Sunday, March 27, 2022
Last week we speculated about some perhaps “dark horse” presidential candidates on the Republican side. This week there is another, plus a whole buffet of politics. This is what I count on for job security. Let’s “brunch” on that this week.
“President Chris Christie?” – Many people are just assuming that former President Donald Trump is going to get a “third bite at the apple” with the presidential nomination in 2024. But speaking this past week in New Hampshire, former Gov. Chris Christie (R) New Jersey was sounding increasingly like a candidate to take on Trump: “No one is going to give the Republican presidential nomination of 2024 away without competition. Just not gonna happen. And it shouldn't happen. Nobody has earned the pass in my opinion.” Of Trump’s loss in 2020, Christie said, “It's over, and we need as a party to move forward. We can't look backwards; we can't be a party of vindictiveness and vendettas. We can't be a party of settling scores for me. We have to be a party of creating opportunity and inspiration for us.” He and Trump have been friends and foes at various times over the years, so it is an icy relationship. I say Christie is in.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“Biden Bottoms Out” – While President Biden went to Europe to discuss the Russian-Ukraine War with our NATO allies, he was really needing a political boost at home. This week a Reuters-Ipsos Poll showed Biden’s approval rating had dropped to 40 percent, the lowest of his presidency. The nation is facing a forty-year high rate of inflation, and staggering prices at the gas pump, a lot of which is driven by Russian behavior. So, is it fair Biden shoulders the blame? No, but every American president faces the same dilemma. You take the credit when things go well, (even if you had nothing to do with it). And you take the blame when things go bad, (even if something out of your control such as a Russian invasion is really driving the impressions of you). All presidents are at the ebb and flow of current events, some of which you can shape, and some which you can’t. You run for office knowing that risk.
“Supreme Court Nomination Hearings” – The hearings are what we have become accustomed to over the years. The party in power speaks favorably of the nominee, and the opposing party tries to find nuggets in the judge’s record and rulings to say things such as, “She’s weak on crime!” But if you have the votes, the rhetoric does not really matter. On Friday, rebellious Senator Joe Manchin (D) West Virginia, who has torpedoed several Biden appointees and bills, came out in support of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for the U.S. Supreme Court. “Her wide array of experiences in varying sectors of our judicial system have provided Judge Jackson a unique perspective that will serve her well on our nation’s highest court. During our meeting, she was warm and gracious. On top of her impressive resume, she has the temperament to make an exceptional jurist.” With Manchin in, so too, is Judge Jackson.
“January 6th Capitol Riots, Chapter 94” – Okay, I am not sure if this saga is really at chapter 94, but we have to be close. Now comes confirmation that Virginia Thomas, a long-time DC staffer and lobbyist, was messaging White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, encouraging the fight to overturn the election. Now, Ms. Thomas is entitled to advocate for her beliefs that the election was “stolen.” The problem, potentially, is that she is also the wife of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarance Thomas, with the high court potentially having review of the case (which it did not hear). Were any laws broken? Were ethics violated? Doubtful, but the optics look horrible. It just smells bad to average folks, and I get that.
“Hunter Biden’s Laptop” – Well, in fairness, Democrats have their own optics problems. The continuing curiosity with the FBI’s look-see over presidential son Hunter Biden’s laptop computers must be concerning inside the White House. The question is, did Hunter leverage his dad’s contacts and influence, to help financial dealings with Russian and Chinese business interests? Did he? I do not know, but as with the Thomas dealings, does it pass the smell test? That is what a free press is obligated to look at.
“In Memoriam - Madeleine Albright” – Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright died this week at the age of 84. She was a pioneer in so many ways. Her parents emigrated from Czechoslovakia to the U.S. in the 1950s. She was a long-time academic who became U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under President Bill Clinton, who then elevated her to be the first female Secretary of State in U.S. History. Her dad, Josef Korbel was a Czech diplomat and college professor who was fleeing Russian aggression and oppression aimed at his homeland and at Jews. Here is some trivia: Professor Korbel later taught and mentored at the University of Denver. And who was his star pupil? None other than our second female Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Wow! Now that’s a resume!
“Albright’s Candor – For the Good” – Albright never minced words and could be blunt, more than diplomatic. I’ll always remember two of her most famous quotes, one of which I liked, and the other where I disagreed. When Cuba shot down two private American planes in 1996, Cuba claimed they did so with cojones (balls, in English). To which Albright scolded, “This was not cojones. This was cowardice!” People loved it, especially coming from a female diplomat. Crude yes, but raw and honest, and frankly, on point. It even became a popular T-shirt!
“Albright’s Candor Goes South” -- The Albright quote I did not care for in 2016, was the suggestion that all women should vote for Hillary Clinton for president. “There’s a special place in hell for women that don’t help each other,” said Albright. Really? We’re getting to more parity in politics. Women continue to grow their numbers in the House and Senate. For the first time ever we’re about to have a 5-male, 4-female Supreme Court. Yes, much of this is long overdue, but the notion we should cast votes solely based on gender is archaic. It is what so many women have rightly fought against. Still, on balance, I tip my hat to the pioneering Albright! She was, as we say in the press, “good copy” for so many years. Rest in peace, Madame Secretary!
What are your thoughts on President Biden and his low approval ratings? Can he survive, or bounce back? Just click the comment button to let us know!
Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states and the entire Washington, DC media market. He is also a MINDSETTER™ contributing political writer and analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.
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