Anuzis reminds Republicans that ‘unity wins’

NEWS AND OPINION:

A longtime, community-minded Republican is calling for some sensible unity in the Republican Party — and for a practical, productive reason.

“Unity wins,” Saul Anuzis noted in an essay featured at his online news site SaulsNews.com.

Mr. Anuzis, by the way, is the former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party and current president of 60 Plus Association, a nonpartisan seniors advocacy group.

He has a message for the very devoted fans of former President Donald Trump, particularly now that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has left the presidential race.

“Trump Uber MAGA Supporters: Relax. Stop attacking and bad-mouthing other Republicans, independents and conservative Democrats who we will need to win in November. We need every vote and that means we need to unite a center-right coalition and encourage them to come out to the polls. Follow Donald Trump’s lead,” Mr. Anuzis advised.

He cited one recent statement the former president made after he won the recent Iowa caucus.

“I really think this is the time now for our country to come together,” Mr. Trump noted at the time.

Mr. Anuzis agrees, citing the upcoming primaries and their potential influence on voters and White House hopefuls alike.

“In the next few weeks, we have New Hampshire, South Carolina, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Nevada. Like it or not, that probably sets the field. Let the process work and remember the end goal. Bringing folks together isn’t always easy, but it doesn’t get any easier when in the process of growing our coalition, some folks get pushed away,” he wrote.

“If we don’t win, we can’t govern. If we can’t govern, we can’t turn things around,” he advised.

OBAMA IN CONTROL?

So who’s really in charge of the nation these days?

“A majority of voters think former President Barack Obama is influencing President Joe Biden’s administration, and agree with a Republican congressman’s claim that Biden is really a ‘puppet’ for progressives,” a new Rasmussen Reports poll advises.

Indeed, Rep. Greg Murphy, North Carolina Republican, mentioned this possibility during a July 23, 2023, appearance on Fox News.

There are some numbers to consider here.

The Rasmussen Reports survey found that almost two-thirds of likely U.S. voters — 63% — believe it is likely that Mr. Obama is influencing the policies of Mr. Biden and his administration, including 40% who consider it “very likely.”

Another 29% don’t think it’s likely the Biden administration is influenced by Mr. Obama, including 13% who say it’s “not at all likely.”

The survey of 935 likely U.S. voters was conducted by Pulse Opinion Research for Rasmussen Reports Jan. 15-17 and released Friday.

AND ONE MORE OPINION

Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has little praise for President Biden and his administration. She has released the following statement which summarizes Mr. Biden’s tenure in the White House:

“Three years of Joe Biden has only brought disaster to Americans. Whether it’s his botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, humanitarian crisis at the border, stifling Bidenomics, or out-of-control crime, failure is the hallmark of Biden’s tenure in office and Americans deserve better. It’s fitting that today Biden is celebrating at his favorite vacation spot — the beach. The only good thing about this three-year anniversary? We are exactly one year away from a Republican moving into the White House,” Ms. McDaniel said in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.

ON THE RADAR

Former President Donald Trump will head to Las Vegas later this week — bound for that glittering and savvy locale that has been the source of notable Trump support in the past.

And the details: Mr. Trump will deliver remarks to a “Team Trump Nevada Commit to Caucus Rally” at Big League Dreams Las Vegas, a mammoth sports park on Saturday afternoon, according to his campaign. The park is just nine miles from the 64-story Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.

Naturally, the Beltway was curious about the size and scope of this hotel, which is sheathed in golden-colored glass. It offers 1,282 “exquisitely appointed non-smoking guest rooms” along with 352 suites and 46 penthouses. Yes, penthouses.

There’s also an 11,000-square-foot “Spa at Trump” plus a 110-foot swimming pool. Situated on a 7th-floor deck, it boasts “private air-conditioned cabanas complete with wet bars and plasma TV,” and “signature poolside cocktails,” according to the hotel’s online description.

THE HALEY PRESS

The New Hampshire primary election is looming large on the political calendar. The press, meanwhile, is intent on watching one presidential hopeful in particular. A few headlines of note from the last 24 hours:

“Nikki Haley says Trump in mental decline, claims ‘he’s not at the same level’ as 2016” (Fox News); “Inside the campaign to get Democrats to vote for Nikki Haley” (Politico); “Nikki Haley could win the New Hampshire Primary. Then what?” (The Wall Street Journal); “New Hampshire primary: Haley and the anti-Trump movement’s last best hope” (Al Jazeera); “Why New Hampshire could be the last chance for Republicans to beat Trump” (The Guardian); and “Nikki Haley wants a two-person race: New Hampshire’s independents just might give her one” (CNN).

POLL DU JOUR

• 80% of U.S. college students say their college should prepare them for a job or career that they love; 46% say their college is preparing them for that.

• 58% say their college should prepare them to have a job or career that “pays well”; 40% say their college is doing that.

• 52% say their college should prepare them to find a job or career quickly after graduation; 28% say their college is doing that.

• 41% say their college should help them find a specific job or career; 44% say their college is doing that.

• 34% say their college should help them find a job or career that uses “core skills like critical thinking”; 32% say their college is doing that.

SOURCE: An Inside Higher Ed/College Pulse Student Voice survey of 1,250 U.S. college students conducted Dec. 20-31 and released Friday.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @HarperUniverse.