NEWS AND OPINION:
“The continued games of the permanent political class will assure a Hillary victory unless you tell them ’enough,’ and vote for bold, new leadership that puts your interests before party politics. Vote for your jobs and security. Vote for the first candidate since Reagan who is growing the Commonsense Conservative movement, the only one who’s created middle-class jobs, the only one not living off your tax dollars and the only one Wisconsin can count on to steer us away from the rocky shoals ahead. Vote for Donald Trump to make America great again.”
— Sarah Palin in a campaign message released Sunday on behalf of the Republican front-runner. She has been campaigning in Wisconsin in the last 48 hours with Mr. Trump.
“Jobs, freedom, security. That’s what is at stake, and that is why I am supporting Ted Cruz for president. Ted is a constitutional conservative. He will challenge the status quo just like we’ve done in Wisconsin. Ted has a real plan to grow jobs and restore opportunity. Ted Cruz, the only conservative who can beat Hillary Clinton and reignite America’s promise.”
— Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, in a campaign message released Sunday on behalf of Mr. Cruz. The governor and his wife Tonette have been campaigning in the Badger State in the last 48 hours with the Texan.
BIG BUCKS FOR BROADCAST
The nation is potentially witnessing a $6 billion presidential election. Here’s one reason for the expense, this from a meticulous tally of broadcast money compiled by Ad Age analyst Simon Dumenco. The final number is a projection based on a combination of how much each candidate’s campaign spent on TV and radio ads alone through March 30 — and the amount interested political action committees also spent on the candidate’s behalf.
Hillary Clinton: $62,663,335. Her campaign spent $51,124,151; NARAL Pro-choice America and Priorities USA Action spent $11,539,184.
Sen. Bernard Sanders: $57,679,389. His campaign spent $57,246,310; Friends of the Earth Action, Communications Workers of America spent $433,079.
Sen. Ted Cruz: $32,495,393. His campaign spent $14,858,101; Courageous Conservatives PAC and six other organizations spent $17,637,292.
Donald Trump: $24,569,789. No money spent by campaign; American Future Fund and four other organizations spent $24,569,789.
Gov. John Kasich: $18,581,448. Campaign spent $3,075,312. New Day for America and a related committee spent $15,506,136.
DON’T GROW UP TO BE A POLITICIAN
There’s a survey for everything, including perceptions about careers. And at the moment, the political calling is not a very popular one among Americans. On a list of 30 possible “prestigious” career choices, politician is ranked No. 26 — only outranking stockbroker, video game developer, real estate broker and — in last place — public relations consultant.
More telling, the political career ranks dead last on the list as a future profession for children. Only 30 percent of the respondents, in fact, would encourage a child to enter politics. See more numbers in the Poll du Jour at the column’s end.
WHAT TO DO AFTER NOV. 6
Yes, there will actually be a presidential election after all the campaign hysteria. But what happens after the big day? That brings us to the National Review’s 2016 Caribbean “Post-Election Cruise,” which departs Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Nov. 13 — bound for the Bahamas, Cayman Islands and other cheerful ports.
“This is not your typical cruise,” the publication advises, boasting of “scintillating seminars” and a late-night smoker with “world-class H. Upmann cigars.”
The 25 speakers here include thoughtful luminaries of the conservative variety, among them former Rep. Allen West, syndicated columnist Jonah Goldberg, Commentary Magazine editor John Podhoretz, Americans for Life President Charmaine Yoest, security expert John Yoo and former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy.
Curious? Check NRcruise.com for details.
CLEVER AS A FOX
There is a reason why Fox News has remained No. 1 in cable news for the last 14 years. The nimble network will showcase the remaining three Republican hopefuls on Monday just hours before the Wisconsin primaries begin. Here is the gist of the prime-time line-up, all times EST.
Gov. John Kasich get things rolling at 7 p.m. with Greta Van Susteren following a campaign event, taking questions from the host plus voters from New York’s Long Island in front of a live audience. Bill O’Reilly takes over at 8 p.m. with “a jam-packed hour of analysis,” followed by Megyn Kelly with Sen. Ted Cruz before a live audience in Madison, Wisconsin, with voter questions. And the finale: At 10 p.m. Sean Hannity conducts an hour-long interview with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin — again with the live audience and voter questions.
CLEVER AS A DUCK
One more notice from the Fox universe: Fox News Radio debuts a new podcast series with A&E’s famous and infamous Duck Dynasty’s Willie Robertson beginning Monday, a weekly program focused on faith and family and occasional celebrity guest.
And interesting: Mr. Robertson will also serve as a new Fox News contributor. He’s been a presence on the network in the past, parsing politics with his father Phil Robertson and culture with wife Korie and his Uncle Si, who most recently advised his nephew, “Washington, D.C., cannot handle me.”
POLL DU JOUR
• 90 percent of Americans say being a doctor is a “prestigious” occupation; 90 percent would “encourage a child to pursue the field.
• 78 percent say being a military officer is prestigious; 64 percent would encourage a child to pursue the field.
• 67 percent say being a police officer is prestigious; 57 percent would encourage a child to pursue the field.
• 65 percent say being an entrepreneur is prestigious; 74 percent would encourage a child to pursue the field.
• 47 percent say being a journalist is prestigious; 57 percent would encourage a child to pursue the field.
• 40 percent say being a politician is prestigious; 30 percent would encourage a child to pursue the field.
Source: A Harris Poll of 2,223 U.S. adults conducted Nov. 11-16, 2015, and released Friday.
• Bleats and caterwaul to jharper@washingtontimes.com
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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