NEWS AND OPINION:
Is there a connection between President Ronald Reagan and President-elect Donald Trump? One analyst believes that there is.
“With the calendar almost set to turn to 2025, Americans are beginning to look forward to a new year and all the opportunities it may bring. Like the landslide victory of President Ronald Reagan a generation ago, President-elect Donald Trump’s historic political comeback is ushering in a new era of hope for the American people. For the first time since Trump’s last go-round in the White House, the country seems optimistic for the future,” said Andrew Shirley, a political speechwriter and columnist for AMAC Newsline, a publication of the Association of Mature American Citizens.
“According to a CBS News poll out just before Christmas, 57% of Americans say they are ’hopeful’ heading in the new year, a 10 % jump from the 47% who said the same at this time last year. That finding echoes the results from a Fox News poll earlier this month which found that 54% of Americans feel hopeful following the 2024 election — with even one in five Democrats saying they feel hopeful, too. Another Ipsos poll found that 70% of Americans think 2025 will be a better year for their families and their country than 2024,” Mr. Shirley wrote in the column, which was published Thursday.
“Like Reagan, Trump inherits a nation weary from economic struggles, social tensions, and diminished global standing,” he said.
“Reagan’s faith in the resilience of the American people propelled the country into a new era of growth and optimism. Similarly, Trump’s resurgence, fueled by a renewed national optimism, carries the potential to reframe America’s trajectory, proving that bold leadership and belief in the nation’s spirit can lead to remarkable change,” Mr. Shirley concluded.
FOR THE LEXICON
“Politically absurd.”
This phrase comes to us from M.D. Kittle, a senior elections correspondent for The Federalist, who sums it all up in a convenient list titled “The most politically absurd things Americans had to endure this year.”
Here’s one example from Mr. Kittle’s analysis, which was released Thursday.
That would be former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s suggestion in an interview with CBS News on Aug. 4 that President Biden has been a “Mount Rushmore kind of president.”
GETTING READY
The Federation for American Immigration Reform has released its “Legislative Agenda” for Congress.
It is meant to provide lawmakers with “a clear roadmap of what we as a nation must do to end current open-borders policies and restore the rule of law as the bedrock of our immigration system,” the organization said in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.
The group has its priorities in order.
“Within our Legislative Agenda there are four major areas of true immigration reform: (1) national security and border control; (2) immigration enforcement; (3) reforming legal immigration and protecting the American worker; and (4) defending voting integrity,” the statement said.
“The recommendations within our Agenda focus on several themes. These include ending fraud in our asylum system, stopping the flagrant abuse of parole, and amending existing law to ensure no future president can adopt mass release policies. We also seek reforms that protect the American worker, end chain migration, transform our legal immigration system to a merit-based system, and prevent noncitizen voting in our elections,” it said.
“While the recommendations in our Legislative Agenda are by no means exhaustive, they do represent major reforms that we consider to be top priorities and the most effective solutions for addressing the immigration crisis in the United States. 2025 is a year of opportunity,” the statement said.
MEETING OF THE MINDS
On the radar: “Marketing Politics: The Conference,” a meeting of observant advisers who follow the trends and shape the reputations of those with an influential role in the political process.
The event — set for Jan. 16 at the Washington Marriott at Metro Center — features more than a dozen speakers who specialize in political outreach, campaign strategy and fundraising.
“The political media landscape was reshaped in 2024, and now it’s your turn to understand what really worked and plan for future success. At MediaPost’s 12th annual Marketing Politics conference, join us in unpacking the game-changing tactics that distinguished the ‘Vibes Election.’ From influencer power to TV triumphs, this is your backstage pass to political marketing’s evolving strategies,” a public announcement of the event said.
”Curious if influencers are the new political ad giants? Wonder which campaign strategies will set the tone for 2026? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn directly from campaign leaders and strategists,” host MediaPost said.
Among the featured speakers are Taylor Black, chief marketing officer for the National Republican Congressional Committee; Max Docksey, political director for the Republican State Leadership Committee; and Cat Stern, director of paid media for the Harris for President campaign.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For sale: Grand lakeside estate house built in 1995 on 11 acres in Tahoe Vista, California. Four bedrooms, six baths, 5,274 square feet — “every room in the house presents unobstructed, panoramic views of Lake Tahoe.” Central great room features floor-to-ceiling windows, stone hearth and wood burning fireplace; property includes two additional fireplaces. Kitchen is “chef’s dream”; property includes a three-car garage, towering pine trees, lush lawn. two piers; priced at $10.7 million through sothebysrealty.com and enter 20242061 in the search function.
POLL DU JOUR
• 65% of U.S. adults “feel the need” to limit their media consumption about government and politics; 72% of Democrats, 63% of independents and 59% of Republicans agree.
• 51% of U.S. adults “feel the need” to limit their media consumption about overseas conflicts; 54% of Democrats, 52% of independents and 47% of Republicans agree.
• 45% of U.S. adults “feel the need” to limit their media consumption about the economy and jobs; 46% of Democrats, 43% of independents and 43% of Republicans agree.
• 42% of U.S. adults “feel the need” to limit their media consumption about climate change; 37% of Democrats, 44% of independents and 48% of Republicans agree.
SOURCE: An Associated Press/NORC poll of 1,251 U.S. adults interviewed online and by telephone from Dec. 5-9, with results released Thursday.
• Contact Jennifer Harper at [email protected].
This post was originally published on here
