Political Commentary & Opinion
Analysis, commentary, and opinion essays on politics and policy from The Daily Signal’s contributors and experts.
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opinion
Full Text of Joni Ernst’s Republican Response to 2015 State of the Union
Good evening. I’m Joni Ernst. As a mother, a soldier, and a newly elected senator from the great State of Iowa, I am proud to speak with you tonight. A few moments ago, we heard the President lay out his vision for the year to come. Even if we may not always agree, it’s important… -
opinion
Palestinians May Get U.S. Funding Due to Sloppy Work in Congress
The Palestinians submitted a request to join the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Jan. 2, 2014. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, acting in his capacity of treaty depositary, found the instrument of accession was in order on Jan. y 6, 2014, despite the fact that the U.S. Department of State insists… -
news
Standing for Life, Carly Fiorina Could Bring ‘Different Voice’ to Race for President
Minutes after delivering a speech in which she declared that leadership can change minds about abortion, conservative entrepreneur and former business executive Carly Fiorina said she is taking a close look at joining the Republican race for president. “I am seriously considering it,” Fiorina said today in an exclusive interview with The Daily Signal. “I… -
opinion
First Boko Haram Kidnaps Little Girls, Now They Use Them as Suicide Bombers
Northeastern Nigeria continues to be rocked by terrorist attacks, and the lead-up to next month’s elections is complicating an already volatile situation. In a region that has become defined by gruesome terrorist attacks, Boko Haram—the group responsible for the kidnapping of more than 250 schoolgirls in 2014 and the attack on the UN headquarters in… -
news
Feared Rebel Coup in Yemen Would Complicate Fight Against al-Qaeda
Shiite rebel militiamen seized Yemen’s presidential palace and shelled the president’s nearby residence today, according to news reports. The president of Yemen, Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, was believed to be inside the presidential palace when it was attacked by insurgents. It was not immediately clear if he was safe. Hadi is an ally of the… -
news
Will You Watch the State of the Union on TV Tonight? This Chart Reveals More People Are Tuning Out
As President Obama makes his second-to-last State of the Union address tonight, he faces dwindling TV viewership numbers. Here’s a breakdown over the past seven years of his presidency, beginning in 2009: Obama’s first State of the Union speech pulled in 32.5 percent of U.S. households, according to Nielsen. Viewership began to drop the following… -
news
Ben Carson on MLK: He Didn’t Want ‘Cycle of Expectation and Dependency’
Ben Carson argued yesterday that Martin Luther King Jr. never would have envisioned “a cycle of expectation and dependency” on government that he said traps too many African-Americans today. In an appearance on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal” on the holiday celebrating the late civil rights leader, Carson urged Americans to “turn their attention to the opportunities… -
news
This Government Agency Spent $31 Million on First-Class Flights
Executives of the Department of Health and Human Services are routinely on the go, flying throughout the country and the world to aid those who can’t help themselves. One upgraded trip from Los Angeles to Sydney cost $14,201. The same trip in coach would have cost $2,763. But there’s more to the story. HHS executives… -
news
Why Is This Baseball All-Star Attending Tonight’s State of the Union?
Jonathan Lucroy is a slugging catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers who was selected as an All-Star in 2014 for his accomplishments on the field. Tonight, one senator wants to honor him for his work off the field. Lucroy, 28, will attend the State of the Union address as a guest of Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.,… -
news
The Controversy Over ‘American Sniper,’ Explained in 2 Minutes
The movie “American Sniper” is a box-office hit, displacing “The Passion of the Christ” as the top-grossing movie to debut in winter. It’s also stirring up controversy among the Hollywood elite. Days after “American Sniper” was nominated for six Oscars, the Clint Eastwood film—based on the real-life story of former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle—pulled in… -
news
Mom, Under Fire From Child Protective Services, Defends Letting Her Kids Walk Alone
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy Danielle Meitiv remains adamant that children deserve the freedom to be able to walk around unsupervised. Meitiv, who along with her husband Alexander, is facing scrutiny from Child Protective services after their ten-year-old son and six-year-old daughter were picked up by authorities while… -
opinion
Niece of Martin Luther King Jr: ‘Racism Has Not Been Erased’
"But let judgment roll down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream." —Amos 5:24 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. quoted this powerful scripture in his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. He believed God's word. He took his Bible—the one President Obama placed his hand on during his 2013 inauguration—very seriously; so seriously that he repeatedly… -
opinion
What We Should Think of Martin Luther King Jr.’s Time as a Progressive Activist
As the leader of the movement that ultimately toppled segregation, Martin Luther King Jr., stands among the likes of the Founding Fathers and Abraham Lincoln as a champion of American ideals. His commitment to the principles of the American founding is universally admired and has rightfully earned King a national holiday. However, a contrasting element… -
opinion
What’s the Real Story on Marriage and Family Trends? Here Are 11 Findings
What’s the story on American marriages and families from 2014? Here is a list of just some of the findings: 1. Americans Still Like Marriage A full 67 percent of Americans disagree with the idea that marriage is outdated, according to a 2014 report from the Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture…. -
news
Younger GOP Rivals Doubt Mitt Romney’s Ability to Inspire With a ‘Clear Vision’
As younger, first-time presidential hopefuls took turns suggesting why Mitt Romney shouldn’t run again, the 2012 Republican nominee kept courting potential campaign donors and advisers before concluding the first full week of his re-emergence with a speech to a gathering of party officials. “I’m giving some serious consideration to the future,” Romney said in remarks… -
opinion
It’s 2017. What a Conservative President Would Say in the State of the Union.
On Tuesday, President Obama will deliver his penultimate State of the Union address. No doubt, many conservatives will be thinking of that glorious day in January 2017 when (they hope) a Republican president delivers his or her first state of the union address. The new president would open his address by telling Americans that the… -
news
Government Agency Under Scrutiny for $215 Million Building Renovation
Costly building renovations at the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are raising more congressional concerns that the agency's spending is out of control. A government report pegs the price of the work at $215 million—that's $120 million more than initial estimates, with off-site leasing costs included. “That’s more per square foot than the Bellagio hotel-casino… -
opinion
Americans Deserve a Fair Shot. Government Should Get Out of the Way.
Growing up, most Americans are taught to treat everyone fairly and recognize the importance of equality under the law. Despite political disagreements and the headache of elections and campaigns, we learn that a free society plays no favorites. Most of us still believe in that. Unfortunately, many in Washington, D.C., don’t. You can see it… -
news
The State of the Union: What It Is and Why It Matters
This Tuesday, President Obama will face the toughest crowd of his presidency when he delivers his State of the Union address to the newly controlled Republican Congress. Each president's State of the Union offers a distinct historical snapshot while continuing an enduring constitutional tradition. The president is expected to underscore past policy victories, like Obamacare,… -
news
What’s the Biggest Challenge Facing the Next President? Here’s Marco Rubio’s Answer
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., outlined his ideas about the challenges facing America’s next president. He wouldn’t say if he’ll be among the field of 2016 presidential contenders. Appearing on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” this morning, Rubio said that regardless of who enters the race for president, the No. 1 issue facing the candidates will…