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David Keene

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David Keene

keene123@washingtontimes.com

Editor at Large — David Keene, a trusted adviser to presidents, a longtime champion of personal liberty and one of conservatism’s most respected voices, is the former opinion editor of The Washington Times. An author, columnist and fixture on national television, Mr. Keene has championed conservative causes for more than five decades while offering advice to Republican presidents and countless candidates. He additionally served as chairman of the American Conservative Union and president of the National Rifle Association.
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Columns by David Keene

Social Security and Medicare reform illustration by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

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.

March 22, 2023

Protecting Gun Rights in Montana Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

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.

March 15, 2023

Debt load and inflation Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

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.

March 13, 2023

James Lane Buckley Portrait by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

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.

March 8, 2023

Unconstitutional Voting Laws in Wisconsin Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

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.

March 6, 2023

Black Marxist Angela Davis illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

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.

March 1, 2023

** FILE ** Gov. Mitch Daniels, Indiana Republican

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.

January 24, 2023

Illustration on gas stoves by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

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.

January 18, 2023

2000 Republican primaries illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

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.

January 4, 2023

Illustration on left censorship by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

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.

January 2, 2023

Exit Stage for Ronna McDaniel Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

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.

December 7, 2022

Republicans ballot harvesting illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

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.

November 28, 2022

Dump Donal Trump illustration by Greg Groesch / The Washington Times

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.

November 14, 2022

Lost Civility of Politics Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

In search of civility in politics

In 1969, the nation seemed more divided on ideological and partisan lines than anyone could remember.

November 1, 2022

The rising threat of China against Taiwan Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

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.

October 25, 2022

FILE - Abortion-rights supporters protest on the steps of the John Minor Wisdom United States of Appeals Fifth Circuit Building after the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, in New Orleans, Friday, June 24, 2022. A state law bans all abortions except if there is substantial risk of death or impairment to the patient if they continue with the pregnancy and in the case of “medically futile” pregnancies. (Sophia Germer/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP, File)

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.

October 20, 2022

Democrats' Money against Republicans Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

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.

October 12, 2022

Republicans winning elections with the suburban vote illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

How Republicans can win the suburbs

There was a time when Republicans dominated the politics of upper-income suburbs, but that time has passed.

October 3, 2022

Delivering Illegal Immigrants to Sanctuary Cities Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Sanctuary cities get a dose of reality thanks to Greg Abbott’s genius

Washington DC's Mayor Muriel Bowser along with her counterparts in Chicago and New York has a problem and his name is Greg Abbott.

September 20, 2022

The Genesis of Despicable Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Words matter, but not for Democrats

Do words mean anything in today's world? That's a question that many are asking in the wake of President Joe Biden's recent attack on Republicans as "semi-fascists."

September 13, 2022