Inside the Beltway: Sarah Palin: Pray for America, trust your faith

By Jennifer Harper - The Washington Times - Sunday, November 15, 2015

NEWS AND OPINION:

On bookshelves Monday: A new book by Sarah Palin titled “Sweet Freedom: A Devotional” — well-timed, considering the unsettled state of the planet in the last 72 hours. The compact, Bible-based volume offers 260 meditations from the former Alaska governor’s own life and times, with suggested readings from both the Old and New Testaments.

The author has become a reflective mama grizzly with much concern over a changing nation; she advises readers to pray for America, remember the faith of founding fathers, and forget about passive whining and hand-wringing.

“I think it is so important for us to recognize that we aren’t the ones who are in control of this crazy life,” Mrs. Palin tells Inside the Beltway. “With politicians in Washington going back and forth with their power struggles, the only way we are ever going to get answers is to recognize and appeal to the one who truly holds the power. It’s not about one party or the other. I believe we must look to God for guidance to steer our great nation back on course.”

Published by Regnery, the 288-page book includes conversational vignettes paired with specific biblical verses; Mrs. Palin’s political, personal, professional and even legal experiences are included here, along with historical references. There are spaces to take notes. The one-time vice-presidential hopeful — who told CBS News on Sunday she would be willing to run for office again — considers the book to be a road map for those who believe in American exceptionalism, potential and grit.

“Answers to personal and political struggles can’t be found in the next great politicians, in any self-exalting self-help seminar, or in the next cultural trend. We can passionately protest, picket and vote our way to protect constitutional freedoms, but as much as these are imperatively part of civic life, the answer to true freedom relies on a different sort of excitement,” Mrs. Palin writes.

The Bible is the “blueprint” she says, advising readers, “The key is inside. So hang in there, and don’t let weariness knock you down.”

STILL TRACKING $70 MILLION TRIPS

“We have new records from the U.S. Air Force revealing that President Obama and family had a busy 2015, vacationing on the American taxpayers’ dime. The unnecessary travel included an Obama Palm Springs golf trip in June, a trip to New York City in July and a family trip to Martha’s Vineyard in August — all of which cost taxpayers $3,115,688.70 in travel expenses alone,” says Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch, and a regular tracker of such expenses.

He got his information from three Freedom of Information Act requests filed in June, July and August.

Mr. Fitton has a somewhat hair-raising addendum regarding Mr. Obama and Vice President Joseph R. Biden over their entire term of office: “To date, the total known expenses for travel by the Obamas and Bidens are currently $70,563,336.75,” he says.

NOW THERE’S A THOUGHT

“I agree that radical Islam has, in percentage terms, a small following among Muslims. But 5 percent of a billion people is 50 million.”

— Commentary Magazine editor John Podhoretz, in a tweet Sunday.

BONO’S BIG MOMENT

“This is the first direct hit on music that we’ve had in this so-called war on terror or whatever it’s called. It’s very upsetting. These are our people. This could be me at a show, you at a show, in that venue. It’s a very recognizable situation for you and for me, and the cold-blooded aspect of this slaughter is deeply disturbing — and that’s what I can’t get out of my head.”

— U2 lead singer Bono on the Paris terrorist attacks, to RTE — Ireland’s national public radio and TV broadcaster.

MARK LEVIN’S RARITY

A rare genuine moment in the nation’s capital Monday: Talk radio host and author Mark Levin presents Hillsdale College with a rare first edition of the Federalist Papers for public exhibition at the College’s Allan P. Kirby Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship.

The first edition copy is one of only 500 copies commissioned by Alexander Hamilton in 1787. It will be on loan to Hillsdale College from Mr. Levin’s personal collection for two years.

DEMOCRATIC DEBATE A VICTORY FOR THE GOP

A new Public Policy Polling survey reveals that two-thirds of Democratic primary voters say Hillary Rodham Clinton won the party’s second presidential debate Saturday; 20 percent favored Sen. Bernard Sanders, 7 percent former Gov. Martin O’Malley. The viewing audience for the CBS-hosted event was not gigantic; 8.5 million tuned in, according to Nielsen Media numbers; 15 million watched the first debate.

Their Republican rivals could be victors in more ways than one here.

“In what should have been a walk in the park for Hillary Clinton, the debate reinforced that she is inconsistent on issues, weak on terrorism and beholden to special interests,” says Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus.

“After running to the right of President Obama in 2008, tonight Clinton continued to shift to the left on issue after issue to keep up with a 74-year old socialist from Vermont,” Mr. Priebus continued, citing Mrs. Clinton for not addressing “Islamic extremism” or Mr. Obama’s “failing” Islamic State strategy.

“It only reinforced why we need to send a Republican to the White House and that Hillary Clinton and the Democrats don’t have the ideas to keep America safe,” the chairman concluded.

POLL DU JOUR

• 86 percent of Democrats say Sen. Bernard Sanders is “honest and trustworthy”; 76 percent say the same of former Gov. Martin O’Malley, 58 percent of former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

• 83 percent say Mrs. Clinton has strong leadership qualities; 70 percent say the same of Mr. Sanders, 48 percent of Mr. O’Malley.

• 73 percent say Mr. Sanders shares their values; 71 percent cite Mrs. Clinton, 61 percent Mr. O’Malley.

• 51 percent Mrs. Clinton won the party’s presidential debate Saturday; 28 percent cited Mr. Sanders, 7 percent Mr. O’Malley.

• 42 percent say their opinion of Mr. O’Malley was “changed for the better” by the debate; 40 percent say the same of Mr. Sanders, 38 percent of Mrs. Clinton.

Source: A CBS News/GFK poll of 674 self-identified Democrats conducted Nov. 14.

• Observations and chatter to jharper@washingtontimes.com.

• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.