Overview for white-house

SCOTUS Could Force Obama's Hand on Jerusalem

In my column for the National Post, I discuss how a Supreme Court case might force the White House to explain its policy towards Jerusalem: Two can play at this game. Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority have abandoned negotiations with Israel. They are seeking UN recognition of …

Written by David Frum on Saturday November 5, 2011

Why Obama is Quiet About Al-Awlaki

Michael Tomasky asks , "Why doesn't President Obama take more credit for killing the al-Qaeda leadership?" Tomasky is normally a tough-minded observer of all points of the political compass, but on this occasion he has sunk much too deep into liberal self-regard. Imagine if the Bush …

Written by David Frum on Friday September 30, 2011

The Candid and Frank Betty Ford

Betty Ford will be remembered for being a very candid first lady with a much more modest political profile. In my latest CNN column , I write about Betty Ford's candid and frank speaking style: The role of first lady is one of the most difficult in American public life. Few women have …

Written by David Frum on Monday July 11, 2011

Here's How To Get To A Debt Ceiling

Here’s the dirty little secret of the endlessly protracted debt ceiling negotiations —it actually isn’t that hard to meet the targets set out by either side. The theatrics of the past two weeks aside, the wink and the nod seem to be already communicated as the President, the Speaker of the …

Written by Steve Bell on Monday June 27, 2011

U.S. Burmese Policy "Yields Little"

The US has embarked on a policy of "pragmatic engagement" with Burma's military dictatorship. But the initiative has had limited results. A Congressional panel yesterday criticized the White House for keeping it in the dark about any progress in US efforts to engage Burma's military dictatorship …

Written by Fred Messner on Thursday June 23, 2011

What Washington Can Learn from Baseball's Commish

Tim Geithner and Obama could learn a lot from baseball commissioner Bud Selig’s bold decision to take over management of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Major League Baseball moved this week to protect one its most storied franchises: the Los Angeles Dodgers. In doing so, Bud Selig, the commissioner of …

Written by Hank Adler on Friday April 22, 2011

What if Sarah Palin Were President Now

With the economy, Afghanistan, Iraq, Japan, Libya and Egypt, the President has a few things to worry about. Does anyone still think Palin was up for the job? The economy, Afghanistan, Iraq, Japan, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen. Needless to say, the President of the United States has a few …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday March 16, 2011

Obama's New Spin Machine

On Sunday, the White House sent new Chief of Staff Bill Daley out on Meet the Press for the first time since Rahm Emanuel bounced to Chicago. On Sunday, the White House sent new Chief of Staff Bill Daley out to do Meet the Press for the first time since Mayor Rahm bounced from the post to run …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Monday March 7, 2011

The White House's Clumsy Timing

Sept. 17, 2009, is the day that the Obama administration yielded to Russian pressure and canceled the proposed missile defense system based in Poland and the Czech Republic. Today also happens to be the 70th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland in 1939, when Russia gulped down its share of …

Written by David Frum on Thursday September 17, 2009

Van Jones and 9/11 Denialism

The White House is apparently excusing its green jobs adviser of signing at least one (and maybe two) statements endorsing the denialist point of view on the grounds that he did not appreciate the significance of the documents. On CNN's Situation Room last night, I was asked about the White …

Written by David Frum on Saturday September 5, 2009

Still Waiting for Obama's Afghan Strategy

Afghanistan is now Obama’s war. In the past six months, what Obama once called a “good war” has gotten worse. Even Bush cannot be blamed anymore, because it wasn’t this bad when he was immersed in Iraq. The “war” in Afghanistan is getting more lethal. An increasing number are saying it can’t be …

Written by Peter Worthington on Wednesday September 2, 2009

Obama Losing Bipartisan Support for Afghanistan

That the doves on the left are growing tired of the costly war in Afghanistan should not surprise anyone. But now, George Will’s change of heart on Afghanistan indicates that support on the right, particularly amongst realists like Mr. Will, may not be as reliable as the administration may …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Tuesday September 1, 2009

What a Difference a Year Makes

One year ago, Obama was telling us Iraq was unwinnable and that it was distracting us from Afghanistan. Now President Obama is packing up in Iraq and telling us Afghanistan isn't winnable. President Obama A year ago, this man was telling us the surge wouldn't work, that Iraq was …

Written by Sean Linnane on Tuesday September 1, 2009

Can Obama Save His Presidency?

Obama's best bet for salvaging his agenda is to "pull a Clinton" and move to the political center. Yet there is no evidence the president is so inclined or even able to do so. As cold fear rises in the mainstream media that President Obama may be in over his head, my thoughts go back to a dinner …

Written by Gusher on Monday August 31, 2009

A Kennedy Lesson for Obama Critics

Peggy Noonan's Wall Street Journal column today reminds readers of a graceful tribute to John F. Kennedy delivered by President Reagan in 1985. As the nation pays tribute to Jack Kennedy's last brother, we should remember: There are boys and girls who will feel into the 2080s about President …

Written by David Frum on Friday August 28, 2009

The Big Money Speaks

Yesterday, the first ad debuted in what is being described as a $12 million campaign in favor of the Democrats’ health plans. After an August of angry public meetings, September looks to be the month when the big money is heard. Yesterday, the first ad debuted in what is being described as a …

Written by David Frum on Friday August 14, 2009