Fahim & Kirkpatrick, NYT
Protests erupted across Egypt on Friday, as opponents of President Mohamed Morsi clashed with his supporters over a presidential edict that gave him unchecked authority and polarized an already divided nation while raising a specter, the president’s critics charged, of a return to autocracy. In an echo of the uprising 22 months ago, thousands of protesters chanted for the downfall of Mr. Morsi’s government in Cairo, while others ransacked the offices of the president’s former party in Suez, Alexandria and other cities.
Hispanics Favor Dems But Didn’t Decide Election
On November - 24 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Byron York, Examiner
After moments of panic in the immediate aftermath of Mitt Romney's defeat, some Republicans and conservatives are regaining their equilibrium on the issue of what the GOP should do about immigration and the Hispanic vote.They're looking at key questions from the campaign, like how much of Barack Obama's victory was attributable to Hispanic support. They're also looking at the Hispanic electorate itself to see how big a role immigration, versus a wide range of other issues, played in voting decisions. The goal, of course, is to win a larger portion of the Hispanic vote, but...
After moments of panic in the immediate aftermath of Mitt Romney's defeat, some Republicans and conservatives are regaining their equilibrium on the issue of what the GOP should do about immigration and the Hispanic vote.They're looking at key questions from the campaign, like how much of Barack Obama's victory was attributable to Hispanic support. They're also looking at the Hispanic electorate itself to see how big a role immigration, versus a wide range of other issues, played in voting decisions. The goal, of course, is to win a larger portion of the Hispanic vote, but...
Why GOP’s Latino Outreach Plan Won’t Work
On November - 24 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Irin Carmon, Salon
Drop the anti-immigrant rhetoric! Focus on the “family values” that Latinos supposedly share with the party! But that magic solution to Republicans’ demographic problem that some conservatives are touting — which conveniently allows the party to resist moderating on so-called social issues like gay marriage and abortion — is unlikely to pan out.Two days after Latino voters broadly rejected the Republican Party, Charles Krauthammer saw reason for optimism. Latinos, he said, “should be a natural Republican constituency: striving...
Drop the anti-immigrant rhetoric! Focus on the “family values” that Latinos supposedly share with the party! But that magic solution to Republicans’ demographic problem that some conservatives are touting — which conveniently allows the party to resist moderating on so-called social issues like gay marriage and abortion — is unlikely to pan out.Two days after Latino voters broadly rejected the Republican Party, Charles Krauthammer saw reason for optimism. Latinos, he said, “should be a natural Republican constituency: striving...
Another Step Toward an Islamist Egypt
On November - 24 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Barry Rubin, PJ Media
This comprehensive book provides a well-rounded introduction to Israel""a definitive account of the nation's past, its often controversial present, and much more. Edited by a leading historian of the Middle East, Israel is organized around six major themes: land and people, history, society, politics, economics, and culture. The book is a significant contribution to Israel publications, being one of the first books to ever fluidly consolidate and describe Israel as a modern State. Finally, Israel provides readers with a solid foundation of knowledge about the Jewish State...
This comprehensive book provides a well-rounded introduction to Israel""a definitive account of the nation's past, its often controversial present, and much more. Edited by a leading historian of the Middle East, Israel is organized around six major themes: land and people, history, society, politics, economics, and culture. The book is a significant contribution to Israel publications, being one of the first books to ever fluidly consolidate and describe Israel as a modern State. Finally, Israel provides readers with a solid foundation of knowledge about the Jewish State...
Is Rand Paul the Future of the Republican Party?
On November - 23 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Ed Morrissey, Hot Air
He’s certainly part of it, and an important part as the Republican Party tries to reach out to libertarian-leaning voters. His father found ways to excite and energize younger voters, a skill that the last few elections have shown the GOP sorely needs, as well as a message that matches up with their leave-me-alone mindset. But is Rand Paul ready to lead the party toward a resurgence of limited-government conservatism with his blend of devolved powers and social conservatism? “That’s classified,” he jokes to ABC’s...
He’s certainly part of it, and an important part as the Republican Party tries to reach out to libertarian-leaning voters. His father found ways to excite and energize younger voters, a skill that the last few elections have shown the GOP sorely needs, as well as a message that matches up with their leave-me-alone mindset. But is Rand Paul ready to lead the party toward a resurgence of limited-government conservatism with his blend of devolved powers and social conservatism? “That’s classified,” he jokes to ABC’s...
Phrase That Lost Romney the Election
On November - 23 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Higgins & Cortes, RealClearPolitics
You might not believe it, but assume we’re right for a minute. What word would you guess decided the election? Hurricane Sandy?The answer lies in perhaps the single most illustrative exit poll question conducted, where CNN asked “What is the most important candidate quality to your vote?”The response options were “Strong Leader,” “Shares Your Values,” “Has a Vision for the Future,” and “Cares about People.” Among folks that chose one of the first three responses, Mitt Romney won...
You might not believe it, but assume we’re right for a minute. What word would you guess decided the election? Hurricane Sandy?The answer lies in perhaps the single most illustrative exit poll question conducted, where CNN asked “What is the most important candidate quality to your vote?”The response options were “Strong Leader,” “Shares Your Values,” “Has a Vision for the Future,” and “Cares about People.” Among folks that chose one of the first three responses, Mitt Romney won...
A Return to Trench Warfare Politics
On November - 23 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Michael Barone, DC Examiner
A funny thing happened as I was looking at the political map of this year's presidential election: It began to look like the map of the presidential election of 2004.I'm not talking about the superficial similarity, the fact that in both elections an incumbent president beat a challenger from Massachusetts by a 51 to 48 percent popular vote margin.I'm talking about the fact that the large majority of states voted just a little bit more Democratic in 2012 than they did in 2004.
A funny thing happened as I was looking at the political map of this year's presidential election: It began to look like the map of the presidential election of 2004.I'm not talking about the superficial similarity, the fact that in both elections an incumbent president beat a challenger from Massachusetts by a 51 to 48 percent popular vote margin.I'm talking about the fact that the large majority of states voted just a little bit more Democratic in 2012 than they did in 2004.
The Illusions of Conservative Economics
On November - 23 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Robert Solow, The New Republic
JUST AS I WAS wondering how to start this review, along came the Sunday New York Times Magazine with a short article by Adam Davidson with the title “Made in Austria: Will Friedrich von Hayek be the Tea Party’s Karl Marx?” One Tea Party activist reported that his group’s goal is to fill Congress with Hayekians. This project is unlikely to go smoothly if the price of admission includes an extensive reading of Hayek’s writings. As Davidson remarks, some of Hayek’s ideas would not go down well at all with the American far right: among...
JUST AS I WAS wondering how to start this review, along came the Sunday New York Times Magazine with a short article by Adam Davidson with the title “Made in Austria: Will Friedrich von Hayek be the Tea Party’s Karl Marx?” One Tea Party activist reported that his group’s goal is to fill Congress with Hayekians. This project is unlikely to go smoothly if the price of admission includes an extensive reading of Hayek’s writings. As Davidson remarks, some of Hayek’s ideas would not go down well at all with the American far right: among...
To Israel and Palestine: Enough Is Enough
On November - 23 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Roger Cohen, New York Times
Dems Should Give Thanks for Mitt Romney
On November - 23 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Alec MacGillis, New Republic
As Democrats gather for turkey or tofurkey in Brooklyn and Berkeley and, yes, even in Birmingham, they should offer thanks for Mitt Romney. Not just for being a clumsy candidate in a year when a more agile one might have knocked off Barack Obama—but for the broader benefit he served the Democratic Party as a powerful clarifying force.I touched on this after the nominating conventions, but it bears reinforcing now that the election is past. As Ramesh Ponnuru recently reminded us, for decades the Democrats'...
As Democrats gather for turkey or tofurkey in Brooklyn and Berkeley and, yes, even in Birmingham, they should offer thanks for Mitt Romney. Not just for being a clumsy candidate in a year when a more agile one might have knocked off Barack Obama—but for the broader benefit he served the Democratic Party as a powerful clarifying force.I touched on this after the nominating conventions, but it bears reinforcing now that the election is past. As Ramesh Ponnuru recently reminded us, for decades the Democrats'...
A Gay Son and His Dad Give Thanks
On November - 23 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Paul Begala, CNN
In 4 Fearsome Ways, 2013 Looks A Lot Like 1937
On November - 19 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Amity Shlaes, Bloomberg
Will 2013 be 1937? This is the question many analysts are posing as the stock market has dropped after the U.S. election. On Nov. 16, they noted that industrial production, a crucial figure, dropped as well.In this case, “1937” means a market drop similar to the one after the re-election of another Democratic president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1936.
Will 2013 be 1937? This is the question many analysts are posing as the stock market has dropped after the U.S. election. On Nov. 16, they noted that industrial production, a crucial figure, dropped as well.In this case, “1937” means a market drop similar to the one after the re-election of another Democratic president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1936.
This Israel-Hamas Conflict Is Different From ’09
On November - 19 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz
So far, it seems, Israel has learnt the lessons of the previous operation in GazaIt all looks so depressingly similar – a devastating Israeli attack on Hamas in the Gaza Strip while hundreds of Palestinian missiles are fired at Israeli towns. Massive ground forces on the border with Gaza prepare to embark on a house-to-house battle. How very 2008. You could almost call it Operation Cast Lead II.Each side has a long list of bloody grievances, and any attempt to answer the question "who started?" is destined to fail. Every episode, though, is a result of the previous one and...
So far, it seems, Israel has learnt the lessons of the previous operation in GazaIt all looks so depressingly similar – a devastating Israeli attack on Hamas in the Gaza Strip while hundreds of Palestinian missiles are fired at Israeli towns. Massive ground forces on the border with Gaza prepare to embark on a house-to-house battle. How very 2008. You could almost call it Operation Cast Lead II.Each side has a long list of bloody grievances, and any attempt to answer the question "who started?" is destined to fail. Every episode, though, is a result of the previous one and...
A Latino Opportunity for the GOP
On November - 19 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Leslie Sanchez, Wall Street Journal
In winning re-election, President Obama carried nearly all the same demographic groups as in 2008, but by smaller margins. The major exception: Hispanics, America's fastest-growing bloc. Having given Mr. Obama 67% of their votes in 2008, they gave him 71% this time.This has alarmed Republicans. Mr. Obama had offered Hispanics little more than a broken promise to reform immigration in his first term, yet he scored the largest victory among them since Gerald Ford visited Texas in 1976 and tried to eat a tamale without removing its husk.
In winning re-election, President Obama carried nearly all the same demographic groups as in 2008, but by smaller margins. The major exception: Hispanics, America's fastest-growing bloc. Having given Mr. Obama 67% of their votes in 2008, they gave him 71% this time.This has alarmed Republicans. Mr. Obama had offered Hispanics little more than a broken promise to reform immigration in his first term, yet he scored the largest victory among them since Gerald Ford visited Texas in 1976 and tried to eat a tamale without removing its husk.
Iran Must Be Obama’s Top Priority
On November - 18 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Henry Kissinger, Washington Post
In the aftermath of an exhausting reelection campaign, the most urgent decision facing the president is how to stop Iran from pursuing a military nuclear program. Presidents of both parties have long declared that "no option is off the table" in securing this goal. In the third presidential debate, the candidates agreed that this was a matter of the American national interest, even as they described the objective alternately as preventing an Iranian "nuclear weapon" or "breakout capacity" (President Obama), or a...
In the aftermath of an exhausting reelection campaign, the most urgent decision facing the president is how to stop Iran from pursuing a military nuclear program. Presidents of both parties have long declared that "no option is off the table" in securing this goal. In the third presidential debate, the candidates agreed that this was a matter of the American national interest, even as they described the objective alternately as preventing an Iranian "nuclear weapon" or "breakout capacity" (President Obama), or a...
GOP Throws Romney Under the Bus
On November - 17 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Gail Collins, New York Times
It appears that Mitt Romney was a terrible presidential candidate.O.K., some people have known that ever since the story broke about strapping his dog on the car roof. But now we seem to be reaching a consensus.First, there was that matter of losing the election. Then this week Romney told some of his donors that while he was pursuing the “big issues,” President Obama had purchased the support of blacks, Hispanics and young people with goodies like college loans and health care reform. College-age women, Romney claimed, traded their votes for “free...
It appears that Mitt Romney was a terrible presidential candidate.O.K., some people have known that ever since the story broke about strapping his dog on the car roof. But now we seem to be reaching a consensus.First, there was that matter of losing the election. Then this week Romney told some of his donors that while he was pursuing the “big issues,” President Obama had purchased the support of blacks, Hispanics and young people with goodies like college loans and health care reform. College-age women, Romney claimed, traded their votes for “free...
The Nerds Who Helped Re-Elect Obama
On November - 17 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Alexis Madrigal, The Atlantic
The Obama campaign's technologists were tense and tired. It was game day and everything was going wrong.Josh Thayer, the lead engineer of Narwhal, had just been informed that they'd lost another one of the services powering their software. That was bad: Narwhal was the code name for the data platform that underpinned the campaign and let it track voters and volunteers. If it broke, so would everything else.
The Obama campaign's technologists were tense and tired. It was game day and everything was going wrong.Josh Thayer, the lead engineer of Narwhal, had just been informed that they'd lost another one of the services powering their software. That was bad: Narwhal was the code name for the data platform that underpinned the campaign and let it track voters and volunteers. If it broke, so would everything else.
Papa John’s ObamaCare Idiocy
On November - 17 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Prachi Gupta, Salon
Papa John's Pizza seems to be gunning for Chick-fil-A's "most heartless fast-food chain" title after CEO John Schnatter threatened to increase pizza prices by 11 to 14 cents per pie and cut back employee hours if the Affordable Care Act isn't repealed. Schnatter has found support from more than 20,000 Facebook users (and counting), who have staged an "eat-in" to protest Obamacare and its effects on the food chain:
Papa John's Pizza seems to be gunning for Chick-fil-A's "most heartless fast-food chain" title after CEO John Schnatter threatened to increase pizza prices by 11 to 14 cents per pie and cut back employee hours if the Affordable Care Act isn't repealed. Schnatter has found support from more than 20,000 Facebook users (and counting), who have staged an "eat-in" to protest Obamacare and its effects on the food chain:
How Free Speech Died on Campus
On November - 17 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Sohrab Ahmari, Wall Street Journal
At Yale University, you can be prevented from putting an F. Scott Fitzgerald quote on your T-shirt. At Tufts, you can be censured for quoting certain passages from the Quran. Welcome to the most authoritarian institution in America: the modern university"”"a bizarre, parallel dimension," as Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, calls it.
At Yale University, you can be prevented from putting an F. Scott Fitzgerald quote on your T-shirt. At Tufts, you can be censured for quoting certain passages from the Quran. Welcome to the most authoritarian institution in America: the modern university"”"a bizarre, parallel dimension," as Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, calls it.
Oklahoma Doctors vs. ObamaCare
On November - 17 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Jim Epstein, Reason
Three years ago, Dr. Keith Smith, co-founder and managing partner of the Surgery Center of Oklahoma, took an initiative that would only be considered radical in the health care industry: He posted online a list of prices for 112 common surgical procedures. The 51-year-old Smith, a self-described libertarian, and his business partner, Dr. Steve Lantier, founded the Surgery Center 15 years ago, after they became disillusioned with the way patients were treated at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, where the two men worked as anesthesiologists. In 1997, Smith and Lantier bought the shell...
Three years ago, Dr. Keith Smith, co-founder and managing partner of the Surgery Center of Oklahoma, took an initiative that would only be considered radical in the health care industry: He posted online a list of prices for 112 common surgical procedures. The 51-year-old Smith, a self-described libertarian, and his business partner, Dr. Steve Lantier, founded the Surgery Center 15 years ago, after they became disillusioned with the way patients were treated at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, where the two men worked as anesthesiologists. In 1997, Smith and Lantier bought the shell...
The GOP’s Credibility Gap
On November - 17 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Jennifer Granholm, Politico
The Republican Party is looking for a new identity. And they’re looking, literally, everywhere.At the Republican Governors Association in Las Vegas, former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour was the most … shall we say … direct, proclaiming, “We’ve got to give our political organizational activity a very serious proctology exam. We need to look everywhere.”
The Republican Party is looking for a new identity. And they’re looking, literally, everywhere.At the Republican Governors Association in Las Vegas, former Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour was the most … shall we say … direct, proclaiming, “We’ve got to give our political organizational activity a very serious proctology exam. We need to look everywhere.”
The Wages of November 6
On November - 17 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Andrew McCarthy, National Review
Get FREE NRO NewslettersLog In | RegisterFollow UsDecember 3 Issue Subscribe to NR Renew December 3 Issue | Subscribe | RenewNovember 17, 2012 4:00 A.M. By Andrew C. McCarthy A rocket is launched from northern Gaza, November 15, 2012.The day of reckoning is here.For over 30 years, the United States government and the institutions that drive public opinion have made like Susan Rice when it comes to the ideological...
Get FREE NRO NewslettersLog In | RegisterFollow UsDecember 3 Issue Subscribe to NR Renew December 3 Issue | Subscribe | RenewNovember 17, 2012 4:00 A.M. By Andrew C. McCarthy A rocket is launched from northern Gaza, November 15, 2012.The day of reckoning is here.For over 30 years, the United States government and the institutions that drive public opinion have made like Susan Rice when it comes to the ideological...
Hamas Finds Support in a Changed Middle East
On November - 17 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Abigail Hauslohner, WP
U.S. Needs to Cut Spending, Not Raise Taxes
On November - 17 - 2012 ADD COMMENTS
Veronique de Rugy, NRO
Get FREE NRO NewslettersLog In | RegisterFollow UsOctober 29 Issue Subscribe to NR Renew October 29 Issue | Subscribe | RenewThe CornerThe one and only.Which Hurts More, Tax Increases or Spending Cuts?In the debate over the fiscal cliff, and beyond the politics, the president and Congress should be asking the following question: Between the choices of tax increases and spending cuts, which measures will hurt the economy the most? Over at...
Get FREE NRO NewslettersLog In | RegisterFollow UsOctober 29 Issue Subscribe to NR Renew October 29 Issue | Subscribe | RenewThe CornerThe one and only.Which Hurts More, Tax Increases or Spending Cuts?In the debate over the fiscal cliff, and beyond the politics, the president and Congress should be asking the following question: Between the choices of tax increases and spending cuts, which measures will hurt the economy the most? Over at...
