Free Republic

WASHINGTON -- Sure, Election Day 2009 will scare moderate Democrats and make passage of Obamacare more difficult. Sure, it makes it easier for resurgent Republicans to raise money and recruit candidates for 2010. But the most important effect of Tuesday's elections is historical. It demolishes the great realignment myth of 2008.In the aftermath of last year's Obama sweep, we heard endlessly about its fundamental, revolutionary, transformational nature. How it was ushering in an FDR-like realignment for the 21st century in which new demographics -- most prominently, rising minorities and the young -- would bury the GOP far into the future....

A uniquely charismatic candidate was running at a time of deep war weariness, with an intensely unpopular Republican president, against a politically incompetent opponent, amid the greatest financial collapse since the Great Depression. And still he won by only seven points

Sure, Election Day 2009 will scare moderate Democrats and make passage of Obamacare more difficult. Sure, it makes it easier for resurgent Republicans to raise money and recruit candidates for 2010. But the most important effect of Tuesday's elections is historical. It demolishes the great realignment myth of 2008...

Sure, Election Day 2009 will scare moderate Democrats and make passage of ObamaCare more difficult. Sure, it makes it easier for resurgent Republicans to raise money and recruit candidates for 2010. But the most important effect of Tuesday's elections is historical. It demolishes the great realignment myth of 2008. In the aftermath of last year's Obama sweep, we heard endlessly about its fundamental, revolutionary, transformational nature. How it was ushering in an FDR-like realignment for the 21st century in which new demographics — most prominently, rising minorities and the young — would bury the GOP far into the future. One...

"He was a conjurer. He was a magician."

Here is video of Charles Krauthammer last night saying Barack Obama came into office with the aura of a "conjurer," and a "magician." In fact, Krauthammer told Bill O'Reilly that the confidence was so high that his campaign resembled the Chinese "Cultural Revolution," with children singing praises to him! But now Obama has had a year of reality, and that sense of confidence has diminished. . . . (VIDEO)

Krauthammer blasts Obama (who is said to be watching basketball tonight) talking to O'Reilly...(Video)

Moscow, 1953. Stalin calls in Khrushchev. "Niki, I'm dying. Don't have much to leave you. Just three envelopes. Open them, one at a time, when you get into big trouble." A few years later, first crisis. Khrushchev opens envelope 1: "Blame everything on me. Uncle Joe." A few years later, a really big crisis. Opens envelope 2: "Blame everything on me. Again. Good luck, Uncle Joe." Third crisis. Opens envelope 3: "Prepare three envelopes." In the Barack Obama version, there are 50 or so such blame-Bush free passes before the gig is up. By my calculation, Obama has already...

<p>Old Soviet joke: Moscow, 1953. Stalin calls in Khrushchev. "Niki, I'm dying. Don't have much to leave you. Just three envelopes. Open them, one at a time, when you get into big trouble."</p> <p>Obama salutes as the transfer case containing the remains of Army Sgt. Dale R. Griffin who died in Afghanistan is carried by on Thursday. The president is now reconsidering the new strategy for Afghanistan he formulated seven months ago which advocated against a troop surge. Photo: AP A few years later, first crisis. Khrushchev opens envelope 1: "Blame everything on me. Uncle Joe." A few years later, a really big crisis. Opens envelope 2: "Blame everything on me. Again. Good luck, Uncle Joe." Third crisis. Opens envelope 3: "Prepare three envelopes."</p>

Krauthammer on Special Report is asked if Obama should be on the campaign trail or in Washington...

Old Soviet joke: Moscow, 1953. Stalin calls in Khrushchev. "Niki, I'm dying. Don't have much to leave you. Just three envelopes. Open them, one at a time, when you get into big trouble." A few years later, first crisis. Khrushchev opens envelope 1: "Blame everything on me. Uncle Joe." A few years later, a really big crisis. Opens envelope 2: "Blame everything on me. Again. Good luck, Uncle Joe." Third crisis. Opens envelope 3: "Prepare three envelopes." In the Barack Obama version, there are 50 or so such blame-Bush free passes before the gig is up. By my calculation, Obama...

Here we go again the insistent blaming of the former president. President Barry Hussein Soetoro just can’t help himself. He has pointed the finger of blame at the previous president and the administration that preceded him more than all of the previous presidents combined have blamed a predecessor. President Soetoro undoubtedly is a sufferer of Bush derangement syndrome. Charles Krauthammer takes president Soetoro to task for his puerile need to finger point at the Bush administration. (see 2:32 min. video)

Old Soviet joke: Moscow, 1953. Stalin calls in Khrushchev. "Niki, I'm dying. Don't have much to leave you. Just three envelopes. Open them, one at a time, when you get into big trouble." A few years later, first crisis. Khrushchev opens envelope 1: "Blame everything on me. Uncle Joe." A few years later, a really big crisis. Opens envelope 2: "Blame everything on me. Again. Good luck, Uncle Joe." Third crisis. Opens envelope 3: "Prepare three envelopes." In the Barack Obama version, there are 50 or so such blame-Bush free passes before the gig is up. By my calculation, Obama...

Krauthammer is blunt in his comments as well as Vicevich about Afghanistan war. The subject is Afghanistan … but not the young President’s strategy. Krauthammer makes it very clear in his comments the President has every right to change his strategy … even pick a strategy. No, what Krauthammer calls childlike is Obama’s penchant for blaming everyone for his failures. To paraphrase Allahpundit at HotAir … hey, you ran on this war “chump”, you picked the strategy, this is your war to win or lose. Stop blaming your big brother.

If videos could be framed and hung on a wall, this one would be in my living room.

In a SPIEGEL interview, Charles Krauthammer, the leading voice of America's conservative intellectuals, discusses Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, the president's failures and the state of the United Nations and the international community. SPIEGEL: Mr. Krauthammer, did the Nobel Commitee in Oslo honor or doom the Obama presidency by awarding him the Peace Prize? Charles Krauthammer: It is so comical. Absurd. Any prize that goes to Kellogg and Briand, Le Duc Tho and Arafat, and Rigoberta Menchú, and ends up with Obama, tells you all you need to know. For Obama it's not very good because it reaffirms the stereotypes...

SPIEGEL: Mr. Krauthammer, did the Nobel Commitee in Oslo honor or doom the Obama presidency by awarding him the Peace Prize? Charles Krauthammer: It is so comical. Absurd. Any prize that goes to Kellogg and Briand, Le Duc Tho and Arafat, and Rigoberta Menchú, and ends up with Obama, tells you all you need to know. For Obama it's not very good because it reaffirms the stereotypes about him as the empty celebrity. Krauthammer: No. The UN is worse than disaster. The UN creates conflicts. Look at the disgraceful UN Human Rights Council: It transmits norms which are harmful, anti-liberty,...

In a SPIEGEL interview, Charles Krauthammer, the leading voice of America's conservative intellectuals, discusses Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize, the president's failures and the state of the United Nations and the international community.Part 1: 'Obama Is Average'Part 2: 'What the Obama Administration Pretends Is Realism Is Naïve Nonsense'

WASHINGTON -- Rahm Emanuel once sent a dead fish to a live pollster. Now he's put a horse's head in Roger Ailes' bed. Not very subtle. And not very smart. Ailes doesn't scare easily. The White House has declared war on Fox News. White House communications director Anita Dunn said that Fox is "opinion journalism masquerading as news." Patting rival networks on the head for their authenticity (read: docility), senior adviser David Axelrod declared Fox "not really a news station." And Chief of Staff Emanuel told (warned?) the other networks not to "be led (by) and following Fox." Meaning? If...

<p>Rahm Emanuel once sent a dead fish to a live pollster. Now he's put a horse's head in Roger Ailes' bed.</p> <p>Not very subtle. And not very smart. Ailes doesn't scare easily.</p> <p>The White House has declared war on Fox News. White House communications director Anita Dunn said that Fox is "opinion journalism masquerading as news." Patting rival networks on the head for their authenticity (read: docility), senior adviser David Axelrod declared Fox "not really a news station." And Chief of Staff Emanuel told (warned?) the other networks not to "be led \[by\] and following Fox."</p>

Fox Wars The 'Post-Partisan' President Makes An enemies List By Charles Krauthammer Friday, October 23, 2009 Rahm Emanuel once sent a dead fish to a live pollster. Now he's put a horse's head in Roger Ailes's bed. The White House has declared war on Fox News. White House communications director Anita Dunn said that Fox is "opinion journalism masquerading as news." Patting rival networks on the head for their authenticity (read: docility), senior adviser David Axelrod declared Fox "not really a news station." And Chief of Staff Emanuel told (warned?) the other networks not to "be led [by] and following...

Rahm Emanuel once sent a dead fish to a live pollster. Now he's put a horse's head in Roger Ailes's bed. Not very subtle. And not very smart. Ailes doesn't scare easily. The White House has declared war on Fox News. White House communications director Anita Dunn said that Fox is "opinion journalism masquerading as news." Patting rival networks on the head for their authenticity (read: docility), senior adviser David Axelrod declared Fox "not really a news station." And Chief of Staff Emanuel told (warned?) the other networks not to "be led [by] and following Fox." Meaning? If Fox runs...

Rahm Emanuel once sent a dead fish to a live pollster. Now he's put a horse's head in Roger Ailes' bed. Not very subtle. And not very smart. Ailes doesn't scare easily. The White House has declared war on Fox News. White House communications director Anita Dunn said that Fox is "opinion journalism masquerading as news." Patting rival networks on the head for their authenticity (read: docility), senior adviser David Axelrod declared Fox "not really a news station." And chief of staff Emanuel told (warned?) the other networks not to "be led (by) and following Fox." Meaning? If Fox runs...

Rahm Emanuel once sent a dead fish to a live pollster. Now he's put a horse's head in Roger Ailes's bed. This Story Not very subtle. And not very smart. Ailes doesn't scare easily. The White House has declared war on Fox News. White House communications director Anita Dunn said that Fox is "opinion journalism masquerading as news." Patting rival networks on the head for their authenticity (read: docility), senior adviser David Axelrod declared Fox "not really a news station." And Chief of Staff Emanuel told (warned?) the other networks not to "be led [by] and following Fox." Meaning? If...

He goes third in this round, but it's worth the wait.

By now, the cat is out of the bag - President Barack Obama and his administration are no fans of the Fox News Channel and have been all too eager to wear that sentiment as a badge of honor. However, Washington Post columnist Charles Krauthammer identified the vigor with which the Obama administration has attacked Fox. He explained on Fox News Oct. 20 broadcast of "Special Report with Bret Baier" it's different than just fighting back, but an effort to destroy the cable news channel. "Look, it's one thing for the government, the administration to attack opponents, institutions, media," Krauthammer...

He invokes James Madison!

Another great analysis.

Here is video last night of Charles Krauthammer calling an apology by CNN's Rick Sanchez "weaselly," after Sanchez apologized for using false quotes attributed to Rush Limbaugh. The alleged quotes were used by CNN and others to sandbag Limbaugh's attempt to be part of a group to buy the St. Louis Rams, and to make him look like a racist. Krauthammer said Sanchez should have admitted that what there was "not a shred of evidence" for what they reported, and that it actually was a "libel" and a "lie." . . . (VIDEO)

<p>About the only thing more comical than Barack Obama's Nobel Peace Prize was the reaction of those who deemed the award "premature," as if the brilliance of Obama's foreign policy is so self-evident and its success so assured that if only the Norway Five had waited a few years, his Nobel worthiness would have been universally acknowledged.</p>

Krauthammer says that Obama will be stung by Olympia Snowe because the health care bill has to be merged with the other bills which will move far left, causing Snowe to bail out on supporting it...(Video from Special Report)

Krauthammer on Special Report responding to the White House's new war on Foxnews,...(Video)

The 2009 Wriston Lecture Decline Is a Choice Dr. Charles Krauthammer, Syndicated ColumnistWebpage with embedded video:http://www.manhattan-institute.org/video/wriston/ Direct link:http://70.166.63.240/flv/10-5-09_wriston_lecture.flv ----------------------------- More MI videos:http://www.manhattan-institute.org/video/index.htm...check out, for instance: Economics Does Not Lie: A Defense of the Free Market in a Time of Crisis Speaker: Guy Sorman July 9, 2009

Rather a world in disorder. I hate to give you all such a big homework assigment on the weekend but, please take thee time to read at least this post. Powerlineblog first brought this to may attention. Charles Krauthammer is often featured on this blog. He is insightful, his message clear, easy to grasp, always provocative, sometimes frighteningly so. This is just such a case. First Krauthammer on Obama’s dismissal of “American Exceptionalism”. In a nutshell, if the young President had his way, and he’s trying very hard, even the idea of American exceptionalism will be flushed down the memory...

October 9, 2009 Young Hamlet’s Agony Will he listen to Emanuel and Biden or Petraeus and McChrystal? Charles Krauthammer. The genius of democracy is the rotation of power, which forces the opposition to be serious — particularly about things like war, about which until January 20 of this year Democrats were decidedly unserious. When the Iraq War (which a majority of Senate Democrats voted for) ran into trouble and casualties began to mount, Democrats followed the shifting winds of public opinion and turned decidedly anti-war. But needing political cover because of their post-Vietnam reputation for weakness on national defense, they...

Surprise! He rips Obama.

Here is a video clip from a speech delivered by outstanding Conservative Charles Krauthammer in which he blasts President Obama for making the choice to reject "American Exceptionalism" in speeches he has made around the world and at the United Nations. Krauthammer said Obama actually said he believes in American Exceptionalism the same way he is sure the British believe in British Exceptionalism, and the Greeks believe in Greek Exceptionalism. In other words, he does not believe there is anything special or exceptional about the American way of life, our Constitution, or our history. Krauthammer essentially says Obama had chosen...

The genius of democracy is the rotation of power, which forces the opposition to be serious -- particularly about things like war, about which until Jan. 20 of this year Democrats were decidedly unserious.--snip--Less than two months ago -- Aug. 17 in front of an audience of veterans -- the president declared Afghanistan to be "a war of necessity." Does anything he says remain operative beyond the fading of the audience applause?

Krauthammer's Take [NRO Staff] From last night's Fox News All-Stars. On the strategy in Afghanistan: It isn't as if Afghanistan sprung up on [Obama] a week ago. It has been around for eight years. He has been running for president for two years on a promise to resource the war adequately, to look at it seriously, and to win it. That's what the Democrats had proposed. So it has been a serious issue for over two years. He says in March – he announces on March 27 – “there is a new comprehensive strategy,” so he has been thinking about...

<p>When France chides you for appeasement, you know you're scraping bottom. Just how low we've sunk was demonstrated by the Obama administration's satisfaction when Russia's president said of Iran, after meeting President Obama at the UN, that "sanctions are seldom productive, but they are sometimes inevitable."</p>

Krauthammer on Foxnews roundtabe with Chris Cilliza and Stephen Hayes, saying that there is no way Gen. McChrystal would send his troops into battle on a strategy he didn't believe in..(Video)

"President Obama, I support the Americans' outstretched hand. But what did the international community gain from these offers of dialogue? Nothing." -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Sept. 24 WASHINGTON -- When France chides you for appeasement, you know you're scraping bottom. Just how low we've sunk was demonstrated by the Obama administration's satisfaction when Russia's president said of Iran, after meeting President Obama at the U.N., that "sanctions are seldom productive, but they are sometimes inevitable." You see? The Obama magic. Engagement works. Russia is on board. Except that, as The Washington Post inconveniently pointed out, President Dmitry Medvedev said...

Here is video of Charles Krauthammer on a "Panel Plus" segment of Fox News Sunday saying he does not think President Obama will give Gen. Stanley McChrystal the troops he needs in Afghanistan, and that he believes McChrystal will resign as a result. Krauthammer had also pointed out how destructive it is for Obama to be waffling on Afghanistan for weeks while our allies look on. He believes our Allies, who are "hanging by a thread" on support of the war effort there, will not be strengthened in their resolve by Obama's actions. McChrystal himself, when asked on 60 Minutes...

Krauthammer on the Foxnews Panel plus after the show blasts Obama for taking too much time on Afghanistan, then says Obama won't give General McChrystal the troops he needs...

The intellectual leader of a movement of thinkers remained humble through his many influential works, and his spirit of creative skepticism will be his legacy. After the plain pine box is lowered into the grave, the mourners are asked to come forward -- immediate family first -- and shovel dirt onto the casket. Only when it is fully covered, only when all that can be seen is dust, is the ceremony complete Such is the Jewish way of burial. Its simplicity, austerity and unsentimentality would have appealed to Irving Kristol, who was buried by friends and family Tuesday. Equally fitting...

... CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER: I could see all the other nations racing to step up and do what the United States wants. This speech hovered somewhere between embarrassing and dangerous. You had a president of the United States actually saying no nation can or should try to dominate another. I will buy the "should try to" as kind of adolescent wishful thinking, but no nation can dominate another? What planet is he living on? It is the story of man. What does he think Russia is doing to Georgia? But the alarming part is what he said in the same paragraph...

Bitter Harvests to Come   [Victor Davis Hanson] If one were to sum up the Obama speech, it is the same old, same old formula: "I am a uniquely post-American fresh start; the era of Bush and our dreadful past is over; and because this is our moment, you, the world, owe me attention and support for my redefining America more to your tastes."The problem with all this is endless: (1) most existing problems predated Bush and transcended him, as Obama is discovering with Iran, radical Islam in America, North Korea, Russia, etc.; (2) By separating himself from the past, Obama sends...

Via the Right Scoop, a rhetorical question par excellence. Has there ever been a president less interested in foreign policy than The One? Does anyone, right or left, think he wouldn’t happily take a pass on international issues for four or eight years to concentrate on remaking America’s economy in his statist image? His Afghanistan posture was always transparently a sop to centrists, to prove that he was a “hawk” on some wars even though he was famously a dove on Iraq. Now he senses some public reluctance to invest further in the “good war” and suddenly he’s “skeptical” about...

Here is video of Charles Krauthammer last night on Fox News' Special Report where he said former President Jimmy Carter "is the only person with two books on the Bin Laden must-read list." Krauthammer was pointing out that Jimmy Carter is probably not the most credible person in the world to be passing judgment on everyone about "race," with his poor track record of supporting Israel. Carter has become something of a hero with Palestinians and Muslim groups around the world because of his past writings and statements regarding the situation in the Middle East. . . . (VIDEO)

Does He Lie? Charles Krauthammer Friday, September 18, 2009 You lie? No. Barack Obama doesn't lie. He's too subtle for that. He ... well, you judge. Herewith three examples within a single speech -- the now-famous Obama-Wilson "you lie" address to Congress on health care -- of Obama's relationship with truth. (1) "I will not sign (a plan)," he solemnly pledged, "if it adds one dime to the deficit, now or in the future. Period." Wonderful. The president seems serious, veto-ready, determined to hold the line. Until, notes Harvard economist Greg Mankiw, you get to Obama's very next sentence: "And...