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FEBRUARY 10,  2022

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – OVERNIGHT:

MORE BAD NUMBERS FOR JOE – OVERNIGHT:  We watch, sometimes with amazement, as the main constituency of the Democratic Party, the minorities, start to float away.  The party's response has been remarkably subdued, as if this isn't possible.  From the Washington Times:   President Biden’s approval among Black Protestants and the religiously unaffiliated — the so-called nones — has fallen dramatically after a year in office, the Pew Research Center said Thursday.  The two groups “are among the Democratic Party’s most loyal constituencies,” Pew said in an online article reporting the results.  Black Protestant approval has fallen from 92% in March 2021 to 65% now in the most recent Pew survey. Only 41% of nones say the president is doing a good job, down from 71% last year.  The nones’ approval rating for Mr. Biden “is the lowest it has been since his inauguration,” and is 14 points below the September 2021 approval rating from 55% of the religiously unaffiliated.  The mid-January poll was conducted before the latest round of inflation news, which came out Thursday and noted consumer price increases at their highest level in 40 years.  Mr. Biden has also faced disappointment among supporters over an inability to get a $1.7 trillion social spending package through the Senate.   If this trend continues, it will be a lot more than Joe Biden going down the drain.  But Republicans shouldn't be overconfident.   Biden may be losing, but I've yet to see any great love for the GOP on the part of those leaving.  The Republicans must build a powerful and positive message.  "This is who we are, and this is what we'll do."  Newt Gingrich, as speaker, did it in 1994 with his Contract with America, and it worked. 

February 10, 2022       Permalink 

RE-RUN – OVERNIGHT:  We've noted Hillary Clinton's sudden activity before, but it's getting more and more obvious that she wants another shot at the presidency.  She may just get it.  She has powerful friends, and there's a sense that there's really no one else.  From Fox: 

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is slated to speak at the New York State Democratic Convention next week, according to sources who spoke to CNBC.

"She’s beloved by the mainstream members of the Democratic Party and her popularity is likely higher than that of President Biden," a person familiar with the arrangement told the outlet. "It’s good for her because it keeps her relevant, and her appearance is likely meant to galvanize the party and the audience."

Chris Melnyczuk, who is chief of staff to New York State Democratic Party chair Jay Jacobs, said the party "reached out to a number of people to speak and, you know, we’re waiting back on confirmation from a number of people. So there are a few things in the works."

"We’ve reached out to a number of folks, we’re not going to say who we’ve reached out to," he added regarding whether Clinton had been invited.

Clinton's rumored appearance comes amid speculation that the former New York senator could try for a political comeback amid plummeting poll numbers for President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Clinton has said she will not run for political office again, though two of her former allies recently published an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal describing "a perfect storm in the Democratic Party" that could prepare the way for Clinton to take another stab at the presidency.

According to the results of a Fox News survey released in January, more voters say they would back someone else over Biden in 2024 than ever said the same about former Presidents Obama and Trump.

COMMENT:  If the poll numbers go in the right direction, Hillary will run.  And Trump may run.  I can't think of another Democrat who could, right now, beat Hillary for the party nomination.  Tells you something about the Democratic Party, doesn't it?

Could Hillary win?  In 1968 the Republicans asked, "Can Nixon win?"   He did win, only to be brought down by Watergate after winning re-election in 1972.  No one can accurately predict if Clinton can bring home the prize next time.  But who else have they got?  Tom Brady isn't interested.

February 10,  2022      Permalink

FEBRUARY 9,  2022

SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – OVERNIGHT: 

STILL A FIGHTING FORCE? – FROM FOX:   National security correspondent Jennifer Griffin has the latest from the Pentagon on 'America Reports.'  The United States Department of Defense was blasted on social media after posting a tweet touting the need for "diversity" and "inclusion" in the military.  "NEWS: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Are Necessities in U.S. Military," the Department of Defense posted Wednesday along with an article outlining the many ways the military is pushing for diversity in its ranks and says that the "need for diversity, equity and inclusion to be a consideration or a part of all decisions in the military." "I would hope that as many leaders and members of the total force as possible see [diversity, equity and inclusion] efforts as a force multiplier," Bishop Garrison, the senior advisor to the secretary of defense for human capital and diversity, equity and inclusion, said in the article, which added that the diversity program can be a "way to make the U.S. military more successful in achieving critical missions and in making forces more lethal."The tweet immediately drew criticism from conservatives on Twitter who slammed the military for focusing on "woke" politics. "Does China have that in their military?" author Ryan Girdusky tweeted.  "Our enemies laugh at us," comedian Tim Young tweeted.  The emphasis should be on building the best force.  I'm not against diversity, or recruiting from a variety of groups, but the mission must never be compromised.  In this administration, I worry about that, and I am not alone.

February 9,  2022     Permalink

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HOW MUCH LOWER? – OVERNIGHT:  The president continues to chart downward.  What happens when they run out of numbers?  From Fox: 

Approval of President Biden's performance in the White House continues to weaken as the administration works to deal with the Ukraine border conflict, rising inflation, the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and chaos at the Mexican border.

For the first time since taking office, Biden's approval rating — based on an accumulation of polling data — fell below 40%. A Real Clear Politics average of all the most recent national surveys measuring Biden’s standing put the president’s approval at 39% and his disapproval at 54%.

Biden has also found himself at the center of a Russia-Ukraine border conflict in Europe.

Last month, Biden predicted Russian President Vladimir Putin would advance into Ukraine, saying, "My guess is he will move in. He has to do something."

Biden continues to take heat from Americans over rising gas prices, leading his own party to introduce a proposal to temporarily suspend the federal gas tax in order to help blunt the financial pain of surging prices at the pump.

Other costs, including energy bills, are also having an impact on Americans. New York residents say their bills have doubled in the latest wrinkle to red-hot inflation.

Fox News reached out to the White House in an effort to see what factors may have contributed to Biden's sinking average polling numbers but did not receive an immediate response.

COMMENT:  What is just as bad is that the president's physical condition seems to have weakened.  It may simply be a perception, but Mr. Biden is sluggish, often appears unfocused, and generates the belief that "he's not all there."  This, as much as any policy matter, could destroy his presidency. 

And who's one heartbeat away from the Oval Office?  Why it's our Kammy, Kamila Harris, Not So Wonder Woman.  As it's being said in Washington, she's Biden's impeachment insurance.  Who would impeach him to get her?  It will be fascinating to see if the Dems put Kammy out on the campaign trail this year.  If Biden doesn't blow the whole thing, she's certainly capable of it.  It must be wonderful to have a specialty. 

February 9, 2022       Permalink