NEWS AND OPINION:
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is determined to visit every county in the state of Iowa during his Republican presidential-primary campaign. So how’s he doing?
“Ron DeSantis returned to Iowa and hit six new counties,” his campaign said in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.
His goal is to complete “The Full Grassley,” the campaign said. That term refers to Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa — who has visited all 99 counties in Iowa every year for 43 consecutive years.
“Representative government is a two-way street, and it requires continued dialogue between elected officials and the people we represent. I appreciate the opportunity to hold town meetings, answer questions and take comments from Iowans. My annual 99 county meetings help me regularly keep in touch with Iowans to better represent them in Washington,” Mr. Grassley said in a statement released in August.
Mr. DeSantis has taken notice. Here is a description of the candidate’s activities on Saturday alone.
The day began with a meet-and-greet event in which Mr. DeSantis “emphasized his commitment to leading America’s revival on the world stage,” his campaign said.
“Then, DeSantis stopped at The Mill Coffee Bar and General Store in Ringgold County. As he was driving through the area, he noticed some supporters outside waving, and stopped to say hello. Afterwards, DeSantis visited Junction Café in Taylor County. Then, Icehouse Bar and Restaurant in Page County was next on the itinerary. He hit Fremont County at Westside Bar and Grill in Sidney,” the campaign continued.
Mr. DeSantis is indeed closing in on his “Full Grassley” goal.
“Finally, DeSantis hit No. 80 at Tom and Tiffs Family Restaurant in Mills County. 80 counties down — only 19 more to go,” his campaign advised.
A VISIT TO SIMI VALLEY
Former second lady Karen Pence pays a call Tuesday on the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, for a book signing.
The wife of former Vice President Mike Pence has indeed penned a new book titled “When It’s Your Turn to Serve: Experiencing God’s Grace in His Calling for Your Life.” It was released Sept. 26 by Broadside Books, an imprint of publishing giant HarperCollins.
“Karen Pence shares a collection of personal stories from her roles as a leader, teacher, mother, and Christian throughout her unpredictable life. This warm and deeply heartfelt book offers insights into her lessons on God, faith, and family. Filled with meaningful stories that might have gone unnoticed, it inspires readers to seize opportunities, find their purpose in God’s plan, and make a difference when it’s their ‘turn to serve,’” the publisher said in a statement about the book.
The event, incidentally, will be broadcast live and online at 9 p.m. EDT through the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute’s website and social-media channels. Find information at ReaganFoundation.org.
BIDENOMICS FALTERS
This is certainly not akin to “Reaganomics,” the free-market, low-tax economy of the nation’s 40th president.
“President Biden and the White House have embraced the term ‘Bidenomics.’ In a speech over the summer, Mr. Biden declared, ‘Bidenomics is working.’ The term is supposed to be catchy shorthand for the president’s policies and how they have boosted the economy. But voters aren’t buying — nor should they be,” advised the Las Vegas-Review Journal in an editorial on Sunday.
“While unemployment remains low at 3.8% in August, many employers still struggle to find workers even after boosting pay. Inflation has eased somewhat, yet remains a problem, particularly for core items. In September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index was up 3.7% year-over-year. That’s the same rate as August and an increase from the 3% rate in June. It’s also a long way from the Federal Reserve’s inflation target of 2%. And that 3.7% is building on 7% annual inflation in 2021 and 6.5% in 2022. In June 2022, the annual inflation rate hit 9.1%, a 40-year high,” the news organization said.
“There’s no hiding this from consumers. They see it every time they go to the grocery store, fill up their gas tank or pay their energy bill. Would-be homeowners and renters face serious sticker shock. Unsurprisingly, credit card debt has soared. It topped $1 trillion in the second quarter this year. That’s an all-time record. At the same time, under ‘Bidenomics’ the national debt has roared past $33 trillion, and the president doesn’t seem at all concerned,” the editorial noted.
MEANWHILE IN WASHINGTON
Things to Do D.C. — an event-planning organization catering to “young professionals” in the nation’s capital — has revealed its upcoming Halloween activities for, yes, young professionals in the nation’s capital.
Here’s a few of their events — all titles verbatim from the host organization:
An Evening at the Embassy of Armenia; Haunted Old Town Alexandria; Virginia Tour and Post-Night Life Experience; Haunted Limousine Scavenger Hunt and Race’ Haunted Georgetown Walking Tour with Oak Hill Cemetery Spook Walk; Halloween Dueling Pianos Experience and Show; Halloween Bar Crawl of DuPont Circle; Halloween Graveyard Jam 2023; Annual October Hayride and Bonfire; Halloween Scavenger Hunt of D.C.; and finally, the Trick or Treat Embassy Row Walking Tour.
POLL DU JOUR
• 26% of U.S. adults are following the war between Israel and Hamas “very closely”; 35% of Republicans, 23% of independents and 24% of Democrats agree.
• 29% of men and 23% of women also agree.
• 44% overall are following the war “closely”; 39% of Republicans, 43% of independents and 49% of Democrats agree.
• 45% of men and 42% of women also agree.
• 22% overall are following the war “not very closely”; 20% of Republicans, 25% of independents and 19% of Democrats agree.
• 18% of men and 26% of women also agree.
• 8% overall are following the war “not closely at all”; 7% of Republicans, 9% of independents and 7% of Democrats agree.
• 8% of men and 8% of women also agree.
SOURCE: An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll of 1,313 U.S. adults conducted by phone, text or online on Oct. 11.
• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin.