NEWS AND OPINION:
A Hollywood powerhouse came forward this week to speak well of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. In an interview with Fox News, Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight called the candidate “an extraordinary fellow who has accomplished much in his life,” adding that Mr. Trump remains “clear and strong” even at the end of a 12-hour day — and is exceptionally considerate to event staff and other personnel he encounters on the campaign trail.
Mr. Voight grew blunt regarding Democratic rival Hillary Clinton during his interview with Fox anchor Neil Cavuto.
“Donald Trump has no blood on his hands, as does Hillary. Remember Benghazi, remember Benghazi. And I can tell you this: One thing you can be sure of is that Donald Trump is no liar,” Mr. Voight said.
“I know Donald Trump. I know the things that he says, and I find them to be true,” the actor continued. “I find that sometimes, in an unusual, sometimes even in an awkward way, he says exactly what needs to be said. And he tells the truth.”
FOR THE LEXICON
“Team Yuuuge,” “Team MAGA,” “Team Irredeemables,” “Team Deplorables.”
— Official names for four of Donald Trump’s national fundraising teams. “MAGA”, incidentally, is actually a Twitter hashtag that stands for “Make America Great Again.”
NO ELECTION ANGST: VOTERS EAGER TO SHOP
Well, at least one American tradition has not been affected by the drama and trauma of the 2016 election.
“A survey of American voters found the vast majority will not let the outcome of Election 2016 affect their planned spending this coming holiday season,” reports RetailNext Inc., a marketing and consumer analysis group based in California.
The survey of 2,000 voters found that 90 percent are itching to get at that holiday shopping, and the outcome of the election will not affect their plans. Another 70 percent say that if Donald Trump is elected, it will not affect their spending; 68 percent say the same about a Hillary Clinton victory.
“Any residual angst from election 2016 will likely be well over by Thanksgiving. As this holiday season has two additional shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, an overlapping of the beginning of Hanukkah with Christmas Eve, and a bevy of generally positive economic indicators, the retail industry should close the year relatively strong,” predicts Shelley E. Kohan, the company’s vice president of retail consulting.
THE MEDIA SHIELD
Wondering where significant broadcast coverage of the Clinton Foundation has gone? The answer: There’s very little, despite repeat discussions about potential conflict-of-interest issues presented by Hillary Clinton’s campaign and her family foundation.
A new study finds that 95 percent of the stories centered on the Clinton Foundation that aired on NBC, ABC and CBS never even brought up the conflict-of-interest dimension, according to Alatheia Nielson, an analyst for Newsbusters.org, a conservative press watchdog.
She reviewed 62 network reports from a one-month period that ended Sept. 9. Only three of them mentioned the prospects of “ethical problems” the Clinton family might face should Mrs. Clinton win the White House.
“The broadcast networks ignored the conflict of interest afflicting the Democratic nominee in 95 percent of their stories,” Ms. Nielson noted. “Instead, the networks pushed the Clinton campaign’s version; that the foundation was being ’targeted unfairly,’ that conflict of interest allegations were ’absurd,’ and that reports questioning Clinton’s actions as Secretary of State were ’misleading.’”
WATERGATE, 2016
The iconic and luxurious Watergate Hotel reopened three months ago after a $200 million renovation, fully embracing its role as the site of the 1972 Watergate break-in and cover-up that prompted President Richard Nixon to resign two years later. Time marches on, however. The hotel has also just opened its new, $3.5 million “Argentta” wellness spa.
“The 10,500-square-foot spa includes the hotel’s original indoor pool, which has been meticulously restored for guests to use year-round. The spa also boasts a whirlpool, sauna rooms, a state-of-the-art Technogym, six personal treatment suites and one duet suite, steam rooms, a unisex sauna and a nail salon,” the hotel advises.
“Signature treatments include the Argentta Seven Elements Ritual, a 90-minute, seven-part ritual where fresh organic ingredients are used to create a toxin free solution that restores aging skin to optimal health and The Strengthening Facial, a 120-minute, highly moisturizing and firming strengthening facial that uses the healing qualities of liquid silver to dramatically improve the skin’s elasticity. Spa services range from $160 for a 60-minute service to $400 for a 120-minute service.”
CLINTON CORRUPTION PANEL
Judicial Watch — which has consistently submitted multiple Freedom of Information Act requests regarding Hillary Clinton’s private email server, her family foundation and other matters — offers a comprehensive overview of their work on Thursday.
The watchdog group presents “Clinton Scandal Update: Emails and the Clinton Foundation,” with a panel that includes the organization’s president, Tom Fitton; Peter Schweizer, author of “Clinton Cash” and other investigative books; former U.S. Attorney Joe diGenova; Chris Farrell, director of investigations and research at Judicial Watch; plus author and World Net Daily columnist Jerome Corsi.
Mr. Fitton deems the 90-minute event a “historic educational panel discussion” and the content both “revealing and discomfiting.”
See it broadcast live at 11 a.m. EDT at JudicialWatch.org/live The forum will also be carried live by One America News, a cable news channel.
POLL DU JOUR
• 36 percent of Americans say it’s best for the country if a president is from the same party that controls Congress; 42 percent of Republicans, 28 percent of independents and 40 percent of Democrats agree.
• 36 percent overall say it makes no difference how political power is allocated; 29 percent of Republicans, 38 percent of independents and 37 percent of Democrats agree.
• 20 percent say it’s best the president and Congress come from different parties; 19 percent of Republicans, 27 percent of independents and 14 percent of Democrats agree.
Source: A Gallup Poll of 1,020 U.S. adults conducted Sept. 7 to 11 and released Wednesday.
• Polite applause, cranky commentary to jharper@washingtontimes.com
• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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