Overview for News

Don't Fear the Option (Yet)

Conservatives have plenty of reasons to dislike the idea of a public health care option. At the same time, however, the reasonably modest proposals currently before Congress won’t, by themselves, result in a government healthcare takeover. The passage of a sweeping healthcare reform bill sometime …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Tuesday November 3, 2009

Democrats Square Off to Face Kirk

Today, Alexi Giannoulias, the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination to run for Senate in Illinois released internal polling suggesting that he is best positioned to take on likely Republican nominee Mark Kirk. Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D) released an internal poll today …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Tuesday November 3, 2009

Lost in Marrakesh

The AP reports that Hillary Clinton's latest round of shuttle diplomacy with Arab leaders “produced no sign of a breakthrough.” These failures though are not hers alone. They are the result of earlier missteps by the President, and an Arab world sending mixed messages about its commitment to peace. …

Written by Jonathan Schanzer on Tuesday November 3, 2009

Obama's Worst

The Obama administration has launched American troops into a much more intense fight in Afghanistan while hesitating to add the reinforcements for which the troops' commanders clamor. Ten months into his administration he has developed doubts about the war he once declared a war of necessity. Seems …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday November 3, 2009

Those Magical Obamas

In today's Examiner , Byron York, that master of the deadpan, reports on Michelle Obama's remarks at a recent mentoring event: "[P]eople ask [my mom] all the time, 'What did you do to create Michelle Obama?'" Mrs. Obama told the audience." Byron York, that master of the deadpan, tells this …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday November 3, 2009

Kirk Enters the Ring

It’s official. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) has collected his 10,000 signatures and is officially the newest candidate for United States Senator from the state of Illinois. It’s official. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) has collected his 10, 000 signatures and is officially the newest candidate for United …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Monday November 2, 2009

NJ Governor's Race Goes Down to the Wire

Though Republican Chris Christie has led the New Jersey governor's race by double digits throughout much of the summer, Gov. Corzine has closed the gap. As voters go to the polls, the race remains too close to call. Of the four races to be decided tomorrow, the one whose outcome is probably …

Written by Jennifer Marsico on Monday November 2, 2009

A Famous Victory?

Conservatives are preparing to hail a Doug Hoffman victory in NY-23, if it occurs, as a mighty victory. This is a deeply unrealistic assessment. In two of the three most watched races in the country, the candidate of the president’s party is running neck and neck against his main challenger – in …

Written by David Frum on Monday November 2, 2009

Most Absurd Spin of the Month

The Wall Street Journal has a news story this morning that contends that President Obama and the Democrats in Congress are compiling an impressive list of legislative wins. OK - so what's in this string of unheralded victories? The Wall Street Journal has a news story this morning, …

Written by David Frum on Monday November 2, 2009

Bill Ayers at the White House?

That's what the visitors' logs released Friday suggested. In fact, it turned out to be a very different Ayers. But comic identity confusion is the least of the problems generated by the White House's misconceived new transparency policy, as I argue in my column today on CNN.com. That's what the …

Written by David Frum on Monday November 2, 2009

Hoffman Pulls Ahead in NY-23

Updated: A new Siena Research Institute poll released just minutes ago shows Conservative Doug Hoffman with a five point lead over Democratic candidate Bill Owens in NY-23, 41%-36%. However, the number of undecideds in New York has skyrocketed since Republican Dede Scozzafava abruptly pulled out …

Written by Tim Mak on Monday November 2, 2009

Prediction Time

The betting markets are too thin to rely on for this cycle, but they do fit with my general read on the situation: McDonnell wins, Hoffman wins, Christie loses. The betting markets are too thin to rely on for this cycle, but they do fit with my general read on the situation: McDonnell wins, …

Written by Thomas J. Marier on Monday November 2, 2009

Leave Larry David Alone

HBO and television in general is, as Larry David's critics note, far more likely to insult Catholics than adherents of almost any other religion. Only Southern Baptists and Mormons are in the running for this dubious honor. From a Christian perspective this should be a badge of honor rather than …

Written by John Vecchione on Monday November 2, 2009

Bachmann to America: Come Storm Congress

Last night, on Sean Hannity's program, Rep. Michele Bachmann urged the audience to: "come to Washington, D.C. [and] join me so we can go up and down through the halls, find members of Congress, look at the whites of their eyes and say, 'Don't take away my healthcare.'" Rep. Michele Bachmann is …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Sunday November 1, 2009

Lesson from NY: Let the Reformers Compete

Dede Scozzafava’s withdrawal in New York's 23rd congressional district has spurred calls for Republican-turned-independent Chris Daggett to do the same in New Jersey's governor's race. But Scozzafava's withdrawal actually strengthens the case for Daggett to remain in the race. Dede Scozzafava’s …

Written by John Guardiano on Sunday November 1, 2009

Kirk Runs to the Center

By proposing the “centrist” alternative to the Pelosi healthcare bill, House Representative Mark Kirk (R-IL) appears to be building the foundation on which to present himself as a “pragmatic” conservative in his upcoming run for Barack Obama’s old Senate seat. By 84175" target="_blank"> …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Saturday October 31, 2009

Demonizing Food Corporations Won't Make America Thin Again

The fabulous productivity of modern agriculture and industry have made food more available than ever before in the history of the world. Human beings, who evolved in conditions of food scarcity, are understandably finding it difficult to adapt to these new conditions of abundance. My new National …

Written by David Frum on Saturday October 31, 2009

Hillary Oversells Honduran Deal

Desperate for good news, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton trumpeted a U.S. brokered deal between ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the de facto government. But despite her claims of an "historic agreement" and expectations for Zelaya's return to power, the standoff may not be any closer …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday October 30, 2009

GOP Fights for Foothold in Big Apple

Running as a Republican for the New York City Council is either a very brave or very foolish thing to do. Democrats outnumber Republicans five to one in citywide registration and control 48 of the 51 seats on the City Council. Running as a Republican for the New York City Council is either a very …

Written by Richard Brownell on Friday October 30, 2009

Dead Heat in NY-23

A poll released today shows Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman pulling within one point of Democrat Bill Owens in the tightly contested NY-23 congressional race. A Daily Kos poll released today showed Conservative Doug Hoffman pulling within one point of Democrat Bill Owens in the …

Written by Tim Mak on Thursday October 29, 2009