Item #1: Pence to speak to South Carolina conservatives in his first address since leaving office
In his first public address since the end of the Trump administration, former Vice President Mike Pence is traveling to South Carolina, set to speak to a conservative Christian nonprofit in the state that plays a crucial role in the presidential nominating process.
Next month, Pence will keynote a dinner hosted by the Palmetto Family Council, a Pence aide told The Associated Press on Sunday. The aide spoke on the condition of anonymity due to a lack of permission to discuss the plans publicly.
The former president is clearly testing the presidential waters. He’s had his eye on the top job for many years now, but the recent CPAC presidential straw poll showed him with only 1% support. He’s got some work to do.
Item #2: Matt Gaetz: Democratic Party Doing Its Best To "Reduce The Splendor" Of America And Freedom
During an appearance with Maria Bartiromo on FNC's "Sunday Morning Futures," Rep. Matt Gaetz said Democrats were doing their best to tarnish the image of freedom and the United States while praising "the Middle Kingdom" of China.
"They are trying to create a constructed threat to justify the continued occupation of our capital city, because, if you want to replace America, if you want to do away with America, you would want to reduce the beautiful splendor of our capital and our country and our republic," Gaetz said. "And that is the slow march to socialism and communism that this Democratic Party is taking us down."
"While the Middle Kingdom grows more ambitious in their goals, we are still toiling away in the Middle East."
Needless to say, Matt Gaetz’s to-the-point approach has gained him many fans amongst the conservative grassroots. Something the afore-mentioned Mike Pence should keep in mind if his eye is truly on 2024.
Item #3: New PAC seeks to boost Republican women
Called Promoting Oklahoma Women in Elections and Representation (POWhER), the new PAC cut its first checks this week to Bice, R-Oklahoma City; State Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan; State Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City; and District 2 District Attorney Angela Marsee.
The PAC registered with the state last month but has not yet filed its first expense report. The four initial donations were each for $1,000, according to Donelle Harder, the PAC’s chair.
As the article notes, 106 of the 144 women in Congress are Democrats. It’s good to see efforts like this help conservative women take that first — or next — step into politics. We’ve got a lot of kooky ideas to combat in DC.
Item #4: Trump offers early endorsement for loyal SC governor
Former President Donald Trump on Friday endorsed South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s bid for a second full term in 2022, continuing their yearslong alliance in a move to strengthen ties with the early-voting state that Trump won twice.
In a statement through his Save America PAC, Trump commended McMaster’s efforts on behalf of the military, veterans and law enforcement, saying the Republican “has my Complete and Total Endorsement as he runs for re-election!”
Paging Nikki Haley. Clean up in Aisle 5.
Item #5: From one governor to another, Noem criticizes Cuomo for trying 'to cover up his actions'
"He's tried to cover up his actions throughout the COVID pandemic. He tried to cover up the damage done by what happened in nursing homes, the deaths that happened there," Noem said, adding, "Now it appears as though he's trying to cover up what has happened with these young women in his life as well."
Kristi Noem’s willingness to comment on issues like Cuomo’s botched handling, and subsequent coverup, of nursing home deaths shows her interest in being part of the national conversation. Could this be just one governor calling out another for failed leadership? Or is Noem quietly positioning herself for a place on the GOP’s 2024 presidential ticket? This article says not so fast.