Two Polling Nuggets - Immigration and "Someone else"; NYT Horrid Headlines, and the Censorship Industrial Complex.

Rolling Stones - Ray Charles - Bob Marley

1. Baseline - National Right Track/Wrong Track. Net negative 44.4

   

   Note peak on July 5 of last summer - negative 59.

2. That was gas prices. Note recent drop.

   

3. Small wonder why economists have grown more optimistic for 2024.

   

4. Okay, Nugget #1 - Grinnell asked the Biden Trump II question a little differently than most - their question included “someone else” vs leaving non respondents to say “undecided” note the outcome:

   

   18. That’s 1992 Ross Perot territory.

   That’s before a well known funded candidate is offered. #BuckleUp

5. Emerson found Nugget #2 this one on immigration: bold italics for emphasis

   While concern over immigration has grown across all regions of the country since September, Northeastern voters rank the issue highest, with 19% naming it the most important issue facing the country,” Matt Taglia, Senior Director of Emerson College Polling, said. “Among all voters who say immigration is their top issue, 79% plan to support Trump in the Presidential election, and just 14% support Biden.

   Northeastern voters????

   Small wonder Biden included $14 billion for the southern border in his Ukraine/Israel funding request. Full speech text here. Yet, there was no mention in the speech of the border funding which is equal to his request for Israel.

6. White House request article via AP.

   The White House wants roughly $14 billion to, among other things, boost the number of border agents, install new inspection machines to detect fentanyl and increase staffing to process asylum cases.

7. Imagine what a functioning U.S. House of Representatives would send to the Senate to eventually land on Biden’s desk given the initial $105 Billion offering.

8. In the Punchbowl News this morning, Virginia Congressman Bob Good is quoted along with Congresswoman Lauren Boebert:

   Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) said it’s “sad” Buck opposes Jordan.

   “I don’t know what the exact reason is for him opposing Jim Jordan,” Boebert told us. “I know many constituents in his district want to see Jim Jordan as speaker.”

   Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) echoed Boebert’s sentiment.

   “I don’t understand his opposition,” Good said, adding that he’s talked to Buck frequently about it.

   

9. Speaking of there are no words, the New York Times is in deep kimchi given their horrid headlines on the Gaza hospital incident. Here are their changing headlines. #JustFireSomeoneAnyone

   

10. Check out Introducing the Westminster Declaration One hundred and thirty-eight artists, public intellectuals, and journalists demand governments dismantle the Censorship Industrial Complex

    In March of this year, two of us, Matt and Michael, testified to Congress about the existence of a Censorship Industrial Complex comprised of government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and Big Tech companies working together to suppress disfavored views and disfavored people.

    At that hearing and ever since, elected members of Congress, the mainstream news media, and the NGOs have argued that there is no Censorship Complex, just people doing research into and trying to correct misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.

    But now, a group of 138 scholars, public intellectuals, and journalists from across the political spectrum have issued a strong call warning the public of the Censorship Industrial Complex and urging governments to dismantle it in the name of the “first liberty,” freedom of speech. It’s called The Westminster Declaration.

    Annnd finally… anecdotes to share with you in relation to the Israel - Hamas/Iran War.

    1. In direct response to the attack on Israel, my wife put up our Christmas tree. “Hamas couldn't behave themselves and I need some peace & joy.” Hamas meets The Hammer.

    Hammer 1 Hamas 0.

    She also shouted out during Biden’s speech last night, “I’m fine with helping Ukraine and Israel, but close the damn border here first!”

    Hammer 1 Biden 0

    2. 5:30 in the morning coffee buddy at a local Starbucks (only ten to choose from) shared and asked, “I go to a local gun range once a week to shoot my 9mm. You know what I have seen more of lately?”

    “No idea.”

    “Yarmulkes.” (a skullcap worn in public by Orthodox Jewish men or during prayer by other Jewish men.)

    “Wow.”

    “Also, a guy at the golf club asked me to help him buy a gun. He’s Jewish and wants to protect himself.”

    Duly noted…

Today’s Zoom at 3pm - click here

Topics - U.S House turmoil, Israel/Hamas, and the General Assembly Elections.

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