Now that America has had its holiday from politics, we can get back to poking one another in the eye. Slipping each other a mickey, and otherwise breaking the rules of decorum for the ladies and gentlemen of public life. Published December 11, 2018
I see that the presidential prospects of Michael Avenatti have suffered a setback. Actually they have suffered several setbacks, including his announcement Tuesday not to run. Critics of the aspiring Democratic candidate for 2020 were hopeful that his days as a candidate were numbered. Published December 4, 2018
On Nov. 11, the conservative movement lost a giant, Herbert London, a Renaissance man, a scholar steeped in the Great Books tradition, a principled politician and a warm personal friend of mine. I am running out of friends such as Herb. Published November 27, 2018
Forty years ago this past Sunday, more than 900 men, women and children either killed themselves or were murdered in Jonestown, Guyana. Geography buffs will note that Jonestown is just east of Venezuela, where yet another crazed left-wing experiment is being played out today, though on a much larger scale and hence the prospect of death on an even grander scale is still possible in that once prosperous country. Published November 20, 2018
I have been reading a most perspicacious book by my friend Andrew Roberts. It is just out, "Churchill: Walking With Destiny." It is terrific. In fact, I shall hazard the judgment that readers will not completely understand the greatest political leader of the 20th century (and one of the most endearing) without reading Andrew Roberts' Churchill. Published November 13, 2018
Well, it is not all bad news. Official Washington has unveiled its presidential candidate for 2020, and he will be every bit as effective as the Democrats running for the House of Representatives and the Senate were Tuesday. Published November 6, 2018
Last week upon the arrest of a wretched man, Cesar Sayoc, I heard some good news. Within hours of his arrest commentators on all sides admitted that, as the phrase has it, "enough is enough." Let the recriminations subside. There will be no more virulent charges against the left or the right or Donald Trump. Even Donald Trump seemed to agree, and in his public appearances I detected a note of munificence. He was of a sudden stepping forward as president of all the people. Published October 30, 2018
The midterm elections are fast approaching. All sorts of forecasts are coming out. Oddly enough, no one has asked me what I think the outcome might be. Published October 23, 2018
Back in late August, Pope Francis declared that he would "not say a word" about a letter from a former Vatican envoy to Washington who claimed, among other things, that the pope had ignored sexual abuse charges made against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, formerly archbishop of Washington. Published October 16, 2018
I was wandering through the newspapers this weekend trying to find a cheerful story or at least an optimistic story. It was pretty grim business. My guess is that it would have been even grimmer business if I had been wandering through the cable news networks. Oh, of course, Fox News would have been optimistic, but that is about it. Published October 9, 2018
If you have read enough pro-Kavanaugh articles, give this one a pass. You are not going to like it. Yet if you have not heard enough, you will probably like this one. I have nothing but congratulatory things to say about Brett Kavanaugh. As with Clarence Thomas, he is a fighter. He is a gifted defender of the truth. And he is worthy of serving on the highest court in the land. I would trust my case with him and I would trust yours too whether you are with him now or against him. He believes in the rule of law. Published October 2, 2018
My crack team of investigative journalists is sitting on an explosive revelation about a senior Democrat in the U.S. Senate. When we will publish this story I have not yet decided, but it could come as early as Thursday when supposedly Judge Brett Kavanaugh and professor Christine Blasey Ford will tell their stories in open-door hearings. Published September 25, 2018
Have you noticed the sudden popularity of books about fascism? It is amazing. I would say such books are even more popular than books about rock 'n' roll, though they are not as well written. I have in mind: "How Fascism Works," "Fascism: A Warning," "The Road to Unfreedom" and "Can It Happen Here?" Doubtless many more are coming. All are inspired by our president, Donald J. Trump, and they probably scare the hell out of his wife, Melania. She actually grew up on the continent where fascism was a dominant force for years and communism for many more. Published September 18, 2018
One explanation for the ferocity of modern politics is that The Political Party That Is Never Wrong is getting a frightful drubbing today. Moreover, it is coming from a man who has only sought political office once in his life, our president, Donald J. Trump. Congratulations, Donald! Published September 11, 2018
I was watching Fox's coverage of the Aretha Franklin funeral last week and enjoying the celebration. I thought Stevie Wonder was particularly good and very moving. He is a marvelous singer, but for my money he is an even greater pianist. He really trips his fingers across the keys and to gorgeous effect. At any rate, the ceremony was a fitting tribute to a woman who for decades has entertained us all. Published September 4, 2018
If he speaks the truth the pope should be treated like any other prelate who has aided in the cover-up of sexual predators and of the practitioners of sacrilege, he should resign his papacy. Published August 28, 2018
On August 8 one of the great historians of his generation, and — for a certitude — one of the great teachers of any generation, passed away, Robert H. Ferrell. He was 97. Some thought he was too old to die, but nonetheless he worked to the end. When he retired from Indiana University we thought he would quietly subside. He did not. He continued to write. Even after pulling up stakes and heading off to Michigan to live with his daughter he continued to write. The result was that he wrote or edited more than 60 books, but books were not his only area of fecundity. As I said, he was a great teacher. Published August 21, 2018
A fellow Spectatorian is under enemy fire, and we all must rally around him, particularly because he has done nothing wrong and because if those attacking him triumph we shall all suffer. The cause is free speech. The free speech that is endangered is in Great Britain, but if the forces of censorship win in London it is only a matter of time before the forces of censorship will be bringing their muzzles to our shores. Published August 14, 2018
Did you see this Wall Street Journal front-page headline on Monday? It read, "Profits Soar as Economy Advances." That headline will probably be the most important headline of the week. It certainly is of colossal importance. Published August 7, 2018
It has been a pretty good week for Donald Trump. The economy is growing faster than anyone on the left or in the middle or among the Never Trumpers believed possible. Published July 31, 2018
