NEWS AND OPINION:
Former President Donald Trump is not abandoning his outreach to religiously minded voters. His campaign has launched a Team Trump Iowa Faith Tour, which will kick into gear next week.
The tour features Ben Carson as principal speaker for two initial gatherings. He’ll visit Grace Family Church in Davenport and Grace Baptist Church in Marion.
The campaign has not abandoned its candid quest to better the nation.
“The American way of life is under attack while career politicians destroy our economy and sabotage our nation’s incredible potential. We will take our country back from the corrupt Washington establishment and return power to the American people, where it belongs. We will achieve a future of prosperity, security, and peace — creating once again the greatest economy in the history of the world, defending our borders, restoring energy independence, and leading with strength and pride on the world stage,” a written mission statement at the Trump campaign website said.
“It is time to put America first once more and usher in a glorious new era of faith, family, and freedom. Together, we will save lives, save jobs, and save America. Join us in our unstoppable mission to Make America Great Again,” the statement said.
TRUMP’S SUMMARY
So what does former President Donald Trump think of President Biden’s assorted activities during his time in office?
“The most urgent task facing the next president is to end Joe Biden’s nation-wrecking nightmare on our southern border. I am the only candidate who will stop this invasion — and I will do it on day one,” Mr. Trump wrote in a guest column for the Des Moines Register published Thursday.
“Joe Biden is leaving behind a catastrophe of historic proportions. The next president must secure the border while also stopping inflation, saving the economy, cleaning up Washington corruption, restoring peace through strength, and preventing World War III,” Mr. Trump advised.
STILL ON THE ROAD
Meanwhile, Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy continues to barnstorm around Iowa, beginning with a “Commit to Caucus Rally” in Ames on Friday morning followed by seven town halls and three more “Commit to Caucus” rallies across the state.
Mr. Ramaswamy will appear in Dewitt, Muscatine, Monticello, Maquoketa, Dubuque, Davenport, Clarence, Washington, Marengo and Cedar Rapids, according to his campaign.
THE TRILLION FACTOR
The national debt surpassed $34 trillion this week — a phenomenon that gave the news media something to consider beyond the presidential election. A few headlines of note from the last 24 hours:
“A $34 trillion national debt? You ain’t seen nothing yet” (Yahoo Finance); “The national debt tops $34 trillion — a record high. How worried should we be?” (National Public Radio); “National debt tops $34 trillion, but so what?” (FXStreet.com); “US public debt tops $34 trillion as Congress heads into funding fight” (Reuters); “‘This becomes insane’: US national debt hits record $34 trillion” (NewsNation); “Biden administration shifts blame as national debt reaches historic high of $34 trillion” (Fox News); and “The national debt hit a record $34 trillion: How much should you worry?” (Investopedia.com).
ON THE RADAR
The annual March for Life is set for Jan. 19 in the nation’s capital.
“This year we will also march past the U.S. Capitol and finish between the Capitol and Supreme Court. We will give witness to the inherent dignity of the human person to pro-life and pro-abortion legislators alike, helping them understand that we will not cease advocating for women and children until every life is protected,” the organization said in a written statement.
“Even with the wonderful blessing of Roe v. Wade being overturned, which allows more freedom at the state level to enact pro-life laws, the necessary work to build a culture of life in the United States of America is not finished. Rather, it is focused differently. Sadly, the number of abortions annually is still well over 900,000 each year, and that number is expected to decrease only by roughly 200,000 each year in a post-Roe America,” the organization said.
“Many national legislative battles loom, including even keeping longstanding Hyde protections, which limit government funding for abortion on annual appropriation bills,” the organization said, explaining that “the Hyde Amendment has saved over 2 million lives and is arguably the most impactful pro-life policy in our nation’s history, but now cannot be taken for granted.”
“Last,” the organization said, “our most important work is changing hearts and minds. The goal of the national March for Life is to not only change laws at the state and federal level, but to change the culture to ultimately make abortion unthinkable.”
Visit MarchforLife.org for more information.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For sale: Handsome and historic stone farmhouse built in 1732 on 212 acres in Stockton, New Jersey. Four bedrooms, four baths, restored with a new addition in 2021. “Gathering” room, expansive dining area with a wall of windows facing garden; three fireplaces, library, sitting room with scenic views, flagstone terrace — “a serene and secluded retreat like no other,” 5,592 square feet. Includes barn and equestrian facilities, stables, garage for four cars. Priced at $7.5 million through Sothebysrealty.com; enter NJHT2002244 in the search function.
POLL DU JOUR
• 23% of U.S. adults predict that 2024 will be a “terrible” year for the country; 33% of Republicans, 27% of independents and 9% of Democrats agree.
• 20% predict 2024 will be a “bad” year for the country; 27% of Republicans, 21% of independents and 12% of Democrats agree.
• 21% predict 2024 will be an “OK” year for the country; 16% of Republicans, 24% of independents and 23% of Democrats agree.
• 15% think it will be a “good” year; 8% of Republicans, 8% of independents and 28% of Democrats agree.
• 8% predict 2024 will be a “great” year for the country; 7% of Republicans, 4% of independents and 13% of Democrats agree.
• 14% are “not sure” what kind of year it will be; 10% of Republicans, 15% of independents and 15% of Democrats agree.
SOURCE: A YouGov survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted Dec. 11-14 and released Dec. 21.
• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook at HarperUniverse.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.