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NEWS AND OPINION:
The Republican Party is paying close attention to a very large potential voting bloc. Consider that the Pew Research Center reported the following facts on Oct. 12, 2022:
“An estimated 34.5 million Hispanic Americans are eligible to vote this year, making Latinos the fastest-growing racial and ethnic group in the U.S. electorate since the last midterm elections. The number of Hispanic eligible voters has increased by 4.7 million since 2018, representing 62% of the total growth in U.S. eligible voters during this time,” the center said at the time.
Fast forward to Wednesday of this week.
Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel has announced the release of a new Spanish-language public outreach titled “Deposita Tu Voto” — or “Bank Your Vote.”
The nationwide push focuses on “maximizing pre-Election Day voting in the Hispanic community,” according to the committee.
“The Republican Party is not only celebrating the contributions Hispanic Americans have made to our great country, but we’re doubling down on our investment in growing our party by engaging with Hispanic voters on why, where, and how to vote early,” Ms. McDaniel said in a written statement shared with Beltway.
The committee has also released a very persuasive Spanish-language video featuring the chairwoman, along with Republican Reps. Monica De La Cruz of Texas, David Valadao of California, Mario Díaz-Balart of Florida, and Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon of Puerto Rico. Indeed, they are encouraging voters to “bank their vote” ahead of Election Day 2024.
The shutdown press
The possibility of another U.S. government shutdown at least has given the press something to talk about besides the Republican presidential debate. Here are a few headlines from the last 24 hours that reveal the news media has gone into tutorial mode, at least for now:
“Government shutdown: What to know as the deadline nears” (Axios); “A federal shutdown could happen soon — here’s what to expect” (The Washington Post); ‘US government shutdown: What is it and who would be affected?” (Reuters); “Government shutdown to begin Sunday if no deal is met” (NBC News); “Social Security payments will continue if the government shuts down” (CNN); “With looming government shutdown, FEMA is rationing disaster aid funds” (Washington Post); “Congress says it wants to avoid a shutdown, but the House and Senate are moving even further apart” (Associated Press).
The bear necessities
Here are more telling headlines of note:
“To China and Xi, even pandas are political. And now, three bears will exit the U.S.” reported Fox News on Wednesday.
“D.C. Is in Panda-monium as China takes back beloved bears,” echoed the Wall Street Journal.
“Pandas receive ‘giant’ farewell with treats before going back to China” noted USA Today.
It’s true. The beloved bears have been recalled from their longtime home in Washington, D.C.. Let us recall that then-President Richard Nixon and first lady Pat Nixon arranged for a pair of pandas to visit the U.S. in 1972. But those decades of symbolic happiness and harmony appear to be on the wane.
“Later this year, the three pandas living in the National Zoo will be sent to China, which has the rights to pandas in captivity all over the world,” the Journal said.
“The breakdown in U.S. China relations is bamboozling many,” it noted.
The zoo itself is already staging a “Panda Palooza” to celebrate the famous bears before they board a jet and head back to their homeland.
“By Dec. 7, the animals will return to Chinese conservationists, who have essentially been renting the adult pandas to the National Zoo, generally for about $1 million a year since 2000. Under the agreement — part of China’s global, soft-power ‘panda diplomacy’ cubs born in Washington go back to China, too. Zoo officials hope the pandas’ absence is short-lived and are applying for a fresh batch. They are still figuring out what to do without the zoo’s stars,” the Journal report said.
“As the U.S. and China relationship has grown more tense, panda politics have also become more black-and-white. Three cubs previously born at the National Zoo — who were products of artificial insemination, as Xiao Qi Ji was — have already been sent to China, while pandas at other U.S. zoos have also recently left. Rep. Nancy Mace, South Carolina Republican, has legislation to keep U.S.-born panda cubs in America,” the report also advised.
Indeed, Ms. Mace introduced the “Promoting Animal Naturalization and Democracy Act (PANDA)” on Feb. 2, 2022 — which would stop pandas born in the U.S. from being returned to China.
Foxified
During the week of Sept. 18-24, Fox News enjoyed an average prime-time audience of 1.7 million viewers, besting its competition in news and nonnews programming alike. In the daytime hours, Fox News also dominated the competition with 1.1 million viewers, with the largest audience for the 136th consecutive week. Fox News also aired 73 of the top 100 cable newscasts as well.
The standouts included “The Five,” with an audience of 2.7 million viewers, Jesse Watters Primetime with 2.3 million and “Hannity” with 2.1 million. Late-night king Greg Gutfeld drew 1.9 million while both “Special Report with Bret Baier” and “The Ingraham Angle” attracted audiences of 1.8 million. Sunday Morning Futures led the rating on the weekend with an audience of 1.3 million, followed by Life, Liberty & Levin with 1.1 million.
Poll du jour
23% of registered U.S. voters think of themselves as a “strong Republican.”
23% of voters think of themselves as a “strong Democrat.”
14% of voters think of themselves as “strictly independent.”
11% of voters think of themselves as “independent but lean Republican.”
9% of voters think of themselves as “independent but lean Democrat.”
8% of voters think of themselves as a “not very strong Democrat.”
5% of voters think of themselves as a “not very strong Republican.”
5% of voters think of themselves as having some “other” political calling.
2% are “not sure” about their political calling.
Source: An NBC News/Hart Research poll of 1,000 registered U.S. voters conducted Sept. 15-19.
Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin.
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