NEWS AND OPINION:
A podium, a microphone — this simple set-up appears to pose a serious threat to the Clinton campaign. Consider that the last time Hillary Clinton held a formal press conference was Dec. 4, 2015. Oh, she grants one-on-one interviews with select journalists and late night comedians, but there has been no recent, formal event in which the candidate faces journalists from a cross section of news organizations and simply answers questions on the record.
Until Mrs. Clinton does meet the proverbial press, the Republican National Committee has vowed to issue a daily public reminder revealing the number of days since the Democratic nominee has faced the news media “in an environment not carefully controlled by her campaign.” As of Monday, Mrs. Clinton had not had a press conference in 268 days, according to the GOP count. This may not be prudent. Her reluctance could fuel existing public distrust of the nominee — a persistent phenomenon reflected almost weekly in national polls.
The GOP points out that Mrs. Clinton has, however, attended 130 fundraisers in that amount of time. This week is no exception. Mrs. Clinton attended two fundraisers in the greater New York City area, she has another on Monday, and three more Tuesday. Some tickets range up to $100,000. The Republicans, meanwhile, have spelled out their expectations. Their statement:
“Clinton owes the American people explanations on a number of issues, including, but not limited to: why she broke ethics agreements regarding foreign donations to her family foundation, why she gave preferential treatment to foundation donors as secretary of state, and why she should be believed that her off-the-books secret server wasn’t designed purely to cover up the shady pay-to-play politics between the State Department and her family foundation. It’s time for Hillary Clinton to hold a press conference.”
HOLA, SENOR TRUMP
The activist group Latinos for Trump staged “Operation Taco Bowl” in Anaheim, California on Sunday to show their support for Donald Trump. The group opened their rally with a prayer for Mr. Trump and his family, followed by the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
SEE ALSO: Donald Trump warns of ‘rigged’ election, recruits volunteers to monitor polling places
“Latinos for Trump is a grass-roots effort of proud, America-first Hispanics. We Hispanics sincerely and passionately want Donald Trump elected as the 45th president of America,” noted an initial speaker at the afternoon event.
Find the group at OfficialLatinosforTrump.com
A MOMENT WITH BARBRA
“I’m coming to your country if you’ll let me in. Or maybe Canada.”
— Barbra Streisand on her future plans should Donald Trump win the White House, told to Australian journalist Michael Usher during a CBS “60 Minutes” interview on Sunday. Ms. Streisand is currently campaigning for Hillary Clinton. And there must be something about singers. Both Cher and Miley Cyrus have also vowed they will leave the U.S. if Mr. Trump is the victor.
PLACING THE BLAME
SEE ALSO: Donald Trump campaign reaffirms commitment to fighting illegal immigration
The personal potshots between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump on the campaign trail can be acrimonious indeed, though the pair have known each other for years and have appeared very friendly in previous photographs together. But the sniping goes on. Mrs. Clinton recently called Mr. Trump a “racist,” he in turn referred to her as a “bigot.” Now, somebody had to fire the first volley and start this war. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, currently serving as an adviser to Mr. Trump, believes Mrs. Clinton is to blame.
“This type of discourse in the campaign is just unwarranted. But it was started by Mrs. Clinton. Mrs. Clinton has started the idea of calling Donald Trump those type of names,” Mr. Christie told ABC News on Sunday.
“The fact is, once you are the person — and Mrs. Clinton is the person who injected this type of commentary into this race — once you inject this type of commentary into the race, you can’t sit back and start complaining about it or have some of your hand maidens in the media complain about it. She’s been the person who started this type of conversation in the campaign. She should be ashamed of herself,” the governor noted.
DAYS OF YORE: ’OBLOQUY’
“Think campaign rhetoric is getting nastier? Open a history book,” advises Merriam Webster. Yes, the dictionary. As part of the publication’s continuing study of popular word usage, the dictionary’s researchers compiled a list of some sensational political insults gleaned from press coverage of previous times. They also point out that “obloquy” — a noun — means “strongly condemnatory utterance,” “invective” or “abuse.”
The researchers provided some sterling examples of past presidential campaign insults. This one from Harper’s Weekly published in 1860 offers a roundup of assorted insults delivered to then-presidential nominee Abraham Lincoln from various sources. Here’s what opponents and critics called him at the time:
“Filthy story-teller, Ignoramus Abe, Despot, Old scoundrel, big secessionist, perjurer, liar, robber, thief, swindler, braggart, tyrant, buffoon, fiend, usurper, butcher, monster, land-pirate; a long, lean, lank, lantern-jawed, high-cheeked-boned, spavined, rail-splitting stallion.”
POLL DU JOUR
• 83 percent of U.S. voters favor background checks for private and gun show sales; 75 percent of voters who support Donald Trump and 90 percent of voters who support Hillary Clinton agree.
• 81 percent of voters overall agree that “people with mental illness” should be prevented from buying guns; 82 percent of Trump voters and 83 percent of Clinton voters agree.
• 74 percent of all voters favor barring people on the federal watch list from buying guns; 72 percent of Trump voters and 80 percent of Clinton voters agree.
• 66 percent of all voters favor a federal database that tracks gun sales; 46 percent of Trump voters and 85 percent of Clinton voters agree.
• 54 percent of voters overall favor a ban on assault-style weapons; 34 percent of Trump voters and 74 percent of Clinton voters agree.
• 54 percent of voters overall favor a ban on high-capacity ammunition clips; 34 percent of Trump voters and 75 percent of Clinton voters agree.
Source: A Pew Research Center survey of 1,567 registered U.S. voters conducted August 9 to 16.
• Squawks and cackles to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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