Health Mandates: OK For Perry, Not For Romney
Mitt Romneys's Massachussetts health care program is an unpleasant reminder to some of the Republican Party's once uncritical acceptance of the individual mandate. I was watching the debate between Conn Carroll and Noah Kristula-Green yesterday morning and I was struck by a question that Noah …No British Understatement From David Cameron
UK Prime Minister Cameron articulated what Republicans struggle to say: a center-right government can cut spending without jeopardizing social programs. I attended this evening (UK time) the annual summer party of the British think tank Policy Exchange. (I serve on the board of the American …Jon Huntsman Takes Reagan's Stage
One-time rock musician-turned-politician Jon Huntsman has something most of his rivals in the GOP presidential pack lack -- a low-key but genuine star quality. Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman officially launched his 2012 presidential bid this morning with an expertly stage-managed piece of …Huntsman: Big GOP Man On Campus
College students searching for a Republican presidential candidate who speaks to their generation's hopes and concerns need look no further than Jon Huntsman. Today I described “College Republicanism” for Students For Liberty. Which Republican Party policies do college students (as a segment …What Huntsman Brings to the Table
Jon Huntsman's achievements as Utah's governor were very significant. Like Mitt Romney, he knows how to run a government. I was one of 36 people to cast a straw poll ballot for Jon Huntsman at this year’s Conservative Policy Action Conference and, like a lot of other reform-minded Republicans, I …Huntsman Jumps In!
Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman is the only Republican presidential candidate who makes Obama’s 2008 campaign manager David Plouffe feel “a wee bit queasy.” Jon Huntsman’s presidential candidacy will likely generate increased scrutiny due to both his imminent formal campaign announcement and his …Huntsman's Ryan Plan Mistake
Jon Huntsman is a responsible reform-minded Republican -- but by embracing the Ryan plan he may be setting himself up to follow in the footsteps of Rudy Giuliani. The entry of Jon Huntsman into the GOP races inspires great hope for governance-minded Republicanism. Here is a candidate who is …Does Huntsman Face an Uphill Battle?
Huntsman strategist Jon Weaver has identified the core problem with the GOP brand. Jon Huntsman strategist Jon Weaver, speaking to Esquire magazine on the core GOP problem: "There's a simple reason our party is nowhere near being a national governing party .... No one wants to be around a …Conservatives: Don't Doctor The Ryan Plan
The Weekly Standard editorial lines piece suggests that every Republican has to support the Ryan budget in its entirety and any qualm or qualification is unacceptable. How far will conservatives go to tell Republicans they must support the Ryan budget in its entirety? A new Weekly Standard …Tony Blair's Wise Advice For The GOP
It's easy to recognize across the aisle the danger of the tendency of political parties to recoil upon their bases after a defeat. Much harder is to recognize the tendency in oneself. In an interview today with Britain's Sun newspaper, Tony Blair rebuked current Labour leader Ed Milliband, and …T-Paw: Don't Ask Me About Pawlentycare
Romney is right to worry about his reform being linked to Obamacare, but he should not be bashful about his record on coverage and cost-control. Tim Pawlenty has been on the offensive about Mitt Romney's healthcare record. But even as he derides "Obamneycare," Pawlenty continues to delay the …Pawlenty Is Debate's Biggest Loser
Pawlenty's failure is not the kind of stumble he can correct later. It goes to the core of the guy: offered the chance to confront Romney directly, he flinched. Tim Pawlenty was debate night's big loser. He walked onto that stage with one mission: to prove himself the ultra-base alternative to …Bachmann Makes a Strong Debut
Bachmann was well prepped. She used the forum to announce she was formally running for President -- a blatant attempt to get more media attention, but it worked. So how did the substance of the Republican candidates debate relate to what we were on the lookout for? No one attacked Romney. …FF's Livechat of GOP Debate
Many of the third-tier GOP candidates lack real seriousness. It will be in the interests of the debate’s moderators to stop the sideshows from dominating the night. FrumForum will be hosting a livechat tonight while we watch CNN’s GOP debate in New Hampshire. This debate will feature three …Incredible Shrinking Workers' Income
Workers' share of US national income continues to decline. Which prompts two questions for the GOP contenders seeking the presidential nomination. Workers' share of U.S, national income is collapsing. Two questions for the Republican presidential candidates: 1) Is this a problem? …