New Hampshire leadership summit brings on conservative solutions

NEWS AND OPINION:

A significant meeting of influential Republicans is happening this weekend. That would be the First in the Nation Leadership Summit, taking place Friday and Saturday in scenic Nashua, New Hampshire.

“Presidential candidates, elected officials, and Republican thought leaders from across the nation will be joining together to discuss conservative solutions to today’s issues,” according to the New Hampshire Republican Party, which is hosting the big doings.

Indeed. Here’s a partial list of the speakers, in no particular order: Sens. Tim Scott of South Carolina and Joni Ernst of Iowa; Rep. Kat Cammack of Florida; former Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York; Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and North DakotaGov. Doug Burgum; plus Republican presidential hopefuls Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie, Mike Pence, Asa Hutchinson, Ryan Binkley and Perry Johnson.

Other guest speakers include Americans for Tax Reform founder Grover Norquist, former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus, former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan, attorney Harmeet K. Dhillon and New Hampshire House Speaker Sherman Packard.

As for the host organization, it has some genuine political heritage of its own.

“The New Hampshire Republican Party was founded on October 12, 1853 by Amos Tuck in Exeter, New Hampshire – the earliest known date a Republican Party was formed, making New Hampshire the birthplace of the national Republican Party,” the organization said in a brief history of the group.

REPUBLICAN REALITY CHECK

The Republican National Committee continues to monitor the U.S. economy, business indicators and negative outcomes for Americans themselves.

“The Consumer Price Index showed no signs of improvement. Inflation remains up 3.7% over last year — more than double what it was when President Biden took office. Core consumer prices — stripping out food and energy — rose by 4.1% over last year. On a year-over-year basis, inflation has averaged 6% under Biden — more than double the level of inflation under any of the last four presidents,” said Jake Schneider, the committee’s director of rapid response.

“Americans’ finances are hardest hit. Since Biden took office, food prices are up more than 20%, rent is up more than 17%, and electricity is up almost 27%. All told, prices are up by 17.7% while real wages are down by 3.2% under Biden,” he advises in a written report shared with Inside the Beltway.

“As Americans pay substantially more for just about everything, the average real wealth for middle-class households is down more than $33,000 in the past year. More Americans are behind on credit cards, auto loans, and personal loans than at any time since the Great Recession, and credit card debt is at an all-time high. Interest rates are at their highest in more than two decades, the average monthly payment for a new vehicle is at a record high and housing is less affordable than ever,” Mr. Schneider said.

“We are, once again, seeing ‘Bidenomics’ in action — and it’s not good,” he concluded.

Others agree.

“Americans are paying more for just about everything under Biden and there’s no relief in sight. That’s Bidenomics,” said committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, also in a written statement.

‘MAGAWEEN ON THE CALENDAR

The New York Young Republicans have some big plans later this month. The plans are so big, in fact, that the organization has given a popular holiday a new name — with a Donald Trump twist.

They have turned Halloween into “MAGAween” — and this very active group plans to celebrate the occasion with much style, and a nod to Mr. Trump’s “Make America Great Again” motto.

They will stage their “5th Annual Rooftop MAGAween Party” at an undisclosed location in Manhattan.

“We are looking forward to seeing you — and make sure you dress to impress with your most MAGAnificent costume yet for our famous costume contest!” the group advises its membership in an invitation shared with Inside the Beltway.

Come December, they will also stage their 111th annual gala, complete with speaker Nigel Farage — a British broadcaster and former leader of the Brexit Party.

This is an organization with some surprising heritage. Founded in 1856, it is the oldest and largest such group in the Republican Party. Yes, there’s a formal history to mull over, along with endorsements, campaigns, charity work and other fare at the group’s website NYYRC.com.

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POLL DU JOUR

• 58% of U.S. adults say they would describe inflation and higher prices in the U.S. as “an emergency”; 66% of Republicans, 60% of independents and 48% of Democrats agree.

• 63% of women and 52% of men also agree.

• 37% overall say inflation and higher prices are a “major problem but not an emergency”: 31% of Republicans, 37% of independents and 43% of Democrats agree.

• 33% of women and 42% of men also agree.

• 5% say inflation and higher prices are “a minor problem”; 2% of Republicans, 3% of independents and 8% of Democrats agree.

• 3% of women and 7% of men also agree.

• 0% of the respondents said inflation and higher prices are “not a problem.”

SOURCE: A Fox News poll of 1,007 registered U.S. voters conducted Oct. 6-9.

• Contact Jennifer Harper at jharper@washingtontimes.com.