Area 45

Another Philly Special?

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 02:47:35 -0400

What comes after Election Day in America? Legal maneuvering by the two presidential campaigns as votes/ballots are counted and ballot integrity comes under scrutiny. John Yoo, a Hoover Institution fellow, and constitutional law professor, explains what the Supreme Court might be asked to decide should a Republican challenge in Pennsylvania reach the highest court in the land.

Area 45: And The Winner Is . . .

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 04:14:54 -0300

As the presidential election enters its last days, what do the polls suggest about the health of the two candidacies? David Brady and Douglas Rivers, Hoover senior fellows and Stanford political scientists, discuss differences in voter demographics over the past four years and likely Election Night outcomes for control of the White House and U.S. Senate.

“Your Lights Are Getting Dimmer”

Thu, 08 Oct 2020 20:44:59 -0300

With the election less than a month away and polls showing Joe Biden with a healthy lead, is there room – and ample time – for a Trump rally? David Brady, a Hoover Institution senior fellow emeritus and Stanford political scientist, reviews polling data showing how the 2020 race compares, at this point, to 2016’s contest nationally and in battleground states.

Area 45: A Healthy Amendment?

Sat, 03 Oct 2020 18:19:59 -0300

The 25th Amendment to the US Constitution clarifies presidential succession in the event of death or resignation. What’s not so clear is prolonged incapacitation. John Yoo, a Hoover Institution fellow, and constitutional law professor, explains how that amendment, written in the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination, applies to President Trump’s current health crisis.

Foreign To This Election

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 05:30:00 -0300

In a presidential election dominated by news of a pandemic, economic disruption, climate events, and now the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, what’s there to be said about the world beyond America’s shores? Hoover Institution fellow Markos Kounalakis discusses unrest in Egypt and Iran – and offers a few foreign policy questions in advance of next week’s presidential debate.

Replacing “The Notorious RBG”

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 17:54:55 -0300

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death makes an already fierce presidential election even more contentious. John Yoo, a Hoover Institution visiting fellow and UC-Berkeley law professor, reflects on the legacy of “notorious RBG” and weighs the pros and cons of waging a bitter confirmation battle before or after Election Day and January’s presidential inauguration.

Cancel That Thought

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 21:50:22 -0300

Hoover Institution research fellow Lanhee Chen explains the politics behind the social media companies, the World Health Organization, and what the future may hold for social media outlets amidst the current cancel-culture phenomenon.

State Of The Presidential Race: Convention Bump?

Fri, 04 Sep 2020 20:11:37 -0300

Did the parties’ virtual convention change the dynamics of the presidential race? Apparently not. David Brady and Douglas Rivers, Hoover Institution senior fellows and Stanford University political scientists, discuss the lack of a lasting “Trump bump,” and whether civil unrest is affecting Joe Biden’s lead, plus the concept of a “hidden” Trump voter that pollsters can’t ascertain.

President (Yes, President) Pelosi?

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 22:02:57 -0300

If you think the presidential election is contentious, there’s a chance that constitutional law might add to the public’s dyspepsia. John Yoo, a Hoover Institution fellow and UC-Berkeley law professor, details scenarios in which a Democratic-controlled House re-elects President Trump, or an indecisive Congress paves the way for President Nancy Pelosi.

Michael Auslin On Keeping Up With The Kims

Thu, 27 Aug 2020 17:20:22 -0300

What’s the status of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un? Is his younger sister, Kim Yo-jong, the heir apparent? Michael Auslin, the Hoover Institution’s Payson J. Treat Distinguished Research Fellow in Contemporary Asia and co-host of Hoover’s Pacific Century podcast, discusses the family dynamics at play in Pyongyang and possible changes to American diplomacy post-November election.

California: Back in Blackouts Again?

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 21:11:51 -0300

For the first time in nearly two decades, California faced the prospect of rolling blackouts due to an imbalance between supply and demand for electricity. James Sweeney, a Hoover Institution senior fellow and energy-market scholar, explains the differences between crises present and past, and suggests ways California can better balance population and environmental concerns.

Vice President Harris, Senator Newsom?

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 16:19:52 -0300

California Senator Kamala Harris is Joe Biden’s running mate and, arguably, first in line to be her party’s next presidential nominee. Dan Walters, a CalMatters columnist and authority on California political issues and policy, explains where Harris fits in the Golden State’s elected mosaic – and why a Biden-Harris victory would trigger competition among California Democrats to replace her in Washington.

Area 45: Tim Kane: Does COVID-19 Trump Immigration?

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 18:42:57 -0300

With the fall election less than 90 days away, what happens to immigration reform should the White House and Congress change hands? Tim Kane, an economist and the Hoover Institution’s J.P. Conte Fellow in Immigration Studies, discusses a sensible approach to immigration policy that would balance America’s economic, security and humanitarian concerns – and why the topic isn’t the same flash point it was in the last presidential election.

Happy Birthday, Milton Friedman

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 12:38:25 -0300

Born 108 years ago this July, Milton Friedman continues to cast a long shadow across the American landscape. Jennifer Burns, a Hoover Institution research fellow and Stanford University history professor currently working on an intellectual biography of the late Hoover senior fellow, explains what separates Friedman from other conservative economists, his quintessentially American life story, plus what the famed libertarian might make of the debate over masks, government edicts, and civil liberties.

State Of The Race: Rope-A-Dope With Dave Brady and Doug Rivers

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 23:35:55 -0300

Joe Biden enjoys a healthy lead over President Trump after months of running a low-profile campaign. With the election a little over 100 days away, can Biden keep doing the same as Muhammed Ali – stay back on the ropes while his rival swings in vain? David Brady and Douglas Rivers, Hoover Institution senior fellows and Stanford University political scientists, assess the health of the two presidential candidates.

Area 45: Tom Gillian: Let Freedom Ring

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 14:33:57 -0300

To celebrate the 4th of July holiday, we dipped into the Area 45 vault (June 26, 2018) for this conversation with Thomas Gilligan, the Hoover Institution’s Tad and Dianne Taube Director. He discusses the individual, economic, and political freedoms that are quintessentially American – and are at the core of the Hoover Institution’s mission of “ideas defining a free society.”

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer: Getting Vocal

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 21:48:09 -0300

Social unrest, policing reforms, coronavirus, stricken economies, homelessness, the federal-state-city balance of power, and on and on. San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer discusses these and other challenges facing both his and many of America’s great cities.

Dave Brady and Doug Rivers: The State Of The Presidential Race . . .

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 22:17:00 -0300

Joe Biden has taken the lead, though polls differ on how commanding it is nationally and in “swing” states. President Trump struggles to regain his footing as the coronavirus and policing practices dominate the election-year narrative. David Brady and Douglas Rivers, Hoover Institution senior fellows and Stanford University political scientists, weigh the strengths and weaknesses of the November candidates.

Tom Bevan: The Trump-Media “War Of The Roses”

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 15:50:46 -0300

President Trump dislikes the media, but needs their cameras to earn re-election. The political press corps dislikes Trump, though he’s boosted ratings, subscriptions and Internet clicks. Tom Bevan, co-founder of Real Clear Politics and a Hoover Institution media fellow, discusses the dysfunctional Trump-media dynamic and reflects on a progressive bent in America’s newsrooms as well as Joe Biden’s media strategy moving forward.

Pete Wilson: “A Charming Irishman”

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 21:55:04 -0300

The last time federal troops were dispatched to quell urban unrest was in 1992, when Army and Marines forces entered Los Angeles. Then-Gov. Pete Wilson, the man who made that request, recalls the events that led to his action. He also discusses the future of policing and, on the 16th anniversary of the passing of Ronald Reagan, reflects on their overlapping paths that spanned nearly four decades.

David Henderson: Pandemics & “Never-Ending Pasta Bowls”

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 23:15:12 -0300

Should Washington come to the rescue of several of the nation’s largest states – California, Illinois, New York – currently experiencing budget shortfalls? David Henderson, a Hoover Institution research fellow and economist who studies state and federal budgeting, explains why such aid doesn’t qualify, in the purest sense, as disaster aid.

Terry Anderson: Renewing Indigenous Economies

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 20:52:27 -0300

Are free markets and property rights the keys to improving the lives of reservation-dwelling Native Americans? Terry Anderson, the Hoover Institution’s John and Jean De Nault Senior Fellow and head of Hoover’s Project on Renewing Indigenous Economies, discusses why federal policy hasn’t adapted to modern times on reservations.

Lee Ohanian: The Place You Ought To Be?

Mon, 25 May 2020 14:51:54 -0300

Does the sales pitch that brought the “Beverly Hillbillies” west – “California is the place you ought to be” – still apply? Lee Ohanian, a Hoover Institution senior fellow and a weekly contributor to Hoover’s “California On Your Mind” web channel, discusses the Golden State’s latest unemployment numbers and whether present-day Tesla Motors is in the same position as was Apple at the century’s start.

Lee Ohanian: Tesla Recoil

Sat, 16 May 2020 03:29:32 -0300

Los Angeles County’s extended “shelter-at-home” order confuses the locals, California’s record budget deficit is formally unveiled, and Tesla's CEO Elon Musk re-opens his Bay Area car factory – in defiance of local business restrictions – and threatens to move Tesla’s corporate headquarters to Nevada or Texas. Lee Ohanian, a Hoover Institution senior fellow and a weekly contributor to Hoover’s “California On Your Mind” web channel, breaks down a busy week in the Golden State.

Daniel Heil: Binge-Watching, Binge-Spending

Thu, 14 May 2020 23:01:45 -0300

Over the past two months, the federal government has spent an unprecedented $2.6 trillion addressing the COVID-19 crisis, with another $3 trillion in new spending that is up for debate. Daniel Heil, a Hoover research fellow specializing in fiscal policy, explains the short- and long-term effects of “binge-spending” and why any serious conversation about fiscal and entitlement reform is years way at best.

Lee Ohanian: Blue State, Red Ink

Sat, 09 May 2020 19:37:28 -0300

California’s current fiscal plight – a record $54.3 billion dollar budget deficit for this year and next – raises the question of how much the coronavirus is to blame. Lee Ohanian, a Hoover Institution senior fellow and a weekly contributor to Hoover’s “California On Your Mind” web channel, discusses the poor tax and fiscal choices that are partially responsible for the Golden State finding itself awash in red ink.

Lee Ohanian: California Beaches Closed, (Tax) Tsunami Warning

Fri, 01 May 2020 17:18:32 -0300

California Gov. Gavin Newsom finds himself at odds with Orange County lawmakers over the opening and re-closing of Southern California beaches. Meanwhile, a “tsunami” approaches – in a ravaged economy and a wave of tax increases needed to prop up otherwise unsustainable state spending. Lee Ohanian, a Hoover Institution senior fellow, economist, and weekly contributor to Hoover’s “California On Your Mind” web channel, explains the size and shape of the tax tidal wave.

Lee Ohanian: California’s Great Depression 2.0

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 19:44:43 -0300

Not a recession, but an emerging depression. Or so deems Lee Ohanian, a Hoover Institution senior fellow, economist, and weekly contributor to Hoover’s “California On Your Mind” web channel. When will California’s economy restart? Will an anticipated Green New Deal agenda pushed by Gov. Newsom’s economic recovery task force make matters worse?

Colonel Joseph Felter: Afghanistan Withdrawal

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 19:22:54 -0300

February’s announcement of a potential US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 raises the question of the legacy of America’s military involvement in that region – a presence dating back to the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Col. Joseph Felter, a Hoover Institution research fellow and Iraq and Afghanistan counterinsurgency veteran, reflects on lessons learned and what comes next in South and Southeast Asia.

Lee Ohanian: California’s COVID Economy

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 16:26:44 -0300

A global pandemic brings the world’s fifth-largest economy – which is California – to a crawl. But will it derail the Golden State’s progressive agenda? Lee Ohanian, a Hoover Institution senior fellow and contributor to Hoover’s “California On Your Mind” web channel, discusses how best to bring California’s economy back to life – and the opportunities (helping the gig economy) that Gov. Gavin Newsom may be ignoring.

Tevi Troy: The White House “Fight House”

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 22:46:19 -0300

The first rule of the movie Fight Club: “you do not talk about fight club.” The first rule of “fight house,” aka the White House: you talk and leak and self-promote, even if it hurts the boss. White House historian Tevi Troy, author of Fight House: Rivalries In The White House, From Truman To Trump, explains what makes for feuds and turf struggles inside the Office of the President and what challenges Donald Trump and Joe Biden face in staffing a White House in 2021.

Robert Service Assesses Czar Vladimir

Sat, 11 Apr 2020 00:04:44 -0300

That’s Vladimir as in Putin, the Russian president who intends to remain in power until at least the next decade’s end – and maybe as long as 2036 – now that Russia’s high court has deemed term limits inapplicable to his current rule. Hoover senior fellow and Russian historian Robert Service offers his thoughts on Putin’s grip on power, the role of oligarchs in maintaining that power, why Putin recently engaged in an oil price war with Saudi Arabia, as well as Putin’s regional and global ambitions.

Area 45: Brady and Rivers: The State Of The Race

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 12:58:14 -0300

Yes, that would be the presidential race, which slowed to a crawl courtesy of the COVID-19 pandemic. David Brady and Doug Rivers, Hoover Institution senior fellows and Stanford political scientists, weigh in on the state of the race – discussing what polling suggests about Joe Biden’s campaign, President Trump’s handling of the health and economic crises, and the virus’ effect on voters’ attitudes.

Cochrane: Is An Economic Stimulus The Right Cure For The Coronavirus?

Thu, 12 Mar 2020 18:46:57 -0300

Should Washington’s reaction to the economic turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic include a stimulus package? John Cochrane, the Hoover Institution’s Jack and Rose-Marie Anderson Senior Fellow and author of the “Grumpy Economist” blog, discusses the do’s and don’ts of Washington’s economic response to the pandemic.

Dave Brady: The State Of The Democratic Presidential Race . . .

Fri, 06 Mar 2020 20:57:11 -0400

Remember all those predictions that Bernie Sanders was the Democratic front-runner and socialism was in vogue? That no longer seems the case after resounding Joe Biden wins in South Carolina and Super Tuesday states. David Brady, Hoover senior fellow emeritus and Stanford political scientist, weighs in on the state of the race – why the ground suddenly shifted in Biden’s favor.

Brady And Rivers: The State Of The Presidential Race

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 20:05:34 -0400

After four rounds of voting in February, the Democratic presidential primaries kick into high gear with March 3’s “Super Tuesday” avalanche of 14 states, followed by votes in key swing states across America for the remainder of the month. David Brady and Doug Rivers, Hoover senior fellows and Stanford political scientists, weigh in on the state of the race and what their tracking survey reveals as the candidates scramble for support.

John Yoo: Impeachment’s Lessons

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 18:41:02 -0400

Will a president of the United States ever be impeached? Was the term “high crimes and misdemeanors” clarified? Did one branch of government emerge stronger than others? What does the future hold for the FBI, FISA Court, and Special Counsels? John Yoo, a Hoover Institution fellow and UC-Berkeley law professor, discusses the legal fallout from the Trump impeachment saga.

Army Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper: The Front Of The Long Grey Line

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 04:27:00 -0400

After 40 years of service to his country, Army Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper is one of only two members of West Point’s Class of 1979 still on active duty. He reflects on changes in the military over that span, his tours abroad, and Douglas MacArthur’s principles of “duty, honor, and country.”

Tom Church: The Fiscal Effects Of A Public Option

Fri, 31 Jan 2020 18:32:05 -0400

A schism within the field of Democratic candidates: Medicare-for-All advocates vs. supporters of a “public option” for America’s health care system – i.e., expanded Obamacare. Hoover research fellow Tom Church details the enormous fiscal impact on government and taxpayers should a politically feasible public option become law.

Dave Brady And Doug Rivers: The State Of The Presidential Race

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 18:09:23 -0400

Iowans will caucus next week and the Democratic presidential field remains unsettled. David Brady and Doug Rivers, Hoover senior fellows and Stanford political scientists, weigh in on the state of the race – what their tracking survey reveals pre-Iowa, what impact Washington’s impeachment drama has had on the Democratic presidential race.

Richard Epstein: Do Cheaters Prosper?

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 14:04:39 -0400

China cheats on trade, Iran cheats on nukes, Trump cheated his way into office…or so the allegations go. And of course, there’s baseball’s cheating scandal. Richard Epstein, the Hoover Institution’s Peter and Kirsten Bedford Senior Fellow and the voice behind The Libertarian and Law Talk podcasts, weighs in on the balance of virtue and rules-flaunting in modern society.

Victor Davis Hanson: Holding The Trump Card

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 19:38:48 -0400

Iran’s next move, a Senate impeachment trial, and the beginning of the Democratic primaries. Despite January and February’s uncertainties, Victor Davis Hanson, the Hoover Institution’s Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow, believes in this certainty: President Trump is on a path to reelection this fall.

Abbas Milani On Post-Soleimani Iran

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 04:30:00 -0400

Last week’s US drone attack killing Iranian military leader and terrorism architect Qassim Soleimani marks a new chapter in America’s relationship with the Persian people and their regime. Abbas Milani, a Hoover research fellow and the Hamid & Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University, offers his thoughts on what happens next inside Iran.

Sarah Isgur: Post-Trump Republicans

Thu, 19 Dec 2019 05:05:00 -0400

Regardless of next November’s outcome, Republicans will be searching for a new presidential standard-bearer for 2024 and beyond. Sarah Isgur, a staff writer for The Dispatch and a CNN commentator (and, prior to that, an aide to Jeff Sessions, Mitt Romney, Ted Cruz and Carly Fiorina), discusses what life after Donald Trump might look like for the GOP.

Fred Barnes: Impeachment Then, Then, And Now

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 05:15:00 -0400

He’s had a front-row seat to the Nixon, Clinton, and Trump impeachment sagas. Fred Barnes, a veteran Washington journalist and Hoover media fellow, discusses the nuances among the three proceedings dating over the past 45 years and the what current drama in Washington says about these hyper-partisan times.

Giving Thanks With Niall Ferguson

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 05:05:00 -0400

We are replaying this wonderful Thanksgiving podcast with Niall Ferguson.

As a prolific columnist and observer of US and world affairs, Niall Ferguson has plenty to be grateful for, beginning with an American president seemingly always in the news. Ferguson, the Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, explains the many reasons why Americans should be giving thanks this holiday season.

John Cochrane: Wealth Under Attack

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 04:26:00 -0400

Two prominent Democratic presidential candidates want to impose “wealth taxes” on millionaires’ holdings. A prominent liberal economist declares that no billionaire ever made their fortune legitimately. John Cochrane, a renowned economist and the Hoover Institution’s Jack and Rose-Marie Anderson Senior Fellow, explains how and why “wealth” became a pejorative term and where we go from here.

The State Of The Presidential Race

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:16:26 -0400

What a week in politics: public impeachment hearings, a candidates’ filing deadline in New Hampshire, one Republican leaving the presidential race and one (perhaps two) Democrats jumping in. Hoover senior fellows and Stanford political scientists Dave Brady and Doug Rivers review their latest poll data on the 2020 election.

John Batchelor

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 05:13:00 -0400

For nearly two decades now, radio host and Hoover media fellow John Batchelor has saturated the airwaves with cerebral conversations pertaining to national and international affairs. This time answering the questions rather than asking them, Batchelor discusses what drew him to the world of talk radio and how the Trump presidency has affected his show.

Joe Felter: The Pentagon’s National Defense Strategy

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 18:11:27 -0400

In an era of competitive influence with China and Russia, what are the policy implications for the Indo-Pacific region? Joseph Felter, a Hoover Institution research fellow and, until just recently, a defense assistant secretary for South and Southeast Asia, explains the Trump Administration’s options.

Lanhee Chen: Republican Rift?

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 19:06:32 -0300

Utah Sen. Mitt Romney’s recent criticism of President Trump, coupled with growing Republican angst over the coming election, has made a complicated relationship between President Trump and party regulars all the more tangled. Lanhee Chen, the Hoover Institution’s David and Diane Steffy Fellow in American Public Policy Studies and policy director for the 2012 Romney presidential campaign, assesses the current Republican mindset.

Steve Scully: C-SPAN And Campaign 2020

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 06:27:00 -0300

For 40 years now, as political media have grown more polarized, the C-SPAN cable news channel has offered unbiased, unfiltered coverage of political figures, elections, and government. Steve Scully, C-SPAN’s political director, discusses the channel’s approach to the 2020 election, last July’s C-SPAN interview with President Trump, and the challenge of being a neutral “Switzerland” of political journalism.

Navy Capt. Christopher Sharman On Vietnam’s “Balancing” Act

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 06:26:00 -0300

Next year marks the 25th anniversary of US-Vietnamese bilateral relations. Navy Capt. Christopher Sharman, a Hoover Institution National Security Affairs Fellow and former naval attaché to Vietnam and China, explains how Vietnam balances its international relations and the strategic options available to the US, as well as the efficacy of soft power in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

James Sweeney On California’s Electricity Woes

Fri, 18 Oct 2019 06:30:00 -0300

Last week’s decision by California utilities to halt power to about two million residents, to avoid downed electricity lines sparking wildfires, plunged parts of the Golden State into darkness – and begged the questions of why the world’s fifth-largest economy can’t keep its lights on. James Sweeney, a Hoover Institution senior fellow who studies electricity market problems, explains why this is a matter of risk management in America’s wealthiest and most populous state.

David Leal On President Trump, Texas, And The Latino Vote

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 06:30:00 -0300

Is Texas in play in 2020 for Democrats? Is America’s Latino vote the “sleeping giant” the media predict it will be every four years? David Leal, a Hoover Institution senior fellow and University of Texas-Austin political scientist, separates fact from fiction in the Lone Star State, and explains how the Latino segment of the electorate fits into the national landscape.

“All In On Donald Trump” With Charles Hurt

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 11:48:16 -0300

The rationale for Donald Trump in 2016: border control, the opiate crisis, honoring America’s “forgotten man,” and much more. Charles Hurt, a Fox News contributor and author of Still Winning: Why America Went All In On Donald Trump – And Why We Must Do It Again, offers his thoughts on the rationale for giving President Trump a second presidential term.

Debra Saunders On White House Press Briefings

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 06:29:00 -0300

Three words not uttered in the Trump White House’s press room “call the briefing.” Not since March has a White House press secretary done a full-on, live-televised briefing.

Debra J. Saunders, the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s White House correspondent, discusses the “new normal” in Trump-media relations.

Brady and Rivers: Impeachment . . . By The Numbers

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 20:06:25 -0300

As impeachment speculation mounts, the question remains: what effect, if any, has it had on the popularity of President Trump, Joe Biden, and the Democratic field? David Brady and Doug Rivers, Hoover Institution senior fellows and Stanford University political scientists, explain what their polling data indicates.

Daniel Heil Discusses “America Off Balance”

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 06:39:00 -0300

Federal budget choices have consequences – for this and for future generations of Americans. Daniel Heil, a Hoover research fellow specializing in fiscal policy, takes us on a tour of “America Off Balance” – a Hoover interactive site that seeks to educate the public on the perils of Washington’s budget-reform inaction.

Alabama Rep. Gary Palmer on House Republican Policy

Wed, 18 Sep 2019 13:31:53 -0300

Trying to regain the majority status they lost in the 2018 midterm election, what do House Republicans plan to showcase this fall in the way of ideas and initiatives? Alabama Rep. Gary Palmer, chair of the House Republican Policy Committee, discusses the House GOP brand and its relationship with President Trump.

Mark Tillman: Piloting Air Force One on 9/11

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 06:45:00 -0300

Most of us remember where we were on September 11, 2001. For Col. Mark Tillman, USAF-Ret., it was commanding Air Force One – which happened to be in Sarasota, Florida, on the day of the attack. One of only 14 Americans to have served as a presidential pilot, Tillman discusses the choices made in securing President Bush, the new-generation of Boeing 747s that are scheduled to enter service in 2024, plus where fact and fiction meet in Harrison Ford’s Air Force One action film.

Tim Kane’s Economic “Beauty Contest”

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 14:12:39 -0300

Every wondered how individuals determine how much things are really worth? A Hoover Institution online survey – i.e., an “economic beauty contest” – wants your input. Tim Kane, an economist and the Hoover Institution’s J.P. Conte Fellow in Immigration Studies, discusses the importance of valuation with regard to America’s economy. And he analyzes the Trump Administration’s latest immigration actions, including a change to green card qualifications.

Shelby Steele On Race And Victimization In America

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 20:03:19 -0300

He’s the son of a biracial couple who worked for equality well before “mixed” marriages were publicly accepted, protested in the 1960s and considered himself a “radical” before reconsidering race relations in America. On the 400th anniversary of African slaves introduced to the Virginia colony, Shelby Steele, the Hoover Institution’s Robert J. and Marion E. Oster Senior Fellow and an award-winning authority on multiculturalism, addresses a Hoover Summer Policy Boot Camp audience on 21st Century America’s struggles with white guilt and black self-victimization.

Michael Boskin Discusses The Left’s Agenda

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 18:55:46 -0300

A Green New Deal, Universal Basic Income, Medicare-For-All. Are these sounds ideas or economic illiteracy? Michael Boskin, the Hoover Institution’s Wohlford Family Senior Fellow and the Tully M. Friedman Professor of Economics at Stanford University, discusses what the Democratic hopefuls are offering – and the feasibility of President Trump’s interest in reducing the payroll tax and adjusting capital gains.

Ed Lazear Assesses the Trump Economy

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 15:31:34 -0300

Trade wars with China, charges of currency manipulation, volatile markets, a labor market at full employment – all in a week’s news. Edward Lazear, the Hoover Institution’s Morris Arnold and Nona Jean Cox Senior Fellow and chairman of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers in the Bush 43 White House, assesses the health of the US economy.

Brady And Rivers On The State Of The Presidential Race

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 06:30:00 -0300

Two Democratic presidential debates down, the next one not until mid-September. David Brady and Doug Rivers, Hoover senior fellows and Stanford political scientists, weigh in on the state of the race – including what post-debate polling suggests about the effectiveness of the candidates’ messaging and how the tragedy in El Paso factors into national politics.

Guy Benson On Trump And The Millennial Vote

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 13:56:59 -0300

In order to secure re-election, President Trump will need to turn out his base – and then some. Guy Benson, a Hoover Institution media fellow and host of an eponymous Fox News Radio Show, discusses what it will take for his fellow “millennial conservatives” to grant Trump a second term.

Scott Atlas Discusses How To Replace Obamacare

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 18:34:16 -0300

Should the Affordable Care Act be struck down as unconstitutional? Senate Republicans will have to scramble to avoid a repeat of 2017, and the seven months that ended with an inability to come up with an Obamacare replacement. Scott Atlas, M.D., the Hoover Institution’s David and Joan Traitel Senior Fellow and a member of Hoover’s Working Group on Health Care Policy, outlines some basic principles the Senate should embrace.

The US-UK “Special Relationship” With Andrew Roberts

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 23:25:52 -0300

Political earthquakes on both sides of the Atlantic have left the “special relationship” between the US and the UK on shaky ground. Andrew Roberts, the Hoover Institution’s Roger and Martha Mertz Visiting Fellow and author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny, discusses Winston Churchill, UK’s legendary prime minister’s approach to transatlantic relations and whether the upcoming Tory leadership change will give rise to “MEGA” – i.e., “Make England Great Again”.

The School Spending Disconnect With Paul Peterson

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 06:45:00 -0300

In California and other states nationwide, record sums are being sent on public education. And yet improvement – better testing scores, closing achievement gaps – remains elusive. Paul Peterson, a Hoover Institution senior fellow and director of the Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard, explains why money isn’t the sole cure to what ails America’s schools.

About Those Debates . . .With David Brady and Doug Rivers

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 19:38:58 -0300

One Democratic presidential debate down, another 11 to go. David Brady and Doug Rivers, Hoover senior fellows and Stanford political scientists, weigh in on the state of the race to find a challenger to President Trump – including what post-debate polling suggests about Joe Biden’s frontrunner status and Kamala Harris’s surge.

Tilling The Democratic Field With Ben Domenech

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 06:50:00 -0300

Who will stand between President Trump and a second term? Ben Domenech, publisher of The Federalist, recently traveled to New Hampshire for an up-close look at the Democrat’s presidential field. His conclusion: the nominee will come from one of three categories: “normalcy” (Joe Biden), “ambition” (Elizabeth Warren) or “aspiration” (Pete Buttigieg).

What’s Next For North Korea With Thomas Henriksen

Fri, 31 May 2019 17:54:19 -0300

President Trump’s insistence that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a good-faith bargainer begs the question: will Kim ever give up his nuclear ambitions or allow economic reforms into North Korea? Hoover emeritus senior fellow Thomas Henriksen assesses the latest news from the Korean peninsula and whether a third Trump-Kim summit would be a wise move by the US president.

How Public Policy Became War With David Davenport

Fri, 24 May 2019 06:50:00 -0300

In case you haven’t noticed there’s a war on . . . terror, drugs, poverty, you name it. David Davenport, a Hoover Institution research fellow specializing in constitutional federalism and American politics and law, and co-author of the newly released How Public Policy Became War, discusses how the over-use of the word war has contributed to America’s policy and cultural divides.

The Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy (Part II) With Byron York

Mon, 20 May 2019 06:50:00 -0300

Nearly 15 years ago, the Washington Examiner’s Byron York wrote a book outlining the left’s efforts to outmaneuver the Bush 43 presidency. The differences then and now? York explains – and offers his thoughts on the state of the 2020 presidential race.

Trump’s Suburban Divide With Barbara Comstock

Wed, 15 May 2019 06:50:00 -0300

For two terms, Barbara Comstock represented Virginia’s 10th Congressional District – until last year’s referendum on the Trump presidency. The former congresswoman discusses the Trump disconnect in her corner of Northern Virginia, and suggests ways for the GOP to attract more female candidates.

Japan’s New Emperor With Michael Auslin

Thu, 09 May 2019 19:56:07 -0300

A new Japanese emperor means the continuation of a centuries-old tradition, with a modern twist: the new emperor and empress haven’t produced a son to inherit the throne. Hoover fellow Michael Auslin, host of the “Pacific Century” podcast, explains the differences between the monarchy in Tokyo and the one in Buckingham Palace.

The Race For The Presidency With Dave Brady

Wed, 01 May 2019 19:26:37 -0300

With 20 Democrats seeking the presidency, is it too early to be thinking about a brokered convention? David Brady, the Hoover Institution’s Davies Family Senior Fellow and a Stanford political scientist, addresses that question plus whether Bernie Sanders is a political disruptor like Trump and whether Joe Biden destined is for a fate similar to Jeb Bush.

Politics and Good Books With Barton Swaim

Wed, 24 Apr 2019 07:05:00 -0300

A rash of presidential candidates also means a rash of candidates’ books – some biographical, some more policy-oriented, and very few all that notable. Barton Swaim, who pens a politics-books column for the Wall Street Journal, explains why campaigning and quality literature don’t necessarily go hand-in-hand.

California And Economics On Your Mind With Lee Ohanian

Thu, 18 Apr 2019 18:45:16 -0300

What to make of California’s economic health, its new governor and the state’s role as the lead in the anti-Trump “resistance?” Lee Ohanian, a Hoover Institution senior fellow and contributor to Hoover’s “California On Your Mind” twice-weekly column, talks about the latest doings in the Golden State.

Check out California on Your Mind here: https://www.hoover.org/publications/californiaonyourmind

A Healthier America With Health And Human Services Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 19:27:41 -0300

The leading cause of death in the US after heart disease and cancer: “unintentional injuries,” including opioid-related fatalities. US Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Eric Hargan explains how the Trump Administration aims to limit the opioid scourge, plus other ways to reverse Americans’ shrinking longevity.

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An American Civics Lesson With David Davenport

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 19:00:24 -0300

Granting 16-years-old the right to vote, abolishing the Electoral College, reshaping the makeup of the Supreme Court, states entering a voting compact? All are proposals championed and floated by a left still smarting from the 2016 election. David Davenport, a Hoover Institution research fellow specializing in constitution federalism and Americans politics and law, discusses why one of these reforms is more feasible than the others – and the need for a renewed emphasis on civics education.

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The Trillion-Dollar Storm With Alice Hill

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 07:00:00 -0300

As economically devastating as this decade’s hurricanes and wildfires have been, the US is looking at even worse scenarios in the years ahead. Alice Hill, a Hoover Institution research fellow focusing on building resilience to catastrophic events, discusses how the nation can better plan for the inevitable, plus the latest on the Trump Administration, Democrats, and the climate-change debate.

The Myths of Immigration with Tim Kane

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 13:05:23 -0300

Who supports a wall-for-legalization deal on immigration? The Trump base – more so than Republicans in general. That’s one of the nonconventional findings in a Hoover-YouGov poll on immigration reform. Tim Kane, the Hoover Institution’s J.P. Conte Fellow in Immigration Studies, discusses his survey’s data and the prospects on an immigration solution in a divided Washington.

Is Washington, DC – Trump’s Town? With Mike Franc

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 18:45:49 -0300

Two years into his presidency, Washington, DC, is not Donald Trump’s town ceremonially or stylistically – which is how the 45th president wants it. Michael Franc, director of the Hoover Institution’s research and initiatives program in the nation’s capital and a former congressional aide, discusses why DC is in fact Trump’s town for driving debate – and changes on Capitol Hill following the Democratic takeover of the House of Representatives.

The Roberts Court With Adam White

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 19:24:35 -0300

A Trump veto of a congressional rejection of his “national emergency” declaration means another controversy that could be settled by the Supreme Court – which in turns means Chief Justice Roberts as a potential swing vote. Hoover research fellow Adam White discusses whether Roberts, who’s disappointed conservatives of late, is the most influential individual in a divided Washington.

Area 45: The 2020 Presidential Field With David Brady and Doug Rivers

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 15:57:10 -0400

A baker’s-dozen Democrats have launched presidential efforts; another dozen are weighing a run. Is it a sign that President Trump is easy pickings – or is it a sign that the Democratic party is undergoing an identity crisis? David Brady and Doug Rivers, Hoover senior fellows and Stanford political scientists, examine the state of the 2020 race.

Class Warfare—Teachers Go On Strike With Paul Peterson

Sun, 17 Feb 2019 20:56:18 -0400

Decades ago, a California teachers’ union executive described the notion of educators walking a picket line as “inappropriate, unprofessional, illegal, outmoded, and ineffective.” Paul Peterson, a Hoover Institution senior fellow and director of the Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard, explains why that’s no longer the case as teachers coast to coast have walked out of their classrooms over the past year.

The (Second) American Civil War? With Victor Davis Hanson

Wed, 13 Feb 2019 14:21:18 -0400

On the 210th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, some have suggested that United States faces a second “civil war” – a conflict over culture, economics, and world view. Victor Davis Hanson, the Hoover Institution’s Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow, contrasts the hands dealt to Abraham Lincoln and Donald Trump.

Is Taxing Wealth “Economic Justice?” With John Cochrane

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 18:38:43 -0400

The 2020 election is shaping up as a referendum on raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans – what Democrats call “economic justice.” John Cochrane, the Jack and Rose-Marie Anderson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and proprietor of the “Grumpy Economist” blog, weighs the merits of the various proposed tax hikes and whether they constitute sound economic policy.

Venezuela On The Brink With Markos Kounalakis

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 15:17:01 -0400

Six years ago, a US Secretary of State John Kerry declared an end to the Monroe Doctrine and US dominance of the Latin America. Hoover visiting fellow Markos Kounalakis suggests that the Trump Administration’s response to the constitutional crisis in Venezuela – economic sanctions, the outside chance of military intervention – is an indicator the doctrine is alive and kicking.

Is It Constitutional? Featuring Richard Epstein

Thu, 17 Jan 2019 12:32:07 -0400

Constitutional law is frequently thrown around as a justification without people fulling understanding the document. From Speaker Pelosi believing she’s President Trump’s co-equal, to air traffic controllers demanding pay and senators wanting to know more about the president’s finances, constitutional law often arises. But are any of those justifications valid? Richard Epstein, the Hoover Institution’s Peter and Kirsten Bedford Senior Fellow and the voice behind “The Libertarian” podcast, examines what the Constitution does and doesn’t allow in terms of executive power and impeachment proceedings.

The Lowdown On The Shutdown With David Brady

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:07:02 -0400

Now in its record third week, the partial shutdown of the federal government casts a long shadow over the new Congress and the nascent Democratic presidential field. But has it affected President Trump’s popularity? David Brady, the Hoover Institution’s Davies Family Senior Fellow and a Stanford University public policy professor, reviews the polling evidence.

What Political Scientists Learned in 2018

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 19:48:27 -0400

In 2018, the House went Democratic and the Senate remained Republican – both, as expected. Now, the presidential cycle begins. Hoover senior fellows and Stanford political scientists David Brady and Douglas Rivers, conductors of a recount poll on political trends, discuss what 2018 told us about American politics, the health of the Trump presidency, and what to look for in the new year.

Islam Under Assault In China With Michael Auslin

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 13:45:02 -0400

In China’s western Xinjiang territory, that country’s Uighur population finds itself banished to “re-education” camps in order to shed its Muslim faith and conform with Chinese ways. Michael Auslin, the Hoover Institution’s Hoover’s Williams-Griffis Fellow in Contemporary Asia, discusses the Trump Administration’s policy options and China’s ongoing efforts to stifle multiculturalism.

Giving Thanks With Niall Ferguson

Wed, 21 Nov 2018 14:23:08 -0400

As a prolific columnist and observer of U.S. and world affairs, Niall Ferguson has plenty to be grateful for, beginning with an American president seemingly always in the news. Ferguson, the Milbank Family Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, explains the many reasons why Americans should be giving thanks this holiday season.

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Iran – Will Protests Lead To Progress? With Abbas Milani

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 19:29:16 -0400

A year ago, public protests in Iran put the future of that repressive regime in doubt. With new sanctions in place and protestors again taking to the street to demonstrate against economic conditions (and new US sanctions), will 2019 witness a sea change in the Persian Gulf? Abbas Milani, a Hoover research fellow and the Hamid & Christina Moghadam Director of Iranian Studies at Stanford University, offers his thoughts.

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Trump Agonistes and the Harvard Lawsuit With John Yoo

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 19:38:29 -0400

The Trump Administration’s first post-midterm controversy: the constitutionality of the president’s choice for acting attorney general. John Yoo, a Hoover Institution visiting fellow and UC-Berkeley law professor, discusses the policy and political ramifications. And he breaks down the admissions lawsuit filed against his alma mater, Harvard, alleging discrimination against Asian applicants.

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Into The Wild Blue Yonder With Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson

Thu, 08 Nov 2018 11:57:43 -0400

What does America need to do to maintain and improve military air superiority around the world? Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson offers her thoughts on weapons procurement, recruitment and retainment, plus the changing role of pilots in 21st Century warfare.

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What Challenges Face California’s New Governor With Lee Ohanian

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 13:16:30 -0400

A departure from the usual Area 45 podcast: instead of discussing the 45th president, we take a closer look at the 31st state in the union – California. Lee Ohanian, a Hoover Institution senior fellow and UCLA economist, discusses what motivated him to launch Hoover’s new “California On Your Mind” journal and what challenges confront the Golden State’s next governor.

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