Comeback: Conservatism That Can Win Again (Hardcover)

~ 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: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #467,103 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 59 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

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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.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Wishy-Washy, July 25, 2009

By	R. L. Hall "Common Man" (Irving, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Comeback: Conservatism That Can Win Again (Paperback)

If you are a conservative looking for strong ways to bring the Republican Party back to #1 status in American politics, this book is not what you want to read.

After the Bush years and a Republican-controlled congress that apparently forgot why they had been voted into office, Frum seems to think that the way Conservatism can win again is to look more like Democrats. Unfortunately, it was Republicans looking like Democrats that allowed the Dems to sweep into control again of Congress in 2006 and Obama to easily gain the presidency in 2008. Frum was part of the problem for the last eight years, so why in the world would one believe that he has the answers now?

If you are a believer that Conservatism needs to become more moderate, then some of Frum suggestions will resonant with you. On the other hand, if you are a believer in Reaganism and the policies that led to a huge conservative awakening during the 80's and early 90's, you will find this book more maddening than exciting.

23 of 34 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.