Wingnut? Or Does Beck Just Play One on TV?
In his newest book, Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe is Hijacking America , John Avlon shines the spotlight on the extremists from the far-left and the far-right. In the first in a series of excerpts, Avlon speaks with a former Glenn Beck producer who wonders if Beck truly believes the ideas he …The Left's Purity Test?
Erick Erickson at RedState.com wondered if I and others who have derided purity tests for conservative candidates would give equal attention to the claim that the left forced Evan Bayh out of the Senate because he was not liberal enough. Erick Erickson poses a direct question to me at RedState.c…Legal Ruling Threatens Intel Sharing
Former intelligence officials who spoke with FrumForum strongly criticized a London court's ruling ordering the British government to release classified intelligence obtained from the CIA. Former intelligence officials who spoke with FrumForum strongly criticized the February 10th, ruling by a …Bayh's Exit
Bayh's departure is a political gift to Republicans, but a loss for America. For such a consummate public servant to decide that his time and energy are better spent outside of our most respected legislative body is profoundly troubling. As a Senator, Evan Bayh was well-respected both in national …Hayworth Launches Challenge from the Right
Earlier today, JD Hayworth, former congressman and talk radio host, officially entered the Arizona Republican Senate primary against John McCain. In his announcement, Hayworth channeled the far-right’s most common complaints against McCain. The GOP’s Tea Party insurgency has officially set its …Bayh's Retirement Leaves Tough Questions
Evan Bayh's decision to retire leaves many questions. For starters, did Bayh provide the Obama White House with any significant advance warning of his decision to quit? If not, why not - he just dealt a harsh blow to a president of his own party after all? Questions to which I'd like answers: …Steele to Tea Party: Let's Make a Deal
Today, RNC Chairman Michael Steele is meeting with approximately fifty tea party leaders to discuss cooperation going into the November midterm elections. Steele goes into the meeting with some new ammunition: a Rasmussen poll that shows the Tea Party losing ground to the GOP. Today, Republica…Answering Paul Wells
Paul Wells is undoubtedly one of Canada’s best journalists and I've always enjoyed his writing. All of which makes it hard to believe his reaction to my two pieces ( here and here ) on Rights and Democracy published last week. Paul Wells is undoubtedly one of Canada’s best journalists. I mean, …
Pawlenty Takes Aim at the GOP
In his recent interview with Esquire , Tim Pawlenty produced an honest -- and very critical -- assessment of the state of the Republican Party. Oh, the Republicans had their shot not long ago to address the real needs and concerns of everyday Americans, and they blew it. I think that's …Valentine's Day
I’ve never liked the Valentine’s Day holiday. Our culture celebrates romantic love morning, noon, and night 364 days a year – and then sets aside one special day every February to really rub the lovelesses’ noses in it. Not so nice. This little post, originally written for NRO back in 2003, …When Conservatives Start Crying
Glenn Beck has made a routine of crying on his program. And last week, an article in the New York Times described GOP senatorial candidate J.D. Hayworth tearing up while discussing a movie about football. FF contributors N. Machiavelli and Tim Mak weigh in on the new conservative trend: …Glenn Beck's Emotional Blackmail
Glenn Beck and J.D. Hayworth’s style of conservative rhetoric blends well with the emotional response generated by their sobbing. Glenn Beck has made a routine of crying on his program. He has even been caught using Vicks to bring out tears during a photoshoot. And last week, an article in …What I Would Do If I Were Cheney
Former Vice President Cheney will appear Sunday morning on ABC's This Week . If I were Cheney, I would not use the opportunity to slam Obama. Former VP Cheney will appear Sunday morning on ABC's This Week . The appearance prompts Politico to predict : it’s a safe bet what he will say: …Obama's New Envoy to the Muslim World
President Obama will name Rashad Hussain, currently deputy associate counsel in the White House Counsel's office, the new special envoy to the Muslim world. President names envoy to Muslim world. Sources say the special envoy will be Rashad Hussain, who currently serves as deputy associate …Immigration = Educational Collapse
On his blog, Matt Yglesias posted a chart showing that improvements in educational attainment have slowed for children born after 1970 and stagnated for those born after 1990. The most obvious explanation for this change: immigration. Matt Yglesias posts a chart from the Economic Report of …Snow Diaries III: "Safeway Is Decimated!"
By the time Snowmageddon II hit, just four days after the first, the unusual good cheer and neighborliness of our-capital-under-siege had melted away--and its usual nasty temperament reasserted itself, with extra viciousness. By the time Snowmageddon II hit, just four days after the first, the …