NEWS AND OPINION:
There’s a significant meeting of influential Republicans happening this weekend. That would be the First in the Nation Leadership Summit, taking place Friday and Saturday in scenic Nashua, New Hampshire.
“Presidential candidates, elected officials, and Republican thought leaders from across the nation will be joining together to discuss conservative solutions to today’s issues,” advises the New Hampshire Republican Party, which is hosting the big doings.
Indeed. Here’s a partial list of the speakers, and in no particular order: Sens. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Joni Ernst of Iowa; Rep. Kat Cammack of Florida; former Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York; Govs. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Doug Burgum of North Dakota; plus Republican presidential hopefuls Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie, Mike Pence, Asa Hutchinson, Ryan Binkley and Perry Johnson.
Other guest speakers include Americans for Tax Reform founder Grover Norquist, former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, former acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Tom Homan, attorney Harmeet K. Dhillon and New Hampshire House Speaker Sherman Packard.
And about the host organization — it has some genuine political heritage of their own.
“The New Hampshire Republican Party was founded on October 12, 1853 by Amos Tuck in Exeter, New Hampshire – the earliest known date a Republican Party was formed, making New Hampshire the birthplace of the national Republican Party,” the organization summarizes in a very brief history of the group.
REPUBLICAN REALITY CHECK
The Republican National Committee continues to monitor the U.S. economy, current business indicators and the negative outcomes for Americans themselves.
“The Consumer Price Index showed no signs of improvement. Inflation remains up 3.7% over last year – more than double what it was when President Biden took office. Core consumer prices — stripping out food and energy — rose by 4.1% over last year. On a year-over-year basis, inflation has averaged 6% under Biden — more than double the level of inflation under any of the last four presidents,” notes Jake Schneider, the committee’s director of rapid response.
“Americans’ finances are hardest hit. Since Biden took office, food prices are up more than 20%, rent is up more than 17%, and electricity is up almost 27%. All told, prices are up by 17.7% while real wages are down by 3.2% under Biden,” he advises in a written report shared with Inside the Beltway.
“As Americans pay substantially more for just about everything, the average real wealth for middle-class households is down more than $33,000 in the past year. More Americans are behind on credit cards, auto loans, and personal loans than at any time since the Great Recession, and credit card debt is at an all-time high. Interest rates are at their highest in more than two decades, the average monthly payment for a new vehicle is at a record high and housing is less affordable than ever,” Mr. Schneider noted.
“We are, once again, seeing ‘Bidenomics’ in action — and it’s not good,” he concluded.
Others agree.
“Americans are paying more for just about everything under Biden and there’s no relief in sight. That’s Bidenomics,” said committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, also in a written statement.
FAITH IN SCALISE
In his forthcoming bid to become House speaker, Rep. Steve Scalise has the support of a national grassroots movement which includes some 2 million conservatives and people of faith.
“Steve Scalise has been a solid champion for life, the family, religious liberty, and sound fiscal policy throughout his public life. He has been an unapologetic defender of conservative principles from the moment he arrived in Congress,” said Ralph Reed, founder of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, and Timothy Head, executive director of the organization, in a joint written statement.
They had praise for Rep. Jim Jordan, Ohio Republican and Mr. Scalise’s former rival for the post, as well.
“We are grateful to our friend Jim Jordan for agreeing to nominate Speaker-designate Scalise as a gesture of unity. Now that Republicans have chosen a speaker-designate, it is time for the House to get back to work,” the two noted.
“With Israel under attack, Iran fomenting terror, a ground war in Europe, inflation devouring the incomes of working families, the imminent need to pass a spending plan, and our southern border overrun by illegal crossings and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, this is no time for paralysis on Capitol Hill. Republicans need to unite behind Rep. Scalise so they can address the critical issues facing American families and our longtime allies. We strongly urge Republicans to vote posthaste to make Steve Scalise the next House speaker,” the two faith leaders advised.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For sale: Iconic singer/songwriter Elton’s John’s high-rise condominium, built in Atlanta in 1987. Four bedrooms, seven spa-inspired baths, a “palatial two-story sky residence” with spectacular skyline views; 13,332 square feet. Includes grand foyer, two-story dining room, grand salon. Floor to ceiling windows, interior pillars, natural wood and soaring white walls throughout; state-of-the-art kitchen. Also includes a home fitness studio, office, spa, three guest suites, nine reserved parking places on ground level. Priced at $4.9 million through Sothesbysrealty.com; enter 7276933 in the search function.
POLL DU JOUR
• 58% of U.S. adults say they would describe inflation and higher prices in the U.S. as “an emergency”; 66% of Republicans, 60% of independents and 48% of Democrats agree.
• 63% of women and 52% of men also agree.
• 37% overall say inflation and higher prices are a “major problem but not an emergency”: 31% of Republicans, 37% of independents and 43% of Democrats agree.
• 33% of women and 42% of men also agree.
• 5% say inflation and higher prices are “a minor problem”; 2% of Republicans, 3% of independents and 8% of Democrats agree.
• 3% of women and 7% of men also agree.
• 0% of the respondents said inflation and higher prices are “not a problem.”
SOURCE: A Fox News poll of 1,007 registered U.S. voters conducted Oct. 6-9.
• Contact Jennifer Harper at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.