Overview for Frum Now

The Economy Can't Survive Abrupt Spending Cuts

An economic precedent that is remotely comparable to an abrupt hit-the-wall 44% cut in federal government spending is the defense build-down at the end of World War II. I'm trying to think of an economic precedent even remotely comparable to an abrupt hit-the-wall 44% cut in federal government …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday July 12, 2011

Who is the Priority Creditor on Default Day?

Here's a skill-testing question in this time of debt showdown, who is the most senior government creditor after Default Day? Here's a skill-testing question in this time of debt showdown. Who would be the more senior government creditor after Default Day: - A disabled Social Security …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday July 12, 2011

How to Make 2011 a Repeat of 1931

If the US government fails to make its payments, there is a risk of repeating the same crisis that struck the world in 1931. The US government is the largest purchaser of goods and services on planet earth. The government buys everything from equipment for cancer research to metal for warships …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday July 12, 2011

Slow Recovery? Blame the Housing Boom

Why has recovery been so weak and slow? Businessweek argues: because we are still unwinding the consequences of the housing boom of the 2000s. Why has recovery been so weak and slow? Businessweek argues : because we are still unwinding the consequences of the housing boom of the 2000s. …

Written by David Frum on Monday July 11, 2011

Debt Talks Don't Need an Ambitious Solution

If the debt talks produce only (i) an increase in the debt ceiling and (ii) a framework for cutting federal spending over the medium term - well, there are worse ways to resolve the crisis. If the debt talks produce only (i) an increase in the debt ceiling and (ii) a framework for cutting …

Written by David Frum on Monday July 11, 2011

How Israel's Lawyers Stopped the Second Flotilla

Israel has deployed a powerful new strategy against the latest wouldbe Gaza flotilla activists: Bore them to death. Israel has deployed a powerful new strategy against the latest wouldbe Gaza flotilla activists: Bore them to death. For three weeks, the activists aboard the lead flotilla …

Written by David Frum on Saturday July 9, 2011

The Debt Ceiling's Collective Action Trap

The debt ceiling vote is one where every Republican will want to be on the losing side. But if they all win then the country will lose. If you're a Republican elected official, you want two things from the debt-ceiling budget talks: 1) You want the talks to succeed - to produce a deal that …

Written by David Frum on Thursday July 7, 2011

Democrats Should Offer to Extend the Bush Tax Cuts

In my column for The Week, I argue that Democrats can get a deal on the debt ceiling if they offer to bring back to the Bush tax cuts. In my column for The Week , I argue that Democrats can get a deal on the debt ceiling if they offer to bring back to the Bush tax cuts: Here's one Democrati…

Written by David Frum on Wednesday July 6, 2011

The Real Debt Debate Sticking Point?

Politico insinuates that a big sticking point for the GOP in the debt-ceiling negotiations is a demand that the earnings of hedge funds continue to be taxed at the 15% capital-gains rate rather than income-tax rates. Politico insinuates this morning that a big sticking point for the GOP in the …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday July 6, 2011

Obama Calls for Lopsided Negotiations

President Obama has summoned Republicans to another round of negotiations over the debt ceiling. And now President Obama has summoned Republicans to another round of negotiations over the debt ceiling. Perhaps he will there deploy some previously invisible form of leverage. To the …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday July 5, 2011

Rick Perry Talks Like He is Running

Spend a couple of hours watching Rick Perry on YouTube, and you have to think, "Yes, he's running." Spend a couple of hours watching Rick Perry on YouTube, and you have to think, "Yes, he's running." Here he is in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago, speaking both about compassion and the …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday July 5, 2011

Default Will Extract a Political Price from the GOP

Republicans in Congress need to understand that there will be a political price to them, not only to the president, if they force the United States into a default. David Brooks delivers a withering column in today's NYT: The struggles of the next few weeks are about what sort of party the …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday July 5, 2011

Is this Evidence that Pakistan Threatens Journalists?

When Pakistani journalists decline "for fear of reprisals" to comment on allegations that they have been threatened by the state security services, doesn't that strongly suggest that the allegations are true? When Pakistani journalists decline " for fear of reprisals " to comment on allegations …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday July 5, 2011

Can the Debt Crisis Lead to Impeachment?

The debt-ceiling crisis is growing into an impending constitutional crisis. The debt-ceiling crisis is growing into an impending constitutional crisis. Imagine this scenario: * House Republicans and the president fail to reach a budget agreement. * House Republicans refuse to raise the …

Written by David Frum on Monday July 4, 2011

Is Strauss-Kahn Set for a Comeback?

If the case against Dominique Strauss-Kahn collapses under the weight of his accuser's reportedly increasing non-credibility, does the way open up for a presidential bid? If the case against Dominique Strauss-Kahn collapses under the weight of his accuser's reportedly increasing non-credibi…

Written by David Frum on Friday July 1, 2011

Romney Goes for Obama's Jobs Record

Here's a powerful Romney ad that (unlike those unintentionally hilarious Pawlenty ads) actually delivers its message. Here's a powerful Romney ad that (unlike those unintentionally hilarious Pawlenty ads) actually delivers its message:

Written by David Frum on Thursday June 30, 2011

Free Conrad Black

One of the remarkable things about Conrad Black's trial is that even his fiercest detractors are paying tribute to the man's character. In my column for The Week I argue against the recent decision to send Conrad Black back to prison: Of all the ugly aspects of the American prosecutorial …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday June 29, 2011

Black Faces His Resentencing With Dignity

Seth Lipsky speaks eloquently in the WSJ about Conrad Black's resentencing after all but one count against him was struck down. Seth Lipsky speaks eloquently in the WSJ about Conrad Black's resentencing after all but one count against him was struck down: When all was said and done, the …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday June 29, 2011

Bachmann Claims the Intellectual High Ground

Michelle Bachmann describes herself as having a "strong academic, scholarly background." Michelle Bachmann describes herself as having a "strong academic, scholarly background." (CNN) - Newly declared Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann defended her past gaffes Tuesday by …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday June 28, 2011

Bearing False Witness

British journalist Johann Hari has been credibly accused of falsifying his reporting. And Hari's self-defense is not exactly compelling. British journalist Johann Hari has been credibly accused of falsifying his reporting. First a left-wing blogger offered evidence that Hari had borrowed an …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday June 28, 2011