Monday items: The NY Sun and Weekly Standard applaud Gingrich's Gold Commission; Levin on Reagan's supply-side record; Grant on the 1920-21 recession.

The WSJ notes Newt Gingrich’s rise, compliments his citation of Ron Paul’s hard money mantra, and urges Mitt Romney to take a bolder tax reform stance.

The NY Sun applauds Gingrich’s naming Lewis Lehrman and James Grant to his Gold Commission.

In The Weekly Standard, Bill Kristol praises the Gold Commission.

On The WSJ, Kim Strassell discusses Romney’s tax return and Gingrich’s Freddie Mac contract:




In The WSJ, Stephen Moore notes voter enthusiasm for Gingrich.

The Right Scoop cites radio host Mark Levin challenging Gingrich on the creation of supply-side economics. Levin says, incorrectly, that Reagan ran on supply-side economics in 1974. In fact, according to Bob Novak's memoir, The Prince of Darkness: 50 Years Reporting in Washington, Reagan was converted to supply-side economics (tight money, marginal tax rate cuts) at a private meeting with Jack Kemp in early 1979.

At RCM, John Tamny notes the stock market’s weakness versus gold.

In The Washington Post, James Grant examines the economy’s quick recovery, despite government austerity, from the recession of 1920-21.

In The NYT, Romney advisor Greg Mankiw offers four principles for tax reform.

At Globe Asia, Steve Hanke proposes a non-military solution to disputed territory.

Weekend edition: Lewis on trade deficits; The WSJ, Moore and Kudlow critique the President's jobs plan; Malpass on Greece.

From Forbes, Nathan Lewis suggests the gold standard didn’t keep the trade deficit down. This chart seems to counter Lewis’s analysis:

At Forbes, Bill Flax argues the recovery is stalled by unsound money.

The WSJ critiques the President’s job proposal. Stephen Moore comments on the plan. In NRO, Larry Kudlow adds his two cents.

On The Kudlow Report, David Malpass discusses Greece:





At Forbes, Peter Ferrara defends Reaganomics.

From National Review in November 1980, the late, great Robert D. Novak describes the challenges facing the newly-elected Reagan Administration, including cutting tax rates, restoring a gold standard, and fighting off Republican austerity advocates.

In The WSJ, James Grant reviews a book on economists.

Also in The WSJ, Cato’s Daniel Ikenson advocates lowering tariffs on imported raw materials.

As important as access to foreign markets is, however, some of the most significant obstacles to U.S. export success aren't foreign-made but homegrown. If the president is genuinely committed to spurring economic growth and job creation, he will take the lead on reducing or eliminating duties that U.S. producers pay on imported raw materials and components they need for manufacturing. This would instantly boost the competitiveness of U.S. products at home and abroad.

From Heritage, Curtis Dubay sets the record straight on the effects on growth of the Clinton tax hikes and the Bush tax cuts.

IHS features George Mason’s Don Boudreaux explaining free trade:



The Tax Foundation’s William McBride analyzes the true level of taxes paid by corporations.

At Forbes, Charles Kadlec notes the high jobless rate among African Americans.