NEWS AND OPINION:
Here’s another one of those bodacious weekend events: The Western Conservative Summit, staged in Denver by Colorado Christian University. “There’s a rebirth going on in America. Be part of it. After decades of slipping to the left, citizen patriots have re-engaged in the public arena, and our political discourse has been enriched by their voices,” the organizers advises the 4,000 delegates.
The two-day event drew seven presidential hopefuls and a spate of heavyweights ranging from radio host Hugh Hewitt and Family Research Council president Tony Perkins to CNBC anchor Larry Kudlow, security maven Frank Gaffney and Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress. Find it all here: WesternConservativeSummit.com
Along with all the serious policy talk and presidential posturing, the GOP hopefuls have something else to consider. Or maybe not. The Marijuana Policy Project, a research group, graded all 2016 presidential hopefuls, detailing their positions on marijuana policy, staged at press conference only blocks from the summit.
“Candidate grades are based on actions they have taken and statements they have made that indicate their levels of support for ending marijuana prohibition, allowing legal access to medical marijuana, and defending states’ rights to adopt their own marijuana policies without interference from the federal government,” says Mason Tvert.
The grades ranged from a high of A-minus for Sen. Rand Paul to a low of F for Rick Santorum and Gov. Chris Christie.
58% OF VOTERS SAY OBAMA ’TOO SOFT’ ON EXTREMISTS
“American voters think Barack Obama is too soft on Islamic extremists, and that the U.S. fight against them is going badly,” says Fox News analyst Dana Blanton. The network has released a new poll revealing that 58 percent of Americans think the president is too easy on the extremists, including nearly four in 10 Democrats (37 percent) plus 57 percent of independents and 83 percent of Republicans.
“Overall, 61 percent of voters think America’s fight against ISIS is going badly. And they are nearly 10 times as likely to say it’s going ’very badly (28 percent) as they are to say it’s going ’very well’ (3 percent),” Ms. Blanton notes. “That sentiment fuels fear at home: 69 percent are worried about ’attacks by Islamic terrorists’ happening in the United States. That includes 27 percent who are ’extremely’ concerned, up from 22 percent who felt that way about terrorist attacks in 2013,” she says.
SATURDAY IN IOWA
Yes, once again the Hawkeye State is bustling with presidential hopefuls. Sen. Lindsey Graham journeys to Centralia for breakfast on Saturday, lingers at the Field of Dreams in Dyersville; jumps upon a soap box for some speechifying at the Linn County Fair in Central City then rounds out his day with two meet-and-greets and one press conference.
Donald Trump will go very grassroots in Iowa this weekend. He stars in a “Make America Great Again” rally in Oskaloosa, then attends two parties and one meet-and-greet with local Republicans, visits the local John Wayne Museum then rounds out his day with a BBQ dinner at a local high school.
Not to be outdone, Sen. Ted Cruz conducts a townhall in Sheldon, attend a picnic in Pierson topped off with a “Believe Again” event at Drake University. The Democrats are afoot as well. Martin O’Malley will show up at three house parties in Sioux City, Carroll and Ames. Jim Webb is the keynote speaker at Gil’s Ballroom in Clinton.
And that is Iowa for a Saturday.
AN UNHEALTHY STATE
The policy analysts are still puzzling over the Supreme Court decision that ruled in favor of the Obama administration in King v. Burwell, a case that challenged the federal government’s authority to provide subsidies for the purchase of health insurance for Obamacare in states that did not set up exchanges.
“When is a penalty a ’tax’ and a ’state’ not a ’state?’ When Chief Justice Roberts says so, that’s when. In ruling once again to uphold an unconstitutional statute in the cause of political expediency, the Chief has wandered so far through Alice in Wonderland’s Looking Glass that he may never return. Merely ten days after the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, this is a sad day for the rule of law.” says David Applegate, senior fellow, for legal affairs at the Heartland Institute.
ONE FOR GLEN
A meticulous and appreciative original film about legendary country singer Glen Campbell airs this weekend on CNN and includes historic footage of his appearances with Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Carson, Stevie Wonder and the Beach Boys. The film also features cameo appearances by Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton and Paul McCartney - among many.
Politicians have not been overlooked here. Also making a series of very bipartisan cameos: House Speaker John Boehner Sens. Ed Markey and Richard Shelby, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi plus Reps. Hal Rogers and Chris Smith. The film also addresses Mr. Campbell’s decision to go public with his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease four years ago which led to an appearance before Congress - along with his effort to produce one last album and take a truly final farewell tour.
The CNN Films project is titled “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me”; it airs Sunday at 9 p.m., with a repeat at 10:48 p.m. on the network.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For sale: Church Street Mansion, built in 1928 in Paris, Texas; four bedrooms, four baths, living room, dining room, breakfast room, den, sun room, wine room. Completely renovated, gourmet kitchen, marble master bath, grand staircase, original tile fireplaces, brick and hardwood floors. Exterior features twin gables, tile roof, original woodwork and moulding details, large sitting porch, lush landscaping, two greenhouses, brick patio, three-car garage, guest house; furniture also available.
Priced at $450,000 through Century 21 at C21php.com. Use quick search function using MLS number 27168
POLL DU JOUR
56 percent of U.S. voters are “very concerned” about the economy; 22 percent are “extremely concerned.”
50 percent of voters are very concerned about the price of health care; 31 percent are extremely concerned.
43 percent of voters are very concerned about race relations; 23 percent are extremely concerned.
42 percent of voters are very concerned about illegal immigration; 19 percent are extremely concerned.
34 percent of voters are very concerned about climate change; 17 percent are extremely concerned.
Source: A Fox News poll of 1,005 registered U.S. voters conducted June 21-23.
Follow Jennifer Harper on Twitter @HarperBulletin, and thanks.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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