Overview for News

Brown Should be Sworn in Quickly

The Democratic majority in the Senate has the power to seat Scott Brown, the obvious landslide choice of the people of the Commonwealth, on Wednesday. And it should. Martha Coakley has conceded a race that was not even close.  The Constitution makes the Senate the "judge of the elections, …

Read more

Written by Henry Clay on Tuesday January 19, 2010

Freezin' for a Reason

FF Liveblogging Exclusive: In all my years of grassroots campaign involvement, I have never felt such palpable excitement from the voters – and I never would have expected it in Massachusetts, where I spent four years in college. To see how it has changed is surreal. This weekend I traveled …

Read more

Written by Rachel Hoff on Tuesday January 19, 2010

D-Day for Obamacare

The voters of Massachusetts are deciding more than simply who will represent them in Washington, they may well be deciding the fate of the Democrats' health reform plans. An upset in the Bay State? The polls give an edge to Scott Brown; well respected political analyst Charlie Cook now rates this …

Read more

Written by David Gratzer on Tuesday January 19, 2010

Who Gets Bragging Rights if Brown Wins?

The national Republican Party's machine ignored the Massachusetts Senate race until Scott Brown willed himself into contention. Well, now Charlie Cook, who knows whereof he speaks in these matters, has Brown as slightly favored .  I saw the tired old politicians around Coakley along with …

Read more

Written by John Vecchione on Tuesday January 19, 2010

Martha Coakley's Lowest Blows

As the Senate election in Massachusetts became more and more competitive, Democrat Martha Coakley chose to go negative to halt the sudden ascendancy of Republican Scott Brown. Here are FrumForum’s top picks for Coakley’s most embarrassing negative ads. As the special Senatorial election in …

Read more

Written by Tim Mak on Tuesday January 19, 2010

Join Us for Election Night

Join Frum Forum 's coverage of the Massachusetts Senate special election tonight. Frum Forum will be liveblogging the results from 7:30 onwards here , and we'll be constantly updating the Scroll to feature reaction from commentators about what tonight's outcome means for Obama's health care …

Read more

Written by David Frum on Tuesday January 19, 2010

Answering Krugman

Paul Krugman takes issue with my concerns that increased financial regulation could harm financial innovation. Paul Krugman comments on something I said on TV this past weekend: I don’t always agree with Naomi Klein, and I don’t always disagree with David Frum, but Klein wins this one hands …

Read more

Written by David Frum on Tuesday January 19, 2010

Coleman Opts Out of Minnesota Gov Race

Former Senator Norm Coleman announced page, that he will not run for governor of Minnesota this year. His decision leaves the GOP with a weakened and mostly unknown field of candidates. Former Senator Norm Coleman has announced, on his Facebook page, that he will not run for governor of …

Read more

Written by Bryce McNitt on Tuesday January 19, 2010

Haiti: The Danger of Over Generosity

My latest CNN column reviews the history of aid after the 2004 tsunami and warns: Don't send Haiti too much money. My latest CNN column reviews the history of aid after the 2004 tsunami and warns: Don't send Haiti too much money. As the International Federation of Red Cross Societies said in their …

Read more

Written by David Frum on Tuesday January 19, 2010

Next on the Dems' Senate Worry List

As the Democrats fight to hold onto Sen. Kennedy's seat in Massachusetts, another tough Senate race awaits them in New York. According to the latest Siena poll, former NY GOP Governor George Pataki now holds a wide lead over incumbent Senator Gillibrand. Former New York Governor George Pataki now …

Read more

Written by Chris Brown on Monday January 18, 2010

The Dems' Perfect Storm

The situation is so grave for the Democrats in Massachusetts that President Obama had to visit the state to shore up Coakley’s fading chances. Yet, Obama’s entry in the campaign is risky, because in part it’s his policies that have voters turning to the GOP. Forget the earthquake catastrophe in …

Read more

Written by Peter Worthington on Monday January 18, 2010

Better Late Than Never

Last week, NRO's Ramesh Ponnuru chided me for suggesting that "anger, paranoia, and extremism" beset the "talk radio right." This week NRO provides space to Daniel Griswold of Cato to apply a mild but firm rebuke to Fox's Sean Hannity for showcasing ... well my phrase "anger, paranoia and …

Read more

Written by David Frum on Monday January 18, 2010

Obama: Year One

Barack Obama's first year in office may well be marked by an epic political disaster: an upset Senate victory for Republicans. Barack Obama's first year in office may well be marked by an epic political disaster: an upset Senate victory for Republicans. The Massachusetts seat formerly held by Ted …

Read more

Written by David Frum on Monday January 18, 2010

Frum vs. Spitzer

I tangled Sunday on CNN with Eliot Spitzer over Wall Street bankers and their bonuses. He is worried the bad guys will get away. I am worried that over-reaction will wreck the American free-enterprise economy. I tangled Sunday on CNN's Fareed Zakaria GPS with Eliot Spitzer over Wall Street …

Read more

Written by David Frum on Monday January 18, 2010

If Coakley Loses

The big question for Democrats: Has the time come to play dirty? To delay seating Scott Brown and push through healthcare reform legislation as rapidly as possible? The big question for Democrats: Has the time come to play dirty? To delay seating Scott Brown and push through the legislation as …

Read more

Written by David Frum on Saturday January 16, 2010

Coleman for Gov?

Many signs in Minnesota suggest that former Senator Norm Coleman will run for Gov. Pawlenty’s soon to be vacated seat in 2010. It is now widely reported in the Minnesota press that former Senator Norm Coleman will run for Gov. Pawlenty’s soon to be vacated seat in 2010.  The most telling sign, …

Read more

Written by Bryce McNitt on Saturday January 16, 2010

Nightmare Scenario

Of course we cant overlook what has to be the more probable outcome in the Massachusetts Senate race: that the Democrat wins as usual. If so, what lessons do the Dems draw from their near-death experience? Of course we cant overlook what has to be the more probable outcome in Mass: that the Dem …

Read more

Written by David Frum on Friday January 15, 2010

How Conservative is Scott Brown?

At Nate Silver's site, Andrew Gelman quotes research arguing that Brown is not only more liberal than was Dede Scozzafava - but is also more liberal than most Massachusetts Republicans. Of course, he's still a lot more conservative than his opponent - and so well deserving of your vote or …

Read more

Written by David Frum on Friday January 15, 2010

Scott Brown: He's No Tea Partier

EXCLUSIVE: An interview with Scott Brown conducted by Frum Forum before his surprising swing in voter support paints a picture of a hardworking candidate; a moderate, New England Republican; and, if elected, a senator that will be sorely disappointing to the tea partiers currently backing him. …

Read more

Written by Tim Mak on Friday January 15, 2010