Entries

WH to Host Deficit Talks with Senate

The Hill reports : President Obama will meet separately with Senate Democrats and Republicans this week to discuss how to craft a deal on a deficit-reduction plan, the White House said Monday. Obama will meet with Democratic senators on Wednesday, and with Republicans on Thursday, …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

FroshUpdate: Griffin's Conditions for Raising the Debt Ceiling

What does it take to get Tim Griffin's (AR-02) vote on the debt ceiling? And FrumForum's Rachel Ryan writes a negative review of Alan Nunnelee's energy policy speech at Johns Hopkins last week. This is FroshUpdate for May 9th, 2011. NUNNELEE AT JOHNS HOPKINS: FrumForum’s Rachel Ryan offers a …

Written by Tim Mak on Monday May 9, 2011

Biden's Return: Exhibit A for Tax Reform

If you need proof that federal income taxes could be simplified, take a look at the Bidens: a fairly uncomplicated financial situation that requires an 18 page return. The 2010 Federal income tax returns of the Vice President and his wife demonstrate a great deal about the Bidens. More importantly…

Written by Hank Adler on Monday May 9, 2011

15 States Split Florida Rail Money

The Hill reports : Most of the $2.4 billion in federal high-speed rail money that was rejected by Florida had been divvied up between 15 states, Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood announced Monday. LaHood said that he was awarding $2.02 billion to 22 projects in 15 states, mostly in …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Biden Pushes China on Human Rights

The Hill reports : Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton confronted China Monday over its recent crackdown on dissent at the opening of talks that are also expected to feature frank discussions about the U.S. budget deficit and China’s undervalued currency. …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Graham, McCain on Iraq Visit

Politico reports : Two of the three amigos of the Senate are on the road again, this time to Iraq. Republican Sens. John McCain (Ariz.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) arrived in Iraq on Sunday for a two-day trip to Eribil, Kirkuk and Baghdad, McCain spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan, who is …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Trump: 'I'm Least Racist Person There Is'

The Hill reports : Donald Trump said Monday that he's "the least racist person there is," and that the criticism he faces won't deter him from running for president. Trump, the real estate mogul and host of NBC's "The Apprentice," denied that his public quest to force President Obama …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Newt to Announce Prez Bid Wednesday

The AP reports : A spokesman for Newt Gingrich says the former House speaker is running for president. Rick Tyler told The Associated Press that Gingrich will make it official Wednesday with announcements on Facebook and Twitter. He will give an interview to Fox News later that night. …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Pakistan Hides Bin Laden's Wives

CBS News reports : The United States wants access to Osama bin Laden's three widows and any intelligence material its commandos left behind at the al Qaeda leader's compound, a top American official said in comments that could add a fresh sticking point in already frayed ties with Pakistan. …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Pakistani PM Denies Help for Bin Laden

CNN reports : Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani delivered on Monday his first address to parliament since the killing of Osama bin Laden, rejecting accusations that his government had failed to adequately pursue the world's most wanted terrorist. While calling the killing as …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Obama Banking on Gay Donors

Politico reports : President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign is banking on gay donors to make up the cash it’s losing from other groups of wealthy supporters who have been alienated and disappointed by elements of Obama’s first term. Pleased by an all-out White House push to repeal …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Geert Wilders' Fight with Islam

Jonathan Kay writes at the National Post : As an editor at the National Post, I often rely on three letters to protect my columnists from human-rights tribunals: I-S-M — these being the difference between spelling Islam and Islamism. The former is a religion — like Christianity or …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Five Questions About Bin Laden's Killing

One week after the death of Osama Bin Laden, there are growing questions about the raid and Pakistan's role. 1) Was there an informant inside the Osama Bin Laden compound? Might that explain why there's so much confusion in the White House account of the action - there is a fact they are anxious …

Written by David Frum on Monday May 9, 2011

America's Afghan Mission: The Wrong Front Line?

The world's most important terrorist safe haven is visibly not Afghanistan, but instead next-door Pakistan. After the death of Osama bin Laden, the U.S. is now faced with a difficult question. My latest column for CNN.com asks: Is the commitment of 100,000 troops in Afghanistan hurting our ability …

Written by David Frum on Monday May 9, 2011

Al Qaeda Expert: Videos Make Osama Look 'Pathetic'

ABC News reports : The U.S. government is running a full-court press to prevent Osama bin Laden from becoming a hallowed martyr by using what are essentially out-takes of videos made by bin Laden to paint him instead as a vain, pathetic old man, experts said today. Of the five videos …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Poll: Most Back Not Releasing Pics

Politico reports : Close to two-thirds of Americans support President Barack Obama’s decision not to release photos of Osama bin Laden’s corpse. An NBC News poll conducted in the weekend after the White House decided against putting out the images taken after the successful raid in …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

NY: Give 9/11 Victims Bin Laden Bounty

Politico reports : Two New York congressmen want to see the federal government’s reward money for Osama bin Laden’s capture go to groups that support first responders, survivors and family members of those killed in the Sept. 11 attacks. At a press conference Sunday at the World Trade …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Boehner Talks Debt Limit in NYC

Politico reports : House Speaker John Boehner will step up his efforts Monday to lay out a strategy for raising the debt ceiling to a crowd heavy on Wall Street players who are anxiously watching the fierce debate over the debt ceiling unfold. In a speech to the Economic Club of New …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Pak Media Tries to Out CIA Officer

Wall Street Journal reports : Pakistani media aired the name of a man they said is the Central Intelligence Agency's station chief, prompting questions about whether the Pakistani government tried to out a CIA operative in the wake of the killing of Osama bin Laden. The U.S. is looking …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011

Tanks Surround Damascus Suburb

BBC reports : Heavy shooting has been heard in a western suburb of the Syrian capital, Damascus, after the army cordoned off the area, human rights activists say. Security forces are also continuing their efforts to crush anti-government protests in the central city of Homs, Deraa and …

Written by FrumForum News on Monday May 9, 2011