Autiello: Will True Christianity Please Stand Up?
Nick Autiello, Contributor
The notion that homosexuality is a sin and un-Christian is one that is less than a hundred years old. It is wrong, and has no basis in scriptural or historical reality.
SASSO: The Coming New Year
James Sasso, Associate Editor
As the tumultuous 2011 comes down to its final day, this column could contain an obnoxious summary of the year’s extraordinary events. Rather than once again discussing the protests around the world, the death of Osama Bin Laden, Fukushima, America’s political ineptitude, Europe’s demise or the increasingly frightful weather patterns, here I attempt to predict what 2012 holds in store.
SASSO: Kicking the Can
James Sasso, Associate Editor
For one of the first times in his tenure as Speaker, John Boehner has made a statement with which every American, Republican or Democrat, should fully agree; the two-month Senate bipartisan extension of the payroll tax cut fails to fix the nation’s problems sufficiently. Providing a short-term band-aid to a long-term dilemma contradicts what a responsible government should accomplish, but fits the pattern of contemporary American politicking.
CIOCCI: A Foolish Consistency
Mitt Romney is guilty of serial hypocrisy, Newt Gingrich is guilty of being a public intellectual constantly scrutinized by the media and others, and Ron Paul never ceases to remind me about one of my favorite quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Essays: “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.”
AKMAN: Jon Huntsman’s Meaningless Campaign
Josh Akman, Columnist
Jon Huntsman did not participate in the CNN Debate in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. Short of his family and small (and getting smaller) campaign staff, no one really noticed. In a bizarre and counterproductive effort to impress New Hampshire voters Huntsman skipped the debate to protest Nevada moving its caucus ahead of New Hampshire’s, which has always been the nation’s first primary. It’s bizarre because no one else skipped the debate. It’s counterproductive because right now, Jon Huntsman is polling 6% in New Hampshire.
SASSO: The 99% Rising
James Sasso
Associate Editor
For the past month a movement has grown out of Zuccoti Park in New York with the potential to grab at the very heart of America’s problems. “We are the 99%” is not simply a catchy phrase used by frustrated jobless Americans , but a commentary on the disgraceful economic inequality that has arisen in the United States since the 1970s.
McNAMARA: “Peak Oil” and the Pre-Election Shuffle
We can no longer stand for individuals who are just talking about renewable energy sources—we need action. Especially since many environmentalists believe that we have reached “peak oil,” the point at which the maximum rate of global petroleum extraction is reached, after which the rate of production enters terminal decline.
AKMAN: Tim Pawlenty Wasted My Time
Tim Pawlenty quit. Based upon on an inability to compete in Iowa, culminating in a disappointing—if not altogether surprising—showing at the Ames Straw Poll, Pawlenty bowed out of the race this past Sunday. His explanation, much like his speeches throughout his brief campaign, was well-reasoned, safe, and wholly unsurprising.
ROGERS: 5 Reasons Romney Can’t Beat Obama
Conor Rogers, Editor
Mitt Romney, the GOP’s (sort-of) front-runner has a far too inconstant and ideologically diverse history to withstand the barrage of scrutiny, one-linters and television ads that come along with any campaign.
LIFSON: Awkwardness Abounds at Second GOP Debate
Matthew Lifson, Columnist
At the second debate of the primary, the Republican field sounded significantly more conservative they did just two years ago. Ideology aside, the whole event was a political farce — and none of the people on that stage should be President of the United States.
WINN: Romneycare and the Politics of State’s Rights
The similarities between Mitt Romney’s healthcare reforms to President Obama’s controversial legislation exposes him to a powerful attack from the right in the upcoming Republican primaries. The best political path for Romney is to embrace his reforms as an assertion of states’ rights.
WINN: Where Did All the GOP Candidates Go?
As of November, 5th 2010 political pundits turned their sights from the “shellacking” taken by Congressional Democrats in the midterm elections to the impending presidential primaries. While most coverage focused on the unlikely possibility of a primary challenge to President Obama I was struck by the fact that not a single Republican candidate has formally announced a presidential bid.
NEUMANN: A Frustratingly Futile Road to 2012
The road to November 2012 is long, winding and, in fact, already beneath our feet: journalistic election columns have launched; the president’s re-election campaign is commencing; the congressional agenda will proceed with an eye on the next vote; and the media is rife with talk about the obvious and not-so-obvious Republican contenders. Some chatter even concerns the – surely remote – possibility of a Democratic challenger to President Obama
BAIN: Obama’s Lackluster Leadership
Sam Bain, Columnist
Who is Barack Obama?
A few simple answers to that question is that he is the president, a Democrat, a leader; but when push comes to shove, do we really know who this man is; do we really know what he believes?
CIOCCI: Palin’s Not Ready to Be President
Chadwick Ciocci, Columnist
With the exceptions of Karl Rove, Barbara Bush and precious few other conservatives, those of us on the right have largely kept a sort of loyal but odd silence when it comes to the “Mama Grizzly” and her deep lack of ability when it comes to potentially governing this country. She has serious hurdles to overcome before being qualified. But given time, she could overcome her weaknesses — just not in time for 2012.
BAIN: Gridlock or Compromise
Sam Bain, Columnist
Earlier this January, Obama stated the difference between the 1994 midterms and the 2010 midterms was himself; clearly this was not the case. Will the President at least artificially embrace conservative policies in an attempt to keep the White House, or will he continue with this, “my way or the highway” notion that was responsible for his party’s defeat?
LIFSON: Obama’s Next Two Years
Matthew Lifson, Columnist
When Republicans storm Congress, we will learn whether Obama is a leader capable of growing his office or just a lucky figurehead temporarily enabled by overwhelming Democratic majorities.
PETERSON & ROGERS: The Left’s Battle Cry Should Be a Dean Scream
Tim Peterson, Left-Independent
Conor Rogers, Center-Right
A smattering of pundits have argued that Democrats lack a salesman, someone to not simply counterbalance conservative criticism but to argue the progressive cause. Heading into November and beyond, the left needs its own Sarah Palin, its own Glenn Beck. They need Howard Dean.
ROGERS: Obama’s Presidency Meets Dukakis – In the Tank
Obama better hope things change by 2012, or we might end up with a new President we can believe in.
PANDYA: Is 2012 ‘In Rogue’?
Sarah Palin might get the nomination in 2012, but chances of her winning are very low