* Older candidate perspective: Occasional, awkward gaffes vs. ongoing, unhinged, unethical chaos.
* Biden’s approval ratings have been heading south. Recall, however, that Trump left office at 34%.
* According to Trump, it’s “Sleepy Joe.” According to the Steele dossier, it’s “Pee Pee Don.”
* Criticism of Vladimir Putin over the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny:
^Biden: “It’s a reflection of who (Putin) is. It cannot be tolerated.”
^Trump: “ ………………….”
* U.S. employers began ‘24 by adding 353,000 jobs in January—roughly twice what economists had been forecasting. The unemployment rate remained at 3.7%, barely above a 50-year low.
* The Commerce Department reported that the economy grew at an annual rate of 3.3% from October through December.
* Data shows inflation falling back to the Federal Reserve’s 2% annual target without a recession.
* “While falling inflation took some time to feed through to consumer sentiment, it appears the good news is finally getting through.”–Oxford Economics analyst Grace Zwemmer.
* Kudlow-down: Fox Business host—and former Trump economic adviser—Larry Kudlow, who had been predicting economic gloom, has now switched to a reality lens. “I was wrong about the slowdown and the recession,” he admits. “I would be bragging about (the economy) too.”
* The unemployment rate for black Americans fell below 5% for the first time in April. For the record, the rate peaked at 16.8% in May 2020. Now it’s 4.7%. You’ll be hearing this again, but probably not from Tim Scott.
* “In America, freedom is not to be given. It is not to be bestowed. It is ours by right.”–VP Kamala Harris, during her “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour. A reminder that having a female vice president is not only historic, it is invaluable with abortion on the ballot.
* As reported on, yes, Fox, year-end reports filed with the Federal Elections Commission show the DNC holding nearly three times the cash on hand reported by the RNC and brought in nearly three times as much fund-raising in the final month of 2023.
* Heads up: Democrats are defending more Senate seats than Republicans in 2024.
* According to Bill O’Reilly, Michelle Obama is “the only one” among Democrats “who could beat” Trump. For the record, the former First Lady has given no sign that she is interested. For the record, that’s an O’Reilly shot at Biden.
* “Border is no longer the province of Republicans.”–Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
* The Biden Administration has set a goal—but not a mandate—to have electric vehicles comprise half of all new vehicles sold by 2030.