Overview for News

Are Palin's Ghostwriters Messing with Her?

I've been enjoying Sarah Palin's new book: it's like a huge irony fiesta, a continual display of non-self-knowledge. I've now had a chance to read quite a lot of Sarah Palin's new book, and I must say: I'm quite enjoying it. It's like a huge irony fiesta, a huge display of non-self-knowledge. For …

Written by David Frum on Friday November 19, 2010

The Prowl: An Idiot’s Guide to Dating in D.C.

This week, new lawmakers descended on Washington. One thing their orientation will lack though is advice on picking up a good lady or man. Like many in our nation's capital, for the past week I have been following the comings and goings of incoming lawmakers as they descended on the city for the …

Written by Vivian Darkbloom on Friday November 19, 2010

The Fat Diaries: My Thanksgiving Tradition... Overeating

Until a few years ago, Thanksgiving was an excuse to go nuts. It was a holiday, so I went into the meal with the mindset to eat enough to make me uncomfortably full. In six short days we’ll be in one of my favorite holidays, and one of the most potentially damaging to my metabolism: …

Written by Monica Marier on Friday November 19, 2010

Playing Hooky (with the Whole Family)

Nothing quite exposes the opportunity costs of normal life as getting away from it for a day or two. Writing in the Washington Examiner , Meghan Cox Gurdon shares the joy of skipping out on work (and school). "What time is it?" "About 10:30, why?" "Ha ha! I'm missing math class!" …

Written by Meghan Cox Gurdon on Friday November 19, 2010

McConnell Sets a Budget Trap for the Dems

The Republican attempt to stop an omnibus appropriations bill has already begun. Most analysts and senior staff on the Hill expected the Republican leadership in both Chambers to do all it could to prevent an omnibus appropriations bill for FY2011. That battle has begun, as Senate Minority …

Written by Steve Bell on Friday November 19, 2010

Don't Want Gridlock? Stop Voting for It

In public opinion polls, voters claim to prefer politicians who are willing to compromise when in power. Yet, election results tell a different story. As I have written previously (some will say “ad nauseam”), the politics of harsh rhetoric , ideological polarization and legislative …

Written by Les Francis on Friday November 19, 2010

Palin Preps on Europe's Debt Crisis

Sarah Palin is taking an interest in the European debt crisis, but does she have an expert to help her understand the subject? From today's Real Clear Politics, a story based on interviews with Palin advisers: Palin has taken a particular interest in the European debt crisis as of late, and …

Written by David Frum on Friday November 19, 2010

Turning a Blind Eye to Afghan Election Fraud

Obama was quick to rip Burma’s rigged general elections, but as for Afghanistan where election fraud charges have also surfaced, the U.S. stays silent. President Obama was quick to speak out against Burma’s rigged general elections. But in Afghanistan where complaints of election fraud have …

Written by Wahid Monawar on Friday November 19, 2010

Rough Justice

Ahmed Ghailani, a suspect in the 1998 embassy bombings, may have prevailed at trial on 284 out of 285 counts, but that might not mean a lighter sentence. Doesn't the Ghailani verdict look like a highly politicized saw-off? The legalist left gets to say they prevailed on 284 out of 285 counts. …

Written by David Frum on Thursday November 18, 2010

Yet Another Reason Palin Shouldn't Be President

Sarah Palin asks: "The publishing world is LEAKING out-of-context excerpts of my book w/out my permission? Isn't that illegal?" Actually, no it's not. Sarah Palin tweets: RT @SarahPalinUSA: The publishing world is LEAKING out-of-context excerpts of my book w/out my permission? Isn't that …

Written by David Frum on Thursday November 18, 2010

Cino Close to Announcing RNC Chair Bid

A GOP source close to Maria Cino tells Frum Forum that she is "strongly considering" announcing a bid for RNC Chair shortly after Thanksgiving. A Republican source close to Maria Cino’s thinking tells Frum Forum that she is "strongly considering" announcing her bid for RNC Chair “shortly …

Written by Tim Mak on Thursday November 18, 2010

Good News from Europe on Spain's Debt

Investors are becoming more optimistic about Spanish debt, according to a Bloomberg poll of global bond buyers and sellers. Investors are becoming more optimistic about Spanish debt, according to a Bloomberg poll of global bond buyers and sellers. Investors remain optimistic about the …

Written by David Frum on Thursday November 18, 2010

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 …

Written by Steve Bell on Thursday November 18, 2010

Are Americans Bored with Counter-Terrorism?

Reading the intensifying round of complaints about the TSA's practices, I'm left wondering: Is America now bored with antiterrorism efforts? Admittedly, this is probably an apocryphal story - and double admittedly I may be remembering it wrong. But the yarn goes that one day in 1954, Henry Luce …

Written by David Frum on Thursday November 18, 2010

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 …

Written by David Frum on Thursday November 18, 2010

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 , …

Written by Tim Mak on Thursday November 18, 2010

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 …

Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday November 17, 2010

Whatever Happened to the Loyal Opposition?

In 2010 as in 2008, voters asked parties to move to the center. Instead they have gotten more partisanship, less civil discourse and fewer results. Although results in a handful of contests around the country are still being sorted out, the 2010 midterm elections are---thankfully---pretty much …

Written by Les Francis on Wednesday November 17, 2010

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 …

Written by Stephen Richer on Wednesday November 17, 2010

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 …

Written by Peter Worthington on Wednesday November 17, 2010