NEWS AND OPINION:
Stand aside, duck and cover, bar the door — there’s “panic” afoot in the Republican Party. That is the repeated narrative in the mainstream media’s lead-up to Super Tuesday, whether the party has panicked or not. As GOP front-runner Donald Trump stands poised to be the likely victor in many of the primary races, the press is conveniently framing the moment as sure Armageddon. And oh, the drama. “The party has been gripped by a nearly incapacitating leadership vacuum and a paralytic sense of indecision and despair,” noted The New York Times in a lengthy foray into the GOP’s “desperate mission” to stop Mr. Trump.
The GOP was in “full panic mode” over at The Daily Kos. Vanity Fair noted “panic creeping in as Donald Trump continues to step over the bodies of more electable candidates.” Meanwhile, “panic” was also the operative term in the Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, CNN, The Wrap and other news organizations. But is panic inevitable? Not according to some.
“The Democrat Primary continues to deteriorate into a race to the extreme left with voters forced to make an impossible choice between one candidate facing an FBI investigation and another that’s a self-proclaimed socialist,” notes Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee. “It’s clear the longer their race to the far-left drags on, the more unelectable each of these candidates becomes. The momentum and enthusiasm is clearly with the Republican Party. Each Republican contest has seen record turnout while the Democrats have lagged behind the GOP and fallen far short from the turnout eight years ago.”
FOX NEWS: 23 HOURS OF SUPER TUESDAY COVERAGE
Super Tuesday warrants super coverage: Fox News begins its special live coverage of primaries and caucuses at 5 a.m. EST, extending all the way until 4 a.m. Wednesday morning. It is all hands on deck. The network will also feature 19 anchors, correspondents and reporters fanning to polling places and candidate headquarters.
O’BAMA
SEE ALSO: White House blames do-nothing GOP for Donald Trump’s rise
“Irish Americans symbolize the perpetual optimism that defines our country, and they have long embodied the truth at the heart of our promise — that no matter who you are or where you come from, in America, you can make it if you try. We recognize the Irish people’s contributions to our country’s dynamism, and we reaffirm the friendship and family ties between our two nations.
For centuries, sons and daughters of Erin have come to America’s shores, adding to our rich vibrancy and putting their full hearts into everything they do. From building our country’s cities as preeminent architects and earnest laborers to building our national character as people of great joy and cherished culture, Irish Americans have endured intolerance and discrimination to find a place for themselves and their children here in the United States.”
— From President Obama’s official proclamation recognizing Irish-American Heritage Month. Which is March.
SARTORIAL WARS
“The Chinese communist government is taking over the South China Sea, rapidly building up their military. And oh, by the way, they make Donald Trump’s suits and ties in China. If he was interested in bringing back American jobs, he could start this very morning by announcing that every product that says Donald Trump on it will be made in America. I challenge him to do that,” proclaimed Republican presidential hopeful Sen. Marco Rubio, in a campaign speech in Knoxville on Monday.
And some excruciating details, for those who care: A brief study of the Donald Trump line of clothing reveals that while many of the sports coats have been made in China, most of the suits are actually made in the U.S. The shirts are made in Bangladesh. Mr. Trump’s campaign gear, incidentally, is made in America.
SEE ALSO: Hillary Clinton ‘secret’ email count doubles as latest batch is released
SHALOM AMERICA
“Americans’ views toward Israel remain firmly positive,” writes Gallup analyst Lydia Saad, with 62 percent of Americans saying their sympathies lie more with the Israelis and 15 percent favoring the Palestinians. About one in four continue to be neutral. The Gallup poll in question found that 79 percent of Republicans, 75 percent of weekly church-goers, 72 percent of Christians and those over 50 side with Israel; the figure is 56 percent among independents and 53 percent among Democrats.
“By a slight margin, 44 percent to 37 percent, more Americans favor than oppose the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza Strip,” Ms. Saad also noted.
ONE FOR AN EDUCATOR
Let us recall Everett Piper, the president of Oklahoma Wesleyan University who defended academic freedom in a now famous essay titled “This is not a Daycare. It’s a University,” in response to student calls for “safe places,” no controversy and other cozy demands. The author has gotten notice. Mr. Piper will receive the $10,000 Jeanne Jordan Kirkpatrick award for Academic Freedom at Conservative Political Action Conference — CPAC — on Friday evening during the Ronald Reagan Banquet.
“In a time when university administrators are giving in to what amounts to student temper tantrums, Everett Piper stands out for his adherence to the tradition of academic integrity and open inquiry,” said Michael W. Grebe, president of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, which is granting the award. Support for open discussion and tolerance of dissent on campus is “rare and overdue,” Mr. Grebe adds.
POLL DU JOUR
• 63 percent of Americans say Donald Trump could win the 2016 general election if he was the GOP nominee; 84 percent of Republicans, 59 percent of independents and 50 percent of Democrats agree.
• 25 percent overall say Mr. Trump “could never win” the general election; 10 percent of Republicans, 22 percent of independents and 40 percent of Democrats agree.
• 13 percent are unsure; 6 percent of Republicans, 19 percent of independents and 10 percent of Democrats agree.
Source: An Economist/YouGov poll of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted Feb. 24-27.
• Doggerel and caterwaul to jharper@washingtontimes.com.
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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