Inside the Beltway: NBC seeks amateur political pundits

NEWS AND OPINION:

It is a dream come true for that favorite uncle who somehow nails the latest media spin — or maybe the outspoken sister-in-law, that smart guy at work, a feisty granny, noisy husband or college-age upstart. NBC is seeking a few new stars. Without further ado, here is the announcement:

“NBC, All3Media America, and Doron Ofir Casting are seeking duos and trios of real everyday people with strong opinions and a hilarious sense of humor to share their thoughts about the events of the week for their new series ’Common Sense.’ It is a weekly, half-hour comedy series featuring real people from all over the country expressing their opinions on the week’s news — totally unfiltered, totally real, totally funny!”

In an era of fake news and comedic anchormen, NBC may be onto something.

“Casting duos and trios are made up of friends, colleagues or family members. They take us through their thought process and share opinions on everything from the politically charged to the ridiculous. Whether at work, on a coffee break, working out, or relaxing at the bar down the street, the pairs and trios will reflect their unique and personal points of view from Main street to Wall Street,” the network advises.

“If you or someone you know are 16-80 years old and are engaging, funny, witty and warm who want to share their views with all of America, we would love to hear from you.”

And there you have it. Yes, this is real. Check it out at Commonsensecasting.com. And good luck.

TRUMP’S FRIENDSHIP WITH LIBERTY UNIVERSITY

Some 18,000 Liberty University graduates are mighty pleased that President Trump will give their commencement address on Saturday. A record-breaking crowd is expected at the bodacious campus in Lynchburg, Virginia — founded by evangelist Jerry Falwell and ranked the nation’s fifth-largest university. It is also the world’s largest Christian university. The young scholars heavily favor Mr. Trump. During the 2016 election, nearly 3,000 students voted for him; rival Hillary Clinton took 140 votes.

Security will be paramount. Commencement planners, however, were so eager to accommodate parents, well-wishers and Trump fans that they demolished locker rooms at one end of the event site at Walker Stadium to create an additional 8,000 seats. Find the campus here

Yes, protests are planned. Of course. The Seven Hills Progressive Society and the Lynchburg Democratic Committee will be on hand, declaring themselves the “non-welcoming” committee for the president.

“We are not disrupting the graduation in any way, shape or form, but simply exercising our First Amendment right to free speech,” they advise.

WALKING, CHEWING GUM

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan appears upbeat about his roiling flock of lawmakers, due to march back into the U.S. Capitol on Monday morning.

“Look at how much we’ve already done. We’ve passed 13 congressional review acts and resolutions in law. That’s rolling back 13 job-killing, Obama-era regulations. We’ve got our health care bill through. We’ve got a big government funding bill through,” Mr. Ryan tells Fox News in review.

“We’re going to get working on tax reform, infrastructure, more efforts need to be done at securing the border, rebuilding the military, more regulatory relief. We’re working on our Dodd-Frank legislation next week,” the speaker continues, adding that reforming the tax code, overhauling regulations, bolstering the military, securing the border and improving infrastructure are on his to-do list.

“We have a full packed agenda. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. We have various different committees working on these bills at the same time,” Mr. Ryan notes. “That’s what people elected us to do — enact an ambitious agenda, to get this country back on track. And I’m very excited about it. I’m excited we’ve got a president leaning in, pushing us, encouraging this, getting this done.”

’DYNAMISM AND AGILITY’

When they communicate these days, this federal agency gets straight to the point.

“The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has established a Korea Mission Center to harness the full resources, capabilities, and authorities of the Agency in addressing the nuclear and ballistic missile threat posed by North Korea,” the CIA notes in a terse statement.

“The new Mission Center draws on experienced officers from across the Agency and integrates them in one entity to bring their expertise and creativity to bear against the North Korea target. A veteran CIA operations officer has been selected as the new Assistant Director for Korea and presides over the Mission Center. The new Mission Center will work closely with the Intelligence Community and the entire U.S. national security community.”

CIA Director Mike Pompeo notes that the effort “reflects the dynamism and agility that CIA brings to evolving national security challenges.” FINd the always interesting agency here

WEEKEND REAL ESTATE

For sale: “First Lady Acres,” built in 1974 on eight acres in Nashville, Tennessee, for country music icon Tammy Wynette, a gift from her husband, singer George Jones. Nine bedrooms, nine baths, 10,000 square feet in “California contemporary” style with exterior colonnade. Includes theater, gourmet kitchen, multiple marble fireplaces, “wine wall,” steam bath, recording studio, safe room. Three-car garage, outdoor kitchen, pool, Zen garden, fountains, helipad, putting green. Carefully updated. “Tammy’s closet left largely untouched.”

Priced at $5.5 million through 4121Franklinpike.com.

POLL DU JOUR

• 85 percent of Russians look to their nation to “balance the influence of the West.”

• 71 percent identify as “Orthodox Christians.”

• 69 percent say Russia’s culture is “superior to others.”

• 57 percent say being an Orthodox Christian is important to their “true” national identity.

• 55 percent say Russia is more religious today; 15 percent said the nation was religious is the 1970s and 1980s.

• 50 percent blame “Western countries” for the conflict in Ukraine.

Source: A Pew Research Center “Religious Beliefs and National Belonging” poll of 2,472 Russian adults conducted June 2015 to July 2016 and released Thursday.

• Chit-chat and factoids to jharper@washingtontimes.com