Cal Thomas

Cal Thomas is one of the most widely syndicated political columnists in America. Based in Washington, he is a wide-ranging social commentator, not a "beltway insider," who supports traditional conservative values and the American "can-do spirit." He'll take on virtually any topic, from the decline of the family to growing terrorism worldwide.

A syndicated columnist since 1984, he is the author of “America’s Expiration Date: The Fall of Empires, Superpowers and the United States” (HarperCollins/Zondervan, January 2020). His latest book is “A Watchman in the Night: What I’ve Seen in 50 Years Reporting on America” (Humanix Books, May 2023). Readers may email Mr. Thomas at tcaeditors@tribune.com.

Columns by Cal Thomas

CAL THOMAS: Carly Fiorina: Major leaguer

To invoke a baseball metaphor, Carly Fiorina has been called up from the minors to the major leagues. After her widely praised debate performance last week, she can expect "fastballs" to be thrown at her head, not only by some of her Republican opponents, but by Democrats. It has already started. Published September 21, 2015

CAL THOMAS: A liberal dose of Bernie Sanders

Self-declared socialist and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders entered what his supporters must consider the belly of the beast on Monday. He spoke at the conservative evangelical Liberty University in Virginia. Published September 16, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Donald Trump is ‘Lonesome Rhodes’

Rarely and perhaps not in modern times has a presidential campaign more resembled the classic 1957 film, "A Face in the Crowd." Written by Budd Schulberg and starring Andy Griffith, Patricia Neal and Walter Matthau, the storyline follows an Arkansas hayseed named Larry "Lonesome" Rhodes (Griffith), whom Marcia Jeffries (Neal) discovers in a county jail. Published September 14, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Conflict over same-sex marriage

Let's get something straight. America has never been a "Christian nation." Those who believe otherwise have an obligation to say what part of our history was uniquely Christian. Was it when slavery was legal? How about when women were denied the vote? The Gilded Age? The Roaring '20s? Published September 9, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Iran Deal makes war more likely

In aviation it's called the point of no return. That point in a flight when catastrophe strikes and the airplane, because of low fuel or mechanical impairment, cannot make it safely back to its takeoff point. Published September 7, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Will migrants flooding Europe embrace Western values?

Back when I was in school, I performed a scientific experiment in which I poured a liquid of one color into a beaker that contained liquid of a different color. Published September 2, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Tragedy in Roanoke

The horrible murder of two local journalists in Roanoke, Va., has affected me more than I thought it would. Published August 31, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Socialism in British politics mirrors U.S.

It's remarkable how often British and American politics resemble each other; often only the accents differ. Published August 26, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Jimmy Carter’s peace

When Ronald Reagan announced in November 1994 he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, even some of his most ardent political opponents paused to wish him well. Published August 24, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Britain’s job-training program a remedy for welfare addiction

BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- Since his party's impressive election victory in May, Prime Minister David Cameron is moving quickly to fulfill his campaign promise to ensure welfare benefits are no longer a way of life for many of his fellow citizens. Published August 19, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Americans see government as out of control

Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders represent two sides of the same coin. Both men have tapped into a deep anger -- a discontent -- in the public mood. Little seems to be going right. Published August 17, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Hillary Clinton’s student loan subsidies would drive up college tuition

If elected president, Hillary Clinton has promised to spend $350 billion to make college "more affordable." The United States already has an $18 trillion debt (and growing by the day), but Mrs. Clinton wants to add to it. That's not affordable. Published August 12, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Fox News debate moderators posed tough questions, which is media’s job

Twenty-four million people tuned in to watch the first prime-time debate among 10 Republican presidential candidates. What were they expecting, a love-in? Published August 10, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Obama keeps his promises on carbon

The president continues his war on fossil fuels. Published August 5, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Calais immigration crisis

When music fans think of "the British invasion," they are referring to '60s bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Britain today, however, faces a different type of invasion. Published August 3, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Debates vs. debates

Expectations for the Republican presidential debates are low. Published July 29, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Kepler-452b: Farway planet that could sustain intelligent life

NASA has discovered the answer to all of our problems. It is another planet, a possible twin to Earth that could theoretically sustain life. Published July 27, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Why selling baby parts should shock no one

The latest Planned Parenthood scandal is the inevitable outcome when moral boundaries are removed. Published July 22, 2015

CAL THOMAS: Memo to Obama: You’re no Reagan

At his press conference last Wednesday, our president of self-regard again linked himself with Ronald Reagan, seeking to equate his supposed success in gaining a deal with Iran not to build a nuclear weapon for 10 years to Reagan's arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union. Published July 20, 2015