Americans differ about country’s role on world stage

NEWS AND OPINION:

Not everyone thinks the nation should be a major player in world affairs.

“Americans divide over the U.S. role on the world stage,” according to a new poll conducted by NPR, PBS and Marist College, released Wednesday.

“Half of Americans (50%) think it is crucial for the U.S. to play a major leadership role in world events. 47% say the U.S. should focus on its own problems and take less of a leadership role. Democrats (66%) are more likely than Republicans (46%) and independents (43%) to have a more global view of the role of the United States. Majorities of Republicans (51%) and independents (56%) think the U.S. should focus on domestic matters,” the poll analysis said.

Discover more findings from the survey in the Poll du Jour at column’s end.

THE PERILS OF ’BIDENOMICS’

The Republican National Committee continues to tally up the state of the U.S. economy with some eye-opening statistics.

“Bidenomics pain continues. Inflation connected to President Biden’s economic agenda has caused nothing but pain and misery,” the committee said in a hefty report released Wednesday.

And here’s just a very small part of what it revealed.

“The latest Consumer Price Index data shows year-over-year inflation remained high last month at 3.2% — twice the rate compared to when President Biden took office. Core consumer prices — stripping out food and energy — rose by 4%. Inflation has risen by 17.6%,” the report said.

“On a year-over-year basis, inflation under Biden has averaged 5.9% — more than double the level of inflation seen under any of the last four presidents. Food prices are up 20.9%, rent is up 18%, and electricity is up 24.7% since Biden took office,” the report said.

It did have some good news for those who live in states with Republican governors and legislatures, however.

“Republican-led states are the ones creating jobs and leading economic growth. The latest state jobs report shows that eight of the top 10 states for jobs recovered since the coronavirus pandemic are led by Republican governors, and all 10 states have Republican-controlled legislatures,” the report advised.

“Out of the top 25 states with the lowest unemployment rates, 17 are led by Republican governors,” it said.

SHAMING SCHUMER

“More than five weeks ago, Iran-sponsored Hamas terrorists launched a savage attack on Israel and the Jewish people. Israel took swift action in response to defend its homeland and protect its citizens. Now is the time for the United States to stand with our longtime ally and provide the funding and resources necessary to destroy Hamas and end its reign of terror forever. Instead, members of the Senate majority rejected a standalone bill for military aid to Israel,” Victoria Coates said.

She is vice president of the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at the Heritage Foundation.

“Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer should be ashamed. Just hours after speaking at a pro-Israel rally in Washington, he led his party to defeat the Israel military aid bill. It didn’t have to be this way. Two weeks ago, a bipartisan bill passed the House of Representatives. The Senate should have swiftly followed suit. Instead, Schumer and his colleagues are now on the record standing in opposition to aiding America’s greatest ally in the Middle East,” Ms. Coates said in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.

FOXIFIED

Fox Nation — the online, on-demand streaming service from Fox News — hosts its fifth annual Patriot Awards ceremony on Thursday night from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.

The evening honors America’s everyday heroes, the network says — including military veterans, first responders and inspirational figures who have contributed to their communities.

A portion of the proceeds from the evening will be donated to Answer the Call, an organization that provides financial assistance and support to the families of New York City police and firefighters killed in the line of duty.

Sean Hannity, Jesse Watters, Laura Ingraham, Dana Perino, Harris Faulkner, Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt, Brian Kilmeade, Jeanine Pirro, Lawrence Jones, Jimmy Failla, Jessica Tarlov and Johnny Joey Jones are among the network’s hosts and analysts appearing at the event — which is hosted by Pete Hegseth, himself a military veteran.

Notably, actor and newly named Fox Nation host Dennis Quaid will perform a song from his gospel album, “Fallen.” The event begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

Find information at FoxNation.com.

FOR THE GIFT GIVERS

Yes, the Christmas and holiday season is upon us — along with a certain number of gift-giving concerns among those who need — well — something different.

Inside the Beltway will preview a few sources for such items, and we’ll start with Trump-themed books, available from Winning Team Publishing, a conservative publishing house co-founded by Donald Trump Jr.

Among the offerings: Books signed by former President Donald Trump, a 2024 calendar featuring images from Mr. Trump’s time in office, and books by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jeanine Pirro and others.

Find it all at 45books.com.

POLL DU JOUR

• 36% of registered U.S. voters think that Congress should not authorize more funding for either Ukraine’s war with Russia or Israel’s war with Hamas; 40% of Republicans, 49% of independents and 19% of Democrats agree.

• 14% think Congress should authorize more funding only to support Israel; 27% of Republicans, 9% of independents and 8% of Democrats agree.

• 12% think Congress should authorize more funding only to support Ukraine; 5% of Republicans, 6% of independents and 22% of Democrats agree.

• 35% think Congress should authorize more funding for both nations; 25% of Republicans, 33% of independents and 48% of Democrats agree.

• 3% are unsure about the issue; 3% of Republicans, 3% of independents and 3% of Democrats agree.

SOURCE: NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll of 1,293 registered voters conducted Nov. 6-9.

• Helpful information to jharper@washingtontimes.com.