Overview for News

Hoffman Comes Clean

In a recent campaign ad, Doug Hoffman decided to take a page from Ralph Lauren by digitally editing away some physical imperfections. Apparently bad teeth turn voters off - especially in New York's 23rd congressional district. Recognizing this, Doug Hoffman has decided to take a page from …

Written by Tim Mak on Thursday October 29, 2009

Gambling Away the Republican Future?

A small but vocal number of social conservatives have been pushing for a federal ban on online gambling. Using the power of the federal government to promote traditional values will only push more voters away from the GOP. There have recently been positive developments in the Republican Party’s …

Written by Rich Muny on Thursday October 29, 2009

Dick Armey: "Parochial" to Expect Hoffman to Care About His District's Concerns

In a recent interview, NY-23 Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman was unable to answer questions on issues of local concern in his district. Hoffman supporter Dick Armey defended him and described the issues as "parochial". I wonder if Armey ever told voters in his district that their …

Written by David Frum on Thursday October 29, 2009

The President Honors the Fallen at Dover

Give the man credit: This was the right thing to do, but it cannot have been easy - especially as he is making the decision that may lead to more such sad homecomings. Give the man credit: This was the right thing to do, but it cannot have been easy - especially as he is making the decision that …

Written by David Frum on Thursday October 29, 2009

A Dirty Trick by the Club for Growth?

Politico reports that donors to the Club for Growth have released an ad in NY-23 that praises the Republican candidate as the best choice for left-wing voters. While the points made in the ad are accurate and substantial, the ad's self-presentation is deceptive. Politico reports that donors …

Written by David Frum on Thursday October 29, 2009

Larry David's Piss Christ

In last Sunday's Curb Your Enthusiasm , Larry David accidentally urinates on a picture of Jesus. One splash remains in the form of a tear under the image's eye. When the homeowners, devout believers, see the "tear," they imagine they have witnessed a miracle. Bill Donohue of the Catholic League …

Written by David Frum on Thursday October 29, 2009

The Army's New Afghan Target: The CIA

Late Tuesday night, the New York Times published a stunning story. Ahmed Wali Karzai, the drug-dealing brother of Afghanistan’s president Hamid Karzai, has collected money from the Central Intelligence Agency for most of the past eight years. The real news is the sourcing of that information to …

Written by David Frum on Thursday October 29, 2009

Election Forecast: GOP Still Has Work to Do in Virginia

Count on McDonnell to win the governor's race and Cuccinelli to be the next attorney general in Virginia. Republicans really need to step up the effort for Bill Bolling's reelection campaign for lieutenant governor though in the next few days. John Vecchioine makes some excellent points in his …

Written by John S. Gardner on Thursday October 29, 2009

New Yorkers Flee Bad Government

New York has been shedding population, and consequently congressional seats and political power, for decades. But this stream is now a flood. Since 2000, the state has experienced a net loss of 1.5 million people. High taxes, lack of opportunity, and intrusive government regulations have …

Written by Richard Brownell on Wednesday October 28, 2009

Election Forecast: Split Tickets Benefit Dems

In New Jersey's governor's race and in New York's 23rd congressional district, expect the Democratic candidates to slip by GOP opponents weakened by third-party challengers. Regarding his recent predictions for next week's election, I believe FF Contributor John Vecchione is right about …

Written by Eugene Debs on Wednesday October 28, 2009

Election Forecast: A Clean Sweep for Conservatives

We are one week away from the first elections of the Obama era with close races in Virginia, New Jersey and New York's 23rd congressional district. As John McLaughlin says at the end of every show “Predictions!” We are one week from the first elections of the Obama era. The key (and virtually …

Written by John Vecchione on Wednesday October 28, 2009

Pakistan's Patience Runs Out

Pakistan has sent 30,000 troops to flush the Taliban out of their strongholds. If Pakistan is to survive as a functioning state, it will have to solve its Taliban problem. The army’s only solution may be to kill as many militants as possible. What has always made the war in Afghanistan especially …

Written by Peter Worthington on Wednesday October 28, 2009

Washington Debates While Americans Die

The Taliban have killed 55 Americans in October, making this the costliest month in American lives since the war began. It is time for Obama to do what he was hired to do and make the tough decisions. As the President considers how to proceed with the war in Afghanistan, the insurgents have …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday October 28, 2009

Hewitt's Displaced Anger

Having read the transcript of the Hewitt-Frum interview, my verdict is: Hugh Hewitt has a legitimate nit to pick with David Frum. Still, David's larger point is unassailable: It makes no electoral sense for conservatives to deride Chris Daggett voters, even as we wisely court Doug Hoffman voters. …

Written by John Guardiano on Wednesday October 28, 2009

Why Brains Matter

How often do we hear it said that we shouldn't worry about the possibly less than stellar intellects of some of our conservative heroes? That what matters most is populist fire and conservative conviction? Byron York tells a fascinating story this morning of a Democratic outmaneuver of Republicans …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday October 28, 2009

Westchester Conservative Party Flunks the Smell Test

In addition to the battle in New York's 23rd congressional district, another political drama is unfolding in New York state over the Conservative Party's nominee for Westchester County Executive. For the first time in the party’s history, the Party’s State Chair has endorsed a candidate running …

Written by Paul Windels III on Tuesday October 27, 2009

Goldwater, Reagan and ...Ludacris?

This past weekend, hip-hop artist Christopher Bridges came to Washington, D.C. to fundraise and lift awareness for his charitable organization. I’m ecstatic to say that I've finally found a popular conservative rapper. Coincidentally, his stage name fits the reaction most people have to this …

Written by Tim Mak on Tuesday October 27, 2009

Hugh Hewitt vs. Me

A man who dispenses the kind of violent language Hugh Hewitt dispensed throughout a recent interview with me – accusations of cowardice, misrepresentation, slander, etc. etc. - would have had the toughness to withstand a little gentle teasing. But no. On the radio, it seems, the tolerance for …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday October 27, 2009

The GOP's Bleak Future

In an interesting column today, Bill Kristol notes that 72% of Republicans say they are conservative. His prediction that conservatives will continue to dominate the GOP seems right, but this might not be good news for the GOP itself. Interesting column today by Bill Kristol in the Washingto…

Written by David Frum on Tuesday October 27, 2009

An Early Dose of Obamacare

The mishandling of the swine flu national emergency -- the long lines and shortages of the vaccine -- is a taste of how things will be when the federal government is in charge of healthcare. Rather than indulge in fantasies about the Obama administration using the swine flu national emergency to …

Written by FF Washington Insider on Tuesday October 27, 2009