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Cal Thomas

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

Should we forgive him?

The first thing that should be acknowledged about South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's admission to an extramarital affair is that it could happen to any of us. That is not an excuse (and no, it has not happened to me, or to my wife). Every married person has heard the voice; the one that says you deserve something "better."

June 26, 2009

THOMAS: Bulldozing American cities

There are perhaps dozens of small towns and failing neighborhoods beginning to resemble ghost towns. We've all seen them if we have gotten off the interstate and driven down state or county roads and once-thriving Main Streets or into blighted neighborhoods.

June 16, 2009

THOMAS: Obama’s unquestioned authority

A criticism heard during the early years of the George W. Bush administration was that the media were "in the tank" for Mr. Bush, fearing to question his foreign and domestic policies in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001.

June 11, 2009

THOMAS: Reagan unveiled

A statue of Ronald Reagan was unveiled last week in the Capitol Rotunda at a time when many Republicans, and even some conservatives, think Mr. Reagan's ideas are passe. Before moving on, Republicans and those conservatives who don't want to "live in the past" should be asked what better ideas they have to offer.

June 9, 2009

THOMAS: Downfall of an icon

"See the U.S.A. in your Chevrolet. America is asking you to call. Drive your Chevrolet through the U.S.A. America's the greatest land of all."

June 4, 2009

THOMAS: Biography and the law

In introducing his choice to replace Justice David H. Souter on the Supreme Court, President Obama touted Judge Sonia Sotomayor's biography.

May 28, 2009

THOMAS: Obama at Notre Dame

Put aside the question of whether a distinctly Catholic institution like Notre Dame should award an honorary degree to a man who stands against any restrictions on abortion. Put aside the notion of academic freedom, which liberals favor as an intellectual premise, but rarely practice when it comes to conservative speakers, whom you very rarely see at the lectern at any U.S. commencement ceremonies this time of year.

May 19, 2009

THOMAS: A friend for life

Many have commented on the life and legacy of Jack Kemp - the former Buffalo, N.Y., congressman; former vice-presidential candidate, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development, former professional football star and a friend for life to all those who knew him.

May 7, 2009

THOMAS: When the Iron Lady took over

There is a story, probably apocryphal, about Margaret Thatcher who became prime minister 30 years ago this week and led Britain's economic and political revival.

May 5, 2009

THOMAS: Good riddance from GOP

The return of Sen. Arlen Specter to the Democratic Party (he flipped in 1965 from "Kennedy Democrat" to Republican) is something that should be celebrated by Republicans, at least those who are proud to call themselves conservatives. Mr. Specter is a career politician whose first priority is himself.

April 30, 2009

THOMAS: Loose lips or loose pics

"On Aug. 17, 1942, a nationally syndicated columnist wrote that she had received 'a very stern letter' after commenting about the weather, 'and so from now on I shall not tell you whether it rains or whether the sun shines where I happen to be.'

April 28, 2009

THOMAS: Lost in political space

Sen. John McCain's daughter and his presidential campaign manager think they've figured out why Mr. McCain lost the 2008 election and what Republicans must do to win in the future. They need to be more like Democrats.

April 23, 2009

THOMAS: Obama deserves credit

Conservatives have a point when they criticize President Obama and his fellow Democrats for not calling the mission in Iraq a "success" or a "victory." But if they are right about that - and they are - they cannot now withhold praise from Mr. Obama for the flawless rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips from the hands of terrorists masquerading as pirates. (More about the misuse of nomenclature in a moment.)

April 16, 2009

THOMAS: Not a penny more!

Wednesday might become the biggest tax-and-spend protest since the Boston Tea Party of 1773. Politicians fear spontaneous citizen outrage. That's because when the public realizes it has been scammed, bamboozled, defrauded and hustled by politicians who take and then misspend its money - mostly to enhance their own power - the public will run like scalded dogs.

April 14, 2009

THOMAS: The meaning of words

“Words must mean something,” President Obama said in Prague last week in response to North Korea's missile launch. He was speaking about the numerous resolutions and condemnations of North Korea's actions through the years by the United Nations and others. It is a standard the president should apply not only to North Korea, but also to the Middle East and the Muslim world.

April 9, 2009

THOMAS: Courting trouble in Iowa

When Meredith Willson wrote the wildly popular musical "The Music Man" half a century ago, Harold Hill proclaimed trouble had come to River City, Iowa, in the form of a pool hall, which he claimed would corrupt young people unless the local citizens bought the musical instruments he was selling and got their children into a marching band.

April 7, 2009

THOMAS: Life imitates Pod-People art

The plot of the 1956 cult classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" seems remarkably similar to the story line of the Obama administration, which is invading, and appears eager to take over, corporate America. Unfortunately, the reality of the threat to American corporations is far creepier than any science-fiction film could ever be.

April 3, 2009

THOMAS: Obama’s war or ours?

One often reads and hears that Afghanistan has become “Obama's war.” The implication by many is that if things go badly in Afghanistan, President Obama will be blamed and it will cause him political damage. But if things go well, who will get the credit? It won't be former President George W. Bush, of that you can be sure.

April 1, 2009