FrumForum | Building a Conservatism that can win again

Is the GOP Backbench Rebelling?

Fifty-four Republicans defected on the latest continuing resolution. Fifty-four Republican defections on the latest Continuing Resolution.

Written by David Frum on Tuesday March 15, 2011

2012 GOP Field: Who's Got the Best Jobs Plan?

The next GOP presidential nominee faces a tough question: what's your plan to create jobs? How ready are the candidates to answer? An F F survey finds: not very. The next Republican nominee for president will have to face the question: what is your plan to create jobs in America. How ready are …

Written by Noah Kristula-Green on Monday March 14, 2011

Hold Off on the Budget Back-Slapping

While Washington congratulates itself over the two-week budget deal, one fact's been forgotten: this budget showdown should never have happened. Legislation appropriating funds to keep the federal government open for business for the next two weeks has passed the House and Senate and been signed …

Written by Les Francis on Thursday March 3, 2011

Tea Partiers Still Hooked on Handouts

A new WSJ/NBC News poll provides a glimpse of just how dependent on big government benefits Americans have become - even amongst the Tea Party. The anti-government “throw-the-bums-out” crowds have had their chance to speak out on how to curtail the deficit and what to do with those hated entitleme…

Written by Brad Schaeffer on Thursday March 3, 2011

Boehner's Budget Truce Averts Shutdown

Boehner's two-week spending bill may have avoided a shutdown for now, but the GOP's budget woes may just be beginning. As Congress dithers on the federal budget, the states have taken the bull by the horns. Sometimes, as in the case of Wisconsin Gov. Scott, maybe too close to the horns. …

Written by Steve Bell on Wednesday March 2, 2011

Thune's Out. Who Gains?

Today, South Dakota Senator John Thune announced that he wouldn't run for president in 2012. What does his decision mean for the rest of the GOP field? If you work on the assumption that the 2012 GOP nomination contest is a battle between Romney and not-Romney, John Thune's departure helps …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday February 22, 2011

Why the GOP Couldn't Win in 2008

Today, Laura Ingraham posed an important question to Donald Rumsfeld on her show: Would Obama be president today if the Iraq war hadn't happened? Laura Ingraham just posed an important question to Donald Rumsfeld on her radio program. Would Barack Obama be president today if the Iraq war had …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday February 22, 2011

Why the GOP Will Thank Ted Olson

While some conservatives are celebrating the New York State Senate defeat of a gay marriage bill yesterday, Ted Olson has been working to overturn California’s ban on same-sex marriage. If he succeeds, Republicans will owe him a debt of gratitude. Yesterday, the New York State Senate crushed a …

Written by Jeb Golinkin on Thursday December 3, 2009

Come Back Charles Johnson

Charles Johnson, editor of the Little Green Footballs site, has written a post declaring his personal breach with the American right. He offers 10 reasons, but they all boil down to the same one: His outrage at the bad characters found in right-wing media and in the blogosphere. Charles Johnson, …

Written by David Frum on Tuesday December 1, 2009

The Purges Will Continue Until the Membership Grows

Frum Forum has learned that supporters of the GOP purity test resolution have obtained the necessary co-sponsors to bypass the RNC’s resolutions committee and bring the resolution forward for a vote. FrumForum has learned that despite losing the sponsorship of a National Committeewoman from …

Written by Tim Mak on Tuesday December 1, 2009

Reagan Never Went Rogue

Many commentators have likened Sarah Palin to revered conservative icon Ronald Reagan. Both were governors of Western states, but the similarities end there. As Sarah Palin embarks on a publicity tour for her book, conservative commentators have again taken to likening the former Alaska …

Written by Rob Bernstein on Sunday November 22, 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

Don't Despair Yet, Mr. Bartlett!

In a recent post , former Reagan aide Bruce Bartlett correctly noted that the Republican party seems dominated by extremists. But, Mr. Bartlett also ignores the many grown-ups still in the GOP who are trying to steer the party towards the center. In a recent post , former Reagan aide Bruce …

Written by Dennis Sanders on Monday August 31, 2009

Being the Angry Party Will Keep GOP Out of Power

The way many conservatives see it, the way to win is not by emulating the no-drama strategy of the Obama campaign, but rather the hard-nosed, foul-mouthed Chicago tactics of Rahm Emanuel circa 2005 and 2006 . But this strategy will not work for the GOP. Bruce Bartlett, as always, is a fascinatin…

Written by Thomas J. Marier on Monday August 31, 2009

The Headlines Review

Napoleon Linardatos presents a humorous take on today's headlines. Napoleon Linardatos presents a humorous take on today’s headlines. “As Internet Booms, the Postal Service Fights Back” - New York Times , 08.28.09 The U.S. Postal Service plans to start its own email …

Written by Napoleon Linardatos on Sunday August 30, 2009

Can't I Dissent On Anything?

As an intern at a conservative organization here in Washington D.C., I was taken aback when a colleague suggested that I was "working in the wrong place" because I don't consider myself pro-life. Like thousands of other undergraduates, I flocked to Washington, D.C. this summer to intern and …

Written by Sam Theodosopoulos on Friday August 28, 2009

Vermont: Lots of Cows, Not Many Elephants

Vermont's Republican Governor Jim Douglas announced that he will not seek reelection next year, leaving Republicans with an open gubernatorial race in what is perhaps the most liberal state in the nation. Vermont's Republican Governor Jim Douglas announced that he will not seek reelection next …

Written by Richard Brownell on Friday August 28, 2009

The Shifting Balance of Power

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has just announced a new ambassador to Washington: a member of Canada's left-most party, someone who can speak the language of Pelosi and Obama. Another example of how the implosion of the GOP has implications around the world. Canadian Prime Minister …

Written by David Frum on Friday August 28, 2009

Universal Coverage: Stand Around & Wait

NM SYMPOSIUM: America already has government healthcare: Medicare, Medicaid, SCHIP, programs for Indians on reservations. The program I’m personally familiar with is Tricare, for military dependants. Go to Clark Clinic on Fort Bragg to see how government medicine works: Not very well. Tens of …

Written by Sean Linnane on Thursday August 27, 2009

Instead of Universal Coverage, Reforms that Will Work

NM SYMPOSIUM: In the end, doing nothing and playing the role of obstructionist and defender of the healthcare status quo is not an option for the GOP. By opening up competition and choice and ensuring portability of insurance, Republicans can provide a basic safety net without the need for a vast …

Written by E. D. Kain on Wednesday August 26, 2009

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