RSS Feed MenuWelcome to FrumForum.com, a new Web site devoted to Republican reform and renewal.
We launch on a triumphant day for the United States, but a difficult moment for our party.
All Americans of all parties feel pride in the swearing in of the first African American president of the United States, an event all the more moving because it occurs five days after what would have been Martin Luther King’s 80th birthday. Dr. King spoke with uncanny prophetic truth when he said the day before his assassination that he had been to the mountaintop. He glimpsed the future country that he himself had formed.
Although Barack Obama was not the nominee of our party, Republicans in one respect at least can claim some unique insight into this moment. It is our conservative party that has insisted on the goodness and decency of Americans. Ironically, it was those of us who opposed the election of Barack Obama who were most confident that his election was possible. In the late spring of 2008, I attended a dinner party at which a prominent Hollywood figure – a major liberal voice and donor – shouted at the table: “You don’t understand this country! They will never elect a black president! Ever!” He was wrong of course. But his mistake was not a mistake about Obama. It was a mistake about America.
Our party has now taken two bad beatings in two consecutive cycles. It looks very likely we are heading for a third. It’s not a sign of lack of commitment to our party or our movement to acknowledge these hard facts.
Our goal here at FrumForum.com is to renew and reform our Republican party and the conservative philosophy – so that we can again earn the confidence of the American people and govern responsibly and effectively. We don’t claim to have all the answers. We are sure that we are asking the right questions. And we have assembled and are continuing to assemble some of the most thoughtful people in the land to answer them. Most are Republicans. Some are ex-Republicans. A few (we expect) are on their way to becoming Republicans at some point in the future.
We begin with Michael Powell and Douglas Holtz-Eakin – two names that suggest one of those “not since Thomas Jefferson dined alone” punchlines … and we continue through a series of contributors some famous, some not yet so, but all of whom have something distinctive and interesting to say.
Our opinion journalism is supported by investigative reporting by NewMajority’s own Moira Bagley, a Kentucky native and veteran of the Republican National Committee. Andrew Biggs, former deputy administrator of the Social Security Administration, will be a regular contributor, as will Amanda Foreman (biographer of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire), John Gardner, a senior staff veteran of two Bush White Houses, Fox News contributor Margaret Hoover, and John Avlon, my friend and comrade from the Giuliani campaign who knows more and has thought harder about the voting of independents and centrists than just about any politico I know. Avlon is the interviewer in our fascinating multi-part conversation with the mayor about the challenges and opportunities facing our Republican party.
Credit has to be paid here to our brilliant launch team: managing editor Meghashyam Mali, designer Adam Fairholm, site builder Brendan Turner, lead programer Mark Alicz, video editor Jessie Rogowski, business partners William Fisher and Jonathan Towers, and all-purpose utility infielder Danielle Crittenden. Not one of them has had a decent night’s sleep these past five days. We’re on a shakedown cruise here. Please join us. And please make your voice heard in the comments sections, where all civil and pertinent opinions are eagerly welcomed.
DougD // Jan 20, 2009 at 4:43 pm
PS – sorry about posting twice. I got an error message the first time, no confirm, and logged in again and reposted. Might check why this happened.
Cheers.
Luke // Jan 20, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Hi David. Great start to the website. I’m a Canadian, as I’m sure a readers of this site are, and I just wanted to wish this website all the best. I hope for a successful renewal and reform of the Republican Party in time for 2012, or maybe even 2010 .
What are the chances of some commentary on Canadian politics? I understand its devoted to US conservative movement, and Republican Party, but I always find your insights on Canadian politics to be thought-provoking. Thank you. Good luck!!
Clarence Darrow // Jan 20, 2009 at 8:11 pm
ERWjr – Great post! I will think about everything you said I guess we all need to be more civil and understanding. This is what this site is all about.
You have me pegged, northern educated, etc.
As a scientist, I have a bee up my bonnet about the “creationist crowd..but I do need to find a way to be more understanding and reach out to the religious southern bible belt. I live in the middle of it by the way…which is why it bothers me even more.
Diversity may be a construct of the Democrats, but it sure is an economic catalyst.
gospelance // Jan 20, 2009 at 9:15 pm
I’ve been waiting for this website since Nov. 9th. Something has got to be done for a conservative revolution–I was all set to be optimistic–and then today happened. The race-baiting “pastor,” the line about “leading again.” Oh yeah, we’re in for a ride!
DanielEvanston // Jan 20, 2009 at 9:28 pm
can we please submit content?
i have articles just as good
skirkboulter // Jan 21, 2009 at 5:39 am
Your launch coincides with what may begin the launch of the the first, worst black president. We shall, in fairness, await to see if that credential rings true.
i have, to my own demise, sometimes taken on authorities and responsibilities which were over my head, thinking that it would be inspirational to plumb the depths of unknown and inherent talents. I’ve even said, “Just because I’ve never done something, doesn’t mean I’m not good at it.”
This turned out fine and not life threatening when it came to snowboarding and ironing, but having now put Obama in the drivers seat of the American nation, i fear will be like having Joe Biden, a life long passenger on his train, put in the cab and expecting him to drive it.
To exhaust the analogy, Obama’s instincts will be greatly challenged, whether to go faster or slower, and in particular whether to run the red signal from time to time. I personally project economic derailment by the end of the first year, and predict a tidal wave of south border, one-way tourists making there appearance when declaration of sanctioned residency is broadcast wide and clear by the msm. If you can get one foot on the shore…. across the RioGrande.
Thank you for creating this site, and making it usable (credits to your techies!)
skirkboulter -30-
tedpomeroy // Jan 21, 2009 at 6:39 am
Great launch! David you have put a new wrapping on your sound incites. I would like to submit content. I have a piece ready, it answers the question, what is really responsible for the past one and current recessions?
Blaise // Jan 21, 2009 at 8:07 am
Just a note to wish you good luck with this new site. I enjoy your articles in the National Review and National Post, so I know this website will provide a lot of interesting analysis and perspective.
Buena suerte
Rich12 // Jan 21, 2009 at 8:46 am
I want to rebuild the Republican party but how are we going to divest ourselves of the RINOs. We will get no where until they are gone, first among them, John McCain.
exDemocrat // Jan 21, 2009 at 8:59 am
I posted this over at RebuildTheParty.com:
Make (voluntary) term limits part of the Repub federal government platform.
Just flat out write it down:
Our Congressional candidates will be SELF-LIMITED to two terms (or whatever). The power of government is just too corrupting. Recognize it (the people do) and build a Party based upon it.
(the jury is still out for me whether or not ANY of these “rebuild the Party” movements are more than fluff. When people like Mel Martinez and Orin Hatch are shunned for supporting a tax-cheat for Sec Treasury, I’m done).
exDemocrat // Jan 21, 2009 at 9:00 am
That should have been: “When people like Mel Martinez and Orin Hatch are *NOT* shunned for supporting a tax-cheat for Sec Treasury, I’m done”
EAVelez // Jan 21, 2009 at 9:14 am
This is a great website. Let’s be careful when we stigmatize moderate Republicans as RINOs. As a Latino (ok, born in New York from Puerto Rican parents), I am one who believes that minorities fared better under the days of Scranton and Rockefeller. And yes, Yankee Republicans from the northern seaboard.
The GOP has a lot of work to do with minorities. We went from a Republican Party that won over 40 percent of the Hispanic/Latino vote in 2004 to one that struggled to get 33 percent in the last election.
It is time to abandon the discredited Southern strategy and try to add some diversity to our ranks. Are we going to leave the Puerto Rico statehood issue to the Democrats, just when Puerto Ricans elected a Republican governor? Luis Fortuo won the island governorship by a margin of over 200,000 votes.
If we keep these “cultural wars”, we will still be seen as an old and small Southern klan outside of the national mainstream. Time to wake up and live reality!
R.E. Munn // Jan 21, 2009 at 10:43 am
Having observed that David Frum does not suffer fools gladly, it is reasonable to assume that he, for one, will not read the “Comments” section often.
bogolyubovo // Jan 21, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Hi David
Your Mom would be proud of you , again.
–I echo Luke ( from Canada’s ) thoughts and praise you for your efforts –and they will have an effect on us up here , too !
.
.Thanks for staying positive in these times
.
.JB
96Maroon // Jan 21, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I think your timing is perfect.
I have never been involved in politics but I have tried to remain informed. After this last election cycle I have become so concerned about my 3 year olds future standard of living I have decided to get involved. Hopefully this web-site will help me keep my New Year’s Resolution!
96Maroon!
lagomorph13 // Jan 21, 2009 at 4:29 pm
As a South Park Conservative from California who adores Buckley and the NRO, Rand, Friedman, De Soto, Reagan, Thatcher, Hayek and Mises, I’m so happy to you’re here. I was listening to Hugh Hewitt on the way home last night and one of the callers gave a shout-out to your new site. Hugh said “Oh that’s FRUM’s site. I’m happy he has a site, but I won’t endorse it because he doesn’t share the values of Evangelicals.” Considering the fact that our Evangelical President (whom I like in many ways as a regular citizen) was a big government financial and foreign policy interventionist and I’m a free and fair market kinda gal who believes that risk carries consequences, culture wars are so last century, and life isn’t perfect but it’s better to live it in a free democracy, I took Hugh’s statement as a rousing endorsement that I should visit your site immediately.
I hope you’ll have a presence (and feeds) on Twitter and Facebook. I’m at http://twitter.com/lagomorph13.
EricTheRed_VocalMinority // Jan 21, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Nice site. Very sleak and modern. Looking forward to reading some inspiring and thought-provoking stuff.
Good luck. Will do my best to spread the word.
-EricTheRed @ VocalMinority
http://VocalMinority.typepad.com
The Jewish Republican’s Web Sanctuary
Graf // Jan 21, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I will be interested in following this site, David, and wish you all the best. But at some point you will have to confront openly the M-word, i.e. moderates, without whom the GOP will never be a majority party again.
Bastiat // Jan 22, 2009 at 10:18 am
“Conservatism that can Win Again”
Very amusing. Conservatism always wins, when spoken clearly by an *actual* Conservative. Conservatism has not cost the Republican party the last several elections…how could it? It wasn’t present.
Having utterly missed the actual cause of the Republican party’s failure, how can Mr. Frum expect any serious person to take seriously his fitness to “rebuild” the party?
Already I see the Siren’s Song of “moderates” in the commentary below. Looks like this will be an amusing haven for those who think McCain, Bush Sr., or Bush W. somehow represent “Conservatism”.
As for me, I certainly will not join forces under the leadership of a person such as Frum, who approves of abortion in the first trimester, and so handily finds shallow reasons to dismiss any and all actual Conservatives that run for national office.
His trivial, offhanded dismissal of Sarah Palin’s fitness being the most recent example.
Very nice production values, very pretty website. Very little to appeal to a thinking, movement Conservative.
Have fun guys.
agnostic // Jan 24, 2009 at 9:08 pm
To Bastiat (1/22/2009, 10:18 AM)
Amen.
Pharos // Jan 25, 2009 at 12:49 am
To Graf – The Republicans will never be a majority again unless they represent the views of a majority of Americans or they convince a majority of Americans that they represent their views. The labels don’t matter.
To Bastiat – Americans have steadily become more pro choice with every passing year since the 1950s. The scientific sociological data is voluminous, very carefully collected and available to anyone who wants it.
Also, while you may not like it, conservatism in the long run never wins. You can get a Karl Rove to manipulate the process and have short term gains followed by an Obama for example.
I think this country needs a strong Republican party, for the health of the political process and the country. I would therefore urge you to look at the facts as they are and rebuild the party based on reality.
I believe it’s in the best interest of this country to have a strong two party system but honestly, as a 1960s style liberal, card carrying member of the ACLU who believes in the Constitution, I’d be perfectly happy for Republicans to lose every election for the next 200 years. It’s really your choice; base your future on reality and rebuild, or wishful thinking and lose.
Pharos // Jan 25, 2009 at 1:03 am
To Chief544 – If by RINO you mean a Rockefeller Republican, you would be getting rid of the best of the legacy of the Republican Party and you will continue the downhill slide. Take a long hard honest look at the election results and polling data. Continuing the culture war is the fastest way to oblivion for the Republicans.