Inside the Beltway: The final turkey pardon arrives

NEWS AND OPINION:

As his days in the White House wane, President Obama is facing a series of final ceremonial acts of his office. Pardoning the Thanksgiving turkey is one of them, and Mr. Obama did just that on Wednesday afternoon. Enter  Tot, a splendid bird who hails from Storm Lake, Iowa. He is a male weighing in at 39 pounds, and went through an audition to gauge his ability to pose on a podium without too much fuss.

Accompanied by his two nephews Eric and Austin Robinson, Mr. Obama pardoned Tot, who behaved himself for the most part, save for a grand flapping of wings and a few feisty calls towards the end.

“I pardon you from the Thanksgiving table,” the president

Interesting to note that Tot tends to stroll in a relaxed saunter and enjoys tomatoes according to an official White House dispatch. His won the title of the “National Thanksgiving Turkey” by public vote. Happily, the final outcome did not spark riots or weeping. Now that his moment of fame is over, Tot  - and his alternate Tater - will journey to a new retirement home at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, to be tended by veterinarians and students.

Celebrity comes with duties though. Tater and Tot departed Iowa on Friday for a three-day trip to the nation’s capital in a specially outfitted van. They participated in a formal press conference at the celebrated Willard Intercontinental Hotel just two blocks from the White House on Tuesday, with benevolent support from the National Turkey Federation, an industry group that reveals Americans typically eat 212 million turkeys on Thanksgiving.

But not these two, who are guests at the Willard until their presidential pardon. This practice has been going on for quite some time and appears workable, though a Time magazine account revealed two years ago that it takes a considerable amount of brown paper and pine shavings to prepare the flooring in the deluxe room.

Meanwhile, the state of Iowa is proud of Tater and Tot, who warranted a big send-off from local farmers, fans and elected officials, including Rep. Steve King. He is still thinking of the birds.

“I’m giving life saving advice to the presidential turkey — art of the deal — how to negotiate with President Obama. Hope he hasn’t run out of pardons,” the Iowa Republican tweeted Tuesday.

’HAMILTON’ VS. PENCE SPARKS RATINGS

From Fox News: “The November 20th airing of Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace delivered its highest ratings in over ten years.” The program drew 5.7 million viewers from both the broadcast and cable realms.

And the topic that day? Vice president-elect Mike Pence appeared with Mr. Wallace to graciously downplay his post-curtain call encounter with cast members of “Hamilton,” who turned the hit play into a political encounter.

AND IN SUMMATION

“The spasms of outrage and protest that have rocked the country since Donald Trump’s election have revealed what should have been plain to see for a long time: progressives are through debating; they are interested only in enforcing their views. They believe they have won the culture wars, that there is no room left for dissent.”

— From an essay titled “Meet the intolerant vulgarians of the dirtbag left,” by John Daniel Davidson, a senior correspondent for The Federalist.

CONFIDENCE IN TRUMP TO SUCCEED

The majority of American voters have positive feelings about President-elect Donald Trump: 56 percent are optimistic about his first term in office and expect Mr. Trump to be successful. So says a new Pew Research Center poll. His fans have not lost admiration for their candidate: 97 percent of those who voted for Mr. Trump say he’ll succeed. Mr. Trump’s critics have not lost their ire: 15 percent of those who supported Hillary Clinton agree.

But it’s complicated.

“While expectations for Trump’s administration among Clinton voters are low, 58 percent of voters say they’re willing to give Trump a chance and see how he governs,” the poll notes. “But nearly four-in-ten Clinton voters (39 percent) say ’I can’t see myself giving Trump a chance because of the kind of person he has shown himself to be.’”

FRIENDLY ADVICE

Allies of President-elect Donald Trump are rising up after spending long years in a defensive posture. Interest groups, think tanks and other organizations are now offering their resources to the incoming president, delivered with much optimism.

The Chicago-based Heartland Institute, for example, has sent along an “Action Plan for President Trump,” which includes 34 free market policy recommendations on domestic policy. Find it here

“Many of the recommendations can be implemented immediately — and all would increase individual liberty, promote more rapid economic growth and restore the proper balance of power among the federal government, state governments and the people,” says Joseph Bast, president of the nonprofit. “President-elect Trump has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reverse the tide of debt, excessive regulation and crony socialism that has engulfed the nation since the election of President Obama.”

But there’s more. The Heritage Foundation has crafted a “blueprint for a new administration,” which offers specific steps for Mr. Trump to take the moment he walks in the door of the White House.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform is offering a step-by-step transition guide for Mr. Trump’s first 100 days and a detailed agenda for reforming immigration policy “in the public interest.” Dan Stein, president of the meticulous and fact-driven organization, will present the research and recommendation Tuesday at the National Press Club in the nation’s capital.

POLL DU JOUR

• 66 percent of Americans say President-elect Donald Trump “will change the country”; 90 percent of Republicans, 65 percent of independents and 47 percent of Democrats agree.

• 53 percent of Americans say Mr. Trump will do a good job in the White House; 93 percent of Republicans, 53 percent of independents and 15 percent of Democrats agree.

• 49 percent say the U.S. will be “better off” four years from now; 92 percent of Republicans, 48 percent of independents and 13 percent of Democrats agree.

• 48 percent overall have more confidence in Mr. Trump since Election Day; 86 percent of Republicans, 47 percent of independents and 17 percent of Democrats agree.

• 43 percent have less confidence in him; 6 percent of Republicans, 41 percent of independents and 79 percent of Democrats agree.

Source: A CNN/ORC poll of 1,003 U.S. adults conducted Nov. 17-20.

Chatter and talking points to jharper@washingtontimes.com