammed cartoon debate: there is no right to not be offended. Newt Gingrich’s latest argument in the debate about the Cordoba Institute is perhaps the weakest argument made yet in opposition to the mosque. It is …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Tuesday August 17, 2010

Washington Goes AWOL on the Economy

America is in the throes of a terrible economic and financial crisis. Yet in Washington, political leaders barely discuss the economy. More bad economic news: The FT : In the average congressional district, serious mortgage delinquency rates – defined as borrowers more than three months …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday August 17, 2010

Dem Candidate Accused of Profiting from Charity

Louisiana Democratic candidate Cedric Richmond has been hit with corruption claims over his role with a non-profit charity. Democrats see Rep. Joseph Cao's (R-LA) New Orleans seat as one of the most vulnerable Republican seats in the nation. Although the Louisiana primary hasn't yet happened, the …

Written by Tim Mak on Tuesday August 17, 2010

Poland and America Drift Apart

As Poland's economy grows and the nation becomes more integrated with the rest of Europe, America's importance seems to shrink every year. My latest column for CNN.com looks at America's relationship with Poland and our shrinking importance in Central and Eastern Europe. Twenty years later, …

Written by David Frum on Monday August 16, 2010

Corporations Are People, Too

It's impossible to engage in political debate without encountering someone who feels that corporations are uniquely malevolent or dangerous. I’d like to note a small irony in last week’s opinion upholding Congress’s decision last year to cut off funding for ACORN, the sprawling, state-funded …

Written by Austin Bramwell on Monday August 16, 2010

Petraeus Pushes Back on Afghan Deadline

Afghanistan is a long hard slog that the U.S. can and must win. General Petraeus knows this, but does the president? David Gregory's interview with General Petraeus on NBC’s Meet the Press this morning is well worth watching. The General cogently addressed all of the key issues and concerns …

Written by John Guardiano on Monday August 16, 2010

Why Clean Coal is Still Years Away

A new report from an EPA-DOE task force suggests that implementing clean coal technology may be easier said than done. Members of Congress who (1) represent states that burn a lot of coal to generate electricity, (2) receive frequent visits from lobbyists for energy-intensive manufacturers in …

Written by Jim DiPeso on Sunday August 15, 2010

As the Newt Turns

Newt Gingrich’s campaign for president took a hard, hard punch this week, after Esquire published a profile of Gingrich spiced up by quotations from his second wife. Newt Gingrich’s campaign for the U.S. presidency just took a hard, hard punch. This week, Esquire magazine published a …

Written by David Frum on Saturday August 14, 2010

Enviros: Don't Put Your Eggs in One (Dem) Basket

When Obama swept into office, the environmental lobby unwisely chose to pin all their hopes and dreams on the Democratic Party. Two years ago, Barack Obama imprudently declared that his accession to power would mark the moment “when the rise of the oceans began to slow and the planet began to …

Written by Jim DiPeso on Saturday August 14, 2010

Obama Stands Up for the 9/11 Mosque

Somewhat shockingly, Obama's approach to the Ground Zero mosque issue has emerged as a libertarian one. Somewhat shockingly, Obama's approach to the Ground Zero mosque issue has emerged as a libertarian one. In prepared remarks about it on Friday, he didn't feel the need to assert any (false) …

Written by Alex Knepper on Saturday August 14, 2010

Why Europeans Hate Tipping

For the past three weeks, my Italian friend has been visiting the U.S. for the first time and has found everything thrilling... except for when the check arrives. For the past three weeks, my Italian friend, L, has been visiting. It has been an experience, to say the least – especially given …

Written by Rachel Ryan on Friday August 13, 2010