David Keene
Columns by David Keene
National Rifle Association alive and thriving, 5 million members strong
Those who have been busily predicting the demise of the National Rifle Association must have been shocked as more than 77,000 NRA members flocked to Indianapolis for the group's annual meeting. Published April 25, 2023
No evidence that guns for self-defense lead to crime
The knee-jerk White House reaction to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signing legislation making Florida a "constitutional carry" or permitless carry state was predictable. Published April 11, 2023
Serious politicians need to tackle Social Security and Medicare reform
As he prepared for reelection in 2004, President George W. Bush decided to tackle entitlement reform, a difficult policy question that most politicians studiously ignore. Published March 22, 2023
Liberals will never leave gun owners alone
Montanans call their state "The Last Best Place," and for gun owners, it may be just that. Their political leaders actively defend the constitutional rights of Montanans and the rest of us as well. Published March 15, 2023
America’s unsustainable debt load
Last Thursday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell appeared before the Senate Banking Committee to discuss what they are doing about the persistent inflation plaguing the economy. Published March 13, 2023
James Lane Buckley’s century of American service
James Lane Buckley celebrates his 100th birthday Thursday. He is believed to be the only living American who has served at the highest levels in all three branches of our federal government. Published March 8, 2023
Wisconsin earthquake: Republicans could lose it all if they don’t get their act together
Wisconsin voters know how quickly life can change in the wake of an election. In 1970, Republicans controlled both houses of the state Legislature and the governorship. Published March 6, 2023
When Black Marxist Angela Davis found out her ancestors owned slaves
Television proved fittingly delicious last week as Angela Davis learned she was a descendant of Puritans who came over on the Mayflower and others who owned slaves. Published March 1, 2023
Club for Growth’s misguided attack on former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels
Many who know former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels were taken aback by the Club for Growth's decision to launch a jihad against him. Published January 24, 2023
Trumka’s banning gas stoves was ultimately a bunch of hot air
Biden administration cheerleaders who had never considered gas stoves a threat rallied around the idea led by people like Sens. Elizabeth Warren, who have never encountered a regulation that troubles them. Published January 18, 2023
Who will lightning strike in the 2024 presidential campaign?
As the 2000 Republican primaries approached, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah called me. We had been friends for years, and he was calling to let me know that he was about to announce his candidacy for president. Published January 4, 2023
The left’s never-ending campaign to banish those who question its narrative
Transparency is fast emerging as the major obstacle in the way of the woke left's campaign to banish those who question its narrative from the public square. Published January 2, 2023
Ronna McDaniel’s time has expired with the RNC
The Republican National Committee's 168 members are scheduled to meet in January in California for their annual winter meeting. Published December 7, 2022
Republicans must learn how to ballot harvest, get the vote out early
Republican candidates were outmaneuvered by their Democratic opponents this fall as the hoped-for "red wave" failed to materialize. Published November 28, 2022
Time for the GOP to ditch Trump
Former President Donald Trump wanted this year's midterms to be all about him and he got his wish. Published November 14, 2022
In search of civility in politics
In 1969, the nation seemed more divided on ideological and partisan lines than anyone could remember. Published November 1, 2022
After midterms, U.S. leaders need to focus on the rising threat of China
Wisconsin Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher warned last week that U.S. leaders need to take steps to deter Communist China from launching an attack on Taiwan within the next few years. Published October 25, 2022
Democrats focus on the overturning of Roe not driving voters
Growing evidence suggests that Democratic congressional and Senate candidates who focused almost exclusively on abortion as their salvation this fall made a bad bet. Published October 20, 2022
Democrats’ ‘fake news’ interfering with democracy
As Election Day approaches, Democrats are doubling down on their claim that Republicans in general and former President Donald J. Trump represent an existential threat to American democracy. Published October 12, 2022
How Republicans can win the suburbs
There was a time when Republicans dominated the politics of upper-income suburbs, but that time has passed. Published October 3, 2022