California under scrutiny as GOP candidates gather for debate

NEWS AND OPINION:

Republican presidential hopefuls will be in for a treat Wednesday when they gather for their second candidate debate at the spectacular Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

The Republican National Committee, however, has issued a fact-based report on the event that offers insight for the hopefuls themselves — but not much love for the host state.

“Republican candidates will have yet another opportunity to share common sense, conservative solutions to our country’s biggest problems,” the report said, predicting that the debate “will offer solutions to restore the American Dream.”

The host state, however, did not receive any accolades.

“Republicans will present a contrast to California’s crises. Plagued with rising prices, out-of-control crime, a growing homeless population, and a literacy crisis, California has proven to be a failed Democrat experiment,” the report said.

It got down to the particulars.

“The Golden State has become vastly unaffordable. Prices have risen by 17.4% since President Biden took office — with Californians still reeling from the lasting effects of inflation. According to Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, inflation has cost the average California family over $10,448,” the report said.

“California is the second most expensive state in the nation in which to live, trailing only Democrat-run Hawaii,” it continued, also noting that four of the nation’s 10 most expensive urban areas are in California.

The state also has the country’s second-highest unemployment rate and highest homelessness rate (30% of the nation’s total), its residents now pay an average $5.83 for a gallon of gasoline, and the violent crime rate has increased by 6.1% in the last year, the report continued.

“Californians are voting with their feet, fleeing Democrat leadership. According to a report from the National Association of Realtors, California lost the most people out of any state in 2022. According to the U.S. Census, Los Angeles County, California has the largest population decline of any county in 2022,” the GOP report said.

THE DEBATE PRESS

The second Republican presidential debate has given the news media plenty to do in the meantime. Here are a few headlines — some of them rather lengthy — from the last 24 hours:

“Can the second GOP debate amount to more than a race for second place? The most important audience might be Republican donors who are waiting to put their money behind a candidate who can take on Donald Trump” (The New York Times); “How to watch the second Republican debate — and why you should (even if you don’t want to)” (The Arizona Republic); “7 Republican candidates qualify for second debate: Here’s who missed out” (Axios); “Donald Trump will be all across America this week, except on the debate stage” (CNN); and “DeSantis to be at center stage in second GOP presidential debate” (The Hill).

A HAPPY OCCASION

Let’s pause and salute Richard A. Viguerie — a conservative leader, strategist and a pioneer of direct-mail marketing — a useful tool in politics. Mr. Viguerie founded American Target Advertising in 1965, and it remains the oldest and largest direct-mail marketing and fundraising agency for conservative nonprofit groups.

He recently celebrated his 90th birthday in the company of a proud family — and 270 friends. And what friends. Here are some of the people who spoke at this heartfelt but significant event, in order of their appearance:

Kathleen Patten, president & CEO of American Target advertising; Rebecca Hagelin, conservative author, marketer and adviser to Never Back Down, a super PAC supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president; Kellyanne Conway, pollster, assistant to former President Donald Trump and senior counselor at the White House; and Morton Blackwell, president of the Leadership Institute, a nonpartisan educational foundation.

Also on the speaker’s podium: Cleta Mitchell, senior legal fellow at Conservative Partnership Institute and founder of the Election Integrity Network; Christopher Ruddy, award-winning journalist and founder and chairman of Newsmax Media; Roger Craver, founder of Craver Matthews Smith and DonorTrends and editor of the Agitator newsletter; Mike Farris, a lawyer, political activist and founder of the Home-School Legal Defense Fund and of Patrick Henry College; the “man of the hour” — Mr. Viguerie himself; and David Walker, president and CEO of the Coalition to Save America’s Heroes.

A good time was indeed had by all.

IVY-COVERED HALLS

“Harvard University has received more than $218 million from foreign governments since Jan. 2022,” reports the College Fix, a student-written publication that monitors educational and social trends in the U.S.

“The United Kingdom gave the most to the university, $51.7 million, according to data from the U.S. Department of Education. Switzerland, Hong Kong, and China also gave significant amounts. China alone has given $16 million to the university,” wrote Maggie Kelly, assistant editor for the College Fix, citing data from the U.S. Department of Education and the Harvard Crimson, a student publication at the Ivy League school.

POLL DU JOUR

• 43% of U.S. adults would vote for the Republican Party candidate if elections for Congress were held today; 93% of Republicans, 33% of independents and 2% of Democrats agree.

• 48% of men and 38% of women also agree.

• 41% would vote for the Democratic candidate; 1% of Republicans, 28% of independents and 90% of Democrats agree.

• 37% of men and 45% of women also agree.

• 1% would vote for some “other” candidate; 0% of Republicans, 4% of independents and 0% of Democrats agree.

• 2% of men and 1% of women also agree.

• 2% would not vote; 1% of Republicans, 5% of independents and 2% of Democrats agree.

• 2% of men and 3% of women also agree.

• 12% overall are not sure whom they would vote for; 5% of Republicans, 30% of independents and 5% of Democrats agree.

• 11% of men and 14% of women also agree.

SOURCE: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,500 U.S. adults conducted Sept. 17-19.

• Contact Jennifer Harper at jharper@washingtontimes.com.