Overview for News

Gov't Group Living it Up in Geneva

UPDATED: The scandal-ridden Rights and Democracy organization may have another controversy to explain: How some $150,000 of Canadian taxpayer money has been spent on a Geneva office that isn't even open--and why they are now paying an extravagant $3,000 per month for an apartment in France for …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday February 12, 2010

Capital Snow Diaries II: Snowplow Politics

Washingtonians of certain zip codes and official levels are not accustomed to doing their yard work themselves. On spring and fall days I've watched crews swoop through the neighborhood, and wondered idly if the amnesty-for-illegals sentiment prevalent in the Capital stemmed in part from a …

Written by Danielle Crittenden on Friday February 12, 2010

Why Won't GOP Condemn Hayworth's Birtherism?

McCain challenger J.D. Hayworth has called for President Obama to release his birth certificate. By refusing to support McCain in the primary, Senator Jim DeMint and the Conservative Senate Fund are sending the message that advocating for birtherism is OK. Van Jones, former green jobs czar …

Written by Zac Morgan on Friday February 12, 2010

Senate Should Give Obama's Nominees the Green Light

On Tuesday, Craig Becker, Obama's nominee to the National Labor Relations Board, failed to overcome a GOP filibuster. There is no reason why presidential appointments of either party should require a supermajority to be confirmed. Yesterday, Craig Becker -- a union-side labor lawyer, thought by …

Written by Eugene Debs on Friday February 12, 2010

New Obama Tax Would Chase Insurers Away

A proposed protectionist tax in the Obama budget could cost consumers $10 to $12 billion in higher insurance premiums and make it harder for Americans in parts of the country susceptible to natural disasters from finding insurance at any price. Given its sheer size, it’s not surprising that the …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Thursday February 11, 2010

French Left Silences Debate on Immigration

In Europe, we have a paradox: The more people view immigration as a major issue, the less they feel free to talk about it. In Europe, we have a paradox: The more people view immigration as a major issue, the less they feel free to talk about it. In October 2009, France's minister of immigration …

Written by Jean Granville on Thursday February 11, 2010

California's Med Marijuana Laws Need to Get a Fix

California was the first state to approve the use of medical marijuana and now voters are considering decriminalization of all marijuana use. But before pushing for further legalization, California should focus on overhauling their current laws. California was the first state to approve the use …

Written by Elise Cooper on Thursday February 11, 2010

Shelby's Hold Exposed Obama's Failure

My latest column for The Week examines why the Democrats were able to break Senator Shelby’s hold on appointees within days, but seem unwilling to break the GOP’s filibuster on healthcare legislation. My latest column for The Week examines why the Democrats were able to break Senator …

Written by David Frum on Thursday February 11, 2010

Blago May Take Dems Down with Him

For Mark Kirk and Illinois Republicans, Rod Blagojevich is the gift that keeps on giving. Yesterday, Blago announced he would testify during his trial, which is set to begin right in the middle of the Kirk-Giannoulias Senate race. For Mark Kirk and Illinois Republicans, Rod Blagojevich is the gift …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Thursday February 11, 2010

Capital Snow Diaries: Longer Than Healthcare Debate

If I were any sort of intrepid correspondent, I would have begun this diary when the snow started last Friday. But oh, we were so happy then. Who knew that five days later, many of us would still be housebound -- indeed, that this whole snow thing would feel older than the health care debate? If …

Written by Danielle Crittenden on Thursday February 11, 2010

New York United Against Terror Trials

The New York State Senate has become the latest in a growing list of elected representatives sounding off against holding the 9/11 terror trials in New York City. The Senate passed a resolution on February 9th calling upon the Obama administration to move the trials to a military location. The …

Written by Richard Brownell on Wednesday February 10, 2010

Did Canadian Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Anti-Semitic Hate Fest?

FF EXCLUSIVE : A Canadian taxpayer-funded organization - already under fire for financing groups with alleged links to terrorism – may have also contributed financially to the infamous Durban II conference, FrumForum has learned. FF EXCLUSIVE : A Canadian taxpayer-funded organization - …

Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday February 10, 2010

Any Room for Social Conservatives in the Vital Center?

After reading many of the contributions to yesterday's Frum Forum symposium on restoring centrist politics, it seems as if many proponents of centrism envision a movement with no room at all for social conservatives. I want to believe in some new "centrism", really, I do. But there's a …

Written by Orestes Brownson on Wednesday February 10, 2010

Andrew Sullivan and the Jews

I've managed to disagree with everything Andrew Sullivan has written about John Yoo without ever thinking Sullivan guilty of anti-Korean animus, and it should be equally possible to disagree with Sullivan about Israel these days without accusing him of anti-semitism. I've managed to disagree with …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday February 10, 2010

GOP Has Shortage of Moderates and New Ideas

While many have talked about the shrinking Republican tent when it comes to how it treats moderates, there is also a shrinking tent of ideas. As much as we make fun of Democrats for employing 1970s ideas to solve current issues, many in the GOP act like it's 1980 all over again. E.D.: You are …

Written by Dennis Sanders on Wednesday February 10, 2010

Bailing Out Greece is Just the Start

Reports suggest that Germany is preparing to lead a bailout of Greece amid speculation the Greeks could default on their government debt. The Euro-zone countries though should use this crisis to implement serious reforms to strengthen the European monetary union. If anyone wondered why the …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday February 10, 2010

Paterson Won't Resign

New York Governor David Paterson shot down rumors that he was planning to resign at a press conference Tuesday, hoping to quash a controversy that has consumed Albany for several days. New York Governor David Paterson shot down rumors that he was planning to resign at a press conference …

Written by Richard Brownell on Wednesday February 10, 2010

Escaping the Left/Right Straitjacket

F F Symposium: If the right is David Frum and the left is, say, Howard Zinn, count me as a conservative; if the right is Sarah Palin and the left is Bill Moyers then put me down as a liberal. American public opinion in almost every way we can measure bunches up toward the moderate middle. Yet …

Written by Bruce Bawer on Tuesday February 9, 2010

Voters Need to Support Their Local Moderate

F F Symposium: The public has to send the message that policy is more important than politics by supporting officials and candidates who argue from the center and are willing to reach compromises. American public opinion in almost every way we can measure bunches up toward the moderate middle. …

Written by Christine Todd Whitman on Tuesday February 9, 2010

More Competitive Districts Could Restore Political Civility

F F Symposium: As long as Congressional incumbents are protected by partisan gerrymandering which gives most Democrats and Republicans safe seats, there is little incentive for politicians and their journalistic allies to appeal to swing voters. American public opinion in almost every way we …

Written by Michael Lind on Tuesday February 9, 2010