Kellyanne Conway: ‘When it comes to Russia and coziness, let’s not forget Hillary Clinton’

NEWS AND OPINION:

President-elect Donald Trump’s senior adviser Kellyanne Conway offers a simple reality check regarding all the media chatter implying her boss could have possible friendly ties with Russia, and Russia President Vladimir Putin. Ms. Conway recounts past history between Russia, and two certain Democrats.

“I want your viewers to be reminded of one thing,” she told to CBS News anchor John Dickerson on Sunday.

“When it comes to Russia and coziness, let’s not forget Hillary Clinton and her craven family foundation requests. Then Bill Clinton got a million bucks to give a speech in Russia. And then she turned over 20 percent of U.S. uranium rights. So let’s be honest about who for money, who for power, and who for access has cozied up to the Russians.”

And while the nation ponders what’s “fake news” and what isn’t over the ongoing melodrama, an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll reports that while Americans may have concern about reported Russian interference in the 2016 election, “just 37 percent believe the actions helped Donald Trump win the presidential contest, while 57 percent say it didn’t make a difference.”

The poll also finds 31 percent of Americans say Mr. Trump’s relationship with Russia President Vladimir Putin is “too friendly and not appropriate,” versus 24 percent who don’t believe it’s too friendly; 44 percent have no opinion.

“The problem: ’journalists’ no longer require proof for claims that may lead to war (or anything really). Nope, they are human Pez dispensers for the powerful. If the CIA, FBI, or ’high level’ officials say so, it’s a mad dash to ’break’ the story,” writes Jordan Chariton, a columnist for Mediaite.com

“Is it possible Russian hackers with ties to the government hacked into the Democratic National Committee and Clinton campaign? Sure. It’s also possible stoners working at Best Buy did. The difference: accusing Best Buy stoners of hacking political arms without concrete, publicly dispersed evidence won’t launch World War III.”

ANDREW CUOMO’S RESERVATIONS

He didn’t book rooms at President-elect Donald Trump’s spectacular hotel in the nation’s capital just three blocks east of the White House. And he didn’t seek accommodations at a Motel 6 either.

“New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo was so eager to celebrate Hillary Clinton’s presidential inauguration, he booked 200 hotel rooms in D.C. for family, friends and supporters of his own possible future bid for the presidency,” reports New York Post columnist Richard Johnson.

Mr. Cuomo snagged this big reservation at the iconic Madison Hotel, three blocks north of the White House. Alas, his plans went awry for obvious reasons. What now? Following Mr. Trump’s win last month, a member of the governor’s staff called Ed Cox, chairman of New York’s Republican Party, to offer him the vast block of rooms in the Madison. Ironically enough, it all worked out for the GOP.

“The best part is Cuomo booked so early, he locked in a really low rate. Cox was grateful. Rooms in D.C. are a hot commodity right now,” a source told Mr. Johnson.

Indeed, Mr. Trump’s commanding hotel in Washington opened in October in what was once the Old Post Office building, complete with its 315-foot clock tower looming over Pennsylvania Avenue. The hotel is booked solid until January 23, three days after the inauguration. When things do open up again, the cheapest room is $625 a night, the most expensive is the 6,300 square foot “Trump Townhouse,” at $21,250 a night. Trump and his family will stay in Blair House, adjacent to the White House, during the inauguration, the traditional guest accommodation for an incoming president.

For those interested in how Republicans viewed Mr. Trump not so long ago, check out the vintage Poll du Jour at column’s end, revealing insight from GOP voters from one year ago.

CHRISTMAS CULTURE: STILL TRADITIONAL

The Saint Leo University Polling Institute has found that heartfelt nostalgia and old traditions continue to rule American Christmas culture.

“In a vote where multiple responses were accepted, ’Silent Night,’ a religious song dating back to 1818, received 51 of the vote. Irving Berlin’s classic ’White Christmas’ came in second place with 48 percent of the vote. ’Jingle Bells’ third with 44 percent,” notes the new poll, which asked respondents to name their favorites.

From among 18 film choices, 40 percent of the poll respondents picked “Miracle on 34th Street” as their favorite Christmas movie. Followed by “It’s a Wonderful Life” with 37 percent and “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” with 35 percent.

“Does America like melodramatic sentimentality? Absolutely, and that’s probably a very good thing. If you look at the responses, it shows Americans are both nostalgic and sentimental during this season. There’s something inherently right about a people who embrace optimism and their history. It is interesting to note most of these movies were produced more than 30 years ago. Traditional values appear to continue to be touchstones for the American identity,” says Kenny Embry, an associate professor of communication management at the Florida university.

POLL DU JOUR: FROM THE 2015 VAULT

• 54 percent of Republicans say Donald Trump is the “strongest leader”; 13 percent say the same of Jeb Bush, 13 percent say it of Sen. Ted Cruz, 9 percent of Sen. Marco Rubio and 7 percent of Ben Carson.

• 51 percent say Mr. Trump will “bring change”; 8 percent say the same of Mr. Bush, 12 percent say it of Mr. Cruz, 11 percent of Mr. Rubio, 11 percent of Ben Carson.

• 47 percent say Mr. Trump has the best chance to be elected; 8 percent say the same of Mr. Bush, 15 percent say it of Mr. Cruz, 14 percent of Mr. Rubio, 7 percent of Ben Carson.

• 23 percent say Mr. Trump has the best personality; 18 percent say the same of Mr. Bush, 18 percent say it of Mr. Cruz, 17 percent of Mr. Rubio, 77 percent of Ben Carson.

• 23 percent say Mr. Trump is the “most honest”; 12 percent say the same of Mr. Bush, 12 percent say it of Mr. Cruz, 11 percent of Mr. Rubio and 24 percent of Ben Carson.

Source: A Washington Post/ABC News poll of 1,002 U.S. adults conducted Dec. 15-17, 2015; the sample included 403 Republicans.

• Nervous chatter and grand proclamations to jharper@washingtontimes.com.