Comeback: Conservatism That Can Win Again (Hardcover)

by David Frum (Author)
Key Phrases: green conservatism, energy effi ciency, infl ation, United States, President Bush, Keep China Number Two (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In his new book, Frum (The Right Man), former speechwriter to President Bush, offers a conservative blueprint for accommodating challenges central to the next half-century of American life. Drawing on his expert knowledge of domestic politics and foreign policy, Frum shows how Republicans must evolve in accordance with the challenges and fluidity of contemporary America to win hearts, minds and elections. After staking out viably conservative positions on the salient political battles in America-healthcare, education, the economy, foreign policy, embryonic stem cell research, taxation and the like-Frum shines when dealing with the grand strategy of taxation, particularly his pro-growth model for accommodating domestic spending obligations such as social security. His analysis is particularly striking in its advocacy for consumption taxation in lieu of taxes that stifle investment and free enterprise. Taxes aimed at upper-class consumers rather than savings and investment is a provocative idea worthy of consideration. And although Frum's ideas are good, if not brilliant, the final chapter, in which he describes the errant behavior of the Bush administration, seems like a tardy rebuke to a president he once called The Right Man.
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Review
“In his treatment of what ails conservatism today, Frum is penetrating and wise . . . and dead right.” —National Review

“Serious reappriasial and fresh, challenging ideas.” —New York Times Book Review
--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday (December 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385515332
• ISBN-13: 978-0385515337
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #443,603 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conservatism needs new thinking, January 18, 2008

By	Michael T Kennedy (Mission Viejo, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Unlike one reviewer whose opinion is posted here, I have read the book. It is a very interesting critique of the recent drift in conservative thought. As Frum points out, most of the battles from the 1970s have been won. Crime, out of control in 1974 when the movie "Death Wish" got standing ovations in movie theaters, has dropped steadily. Los Angeles has fewer murders than any time since the 1950s. New York is livable (although I'll have to take others word on that. I hate the place.). That problem is solved although Britain seems to be sinking into the same morass now as a result of the same policies that were reversed here by the conservatives in the 1980s. Supply side economics has pretty well replaced Keynesian economics everywhere but the Congressional Democratic caucus. Taxes have been cut until 80% of Americans pay more in payroll taxes (FICA, etc) than income tax. We won the intellectual battles but, as Frum points out, we at once began to enjoy the fruits of victory and forgot that, in politics at least, nothing is ever finally settled. The high point for conservatism was 1994 when the Republicans took Congress on a platform of conservative principles. Everything since has trended down.

Some of his most thought provoking comments pertain to health care, a special interest of mine. He is concerned that the middle class has been getting a raw deal for the past twenty years, partly due to health care costs. I have studied health care both as a physician and as a gradate student in health care economics. I won't get into details but Frum poses serious questions that Republicans will have to answer if they wish to retain power at the federal level. That section alone, is worth the price of the book.

He has serious questions about foreign policy for the next few decades and criticism of some of the Bush Administration's puzzling decisions about the handling of radical Islam. He has a long chapter on what he calls "Green Conservatism" that poses questions about energy policy. The only good suggestion that Al Gore ever made publicly (Some his private suggestions in the Clinton Administration sound far more practical than his dull public persona would suggest.), was the 50 cents per gallon gas tax. Had this been done in 1992, and the revenues devoted to defense, we would be far more secure. A carbon tax is one of Frum's suggestions.

This is a very practical and intellectual book with ideas that should be debated in the Republican Party. I don't agree with all his suggestions; his education and health care ideas need a lot of study, but the first step in solving a problem is to look at it objectively. This book does that well.

22 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every American should read this book!!!, January 1, 2008

By	Justin R. Morse - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

David Frum perfectly details the problems that the modern conservative movement faces and the policy decisions that can win. He details how the topics that liberal democrats seem to own can be solved with pragmatic conservative solutions that will resonate with the American electorate.

25 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars David Frum's New Book is Mandatory Reading, January 8, 2008

By	David Thomson "Second Rate Eric Hoffer Imitator" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

David Frum refuses to be conned by the hypocrisy of many American voters. He is well aware that they often speak out of both sides of their mouth. They may initially demand cuts in the budget, but soon afterwards they will compel their elected officials to provide them with larger entitlement programs. May God help the libertarian conservative who fails to realize this harsh reality. The author is probably right to point out that George W. Bush would not have been reelected in 2004 if he had not advocated the prescription drug benefit to Medicare. Republicans also blew a golden opportunity to change the Washington, DC landscape because of pure greed. A large number of them forgot why they ostensibly moved to our nation's capitol. Instead, they opted to become well paid lobbyists and therefore compromised their original mission.

The leftist community has long race carded the illegal immigration issue. An objective and dispassionate discussion is often near impossible. The same holds true for affirmative action policies, which inadvertent discourage blacks from working hard in school. Why not avoid the difficult tasks if you know your selection to a good university is a sure thing? Perhaps the most important chapter in the book is the one entitled "Goal Five: Win the War on Terror." Frum does not hesitate in being blunt: "For decades, American have urged the Europeans and Japanese to spend more money on their own defense. The next Republican president should accept that it will be very difficult for them to do this. As far and away the riches and youngest member of the Western alliance, the United States will have to shoulder a rising share of the burden." You may not be interested in war, Leon Trotsky reportedly asserted, but war is interested in you. Isolationism regrettably is not a viable option. Americans cannot afford to continue taking a vacation from history. Mr. Frum has written a book that you must read. It is also imperative that you do so as quickly as possible. Crucial elections will be held in November. We cannot afford to procrastinate. Time may not be on our side.