NEWS AND OPINION:
Yes, the clock is ticking on the Christmas and holiday shopping rush. Here’s one possibility that could offer some quick insight and a little help to the nation as well.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan Alliance for American Manufacturing is offering its 10th anniversary edition of the Made in America Holiday Gift Guide, a helpful and charming annual list of American-made gift ideas from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
The organization says this guide is its biggest edition ever. It features 200 companies that showcase items made in America, and in 24 categories — items as varied as socks, kitchenware, outdoor fare, food, handbags, toys and cool stuff for dogs.
The organization has also conducted a poll that found that 81% of U.S. adults would prefer to purchase holiday gifts made in the U.S. if presented with the option — convinced it will boost the economy, create more jobs and support small businesses.
That’s good.
Find the guide and much more at Americanmanufacturing.org.
FOX NEWS: EIGHT YEARS ON TOP
Fox News is the still the champ.
The network has remained cable television’s most-watched network for the eighth consecutive year in 2023, besting news and non-news competition alike, according to year-end data from Nielsen Media Research.
In prime time, Fox News average 1.9 million nightly viewers — more than the combined totals of MSNBC with 1.2 million viewers and CNN with 586,000. Throughout the day, Fox News averaged 1.2 million viewers, compared with MSNBC (784,000) and CNN (482,000).
“During yet another unprecedented news cycle, cable viewers continued to choose Fox News Channel. From moderating debates to reporting in war zones and many stories in between, I am honored to work alongside this unrivaled team of journalists and opinion hosts as they continue to exceed expectations,” said Suzanne Scott, CEO of Fox News Media, in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.
Fox News also aired the six most-watched cable news programs of all. “The Five” ruled the airwaves with an average daily audience of 2.9 million viewers, followed by “Jesse Watters Primetime,” “Hannity,” “Special Report With Bret Baier,” “The Ingraham Angle” and “Gutfeld.”
Political coverage has also paid off for the network.
The first Republican primary debate in August, co-moderated by Mr. Baier and Martha MacCallum, drew an astonishing 13 million viewers. The second GOP debate — also featuring Mr. Baier and Ms. MacCallum — had 9.5 million viewers. Meanwhile, a bout between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom called “The Great Red State vs. Blue State Debate” and moderated by Sean Hannity — netted 5.5 million viewers.
We can’t overlook late-night host and funnyman Greg Gutfeld.
“Gutfeld! continued to disrupt the late-night landscape, outpacing broadcast shows CBS’ ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,’ NBC’s ‘The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,’ ABC’s ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ and beating all of cable late night in viewers,” Fox News said.
WHERE’S TRUMP?
Pondering the whereabouts of former President Donald Trump? He’s on the campaign trail, of course — headed for New Hampshire for an appearance Saturday in Durham — a seacoast town settled in 1635.
“Durham has long been a Democratic stronghold when it comes to New Hampshire politics. So, is the Trump campaign aiming to make a statement by bringing the former president to one of the bluest spots in the crucial northeastern battleground state? The Trump campaign says logistics rather than politics was behind the choice of venue location,” reported the Valley News, a local news organization.
“We’re trying to get the president to different parts of the state. We were over in Claremont a couple of weeks ago over in the western part of the state. We were over in Wolfeboro in the lakes region, and we haven’t been over to the seacoast,” Steve Stepanek, the Trump campaign’s senior adviser in New Hampshire, told the news organization.
REPUBLICAN KNOW-HOW
Republican-governed states are at the top of the heap when it comes to practical and productive economic management. An analysis released Thursday by the Republican National Committee offers the proof.
“President Biden deserves no credit for jobs that have been created – he paid Americans not to work for months and stifled economic growth. Republican-led states are the ones creating jobs and leading economic growth,” said the report, which is based on current numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“The latest state jobs report shows that eight of the top 10 states for jobs recovered since the coronavirus pandemic are led by Republican governors, and all 10 states have Republican-controlled legislatures. Out of the top 25 states with the lowest unemployment rates, 17 are led by Republican governors,” the report said.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For sale: Historic Tudor-style house built of stone and brick in 1925 on 14 wooded acres with a pond, near Waite Hill, Ohio. Six bedrooms, 10 baths, dramatic great room, vaulted ceilings, design embellishments and woodwork throughout; 12,516 square feet. Eight fireplaces, expansive chef’s kitchen, recreation wing includes bowling alley, lounge and second kitchen. Five-car garage with guest apartment, private ski slope, a “trophy property for the most discerning buyer.” Priced at $4.4 million through TheAgencyre.com; enter 4498766 in the search function.
POLL DU JOUR
• 18% of registered U.S. voters describe their political beliefs as “very conservative.”
• 21% describe their political beliefs as “somewhat conservative.”
• 29% describe their political beliefs as “moderate.”
• 14% describe their political beliefs as “somewhat liberal.”
• 13% describe their political beliefs as “very liberal.”
• 5% don’t know what their political beliefs are, or did not answer.
SOURCE: A Wall Street Journal poll of 1,500 registered U.S. voters conducted Nov. 29-Dec. 4 and released Thursday.
• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.