NEWS AND OPINION:
Can a truck be a gauge of political preference?
“Political preferences correlate with consumer preferences for household items or services, consumption patterns, and financial products or services,” reports Ipsos, a very active pollster that gauges political and cultural trends, among many other things.
“Registered voters who own an electric vehicle are more likely to support President Biden than former President Donald Trump, while those who own a truck are more likely to support Trump over Biden,” Ipsos said in an analysis of new findings released Wednesday.
The margin over Biden preference among owners of electric or hybrid vehicles was nearly 2-to-1 — 48% to 25%, Ipsos reported. Among truck owners, on the other hand, the margin favoring Mr. Trump was 43% to 25%.
“Registered voters who own more common household items or services — like high-speed internet or streaming services — are more mixed on their political preferences for the 2024 election, supporting Trump and Biden in near-equal fashion,” the research noted.
See the Poll du Jour at column’s end for further insight into what voters are experiencing during election season — along with the survey particulars.
HEADING WEST
The Republican National Committee is following illegal immigration patterns in the U.S. and noting the prevailing trends.
They now appear to be changing.
“As crackdowns by Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott dramatically reduce the number of illegal border crossings in his state, the flood of migrants heading west. Now, hundreds of illegal aliens are crossing near San Diego every day — forcing Border Patrol agents to transport them to other border cities. for ‘processing.’ Many of them are coming from ‘special interest’ countries with ‘national security concerns,’ including from China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia — potentially looking to assume entirely new identities as they enter the U.S.,” reports Jake Schneider, RNC director of rapid response.
“Such is the everyday reality of President Biden’s border invasion, where illegal aliens are being caught, released, and resettled in record numbers — willfully aided and abetted by the corrupt Biden administration. President Trump secured the border once before — and he’ll do it again,” Mr. Schneider declared in his evaluation, which was released Wednesday.
GUTFELD’S RECORD BREAKER
Fox News late night host Greg Gutfeld had a record-breaking moment this week. On Monday, his funny late-night program “Gutfeld!” delivered its highest-rated telecast ever.
According to Nielsen Media Research, 2.9 million viewers tuned in to watch the comedic encounters, which on this night included a first-time and convivial appearance by fellow comedian and commentator Bill Maher.
Meanwhile, here are the audience numbers from the competition: “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on CBS (1.8 million), ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (1.6 million), NBC’s “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” (1.1 million) and Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” (697,000).
Mr. Gutfeld also drew the largest audiences in the coveted 18-49 year-old demographic, and those viewers in the 25-54 year-old demographic. He is also a co-host of “The Five” on Fox News, is the author of seven books, and will embark on a national tour in June which will take him to New Jersey, Florida, North Carolina and — of course — Las Vegas.
What’s on his script, not to mention agenda when he steps away from the camera and onto a stage?
“Don’t miss this chance to see Greg as you’ve never seen him before,” advises the press release for the tour, advising that it will be an “action-packed evening of hilarious and engaging conversation filled with laughter and insight.”
Find his website at GGutfeld.com.
ON THE RADAR
Yes, this event is on the radar in more ways than one.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will issue its outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season during a news conference Thursday morning at the National Press Club in the nation’s capital.
“Leaders from NOAA and the National Weather Service will announce the expected storm activity for the upcoming Atlantic hurricane season, climate factors that will influence hurricane development and NOAA’s readiness with new products related to hurricane hazards and upgrades to enhance forecasts and communications. NOAA and FEMA also will provide guidance on how the public can prepare for hurricane season, which officially begins on June 1,” NOAA said in a press release shared with Inside the Beltway.
There’s some heritage to consider, by the way.
“NOAA’s roots reach back more than 200 years,” the agency says in a short history.
The agency was preceded by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1807, the Weather Bureau (founded in 1870) and the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries (1871).
“The cultures of scientific accuracy and precision, service to protect life and property, and stewardship of resources of these three agencies were brought together in 1970 with the establishment of NOAA, an agency within the Department of Commerce,” the history advised.
Find them at NOAA.gov.
And one more thing, while we’re talking about clouds, wind, rain, forecasts and other matters. Find the National Weather Service’s very fine national weather map at Weather.gov.
POLL DU JOUR
• 58% of U.S. adults have seen an ad for an individual political candidate in the past month.
• 55% have seen an ad for a political issue or organization in the past month.
• 37% have received a text message from a political campaign asking for support or a donation in the past month.
• 36% have received an email from a political campaign asking for support or a donation in the past month.
• 22% have received a phone call from a political campaign asking for support or a donation in the past month.
• 7% have donated to a political campaign or issue organization in the past month.
SOURCE: An Ipsos 2024 National Election survey of 2,144 U.S. adults, conducted online May 7-13 and released Wednesday.
• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.