NEWS AND OPINION:
Wait, didn’t we just have a big presidential debate? Yes. But time marches on — and so do the candidates. Here comes another bout between White House hopefuls of the Republican persuasion. Megyn Kelly will be one of the moderators here, by the way.
NewsNation will host the fourth Republican presidential primary debate of the 2024 cycle on Dec. 6 from 8-10 p.m. ET.
The aforementioned host of “The Megyn Kelly Show” on SiriusXM has some history here.
Ms. Kelly previously moderated five GOP primary debates, including the first debate in the 2016 election cycle, which was watched by 23.9 million viewers, which Nielsen says makes it the most watched presidential primary debate in history.
“It was a raucous affair, with Megyn Kelly drawing notice for asking Donald Trump, the real-estate mogul who has emerged as Republican front-runner early in the process, about the way he spoke about women. Trump seemed put off by the query,” Variety reported at the time.
But let’s scurry back to the present day.
Elizabeth Vargas, the Peabody award-winning anchor of NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports,” plus Eliana Johnson, editor-in-chief of the Washington Free Beacon will also moderate the December event, ahich will take place at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
The debate will air live on NewsNation and be simulcast on the CW, Nexstar’s broadcast television network. The event also will be livestreamed on NewsNationNow.com, and on Rumble.
‘TIM SCOTT’S GIRLFRIEND’
One mystery person drew almost as much media interest as the Republican presidential debate on Wednesday evening.
That would be Mindy Noce, collectively billed as “Tim Scott’s girlfriend” by a cross section of media organizations — including Politico, Axios, The New York Times, USA Today and the New York Post.
Mr. Scott first alluded to a significant other in September during an appearance in Iowa describing Ms. Noce as a “lovely Christian girl.”
The South Carolina Republican brought her onstage briefly following the Republican presidential debate on Wednesday night; a campaign statement which followed described her as “his girlfriend Mindy.”
She is an interior designer and renovations specialist from Charleston, South Carolina.
Meanwhile, Mr. Scott is offering an emphatic message.
“I believe America is the greatest country on God’s green earth. We’re not a nation in decline, we’re a nation in retreat under Biden, and I will lead the charge for American strength. It’s time to restore hope, create new opportunities, and protect our country,” he said in a statement released by his campaign.
“We need an optimistic, positive messenger who can beat President Joe Biden and turn things around, and the polls show I am that person,” Mr. Scott said.
NEVER FORGET
To commemorate Veterans Day, the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the National Park Service will host a special event at 9 a.m. Saturday at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
There are some noteworthy guests indeed. They include 100-year-old Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Shelton “Ivan” Ware and a host of his fellow vets from that significant era.
Also attending: Jane Droppa, Friends of the National World War II Memorial chair; Jeff Reinbold, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks; National Park Service Director Charles F. Sams III; actress and singer Mary Millben; Lt. Col. Will Horton, Army chaplain; and the United States Army Brass Quintet.
Ms. Millben, by the way, has performed for three consecutive U.S. presidents: George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
The entire event will be streamed live via the Friends Facebook page.
JOURNALISTS IN WAR
“The Israel-Gaza war has taken a severe toll on journalists since Hamas launched its unprecedented attack against Israel on Oct. 7 and Israel declared war on the militant Palestinian group, launching strikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip,” reports the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The independent, nonprofit organization based in New York City promotes press freedom worldwide — and “defends the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal,” according to its mission statement.
The organization reported Thursday that preliminary investigations showed at least 39 journalists and media workers are among the more than 12,000 killed since the war began Oct. 7. Find them at CPJ.org.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For sale: The Hobbit House — a bungalow built in 1960 by wood artisan Cedric Hollingsworth from hand-hewn beams sourced from old railroad-trestle bridges. The home is located on three acres in Mendocino, California. Four bedrooms, three baths, custom metalwork, chef’s kitchen, family room with massive stone fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows, balcony, wide array of woods and stone work throughout the interior, ocean views, 2,500 square feet. Custom barn with workshop, brick walkways, decorative gates; property borders on a marine and nature preserve. Priced at $4.2 million through Mendocinoagent.com; enter C1-10383 in the search function.
POLL DU JOUR
• 16% of U.S. adults say they are “very satisfied” with the way things are going in their lives today; 18% of Republicans, 9% of independents and 22% of Democrats agree.
• 15% of men and 17% of women also agree.
• 45% overall say they are “somewhat satisfied” with the way things are going; 37% of Republicans, 47% of independents and 51% of Democrats agree.
• 47% of men and 44% of women also agree.
• 24% overall say they are “somewhat dissatisfied” with the way things are going; 29% of Republicans, 23% of independents and 21% of Democrats agree.
• 23% of men and 25% of women also agree.
• 14% overall are “very dissatisfied”; 17% of Republicans, 21% of independents and 6% of Democrats agree.
• 15% of men and 14% of women also agree.
SOURCE: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted Oct. 8-10 and released Oct. 27.
• Contact Jennifer Harper at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.