Overview for News

Remembering Richard Cornuelle

Richard Cornuelle death was a great loss. In his writing and work, he tried to fashion a libertarianism that paid attention to the humane consequences of capitalism. Richard Cornuelle, a renegade libertarian, died on April 26—a terrible loss. Early on, Dick had been a doctrinaire free-marketeer …

Written by Jeffrey Friedman on Friday May 6, 2011

Why is Pawlenty On Stage With These Crazy People?

As the GOP got ready for its first primary season debate in South Carolina, one question stuck out: Why was Tim Pawlenty even participating? Closing Thoughts: Credit goes to the Fox News anchors who moderated the debate. They did their research and managed to ask tough questions that …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday May 5, 2011

Worst Week Ever for Birthers

The birther libel has taken a bad beating this week according to a new poll. The birther libel has taken a bad beating this week, according to a new Washington Post poll . The number of Americans saying President Obama was born in another country has been sliced in half, according to a new …

Written by David Frum on Thursday May 5, 2011

Daniels' School Reforms: Too Smart for Tea Party?

In Indiana, Gov. Mitch Daniels has instituted a broad set of education reforms. Unlike many on the right, he’s not out to destroy public education but to save it. Mitch Daniels is regularly held up as one of the best examples of a “serious” and policy-minded conservative. Wednesday in Washington, …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday May 5, 2011

Rep Pushes Frosh to Focus on Illegal Immigration

Rep. Lou Barletta, who as a mayor was known for his tough stance on illegal immigration, is forming a new freshman-only caucus to propose new ideas to tackle the issue. Rep. Lou Barletta, known in his district as a mayor who passed controversial illegal immigration measures, has taken his interest …

Written by Tim Mak on Thursday May 5, 2011

Selling Green Tech to Wall Street

Green tech ideas often face unique challenges trying to win financial backing. But a new proposal could give the feds a role in helping them attract private capital. Tuesday's hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee saw remarkable harmony regarding legislation to give the …

Written by Jim DiPeso on Thursday May 5, 2011

GOP Jobs Bill Needs a Bigger Shot in the Arm

Why doesn't the Senate GOP job proposal include a 100% tax credit for all businesses big and small? Isn't that the usual conservative proposal to jump-start a sluggish economy? Does anybody understand why the Senate Republican job proposal launched yesterday does not include a 100% tax credit for …

Written by David Frum on Thursday May 5, 2011

Will GOP Back Tax Breaks Over Deficit Cutting?

Tax credits and deductions are substitutes for government spending. So why is there so much opposition to eliminating them? Martin Feldstein has an important idea . Despite the strong case for limiting tax expenditures, it is politically difficult to do so because no one wants to give up …

Written by David Frum on Thursday May 5, 2011

As Debt Talks Begin: Dems Hold Upper Hand

Republicans in Congress set to resume debt ceiling talks Thursday should go into them with a clear sense that they have a weak negotiating position. Republicans in Congress set to resume debt ceiling talks Thursday should go into them with a clear sense that they have a weak negotiating position. …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Thursday May 5, 2011

Daniels' Favorite Non-Answer

When asked for his 2012 plans, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels likes to repeat a favorite quote of his. But even he might be surprised at the original source. When reporters ask Mitch Daniels if he will run in 2012, he has an answer that he likes to give: A man said: when I consider my …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Wednesday May 4, 2011

The Guardian's Make-Believe Canada

Heather Mallick's columns regularly depict Canada as a land of demented plebes living under a near-”Stalinist” dictator. How do her rants get to run in The Guardian ? Here’s a letter I fired off to The UK Guardian newspaper this afternoon: My name is Jonathan Kay. I run the op-ed pages of …

Written by Jonathan Kay on Wednesday May 4, 2011

Daniels Stays Mum About 2012 Plans

Wednesday afternoon in D.C., Gov. Mitch Daniels spoke at AEI about education reform. But the standing room only crowd was more interested in his 2012 plans. Governor Mitch Daniels spoke at AEI to discuss the successful passage of several education reforms bills in Indiana. When he spoke, even …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Wednesday May 4, 2011

Debt Talks Stall Before They Even Start

Far from clarifying the fiscal debate, Congress has returned after the two-week Easter Recess to find themselves no closer to a debt deal. The death of Osama bin Laden dominates media, as it should. Yet, in the shadow of that dramatic story lies the continuing federal fiscal tar pit. Events …

Written by Steve Bell on Wednesday May 4, 2011

GOP Makes a U-Turn on Earmarks

Voters want more funds spent on roads to ease traffic congestion. But how do you fund highways and roads without earmarks? Two stories on transportation infrastructure spending caught my eye this morning: one in which Rep. Reid Ribble (WI-08) praised Gov. Scott Walker for investing $1.5 billion …

Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday May 4, 2011

Did Iran Kidnap Dissident in Paris?

Earlier this week, an Israeli news agency reported that Iranian agents had kidnapped a dissident student from Paris. But there's been little coverage in the French press. It seems that Iranian agents may have kidnapped a dissident in Paris and taken him to Tehran a few days ago. While there are …

Written by Jean Granville on Wednesday May 4, 2011

Bin Laden Raid Is Obama's Victory

If bin Laden's assassination had gone badly, President Obama would have been blamed. That's why he gets the credit. The story goes that after the Bay of Pigs disaster, President Kennedy placed a call to CIA director Allen Dulles. Kennedy supposedly said: "If we lived in a parliamentary system, and …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday May 4, 2011

Targeting Terrorists: OK for U.S. But Not Israel?

As world leaders applaud the U.S. for killing Bin Laden, it's easy to forget that these leaders also condemned Israel for doing the same to Hamas mastermind Sheikh Yassin. As world leaders rightly applaud and congratulate the United States on the death of Osama Bin-Laden and the evil he represente…

Written by Arsen Ostrovsky on Wednesday May 4, 2011

Bin Laden's Death Brings Justice For 9/11 Families

Bin Laden's death brought out a wide range of emotions in families affected on 9/11. While they felt justice had been done, they were also again reminded of their loss. On Thursday, President Obama will visit ground zero in New York City to mark Osama Bin Laden’s death and to meet with families of …

Written by Elise Cooper on Tuesday May 3, 2011

Can Harper's Agenda Match His Victory?

Last evening, Canada's Conservatives won their first majority government since 1988. But is the party's agenda ambitious enough to take advantage of this opportunity? Last evening, the Conservative Party of Canada won their first majority government since 1988 – a welcome accomplishment. But as …

Written by Tim Mak on Tuesday May 3, 2011

The UN Statehood Vote's Real Downside

Israel's worried about the UN vote on Palestinian statehood. But the real danger could be acceptance of the "right of return" and a whitewashing of Hamas' crimes. A specter is haunting Israel. As the Palestinian Authority is threatening to declare statehood in September with UN recognition, …

Written by Emmanuel Navon on Tuesday May 3, 2011