NEWS AND OPINION:
It’s the nation’s can-do attitude that Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus praises on summer’s final holiday
“Generations of hardworking Americans helped to build our nation’s economy,” Mr. Priebus says. “On Labor Day, we celebrate the unflagging work ethic that made America into an economic leader.”
“While today men and women across the country are taking a break from their jobs in factories, fields, offices, and schools, we cannot forget the millions who are still struggling to find a place in the American workforce. Millions of Americans are searching for employment, and many others have given up on their search entirely. It will take a Republican in the White House to strengthen our economy at home and secure our economic leadership in the world,” he continues.
“Republicans know that with a quality education, a good job, and the freedom to make their own economic choices, there is nothing an American can’t accomplish. Unfortunately, the Democrats have not provided those solutions. Their frontrunner, Hillary Clinton, wants to raise taxes and expand government. Her closest competitor is an avowed socialist. These are not the policies that create jobs or grow paychecks,” Mr. Priebus notes..
THE VIEW FROM THE WHITE HOUSE
“At the beginning of the last century, Americans came together to fight for dignity and justice in the workplace. With courage and determination, women and men stood up, marched and raised their voices for a 40-hour workweek, weekends and workplace safety laws. It is because of workers who agitated — and the unions who had their backs — that we enjoy many of the protections we often take for granted today, including overtime pay, a minimum wage, and the right to organize for better pay and benefits.
“These hard-won victories are the foundation of our robust middle class, which has led to the largest, most prosperous economy in the world, and they are central to the belief that our economy does not grow from the top down — it grows from the middle out. This Labor Day, let us remember the struggles and the progress that have defined America, and let us resolve to continue building a nation where everyone is treated fairly, where hard work pays off and where all things are possible for all people.”
— From President Obama’s official proclamation recognizing Labor Day. Mr. Obama, incidentally, will rev up Air Force One and travel to Boston on Monday to deliver remarks at the Greater Boston Labor Council’s Labor Day breakfast. Also on hand: Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey of Massachusetts.
TRUMP ALOFT
No wonder Donald Trump arrives at his many campaign stops looking tanned, rested, freshly coiffed and cheerful. It has much to do with that personal Boeing 757 of his, emblazoned with the handsome Trump logo, and full of swell amenities. Originally able to carry 239 passengers, the aircraft has been reconfigured to accommodate just 43 in oversized ivory leather seats.
The sleek interior is done up in ecru, white and dark natural woods. Among other things, there are two bedrooms with luxury linens, a master bath with shower and a 57-inch TV with instant access to 1,000 movies. Custom pillows displaying the Trump family crest are leisurely strewn about the cabin; seat belt buckles and bath faucets are 24-karat gold-plated. The aircraft has been named one of the nation’s “mighty planes” by the Smithsonian Channel.
“It’s like living in a beautiful home,” Mr. Trump told The Wall Street Journal. “The advantage is that I’m able to fly nicely, quickly and on time.”
The Republican hopeful actually has an airborne fleet: the 757, plus a Cessna Citation X — a long range, 72-foot business jet — and three Sikorsky helicopters. The two jets logged 71 campaign-related flights from April 1 through Aug. 31, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of Federal Aviation Administration flight records. Those flights included 26 stops at airports serving Iowa, New Hampshire or South Carolina — the first three states to hold primary election contests.
WORD FROM THE WOODS
“I’m reading all this coverage following Donald Trump’s recent gesture of loyalty to the GOP, pledging not to run as a third-party candidate,” says an informed observer who resides in the deep Northeastern woods and likes it that way. He cites The Washington Post in particular.
“The Post says this: ’Trump pledge not legally binding.’ In one headline you can discern the difference between the Washington insider mentality and the real world. In Trump’s real world, if you break your word or a deal, you’re cooked. In Washington, it’s just a tactic. Just sayin’,” Mr. Deep Woods advises.
MR. BIDEN, CAMPAIGN MODE
A noteworthy week for Vice President Joseph R. Biden. On Monday, he journeys to Pittsburgh to deliver remarks at the Allegheny County Labor Day Parade. On Thursday, he’ll be in New York to make an appearance on CBS “Late Night” with Stephen Colbert as part of the show’s debut week; the production has been a big draw for White House hopefuls and presidents for quite some time. And that very evening he’ll attend a Democratic Party fundraiser at the swank eatery “21” hosted by Sen. Jon Tester of Montana and a high-profile financial wizard.
“He may be undecided about running, but he’s putting himself in front of the right wealthy donors,” an unidentified source tells the New York Post.
SECRETARY PALIN
It’s not the vice presidency Sarah Palin has her eye on seven years after she vied for the job as Sen. John McCain’s running mate in 2008. It’s energy secretary, she told CNN “State of the Union” host Jake Tapper on Sunday.
“I think a lot about the Department of Energy, because energy is my baby — oil and gas and minerals, those things that God has dumped on this part of the Earth for mankind’s use instead of us relying on unfriendly foreign nations,” Mrs. Palin said.
But she’s a also a fan of smaller government.
“I’d get rid of the Energy Department, and I’d let the states start having more control over the lands that are within their boundaries and the people who are affected by the developments within their states. If I were in charge of that, it would be a short-term job. But it would be really great to have someone who knows energy and is pro-responsible development to be in charge,” the former Alaska governor advised.
SANDERS FACTOR: BERNIE EARNS THE NUMBERS
If New Hampshire Democrats had their way, Sen. Bernie Sanders would be president of the United States at this juncture. A startling NBC News/Marist poll of Granite State voters finds that he bests rival Hillary Rodham Clinton in terms of both favorability and electability. Here are the numbers: 79 percent have a positive impression of Mr. Sanders, who turns 74 on Tuesday; 76 percent felt that way about Vice President Joe Biden — who has yet to declare his 2016 intentions — while 69 percent felt the same about Mrs. Clinton.
Another 41 percent would vote for Mr. Sanders if the presidential election were held today, 32 percent would pick Mrs. Clinton, 16 percent would opt for Mr. Biden.
“Back in July’s NBC/Marist poll, Clinton was ahead of Sanders in the Granite State by 10 points, 42 percent to 32 percent, with Biden at 12 percent,” notes NBC analyst Mark Murray.
And one more thing. All the jaunty headlines about “Feel the Bern” that are out there? It’s actually an official campaign motto of Mr. Sanders’ campaign, and emblazoned on his merchandise, from buttons to key chains and coffee mugs.
POLL DU JOUR
• 64 percent of Americans support building a “fence” on the U.S.-Mexico border; 87 percent of Republicans, 65 percent of independents and 44 percent of Democrats agree.
• 66 percent of whites, 55 percent of blacks and 49 percent of Hispanics agree.
• 61 percent of Northeast residents, 64 percent of Midwesterners, 68 percent of Southerners and 59 percent of Westerners agree.
• 28 percent of Americans overall support building a border “fence” on the U.S.-Canada border; 33 percent of Republicans, 28 percent of independents and 24 percent of Democrats agree.
• 28 percent of whites, 33 percent of blacks and 32 percent of Hispanics agree.
• 30 percent of Northeast residents, 26 percent of Midwesterners, 29 percent of Southerners and 23 percent of Westerners also agree.
Source: A YouGov poll of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted Sept. 1-2
• Cranky observations about everything to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.