NEWS AND OPINION:
It could be a new national motto: Give me liberty, but give me security too. On the 13th anniversary of 9/11, a tempered nation is back in touch with its inner mettle.
“The public has become more worried about Islamic extremism,” says a Pew Research Center poll, noting that 62 percent of Americans are very concerned. Some are more concerned than others: 82 percent of Republicans are worried, compared to 51 percent of Democrats. Another 53 percent overall fret about an attack on American soil. Once again, there’s a partisan divide: 71 percent of Republicans and 46 percent of Democrats agree.
Assorted surveys in recent days reveal Americans who appear to approve of focused, frugal vigilance — surgical strikes but no lengthy ground war, some authentic backbone but no trillion dollar price tag. It’s complicated. The public also faces confusing, alarming or politicized news coverage. MSNBC host Chris Matthews, for example, now cautions President Obama not to use “the lingo of the neocons” when dealing with the Islamic State, and to “tell the American people to grow up.” Mr. Matthews also observed, “We know how to make things worse in the Middle East. We do know that. What we don’t know how to do yet is de-escalate, how to lower the heat.”
The Pew Research survey, meanwhile, reveals a citizenry currently more attuned to protection from terrorism then erosion of civil liberties. “In a reversal from last year after Edward Snowden’s NSA leaks, 50 percent say they are more concerned that government anti-terrorism policies have not gone far enough to protect the country,” the research states. And the inevitable partisan divide: 58 percent of Republicans and 26 percent of Democrats agree.
THAT ONE OBLIGATION
“Of all the things our federal government attempts to do these days, the one obligation that only it can do is defend the nation. It is a defining duty of the president as commander in chief under Article Two, and the test of leadership that matters more than any other It has been the United States of America, time and again, that has answered threats, taken swift and determined action, kept the peace, and liberated millions. In all that we now face, the worst, most self-defeating illusion is the idea that American power and leadership are optional — as if, with or without us, the world will somehow get by. Ask around, among friends and allies, and you’ll hear otherwise.”
— Former Vice President Richard Cheney, in a speech Wednesday before the American Enterprise Institute.
ON THE ANNIVERSARY
“Today and all days, we remember the patriots who endure in the hearts of our nation and their families who have known the awful depths of loss. In their spirit, let us resolve to move forward together and rededicate ourselves to the ideals that define our Union as we work to strengthen our communities and better our world.”
— From President Obama’s proclamation for “Patriots Day”, established by Congress in 2001, and the “National Day of Service and Remembrance,” established in 2009. The president calls upon Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. ET to honor the victims who perished on Sept. 11, 2001. See all official events on C-SPAN beginning at 8:30 a.m. ET.
HILLARITY
So much for the coronation. Voters are beginning to discover that Hillary Rodham Clinton walks in sensible shoes rather than upon water these days, and it’s reflected in the polls. This is a good thing for voters and potential presidential hopeful alike. A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll finds that 43 percent of registered voters give Mrs. Clinton a positive review, compared with the 41 percent who give her a thumbs down. Compare that to the glory days of February, 2009 when six-out-of-10 favored her, with a mere 22 percent offering a negative rating.
SEE ALSO: Benghazi select committee to hold open hearing next week
“The more Hillary Clinton looks like a candidate, the less invincible she appears,” says Patrick O’Connor, a political analyst at The Journal. “The former first lady and New York senator enjoyed sky-high approval ratings during her tenure as President Obama’s secretary of state, but her numbers have returned to earth since she traded her perch as the nation’s top diplomat for her current role as the Democrats’ top presidential prospect in 2016.”
GOWDYFIED
Here comes the Benghazi investigation: “Hearing 1” has been scheduled in the U.S. Capitol for next Wednesday by the House Select Committee on Benghazi, chaired by Rep. Trey Gowdy. Though the South Carolina Republican has presented the event in the most generic terms, it will trail a posse of snarling journalists. Already appearing in the headlines:
“Benghazi creeps back into the spotlight” (MSNBC), “House Benghazi Select Committee finally gets around to holding a hearing” (The Wire), “Will closed-door Benghazi hearings keep the circus away?” (ABC News), GOP’s Benghazi committee prepares for media spotlight” (The Hill).
The four witnesses include members of something called “The Independent Panel on Best Practices.” As described by the State Dept. it is “a five-member panel of outside, independent security experts convened to help identify best practices and to evaluate U.S. security platforms in high-risk, high-threat posts.” The panel was established following the Benghazi attacks two years ago.
THE ’NEW CONSERVATIVE WOMAN’ TAKES A BOW
The press paints a faulty portrait of conservative women as “weak and meek, says Scottie Nell Hughes, who is poised to prove otherwise. The Fox News and Townhall.com contributor has authored “Roar: The New Conservative Woman Speaks Out”, a forthcoming book that makes a splashy debut on Thursday night; author and book will be introduced at the “Brietbart Embassy” — a sleek adjunct of the Brietbart News, and a block from the U.S. Capitol.
“The media and many politicians have defined today’s American woman as a bra-burning liberal who sees men as competitors and children as burdens. According to them, women want federal bureaucrats to run our schools. They need churches to pay for prescriptions that violate religious faith. They trust big government and mistrust our military, and they care more about obscure endangered species than endangered American jobs,” says Mrs. Hughes. “Any woman who defies these stereotypes is marginalized and ignored — particularly if her outlook is bold, strong, conservative, and Christian.”
Mama Grizzly, anyone? The “new conservative woman” has an independent fighting spirit that bolsters her politics, faith and family, and showcases her “refusal to participate in a manufactured war against men,” the author says. The book, from Worthy Publishing, will be in stores Tuesday.
POLL DU JOUR
• 66 percent of Americans approve of the Baltimore Ravens decision to cut Ray Rice; 70 percent of Republicans, 69 percent of Democrats and 63 percent of independents agree.
• 60 percent overall approve of the NFL’s placing an “indefinite ban” on Mr. Rice; 60 percent of Republicans, 62 percent of Democrats and 57 percent of independents agree.
• 33 percent overall would recommend a suspension for Mr. Rice for a full season; 34 percent of Republicans, 32 percent of Democrats and 34 percent of independents agree.
• 32 percent would recommend a lifetime ban; 32 percent of Republicans, 36 percent of Democrats and 29 percent of independents agree.
• 8 percent would recommend a suspension for a few games; 11 percent of Republicans, 9 percent of Democrats and 6 percent of independents agree.
Source: A YouGov poll of 998 U.S. adults conducted Sept. 9-10.
• Terse commentary, historic observations to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.