NEWS AND OPINION:
There’s a significant gathering in the nation’s capital this weekend - and the name of the event tells all. The third annual Pray Vote Stand Summit opens Friday at a historic hotel in Washington and includes a roster of 48 high-profile speakers with much on their minds.
Those confirmed speakers include such Republican presidential hopefuls as former President Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Other appearing will be such Republican lawmakers as Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Reps. Jim Banks of Indiana, Byron Donalds of Florida, Mary Miller of Illinois, and Chris Smith of New Jersey. Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson will also have a say, as will champion swimmer Riley Gaines.
The hosting Family Research Council describes the event as “a national gathering of spiritually active, governance engaged conservatives” — otherwise known as “SAGE Cons,” according to advance press materials.
“Our nation stands at a critical juncture. America needs leadership that will confront the cultural and spiritual crisis facing our country. As we move into the 2024 presidential election cycle, we are working to ensure the issues impacting faith, family, and freedom are understood and advanced,” FRC President Tony Perkins said in a written statement.
Things get underway each morning with a worship service followed by programs on such topics as “De-Woking the Pentagon: Returning the Military’s Focus to Its Mission,” “Strategies for Saving America’s Schools and School Children” and “Restoring Faith in America: Opening the Door to Fearless Expressions of Faith.”
There’s a sumptuous dinner Saturday evening which will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Family Research Council itself. Find information about the event at PrayVoteStand.org. Find the Family Research Council at FRC.org.
A DESANTIS COALITION
In the meantime, the aforementioned Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has added a faith dynamic to his White House campaign.
He has launched a national “Faith and Family Coalition” — and also revealed that he has won endorsements from over 70 religious leaders in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
“DeSantis’ Faith and Family Coalition will help spread his message to put ‘God over government’ as well as build support for the actions he will take as president to defend religious freedom, allow people of faith to flourish, and advance the culture of life,” his campaign advised in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.
“Not all politicians say the right things, but I have found Ron DeSantis to articulate the policies I believe in,” said Michael Jones, pastor of Oakwood Baptist Church in Anderson, South Carolina.
“He is committed to fighting for the unborn, opposing woke ideology, protecting free speech, advocating for school choice and limiting big government. While he does not just say the right things, he has a proven track record of doing the right things. This is why I am proud to support his run for presidency by joining the Faith and Family Coalition,” Mr. Jones said in a written statement.
A BOOK OF NOTE
Regnery Publishing has signed a book deal with Liz Truss, the 56th prime minister of the United Kingdom. The forthcoming book is titled “Ten Years to Save the West” and it is scheduled to publish on April 16.
“Liz Truss has been the Conservative member of Parliament for South West Norfolk since 2010 and served as the 56th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,” the publisher said in a written statement.
“She continuously held ministerial office for more than ten years between 2012 and 2022 and sat at the Cabinet table in six different roles prior to becoming Prime Minister,” the statement noted.
The author, meanwhile, also has a message for Americans in general.
“Ahead of the presidential election in the fall of 2024, Truss will in particular sound a timely alarm bell that failing to learn from her experiences in the UK — where the state is now spending 47% of national income – could lead to the same mistakes being made in the U.S., with disastrous consequences for American families,” Regnery said.
The publisher refers to the author as “the scrappy champion of limited government and individual freedom.”
The book also will be “peppered with newsworthy anecdotes.”
In addition, Regnery reveals that forthcoming books include several penned by lawmakers, including “Deception: The Great Covid Cover-up” by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky; “Unwoke: How to Defeat Cultural Marxism in America” by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas; and “For Love of Country: Why I left the Democratic Party” by former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For sale: The Hale House, a classic Colonial-era home built in 1710 on one acre in Longmeadow, Mass. Four bedrooms, four baths, plus dining, living and family rooms; original beamed ceilings and woodworking, three fireplaces, wide plank floors; 3,870 square feet. The “remarkably renovated” home includes a completely updated, open-concept, 22-foot long kitchen plus two-car garage, brick patio, wooded lot, mature trees, deck. The property “in close proximity to the picturesque town green.” Priced at $725,900 through NRGrealestate.com; enter 73135855 in the search function.
POLL DU JOUR
• 15% of U.S. adults are “very concerned” about new COVID-19 variants that could spread across the country; 7% of Republicans, 14% of independents and 20% of Democrats agree.
• 12% of men and 18% of women also agree.
• 32% overall are “very concerned” about the spread of a new variant; 18% of Republicans, 34% of independents and 49% of Democrats agree.
• 24% of men and 41% of women also agree.
• 22% are “not so concerned” about the spread of a new variant; 24% of Republicans, 22% of independents and 23% of Democrats agree.
• 24% of men and 20% of women also agree.
• 31% overall are “not concerned at all” about the spread of a new variant; 52% of Republicans, 29% of independents and 8% of Democrats agree.
• 41% of men and 21% of women also agree.
SOURCE: A Quinnipiac University poll of 1,910 U.S. adults conducted Sept. 7-11.
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• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.