WHY PAUL RYAN'S REFORM CONSERVATISM DESERVES A CHANCEBY MICHAEL GERSONWASHINGTON POSTFor all its flaws, Ryan’s Reform Conservatism takes America’s largest problem seriously — while Obama does not. Obama’s response to the health entitlement crisis has been the creation of a new health entitlement that, according to Medicare trustee Charles Blahous, substantially worsens the federal deficit over time. Medicare savings are supposed to emerge from a panel of 15 experts, imposing drastic cuts that are unlikely to materialize — and which, if they did, would likely cause many health providers to leave the Medicare system. Obama has offered a ploy, and he vilifies those who offer a plan. It is a stunning act of irresponsibility — and the main reason that Reform Conservatism deserves a chance to govern.
Must-Read Op-Eds for Monday, April 30, 2012
A SHARED STATE OF DEFEATBY FRANK BRUNINEW YORK TIMES
Until last Thursday night, Gingrich had a Secret Service detail that was costing taxpayers about $40,000 a day. Never mind that any hope he had of winning the Republican nomination had been extinguished weeks earlier. The campaign went on. And its debt climbed to about $4.3 million. Creditors eagerly await payment. ... About a week ago he informally acknowledged defeat. But he has delayed an actual concession speech until this coming Wednesday. As long as he’s an object of mild curiosity, even if it comes with major ridicule, he has not yet become an afterthought. And that’s the territory that men like Gingrich ... dread most.
OBAMA AND THE BIN LADEN BRAGGING RIGHTSBY MICHAEL MULKASEYWALL STREET JOURNAL
A week [after D-Day], when the success of the invasion was apparent, Eisenhower saluted the Allied Expeditionary Forces: "One week ago this morning there was established through your coordinated efforts our first foothold in northwestern Europe. High as was my preinvasion confidence in your courage, skill and effectiveness . . . your accomplishments . . . have exceeded my brightest hopes." Eisenhower did mention himself at the end: "I truly congratulate you upon a brilliantly successful beginning. . . . Liberty loving people everywhere would today like to join me in saying to you, 'I am proud of you.'" Such examples are worth remembering every time President Obama claims bin Laden bragging rights.
HOOVER, CARTER AND CHEAP SHOTSBY JOE SCARBOROUGHPOLITCO
But for Truman, politics was a tough game played by tough men, so he didn't give his strategy a second thought. And although Herbert Hoover was hurt by his friend's attacks, he swallowed his pride and continued his efforts reorganizing the executive branch for Truman and his successors. Given the long history of former presidents being used as political punching bags, I suppose I should not be surprised that these kind of attacks continue today. But I do wish ex-presidents would show the dignity and grace of George H.W. Bush in respecting the office of the presidency so much that they would choose to refrain from besmirching a member of the President's Club.