Entries

Chicago-style Politics At The Census?

Recently, the Obama administration revealed that the next Census Bureau Director would report directly to the White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel. This is a departure from the norm, in which the Census chief would be responsible to the Secretary of Commerce. Republicans were quick to …

Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday February 11, 2009

This Valentine's Day, Read "the Satanic Verses"

Not so long ago, Shirley Williams, a Liberal Democrat member of the British House of Lords, appeared on the BBC’s Question Time programme; when asked by a member of the audience if she thought Salman Rushdie should have been given the knighthood, she replied: “I think it was a …

Written by Kapil Komireddi on Wednesday February 11, 2009

Troops From Spain? "no Mas!"

Despite its history of terrorist attacks, the Spanish Government has once again said it has no plans to increase its troop commitment to NATO in Afghanistan, ignoring an informal request from General Petraeus, presumably acting on behalf of the Obama Administration: “We don't plan for …

Written by John S. Gardner on Wednesday February 11, 2009

Did Even Obamas Supporters Expect Something This Radical?

Let's pause to absorb the radicalism of what President Obama and congressional Democrats have just done. Their stimulus plans will raise the baseline of federal spending by $1.2 trillion (counting interest) and raise the federal share of GDP to 28% (from a recent low if 18% and a current level of …

Written by Michael Anton on Wednesday February 11, 2009

Let's Make A Deal

The stimulus bill has passed Congress with almost no Republican votes: 3 in the Senate, 0 in the House. Republicans hung tough, and the result is a bill that reflects Democratic goals – and pays off Democratic constituencies. Probably that was the way the bill was going to turn out no …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday February 11, 2009

Money Will Never Be Enough

The walls of the stairwell leading up to the third floor, where I teach, are full of blotchy paint jobs. Each night, or at least a few times a week, the custodians paint over the stairwell walls. The walls and the steps are littered with gang symbols and warnings. The one sign that always makes …

Written by Thomas Gibbon on Tuesday February 10, 2009

Republican Economics And The Young: The Fundamentals Are Not Sound

Young voters overwhelmingly voted Democrat in last year’s election, and greatly contributed to the GOP’s losses. Aside from alienating them on social issues, the Republicans have failed to deliver a consistent message about the economy that can appeal to America’s youth. …

Written by Jonas Stankovich on Tuesday February 10, 2009

Heartburn In Foggy Bottom And The Pentagon

The late Peter Rodman, a former aide to Henry Kissinger on the National Security Council, apparently had two surprisingly close readers: National Security Advisor James Jones and President Obama. There’s really no other way to interpret the big article in Sunday’s Washington Post …

Written by FF Washington Insider on Tuesday February 10, 2009

Is Obama Open To Education Reform?

After watching President Obama's first prime time press conference from the White House, I want to highlight a section on education for readers of New Majority. It will likely receive little attention given the stimulus bill and other assorted crises, but it provided a road-map for possible future …

Written by John Avlon on Tuesday February 10, 2009

The Texas/mexico Border Blues

It seems that our border situation with Mexico gets worse by the day. I recently picked up a copy of the Houston Chronicle , and the front page featured stories of several Americans recently killed in the surge of drug-cartel-related violence that has been spilling over the border from our now …

Written by Marshall Bowen on Tuesday February 10, 2009

Obama On Stand By

Yesterday, the Obama administration delivered its first rebuff to its most left-wing supporters. In a San Francisco courtroom yesterday, a Justice Department lawyer told judges that the Obama administration would “stand by” a brief filed by the Bush administration. This short …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday February 10, 2009

The Wrong War At The Wrong Time

During the run up to the Iraq war, liberals used to complain that President Bush was attacking the wrong enemy. “Iraq did not attack us on 9/11.” In reply, President Bush offered a complicated argument about how fighting in Iraq would contribute to American security. If the US had …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday February 10, 2009

Conservatives Of Tomorrow: Charlie Smith

Identifying and supporting young conservative leaders is an important part of building a majority that can win again. I will highlight the work of some young people who have already established themselves as leaders, starting with a young man who runs one of the largest youth organizations in …

Written by Karin Agness on Monday February 9, 2009

Dealt The Toughest Hand

A cohesive group of committed teachers who believe that inner city students can learn could make a school work anywhere under any conditions. I say this confidently after teaching in what has been deemed the worst of the worst city high schools in a city with a ruinous system of schools. Recently, …

Written by Thomas Gibbon on Monday February 9, 2009

Corporate Green

“Will you join us?” It’s a strange question when not coming from a Hare Krishna. Asked by an oil company beckoning travelers to become more energy efficient to combat global warming, this query is a strange but welcome sign of the times. (Although some global warming doubters …

Written by John Murdock on Monday February 9, 2009

An Idea For Senators

The US economy is in freefall because Americans have suddenly discovered themselves to be much poorer than they believed. Bruce Bartlett estimates that the 20% nationwide decline in housing prices has slashed household net worth by $10 trillion. Feeling poorer, consumers spend less - perhaps …

Written by David Frum on Monday February 9, 2009

How Should Conservatives React To The Stimulus Measures? Our Experts Weigh In.

Frum Forum has asked a group of free market economists to assess the stimulus ideas working their way through Congress. Which should Republicans favor? Which could we live with? Which should be opposed absolutely? We will be posting replies as they come in. Today we hear from Alan Viard …

Written by FF Political Report on Monday February 9, 2009

Bruce Bartlett On The Stimulus Package

Frum Forum has asked a group of free market economists to assess the stimulus ideas working their way through Congress. Which should Republicans favor? Which could we live with? Which should be opposed absolutely? We will be posting replies as they come in. Today we hear from Bruce Bartlett, …

Written by FF Political Report on Monday February 9, 2009

Gregory Mankiw On The Stimulus Package

Frum Forum has asked a group of free market economists to assess the stimulus ideas working their way through Congress. Which should Republicans favor? Which could we live with? Which should be opposed absolutely? We will be posting replies as they come in. Today we hear from Bruce …

Written by FF Political Report on Monday February 9, 2009

Eric Rasmusen On The Stimulus Package

Frum Forum has asked a group of free market economists to assess the stimulus ideas working their way through Congress. Which should Republicans favor? Which could we live with? Which should be opposed absolutely? We will be posting replies as they come in. Today we hear from Bruce Bartlett …

Written by FF Political Report on Monday February 9, 2009