Putin and Obama Won’t Visit Each Other Any More

Russian President Vladimir Putin has cited the need to complete the formation of new cabinet ministers to excuse himself from attending the G-8 summit at Camp David. In an apparent retaliation, the White House announced that President Obama will not participate in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, scheduled to be hosted by Putin in Vladivostok in September. Putin’s refusal to participate in the world’s most prestigious meeting can be seen as a rolling back of the “reset.” Putin’s gesture exposes not only his deep dislike of America and of … More

Will Smith: Socialists Just Don’t Understand

By Michael F. Cannon

My French is rusty, but I’m pretty sure the Fresh Prince just flipped out at the idea of a 75-percent marginal tax rate like that advocated by France’s new socialist president. Will Smith: Socialists Just Don’t Understand is a post from Cato @ Liberty – Cato Institute Blog

Will Smith: Socialists Just Don’t Understand is a post from Cato @ Liberty – Cato Institute Blog

The Real Dark Shadow: Carter’s Foreign Policy Legacy

Over the weekend, Hollywood brought back a popular TV horror show/soap opera that ended its run in 1971. That, however, is not the only flashback from the days of disco getting attention these days. Comparing President Obama’s impact on foreign affairs to former President Jimmy Carter has also come into vogue. Carter showed a weak hand to America’s enemies, and many—seeing the White House as soft and the U.S. as a declining power—took every opportunity to insult, ignore, embarrass, and take advantage of the image of Uncle Sam. Comparisons might … More

Obama’s To-Do List: Clean Energy Over Taxmaggedon

During a speech this week, President Obama presented Congress with a 5-point to-do list, which, as the President proudly proclaimed, would fit on a sticky note. When it comes to unleashing the economy and creating jobs, his suggestions are only worthy of a sticky note. It is particularly telling of the President’s priorities that he spoke up for renewing tax credits for his favored clean energy companies while making no mention of the monumental Taxmaggedon heading toward American businesses and families in 2013. The President remarked: …if Congress fails to … More

Protect America Guest Blog: President’s Defense Strategy Is No Strategy at All

On January 5, 2012, President Obama stepped to the podium at the Pentagon to deliver a speech outlining the United States’ new defense strategy. In just over 12 minutes, the Obama Administration managed to roll back a military strategy that had been in place for more than 60 years. No longer will the U.S. military force structure be sized to conduct two large-scale operations simultaneously. The Administration’s new plan prescribes a force structure capable of engaging in one war while maintaining the ability to deny the objectives of, or imposing … More

Protect America Guest Blog: President’s Defense Strategy Is No Strategy at All

On January 5, 2012, President Obama stepped to the podium at the Pentagon to deliver a speech outlining the United States’ new defense strategy. In just over 12 minutes, the Obama Administration managed to roll back a military strategy that had been in place for more than 60 years. No longer will the U.S. military force structure be sized to conduct two large-scale operations simultaneously. The Administration’s new plan prescribes a force structure capable of engaging in one war while maintaining the ability to deny the objectives of, or imposing … More

Morning Bell: A Better Life for Julia

Her name is “Julia,” and if you haven’t seen her, she’s a colorful cartoon character invented by the Obama campaign to help spread the message of how women will “benefit” under the president’s policies. What it shows instead, though, is the president’s vision of America — that individuals need the federal government at each stage of their life, and that he deserves credit for making our lives even better. In Julia’s story, as depicted in a cartoon slideshow, a faceless young American woman grows from birth to old age with … More

Julia: Obama’s American Woman

Meet Obama’s ideal woman. Her name is Julia. As told by Obama’s latest ad campaign, Julia’s parents didn’t teach her the alphabet or how to make friends; Head Start did. Her parents didn’t need to save for college, because she got a government grant and student loans (which she’ll spend a good portion of her adult life paying back). Her first job as a graphic designer didn’t have benefits, but that’s okay, because government provided free health care (since she couldn’t stay on her parents’ plan). Julia had free birth … More

Obama’s Afghanistan Misstep

Mark McKinnon, a former Bush advisor, doesn’t get it. “GOP Attacks on Obama’s bin Laden Ad Misguided,” declares his piece in the Daily Beast. Of course, the President has a right to crow over getting bin Laden. But sorry, Mark—there is a difference between highlighting a decision to burnish the image of presidential leadership and a crass exploitation that demeans the office of the President. It’s true that there has been too much focus on the politics of the speech and not enough on the policy. Obama must have a … More

Morning Bell: Bin Laden Dead, but the Mission Remains

One year ago today, Seal Team Six landed in Abbottabad, Pakistan, and succeeded in bringing Osama bin Laden to ultimate justice. Though some may wish to bask in the glow of that success, now is not the time to celebrate or lay down arms. Bin Laden may be dead, but serious threats against the United States live on, both here in the homeland and around the globe. President Obama, though, is using the occasion to boost his re-election efforts with a self-congratulatory campaign ad. Heritage’s James Carafano writes, “If Lincoln had spent … More