Overview for budget

Ryan Won't Disown Heritage Analysis

After an event where he defended his budget, I spoke to Rep. Paul Ryan about the controversial economic analysis from Heritage Foundation used in his recent proposal. Today, at an event hosted by the think tank e21 and moderated by Fred Barnes, Rep. Paul Ryan defended his budget proposal. I asked …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday April 14, 2011

Was GOP Fooled By Its Own Budget Numbers?

A number of Republicans are complaining about the “bad deal” their leadership struck last week. Were they confused about the actual budget numbers? A substantial number of the House Republican caucus are now complaining loudly about the “bad deal” their leadership struck to pass the Continuing …

Written by Steve Bell on Thursday April 14, 2011

Ryan: My Budget is a Political Winner

At an event hosted by the think tank e21, Paul Ryan responded to Obama's Wednesday budget speech and defended the political viability of his own proposal. Paul Ryan is shocked that the president has attacked his budget proposal and is now painting the GOP as a party which wants to leave seniors to …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Thursday April 14, 2011

GOP Freshmen: No Tax Hikes to Cover Deficit

Freshmen Republicans reacted negatively to President Obama's speech on the deficit Wednesday, with many echoing Boehner's 'line in the sand': no new taxes. Freshmen Republicans reacted to President Obama's speech on the deficit Wednesday, with many echoing Speaker Boehner's 'line in the sand' - no …

Written by Tim Mak on Wednesday April 13, 2011

Defense Bears the Brunt of Obama's Cuts

Obama’s plans to slash the defense budget would handcuff a U.S. military that is already too limited and too constrained in what it can do. Perhaps the most objectionable aspect of Obama’s speech involves his pledge to gut the defense budget. “Gut” is not a word I use lightly; but that seems to …

Written by John Guardiano on Wednesday April 13, 2011

Ryan's Budget Gives Obama What He Wants

The Republican plan to cut taxes and slash government health care spending gives the president prime opportunities for political victory. “Whatever you do, don’t serve to his backhand.” “Don’t be nervous. I have the new Ryan serve. It’s bold!” “Trust me on this. Don’t serve to his backhand.” …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday April 13, 2011

Why This Dem Loved Obama's Speech

While he could have offered more specifics, Obama's Wednesday afternoon speech on deficit reduction gave the Democratic base what they wanted to hear. Once again, Barack Obama has given a hell of speech when he had to. While it can be argued that he could have offered more specifics, the …

Written by Les Francis on Wednesday April 13, 2011

Less Welfare Doesn't Equal Less Government

The new kind of welfare state proposed by Yuval Levin, with programs aimed only at the poor, will create their own set of new problems. This is part four. Click here to read the entire series . Interestingly, it was neoconservative thinkers like Irving Kristol, James Q. Wilson, Daniel …

Written by David Frum on Wednesday April 13, 2011

A Deficit-Cutting Fight Both Parties Can Win

The best deficit reduction plan may be one every party has issues with. Here's my roadmap to reaching a bipartisan deal. As we wait for President Obama to reveal his proposal for deficit reduction on Wednesday afternoon, I ask readers to consider my debt-cutting proposal. The Ken Silber Plan …

Written by Kenneth Silber on Tuesday April 12, 2011

The Welfare State Goes Bust

The changes contemplated by Yuval Levin and Paul Ryan won’t be the end of the welfare state. They will however amplify differences between those who receive aid and those who don’t. This is part three. Click here to read the entire series . I doubt that Yuval Levin would disagree …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday April 12, 2011

Chris Matthews' Mediscare Won't Work

Chris Matthews claims Ryan's budget will “kill half the people who watch this show.” But why freak out grandma when the burden of reform is falling on the young? On Monday’s Hardball with Chris Matthews , the host made a claim that the Paul Ryan bill would “kill half the people who watch this …

Written by Brad Schaeffer on Tuesday April 12, 2011

What Worries Americans: Big Govt or the Economy?

Yuval Levin sees Americans worried our social-democratic model is going bankrupt. But isn’t our anxiety really due to the worst economic downturn since WWII? This is part two. Click here to read the entire series . Yuval Levin founds his case against the welfare state on this descriptio…

Written by David Frum on Tuesday April 12, 2011

In the Next Budget Fight: Hope for a Tie

D.C.’s been obsessed with weighing the winners and losers from Friday’s budget deal. But in the larger spending fight to come there’s more at stake than political points. Washington’s been obsessed with weighing the winners and losers from last Friday’s budget deal. But in the larger spending …

Written by Les Francis on Tuesday April 12, 2011

Ryan Budget: Compassionate Conservatism Goes Kaput

Yuval Levin endorses the Ryan idea of radical reductions in government social insurance. Is this plan the right next step for conservatism? This is part one. Click here to read the entire series . Don't miss Yuval Levin's piece in the current National Affairs , " Beyond the Welfare …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday April 12, 2011

The Budget Deal's Biggest Winner

In Friday’s budget deal, Boehner amassed enough credibility with his own caucus that he can now confront the larger fiscal challenges ahead. Conventional wisdom saw House Speaker John Boehner as all tan and no substance. As usual, conventional wisdom got it wrong. In Friday’s budget deal, …

Written by Steve Bell on Monday April 11, 2011

A GOP Game Plan for the Next Budget Fight

Republicans were wise to secure a deal and avert a shutdown. But will they remember what they learned in the coming budget battle? Friday night, the GOP reached a budget deal with Senate Majority Leader Reid and the White House. I’m pleasantly surprised Republicans actually took my advice “to …

Written by Andrew Pavelyev on Monday April 11, 2011

Congress Gets Ready for the Next Budget Battle

Congress may have averted a shutdown, but their handling of budget negotiations left bond markets with more questions than answers. The 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week coverage of the fiscally trivial work of the past 3 months is over. The Continuing Resolution for Appropriations for FY11, …

Written by Steve Bell on Sunday April 10, 2011

A Great Week for the GOP

Is conservatism recovering its balance? Here are three positive signs from this past week. Is conservatism recovering its balance? Three positive signs in this past week. 1) The Republican caucus accepted a deal to avert a government shutdown. The deal is a huge victory for governance Republica…

Written by David Frum on Saturday April 9, 2011

The Big Budget Cut the GOP Forgot

Republicans deserve a pat on the back for tackling the easiest-to-cut part of the federal budget. But one area where they could make serious cuts was overlooked. When it comes to the first and easiest-to-cut part of the federal budget, Republicans deserve at least a small pat on the back. They …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Saturday April 9, 2011

The Good and Bad News in the Budget Deal

Dealmakers in both parties may have prevailed over the confrontationalists in this budget battle, but the most important and difficult decisions still await. Obviously this is no way to run a railroad. Still - the train did not crash. The deal to avert a government shutdown is a story of good …

Written by David Frum on Saturday April 9, 2011