The David Frum Show My Friend, Bill Buckley
28 snips
Nov 26, 2025 
Sam Tanenhaus, a historian known for his profound biographies, discusses his new work on William F. Buckley Jr. with David Frum. They delve into Buckley's complex legacy, exploring how his Catholic faith influenced National Review's culture and his relationship with figures like Rush Limbaugh. Tanenhaus recounts personal anecdotes that highlight Buckley's kindness and mentorship, while also reflecting on the shifts in conservative media and electoral politics. The conversation poses the question of Buckley as a great man, revealing his emotional depth and lasting impact.
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Why DOGE Failed
- David Frum argues DOGE was an almost total fiasco that failed to cut meaningful spending and worsened the fiscal picture.
- He attributes the failure to arrogant leaders, misdiagnosis of government spending, and illegal rescission of Congress-approved appropriations.
DOGE’s Enduring Harms
- Frum details lasting harms from DOGE to science, diplomacy, and financial enforcement that will take years to repair.
- He warns dismantling agencies like NIH, the State Department voice, IRS and SEC weakens U.S. capacity and enforcement.
Decapitation Of Executive Capacity
- Frum frames DOGE as a decapitation strike that made America weaker while increasing deficits and debt.
- He concludes the administration's professed aim to 'make America great' produced the opposite effect.
