America's new Isolationism By Michael Barone
America has gone back to isolationism, many commentators are saying. Not just the dovish Democrats, but also Republicans who were so hawkish a decade ago are turning away from the world.
Political Commentary
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September 24, 2013
September 20, 2013
Democrats no Longer Following Obama's Agenda By Michael Barone
Presidents tend to set the agenda for their parties. Most of the party's members of Congress tend to go along.
September 19, 2013
Violence in Our Air By Froma Harrop
To the rising pile of shooting rampages, Americans can now add the rapid-fire murder of 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard. It is a sign of our remarkable times that this horrid deed seems to pale next to the massacre of 20 schoolchildren in suburban Connecticut last December.
September 19, 2013
Make Trade, Not War By John Stossel
What's up with so many Democrats wanting missile strikes on Syria, while Republicans balk? I'm told Republicans are the war party.
September 18, 2013
Saved From Larry Summers at Fed By Froma Harrop
The week opened nicely with news that Lawrence Summers had taken his name out of the running for the Federal Reserve chairman job. We won't be subjected to the notoriously unpleasant Summers denigrating those who would distinguish between Wall Street's interests and the country's. Still more gratifying is that Democrats, and not just the liberal ones, put the kibosh on President Obama's mystifying desire to put this Wall Street-Washington hybrid in charge of our central banking system.
September 17, 2013
Republicans Need Future-Looking Policies, not old Bromides By Michael Barone
Republicans have been getting a lot of advice on how they should change their party ever since Mitt Romney's defeat in November 2012. They need it.
They are in more than the usual disarray that afflicts parties out of the White House. Many members of their majority in the House of Representatives are out of step with the Republican leadership on issues ranging from Syria to defunding Obamacare.
September 13, 2013
Obama's Wing-it Diplomacy Undermines U.S. Credibility By Michael Barone
Here's how the Obama folks have been starting to spin Syria. The president made a credible threat to use military force in Syria. At the same time, he worked behind the scenes to get Russia's Vladimir Putin to push Bashir al-Assad to give up chemical weapons.
September 13, 2013
Online Privacy Is Gone. Live With It By Froma Harrop
Feeling aggrieved over reports of widespread government surveillance? Feeling guilty about not feeling aggrieved? Relax. There's little you can do about the revelations.
September 12, 2013
Striking Syria: Is Obama too Much Like Bush -- or not Enough? By Joe Conason
For a president who distinguished himself from his predecessor by promising to extricate the United States from Iraq and Afghanistan, Barack Obama suddenly appears determined to maroon his own presidency in Syria. But critics who worry that Obama is imitating George W. Bush are missing the central irony in his predicament -- which stems from his failure to mimic Bush closely enough.
September 11, 2013
Road to Damascus By John Stossel
Some things you just have to do, in spite of great uncertainty.
Launching missiles at Syria isn't one of them.
September 10, 2013
Oldster Passions, Hipster Fans, Long Lives By Froma Harrop
The weekend obits toasted two American originals who died in their 90s. Both dedicated their many hours to preserving bygone technologies -- in one case typewriters and in the other vinyl records. Both would have closed shop sooner were it not for young hipsters, raised on the digital, seeing novelty and beauty in the great inventions of the mechanical age.
September 10, 2013
Specter of Iraq Hovers over Syria Deliberation By Michael Barone
Hovering over the congressional debate on whether to authorize the use of military force in Syria is the specter of Iraq.
September 6, 2013
Obama's 'Red Line' Undermines U.S. Power By Michael Barone
Blunder after blunder. That's been the story of President Barack Obama's policy toward Syria.
In April 2011, Obama said dictator Bashir al-Assad "had to go." But he did little or nothing to speed him on his way.
September 5, 2013
China's Rich, Yearning to Breath Free By Froma Harrop
Thousands of Chinese are fleeing to the United States. We are not talking about impoverished peasants hiding in cargo containers. We're talking about millionaires flying first class and buying condos in the choicest ZIP codes. A big reason for this relocation, real estate agents say, is a desire for America's clean air, as opposed to China's suffocating smog.
September 4, 2013
Milk of Human Blindness By John Stossel
The Denver Post warns, "Milk, food prices could rise if Congress fails to act."
Congress is working on a farm bill, which, among other things, will set limits on how high or low milk prices can be in different regions of the country.
September 3, 2013
Spending Behind Your Mate's Back By Froma Harrop
A little infidelity, a little cheating, is OK in a marriage -- or even protective of it -- if the sneaking is just about money. Note the emphasis on "little."
September 3, 2013
With Crime Down, the Nation Moves to Ease Get-Tough Policies By Michael Barone
Americans change their minds on some issues. One of them is crime and punishment.
August 30, 2013
Panhandling Is Not Harmless By Froma Harrop
Indianapolis offers the full urban deal: great architecture, hot restaurants, famous museums and a walkable downtown. But it also has had one of the worst panhandler problems I've seen. At almost every street corner, it seemed, someone was squeezing you for money.
August 28, 2013
Trains to Nowhere By John Stossel
When Democrats and Republicans agree, I get nervous. It often means that they agree to grab my wallet.
August 28, 2013
We All Need Moderate Republicans By Froma Harrop
Moderate Republicans are, were, good things. I use the past tense "were" because as they became rarities, the centrists' chief function was preserving majorities in Congress for their radicalized party.
