David Brooks's Blog, page 96

Character, Not Audacity

President Obama’s speech Thursday night was quite solid, but it lacked the audacity to tackle the big policy problems ahead.

The Elevator Speech

[image error] President Obama needs to tell us what he stands for, and unearth a big policy proposal to prove it.

Between the Acts

GAIL COLLINS David, we're halfway through the convention process. We've spent quite a bit of time conversing about it in different venues and now -- print! I'm enjoying the conversing. It's just the conventions themselves I've come to hate. DAVID BROOKS Are you kidding? These things should go on for weeks. Thursday night alone offered as much emotional volatility as a year of ''Real Housewives.'' Here were these incredibly moving stories of how Mitt Romney ministered to the infant Kate Finlay...

Party of Strivers

[image error] The Republican Party unabashedly celebrates individual responsibility en route to material success, but our destinies are shaped by other forces.

The Real Romney

[image error] One man’s hardscrabble journey to the top of the Republican ticket.

Ryan’s Biggest Mistake

[image error] If the Simpson-Bowles plan had been approved, we would have had national action on debt reduction. But Paul Ryan voted against it.

Ryan Biggest Mistake

[image error] If the Simpson-Bowles plan had been approved, we would have had national action on debt reduction. But Paul Ryan voted against it.

Guide for the Perplexed

[image error] If you’re a moderate voter, it’s important to think through what really matters this year. How we go about entitlement spending should be a top priority.

The Credit Illusion

[image error] Today we have some advice for a poor soul filled with confusion about who’s responsible for one’s success.

Dullest Campaign Ever

This presidential campaign is turning out to be as boring as it is consequential. Here are some of the reasons.