Score Card from the Big Debates

Written by Michael Medved

All Republicans should feel relieved, if not jubilant. Lots of winners who helped themselves, and no disastrous losers.

Major gains for Marco Rubio who was lucid, passionate, self-assured, Kennedyesque – cementing his status as everyone’s second choice, which may win him the nomination, ultimately. John Kasich also moved his campaign forward: starting in tenth place (according to the polls) he looked and sounded like a folksy, credible, mainstream contender. Jeb Bush, who had to overcome a recent reputation for bumbling and gaffes, seemed strong, capable, sympathetic, and accessible.… Continue Reading

Second Time a Charm for Working-Class Champion Rick Santorum?

Written by Rachel Alexander

Former U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania Rick Santorum, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2012, announced Wednesday he is running again. A sweater-vest wearing populist who champions the working class and Catholic values, the 57-year-old appeals to a distinct segment of the Republican base. He made the announcement Wednesday at a manufacturing plant in Cabot, Pa., where he grew up. Flanked by factory workers and his family, he announced, “I am proud to stand here, among you and for you, the American workers who have sacrificed so much, to announce that I am running for president of the United States.”… Continue Reading

Quinnipiac: Walker Leading in Iowa

Jeb drops to 5% in latest Iowa poll.

Written by Michael Warren

A new Quinnipiac poll of likely Iowa Republican presidential caucusgoers finds Wisconsin’s Scott Walker in front of the GOP pack with 21 percent support and a 9-point advantage over his closest primary opponents. That’s down from 25 percent and a 12-point lead in Quinnipiac’s February poll, but Walker remains ahead of his Republican rivals, with senators Rand Paul, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, all huddled together behind the Wisconsin governor.… Continue Reading

The 2016 Presidential Race, Explained in 4 Charts

Rubio Stumbles on Sexual Orientation — At What Cost?

Written by Michael F. Haverluck

Despite his opposition to legalization of same-sex “marriage,” Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio took a stand on the LGBT side of the argument Sunday, proclaiming that homosexuality is a biological condition — not a choice.

While being interviewed on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” the Florida senator addressed his stance on the legalization of same-sex marriage, arguing that the issue should not be resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court but by individual states.… Continue Reading

Religious Liberty Crisis Report Card

Written by Maggie Gallagher

Rod Dreher is right: the rage of the powerful against Indiana for daring to pass a state RFRA without the consent of the LGBT community marks a dramatic cultural and political inflection point,as I have pointed out in National Review. For the first time, a vanilla religious liberty bill similar to those passed in 19 other states was deemed “antigay” per se, and powerful corporations rushed in to punish the people of Indiana economically for their moral views on liberty.… Continue Reading

A Bold Proposal for Conservative GOP Candidates

Written by J. Matt Barber

“My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’” ~1 Corinthians 1:11-12

As Jesus warned, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). Nothing has borne out this reality in recent decades like that exasperating spectacle called the Republican presidential primary.… Continue Reading