Overview for gop

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

Can the GOP Avoid the Shutdown "Trap"?

Here's a question every Republican should ask: If the shutdown is an Obama trap, why not ... refrain from stepping into it? Question every Republican should ask: If the shutdown is an Obama trap, why not ... refrain from stepping into it? Tweet

Written by David Frum on Friday April 8, 2011

Budget Battle: Boehner Keeps Freshmen in Line

Freshmen Republicans are resisting pressure from their base, and for the most part appear to be siding with party leadership in the budget negotiations. Freshmen Republicans are resisting pressure from their base, and for the most part appear to have been siding with party leadership over the …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday April 8, 2011

Lobbyists Drive the Shutdown

Fights over budget policy riders, most of which appear to have been written for lobbyists, are threatening to shut down the government. With fights over budget policy riders threatening to shut down the government, it's interesting to take a look at what types of policy changes the House GOP …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday April 8, 2011

Ryan's Biggest Gamble

The conventional wisdom in D.C. is that Ryan's budget is political suicide for any who endorse it. But is that really the case? The conventional wisdom in Washington, D.C. Tuesday was clear: House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's FY 2012 budget plan is political suicide for anyone who …

Written by Steve Bell on Wednesday April 6, 2011

Is GOP Overplaying Shutdown Card?

By risking a shutdown over the 15% of the budget devoted to non-mandatory spending is the GOP losing political capital for the entitlement spending fight? Threatening to shut down the government over spending is certainly an effective, if drastic, measure. In principle, its good--even admirable--t…

Written by Eli Lehrer on Tuesday April 5, 2011

GOP Freshmen Flex Clout in Budget Fight

Freshman Republicans gathered on the Senate’s steps Monday calling on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to pass the GOP continuing resolution. Republican Freshman Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR), whose office organized the event, speaks at the press conference. Freshman Republicans …

Written by Tim Mak on Tuesday April 5, 2011

How the GOP Could Win by Cutting Defense

When they meet at the White House Tuesday the GOP may need to concede on defense spending to win cuts in entitlements. But is the trade-off worth it? When they meet at the White House Tuesday , Some Democrats will ask for military spending cuts as part of any budget deal while some Republicans …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Tuesday April 5, 2011

You Read it First at FrumForum

With birtherism gaining steam, more bloggers are signing on to an idea proposed at F F : asking GOP candidates whether they believe Obama was born in the U.S. Over at the Huffington Post , blogger Asher Smith wonders what would happen at the GOP debate if the candidates are asked whether or …

Written by FrumForum Editors on Monday April 4, 2011

The Tea Party Must Learn it Doesn't Run the Country

Conservative Republicans are debating the budget without realizing that they don't represent the entire country or all its citizens. The next deadline for Congressional action on a comprehensive appropriations bill for the remainder of the current fiscal year is fast approaching. A bill has to be …

Written by Les Francis on Monday April 4, 2011

Why Centrists Can Still Win the Budget Fight

The Tea Party movement has proven it can't have a serious discussion over how to solve the budget crisis. This leaves space for centrists to take the lead. Please, stop. Whether it is Bruce Bartlett admonishing Republican Senators who have co-sponsored the Balanced Budget Amendment or Rep. …

Written by Steve Bell on Saturday April 2, 2011

Are the GOP's Budget Theatrics Unconstitutional?

The House GOP thinks it has a solution to the current budget crisis, but in addition to being unlikely to pass, is their solution also unconstitutional? The theatrics continue on the Hill this afternoon as the House votes on the ‘Government Shutdown Prevention Act’. The Act would automatically …

Written by Tim Mak on Friday April 1, 2011

RNC State Chair: Pull GOP Convention From Florida

The Chair of the South Carolina GOP has threatened to move the location of the 2012 GOP convention if Florida does not change the date when it holds it primary. South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Karen Floyd sent a letter to RNC members this morning criticizing the Florida GOP for moving …

Written by Tim Mak on Thursday March 31, 2011

Why Obama Will Win the Shutdown

Is there's another government shutdown, there's one thing you can count on: the White House will win the public relations battle. Howard Dean is liberal, and perhaps even a tad crazy. Stupid, though, he is not. Former Gov. Dean joined several other prominent Democrats Tuesday at the “National …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Wednesday March 30, 2011

Boehner Faces GOP Budget Revolt

Boehner's fight to keep his caucus unified in the spending fight just got a lot harder: Tuesday, fiscal hawks in the House announced plans to draft a rival 2012 budget proposal. Today’s news that conservatives in the House Republican Study Committee will draft their own alternative Fiscal Year …

Written by Steve Bell on Tuesday March 29, 2011

Is Palin Alienating Israel's GOP Friends?

It's tough for a Republican politician to lose friends by visiting Israel. Yet Sarah Palin is in danger of doing so. Sarah Palin is visiting Israel, a move which normally helps GOP candidates. But as my latest CNN column points out, by ignoring the Republican Jewish Coalition she may be writing …

Written by David Frum on Monday March 21, 2011

GOP's 2012 Budget: Dead on Arrival?

Anti-deficit stalwart, Rep. Paul Ryan, has pledged to start the markup of the FY2012 budget in early April. The plan should pass the House, but will Senate Dems back it? Apparently old-fashioned snail mail has made a comeback in the United States Senate. Two sets of letters roiled the fiscal …

Written by Steve Bell on Monday March 21, 2011

Easy Budget Cuts the GOP Forgot

Eventually, Congress will need to spend serious political capital to make tough budget cuts. But for now, there are plenty of easy cuts the House has overlooked. As Congress cuts the federal budget, attention has focused on truly easy cuts—programs that are clearly outdated or needless but …

Written by Eli Lehrer on Friday March 18, 2011

GOP Votes Against Climate Change Reality

By refusing to acknowledge that global warming is real, Republicans have opted for a pathetic denial of reality. Republicans on the House Energy and Commerce Committee have just voted to deny reality. In particular, they voted against an amendment offered by ranking Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman …

Written by Kenneth Silber on Tuesday March 15, 2011