President Obama insists hes a free-market guy. But you have to wonder whether he understands how a free economy really works.
Fred BarnesConservatives won't want to hear this, but the Republican who maneuvered his way into the most impressive victory of the election was California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Okay, he's sui generis. But he won a landslide victory after moving to the center, while holding onto conservatives by not hiking taxes.
Fred BarnesObama specializes in knocking down straw men. 'I reject the view that says our problems will simply take care of themselves,' he said, implying that's the view of Republicans. It's the view of almost no one.
Fred BarnesRonald Reagan has a story for every occasion. Bill Clinton has an excuse for every occasion.
Fred BarnesCandidates don't have to deal with reality. They talk about the wonderful things they can accomplish as if advocating them is the same as achieving them. They live in a world of political make-believe in which everything from reconciling conflicting interests to paying for costly programs is easy.
Fred Barnes