NEWS AND OPINION:
Former President Donald Trump can count on some significant support for his reelection in one significant spot in the Empire State. That would be Suffolk County, which comprises the eastern two-thirds of Long Island and boasts a population of 1.5 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Mr. Trump has some fans in the region.
Suffolk County Conservative Party Chairman Michael Torres has stepped forward to endorse Mr. Trump, and yes, he says his organization is the largest of its kind in the state.
“Under Joe Biden, this country has been destroyed. We have seen a complete failure to close our borders, and inflation rise so high that most Americans can barely make ends meet. Wars rage around the world. This country needs a true leader, one who will always put country first and restore honor and dignity to this nation,” Mr. Torres said in a written statement shared with Inside the Beltway.
He cited Mr. Trump’s “unwavering support” for both the U.S. military and law enforcement and praised Mr. Trump’s decision to close the border to “unvetted illegal migrants from around the world who have brought crime, violence, drugs, sex trafficking and have continued to live off of taxpayer’s hard-earned money.”
Mr. Torres anticipates a “red wave” of voters on Long Island when the polls open in November.
“There is no question that immediately upon returning to the White House, Donald Trump will put a stop to this madness. Under Joe Biden we have police officers being beaten in the streets, stores being looted, and fentanyl in every small town in this great country,” Mr. Torres said.
“This cannot continue, and Donald Trump’s history of preserving traditional family values and working tirelessly to make our American way of life affordable is unmatched and aligns with the principles of the Conservative Party. America has seen enough of the Joe Biden show. It’s time to restore Donald Trump to the White House and put this country back on track,” he said.
FOR THE LEXICON
“Clean up on Aisle Trump.”
This phrase comes to us from presidential hopeful Nikki Haley‘s campaign, which claims that former President Donald Trump was in “cleanup mode” for public remarks he made in recent appearances.
“It’s the same script every time: Donald Trump says something unhinged, faces backlash, and scrambles to clean up his mess with a dirty mop. Seventy percent of Americans don’t want Joe Biden’s forgetfulness or Trump’s perpetual chaos machine,” declared Haley spokesperson AnnMarie Graham-Barnes in a written statement.
HALEY’S SHOWBIZ
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Nikki Haley — who recently appeared on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” — has revealed her pop culture side in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter.
Ms. Haley said her all-time favorite movie is “The Shawshank Redemption.” Her favorite TV series is “Yellowstone,” while her favorites in her younger years were “The Golden Girls,” “Diff’rent Strokes” and “The Facts of Life.”
And what about live music?
“My first concert was Motley Crue and Guns & Roses opened up for them. The Super Bowl reminded me of the Usher concert I went to. That was fantastic. I went to Joan Jett — she puts on an amazing show. I love all music. Adele was a fantastic concert. I saw Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden. There are so many,” Ms. Haley told the publication in the interview released Thursday.
FOXIFIED
Fox News will host a pair of upcoming town meetings on the Palmetto State centered on the two remaining Republican presidential rivals.
John Roberts, co-anchor of “America Reports,” will present a one-hour town hall with Nikki Haley on Sunday in Columbia, South Carolina, set to air at 5 p.m. Eastern time, with a repeat at 10 p.m. He’ll focus on critical issues affecting voters, her election strategy and the news of the day, according to the network.
Meanwhile, prime-time host Laura Ingraham will appear at a town hall with former President Donald Trump on Tuesday in Spartanburg, South Carolina; airtime is at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Among the topics for the evening: domestic and foreign policy challenges, a potential “new coalition of voters” who could emerge at the polls, the former president’s ongoing legal battles, the remaining state primaries — and perhaps most interesting — a discussion of Mr. Trump’s potential running mate.
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
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POLL DU JOUR
• 53% of registered U.S. voters have an unfavorable impression of President Biden; 90% of Republicans, 59% of independents and 18% of Democrats agree.
• 58% of Whites, 53% of Hispanics and 27% of Blacks also agree.
• 40% have a favorable impression of Mr. Biden; 8% of Republicans, 31% of independents and 77% of Democrats agree.
• 38% of Whites, 33% of Hispanics and 62% of Blacks also agree.
• 7% are unsure about the matter; 2% of Republicans, 10% of independents and 5% of Democrats agree.
• 4% of Whites, 14% of Hispanics and 12% of Blacks also agree.
SOURCE: An NPR/“PBS NewsHour”/Marist Poll of 1,582 U.S. adults conducted Jan. 29-Feb. 1 and released Feb. 7.
• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @Harperuniverse.