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Pete Spiliakos is a columnist for First Things.

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Credit Where Due

From First Thoughts

I think Gingrich had a better answer on immigration policy than Romney.  But better isn’t necessarily politically prudent.  The line on Gingrich is now going to be that he is for amnesty.  Not just that.  He is going to be the pro-federal health insurance purchase . . . . Continue Reading »

Very Quick PATRIOT Act Thought

From First Thoughts

The Gingrich/Paul exchange on the PATRIOT Act was entertaining and all, but did any one notice any particular policy issue in dispute?  One guy was talking about the PATRIOT Act helping prevent the destruction of a city and the other guy was talking about it violating our rights.  . . . . Continue Reading »

Ron Paul Is Looking Better

From First Thoughts

or the soft bigotry of low expectations, 1.  One of the themes of this Republican presidential race is the tension between electability/competence on one hand and conservative authenticity on the other.  Romney has been winning the competence/electability sweepstakes all year (minus a . . . . Continue Reading »

Historian And Consultant

From First Thoughts

So when, at the last debate, Gingrich was asked why he got paid $300,000 by Freddie Mac, he said he offered them “advice as a historian.”  I’m guessing that the most innocent plausible scenario is that the advice went "something like this" Today it turns out that . . . . Continue Reading »

Losing Persuadables

From First Thoughts

Since the 2008 election, Henry Olsen has been one of the most astute observers of electoral trends.  Olsen made the point that if Republicans do not substantially improve their share of the votes among nonwhites, they are going to have to win landslides among white voters.  As far as . . . . Continue Reading »

Memory And Ignorance Part II

From First Thoughts

I was going to write something longish about the excellent Henry Olsen, but I’m kind of tired and it would take more mental energy than I have at the moment.  So I’ll go back to shooting fish in a barrel. Herman Cain has had a tough day.  His answer  on Libya was . . . . Continue Reading »

Hey!

From First Thoughts

That was pretty good debate yesterday.  I could nitpick (how much do you all think a war with Iran might cost -in American lives and American money - if you launch an attack on that country’s nuclear facilities?), but I won’t.  Good for them (even Ron Paul.)  It was . . . . Continue Reading »

Some Pre-Debate Thoughts

From First Thoughts

1.  God help me, but I’ve seen every Republican debate this season (but not every minute and I’ve missed a couple of the forums.) I’ve found all but the last fairly entertaining and somewhat informative.  They’ve sure been pretty important when it comes to the . . . . Continue Reading »