Attacks on Kirk Come Up Short
The media has been trying to discredit Mark Kirk's record. Instead, they should focus on the substance of the election. Ever since the story on Richard Blumenthal's embellished military record broke, there has been a mad dash to replicate the scoop. And in an election year featuring numerous races …Obama's Courage Gap
From the economic crash to energy policy, the president has diagnosed what ails us. It's a pity he doesn't follow his own prescriptions. My latest column for The Week reviews the president's energy policy speech and his troubling failure to follow through on his own policy prescriptions. …Closing the Door on South Carolina's Sex Scandals
Before the affairs and allegations of affairs, South Carolina's governor Mark Sanford was praised as a libertarian-leaning reformer. Yet, he failed to curb the state's big government bureaucracies. Can his protege, Nikki Haley, do any better? The problem with scandals in politics is that …Mr. Djou Goes to Washington
FF Exclusive: Republican Charles Djou’s victory in Hawaii’s 1st congressional district stunned political watchers. Djou spoke with FrumForum about his November reelection bid and his efforts to raise the Republican Party’s profile in Hawaii This week Frum Forum sat down for an exclusive …The Coming Double Dip Recession
With record setting deficits and debt running deep into the trillions, President Obama’s deferred tax rate increases could spell trouble for the U.S. economy in 2011. The other day Arthur Laffer (originator of the principle that lowering taxes increases tax revenues), had a disquieting article …You Read it First at FrumForum
The Obama administration is considering cutting the tax break for mortgages, a move predicted here at FrumForum. The popular tax break for mortgage interest, once considered untouchable, is falling under the scrutiny of policymakers and economic experts seeking ways to close huge deficits. …Gulf Still Waiting for Obama to Deliver
Obama’s “Green Energy” speech Tuesday evening was widely panned across the ideological spectrum, raising further doubts that the President has an effective plan for handling the Gulf oil spill. Obama’s “Green Energy” speech Tuesday evening has been widely panned across the ideological spectrum, …Chicago: The Town Barackonomics Shut Down
Chicago, where I'm visiting this week, is suffering from this recession more than almost any jurisdiction outside the Ground Zero "sand states." The magnitude of distress is visible even to the casual visitor. Chicago, where I'm visiting this week, is suffering from this recession more than …Don't Bother Boycotting BP
Calls for boycotting BP gas stations are not only useless, they also distract attention from our home-grown failure to shake our oil addiction. The Brits have worked themselves into a snit over the impudent remarks about BP emanating from the colonies. It’s tempting to tell our friends across …Obamacare Needs Lifesaving Deficit Surgery
When President Obama signed his health reforms into law he promised they would reduce the deficit. Now, less than three months later, the White House is working overtime to break that pledge. Obamacare will reduce the deficit. It’s one of the basic promises of the White House. Indeed, …
France's Not-So-Free Speech Laws
Recently, France’s interior minister was fined for comments he made about Muslims at a private meeting. The case is a reminder that in France, everything you say can – and in many cases, most likely will – be used against you in a court of law. Before traveling to France, it would be prudent to …Trading Lives for Good PR
The aim of the “courageous restraint” medal is obviously to save civilian lives and deter criticism when civilian casualties occur. But are we willing to accept an increase in our own casualties? Although it is under serious consideration, the idea of awarding a “courageous restraint” medal for …Reid's Defeat Will Revive Nuke Industry
Harry Reid's name may be on the ballot, but the real winner or loser of November's U.S. Senate election in Nevada may be the U.S. nuclear power industry. Harry Reid's name may be on the ballot, but the real winner or loser of November's U.S. Senate election in Nevada may be the U.S. nuclear power …Wall Street in the Dark on New Banking Regs
A new proposal put forth by Sen. Blanche Lincoln could force banks to spin off their highly profitable derivatives trading to subsidiaries. But few on Wall Street or on Capitol Hill seem to understand exactly how the new rules would work. A new proposed regulation in Congress could force banks to …FrumCast: Craig Shirley on Reagan's 1980 Election Victory
For my latest FrumCast, I spoke with Craig Shirley, about his new history of the 1980 election, the differences between Reagan and Obama, and about what made Reagan such an effective president. For my latest FrumCast, I spoke with Craig Shirley, about his new history of the 1980 election, …Are Obama's Bets Coming Up Snake Eyes?
Most of the key decisions of Obama's presidency have already been made and now the president must wait to see if his gambles succeed. But while it's too early to determine if his policies will be successful, the early signs are not good. My latest column for CNN.com argues that most of the key …America's Flawed Founding
This past April, an undated photo of two slave children was found accompanied by a document detailing the sale of “John” for $1,150 in 1854. The two forlorn children in the photo who stare back at us are the ghosts of an ugly national past. This past April, an undated photo of two slave …