NEWS AND OPINION:
The Eisenhower Memorial Commission Advisory Committee has a new member. Washington Times opinion editor David Keene has joined the six-man team now shepherding the mission to ensure that a national memorial to honor Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes a reality, and one that properly reflects both a president and a citizen devoted to public service, leadership, integrity, a lifelong work ethic and the values and processes of democracy. Congress approved the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Memorial in 1999, and the effort was signed into law by President Clinton.
“I am delighted that David is joining our effort to honor a great American hero. David’s life’s work has been dedicated to preserving the freedoms that Ike fought so hard for the world to enjoy. David’s service on the advisory committee is a reflection of the broad consensus that has joined together to honor Ike with this meaningful memorial,” says Sen. Pat Roberts, Kansas Republican and commission chairman.
Mr. Keene said he was honored to be part of an effort to build a fitting memorial to Eisenhower, whom he called “a great American leader — in war and in peace.”
“This is an important moment for the Eisenhower Memorial as it moves into a new phase of its mission. I’m looking forward to playing a role in ensuring that the completion of the memorial is accomplished in time for Ike’s troops to experience it,” Mr. Keene said.
He’ll be working with an esteemed group, indeed. Also on the committee: former U.S. Sen. Bob Dole, veteran TV newsman Tom Brokaw, former Secretary of State George Shultz and American Conservative Union president Matt Schlapp. The committee is cochaired by former Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps and past Chairman of the America Battle Monuments Commission General P.X. Kelley, USMC (Ret.) and former head of the Republican National Committee Frank Fahrenkopf.
More on the commission itself here
WHERE THE HECK ARE THE HOPEFULS?
Iowa belongs to a pair of Republicans and one Democrat this weekend. Carly Fiorina has been in the Hawkeye State since Wednesday, appearing at a dozen events, including an agricultural roundtable discussion in Fort Dodge and a Bull Moose Club luncheon in Des Moines.
“Iowa loves Carly Fiorina. She’s clearly the best candidate,” says former state Rep. Steve Olson of DeWitt. “I appreciate that Carly articulates policies that get the government out of picking winners and losers.”
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, meanwhile, will stage a pair of “Tell It Like It Is” town meetings on Friday and Saturday in Davenport and Ankeny, respectively.
Not to be outdone, Sen. Bernard Sanders arrives Friday for a town meeting in Des Moines to tout “getting big money out of politics, obscene wealth and income inequality, climate change and affordable college education,” he says.
Republicans rule New Hampshire in the next 48 hours. Sen. Rand Paul stages a pair of town halls in West Lebanon and another in Littletown. Sen. Ted Cruz, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Carly Fiorina, Rick Santorum and George Pataki will all attend the Center for Security Policy’s National Security Action Summit in Bedford on Saturday to parse the threat of radical Islam, border insecurity, immigration crises and the “hollowing out” of the U.S. military.
Gov. Scott Walker — who has been in California, Tennessee and North Carolina this week — was to arrives in the Granite State on Saturday afternoon, most notably to cruise along the country roads aboard a Harley Davidson, accompanied by none other than Scott Brown, former U.S. senator and a fellow biker kind of guy. Things change, though. Mr. Walker has canceled those plans to attend the funeral of Marine Sgt. Carson Holmquist, a Wisconsin native who was one of five service members killed in the Chattanooga, Tennessee, shootings a spokesman advises.
LIBERTARIANS PLUMB THEIR FAITH
“In religion, as in all things, Libertarians are a diverse group. I think this is one of the great beauties of Libertarianism. We have devout Christians working side-by-side with staunch Atheists working side-by-side with Jews and Muslims and Pagans and people of every other religious conviction,” Wes Benedict, executive director of the Libertarian Party, advises his flock in a new outreach.
“Obviously, these religious groups disagree on many things. But, as Libertarians, we all fundamentally respect each other’s rights to worship and live our lives as we choose and to make sure the government stays out of it. I’ve long maintained that smaller government enables diverse religious groups to coexist peacefully and respectfully,” Mr. Benedict says.
He’s polling the members, asking all to mark off their religious persuasion in a 12-item poll. “If we didn’t list a category here that you feel expresses your preferences, please email us and let us know so that we can add it and include you in this poll,” Mr. Benedict adds.
GET YOUR SCHOOLING FOR FREE
A noteworthy offering from Stephen Smith, a political science professor at Iowa State University who is determined to inform the public about the presidential selection process, plus the role of the news media, technology and other factors. Mr. Smith is offering his “massive open online courses” beginning Sept. 1, with more sessions scheduled through Feb. 2016.
And more noteworthy: All of the self-paced sessions are free. Students don’t get college credit, but they do receive a certificate of participation.
Find everything here: www.IowaCaucusesmooc.org.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For sale: Lower Place Plantation, built of Georgian stone in 1772 on eight acres near Brogue, Pennsylvania. Pre-Revolutionary War home with barn was originally post office and general store; three bedrooms, two baths, dining and living rooms, family room, 1,680 square feet includes original fireplace, wide-plank oak floors, keystone lintels and the original glass in the four-lite transom over the front door. State of the art kitchen and baths, new roofs, updated plumbing, boxwoods and mature trees; barn features riding ring, oak-lined stalls, water and electricity, equipment/grain shed, and spring house.
Priced at $349,000 through TheSoldTeam.com; enter MLS No. 21507883 in search function.
POLL DU JOUR
• 85 percent of Americans say Supreme Court decisions affect their life every day as a citizen; 87 percent of Republicans, 83 percent of independents and 85 percent of Democrats agree.
• 76 percent overall say the Supreme Court should allow arguments to be televised; 73 percent of Republicans, 77 percent of independents and 75 percent of Democrats agree.
• 66 percent overall say the recent Obamacare decision split the justices on political grounds just as it did Congress; 82 percent of Republicans, 67 percent of independents and 51 percent of Democrats agree.
• 55 percent say the Supreme Court is “effective” overall; 41 percent of Republicans, 48 percent of independents and 76 percent of Democrats agree.
• 51 percent overall say they would approve a justice with a background other than Harvard or Yale University; 56 percent of Republicans, 52 percent of independents and 44 percent of Democrats agree.
• 43 percent overall say televising the arguments would increase public respect for the court; 41 percent of Republicans, 40 percent of independents and 49 percent of Democrats agree.
Source: A C-SPAN poll of 1,201 U.S. adults conducted July 1-6 and released Monday.
Follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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