Overview for 2012-election

Who Really Wins with Ryan's Budget?

Sarah Palin speaks to a radical mood: a mood of victimization and resentment. But Paul Ryan speaks to another radical mood: the radicalism felt by many affluent Americans. This is part two in a series. Click here for part 1 . Palin speaks to a radical mood in the country: a mood of …

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Written by David Frum on Tuesday May 31, 2011

Palin Storms Into Rolling Thunder

Sarah Palin made an appearance at the Rolling Thunder rally Sunday in Washington, stealing the spotlight away from organizers and their important cause. When SarahPAC treasurer Tim Crawford emailed Politico to tell them that updates for Sarah Palin’s weekend itinerary “will be posted on the …

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Sunday May 29, 2011

Rick Perry: Too Lucky to Rule Out

It’s a mistake to underestimate Rick Perry's chances as a presidential contender. Throughout his political career he's exhibited an uncanny talent for luck and timing. There's been increased chatter this week about the presidential ambitions of Texas Governor Rick Perry.  Governor Perry has made …

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Written by Mark R. Yzaguirre on Saturday May 28, 2011

GOP Base's 2012 Pick: None of the Above

A new CNN poll putting Rudy Giuliani at the head of the pack of potential 2012 GOP candidates only highlights the weak state of the current crop of contenders. The Iowa caucuses begin in 254 days. Not only do Republicans not have a clear favorite, but polls routinely show considerable support …

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Written by Jeb Golinkin on Friday May 27, 2011

GOP Flirts with 2012 Disaster

Maybe Republicans should nominate Paul Ryan. Or Sarah Palin. Maybe we need to get the passions of 2009-2011 out of our system once and for all. Maybe Republicans should nominate Paul Ryan. Or Sarah Palin. Maybe we need to get the passions of 2009-2011 out of our system once and for all. Maybe it's …

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Written by David Frum on Friday May 27, 2011

Where Do GOP Candidates Stand on Ryan's Budget?

In the wake of the NY-26 special election results, which Republican presidential candidates will prove most vulnerable to the challenges that will come with running on the Paul Ryan budget proposal? In the wake of the NY-26 special election results, which Republican presidential candidates will …

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Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday May 25, 2011

Top 5 NY-26 Excuses

After the Republican debacle in New York's 26th congressional district race, expect the excuses to soon start flying. Coming excuses for NY 26: 1) It was a special election in a district that soon won't exist anyway: ignore it. 2) The Democrat won because of a populist spoiler candidacy. …

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Written by David Frum on Wednesday May 25, 2011

Paul Ryan: 2012's Goldwater?

NY-26 turned into a referendum on the Ryan plan for Medicare, handing the Dems a win. Yet, the GOP continues to ignore the political dangers in Ryan's budget. I used to worry that Sarah Palin would be the Barry Goldwater of 2012. My bad. Paul Ryan is the Barry Goldwater of 2012. The Goldwater …

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Written by David Frum on Wednesday May 25, 2011

With Daniels Out, Who Speaks to GOP Youth?

Many conservatives are saddened by Mitch Daniels’ exit, especially the growing grassroots student initiative which pulled out all the stops to convince him to run. There are many conservative columnists, donors, and op-ed writers are saddened by the exit of Mitch Daniels from the presidential …

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Tuesday May 24, 2011

Treasury Fire Sale Could Take Years

Any plan to ward off a default by selling government assets would be unworkable in the short term. An emerging right-wing meme about how to deal with the prospect of a debt default is that the federal government can pay off its debts by selling its assets. Veronique de Rugy of Cato and the …

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Tuesday May 24, 2011

GOP Wonks Lose with Daniels' Exit

The challenge for those on the right who admired Mitch Daniels is to figure out how to get the rest of the party to embrace his pragmatic perspective. Mitch Daniels’ has exited the GOP presidential field and he leaves a large cadre of unhappy conservative policy wonks in his wake. The sentiments …

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Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Monday May 23, 2011

With Daniels' Exit, GOP Looks Out of Luck

Daniels’ decision to opt out signals a much larger problem for the GOP: Its best and brightest candidates are imploding, lackluster or ducking the race altogether. Mitch Daniels’ decision to forgo the presidential race is personally understandable and even laudable: His wife and four daughters …

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Written by John Guardiano on Sunday May 22, 2011

With Daniels Out, Is Perry the Answer? No

Conservatives are once again looking for a white knight to save the GOP field and the newest name being promoted is Texas Governor Rick Perry. With Mitch Daniels announcing that he will not seek the party's nomination, conservatives are once again looking for a white knight to save the Republican …

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Written by Tessa Berenson on Saturday May 21, 2011

GOP Field Looking More Mainstream

It's not just the potential GOP field that is thinning out, it's the once-crowded conservative portion of that field. Pence running for governor. Palin too damaged. Bachmann too far-fetched. Ron Paul too sinister. Gingrich experimenting with "moderation." Huckabee committed to …

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Written by David Frum on Tuesday May 17, 2011

Romney's Health Speech Venue: Another Misstep?

Romney is set to deliver a major policy speech at the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center. But the venue is raising some eyebrows. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich got off to a not-so-great start yesterday with some website problems just as he announced to 1.3 million people on Twitter that …

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Written by Tim Mak on Thursday May 12, 2011

Newt's Challenge: What's His Selling Point?

Conservatives look to character and ideology when picking a president. As Newt Gingrich seeks the GOP nomination, these traditional grounds are unavailable to him. What's the most important quality in a president? Over the past 15 years, conservatives have often emphasized character. The …

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Written by David Frum on Wednesday May 11, 2011

Newt Stumbles Out of the Starting Gate

Newt Gingrich's campaign infrastructure was much vaunted in the run up to his announcement this afternoon, but it appears to hobbling at the moment. Newt Gingrich's campaign infrastructure might have been much vaunted in the run up to his presidential campaign announcement this afternoon, but it …

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Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday May 11, 2011

Primary Field Falls Flat with GOP Voters

A new poll shows that GOP primary voters aren't excited about their choices. But there's one thing they're certain of: which candidates they'll never back. A new Zogby poll makes two things very clear. First, Republicans are very unexcited about this field. Only one “candidate,” Gov. Chris …

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Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday May 11, 2011

Can Mitt Move Beyond Romneycare?

Romney's health care speech on Thursday is a necessity and a gamble. Either a total defense or repudiation of Romneycare could damage him with GOP or swing voters. It's perhaps hard not to feel some sympathy for the situation Mitt Romney has found himself in. By the close of the 2008 Republican …

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Written by Fred Bauer on Wednesday May 11, 2011

Erick Erickson's Strange Loyalty Test

For RedState.com, true loyalty seems to be always putting party before country. Jon Huntsman’s candidacy is a good place to test whether that view is widely shared. A Huntsman supporter emailed Ben Smith a biting retort to RedState.com 's denunciation of the former Utah Governor. Ironic …

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Written by David Frum on Tuesday May 10, 2011