Editor’s Note: This article has been adapted from an address to the annual meeting of the Fund for American Studies on February 4, 2023. This article was originally published at National Review and is re-published here with the author’s permission. Let me begin with a story that tells you much of what you need to know about Bill Buckley. Some years back, my bride Jane gave me the best present I’ve ever received. I now recommend it for all those hard-to-please types on your Christmas list. Jane sued the federal government and obtained a copy of my FBI file. I should note…
Author: Neal B. Freeman
Neal B. Freeman
Neal B. Freeman is a member of the Board of Directors of The Maine Heritage Policy Center. He serves as the Chairman of The Blackwell Corporation, an advisory firm with clients in the communications, defense and wealth management businesses. The company was founded by Mr. Freeman in 1981. Mr. Freeman’s articles and reviews have appeared in The New York Times, USA Today, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Weekly Standard, Washingtonian, National Review, International Economy and other publications. Additionally, he was long associated with the late William F. Buckley Jr. in various publishing, broadcasting and political ventures. Mr. Freeman received his BA magna cum laude from Yale University.
There was much good news, along with a splash of bad news, in this week’s controversial poll from NBC-Wall Street Journal. Whatever the poll’s methodological shortcomings (which we will leave to the trained professionals to sort out), it’s clear that the first-tier candidates are holding firm as “candidates you could see yourself supporting,” even as second-tier figures Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee and Ben Carson are beginning to surge. As we have been saying in this space for some time, all of the GOP candidates are accretive. They all bring elements of support to what could be a winning coalition against…
There will be no problem with money in politics this year. Such problems arise only when Republicans have more money than Democrats. Hillary Clinton has let it get about that she will be spending $2.5 billion this time. If that number is even roughly accurate, it means that she will spend far more than all of her Republican opponents combined. Hillary will portray the $2.5 billion as a) a way to get her message out, b) a way to make the process more inclusive and c) a way to fight back against the scourges of Wichita, the Koch brothers. Somebody,…