Dennis Rodman’s diplomacy

NEWS & OPINION

NBA great Dennis Rodman revealed to NBC News a mere 48 hours ago that he “got permission” to journey to Russia to seek the release of WNBA star Britney Griner, now sentenced to prison in that nation on drug charges. The sudden announcement by Mr. Rodman was immediately picked up by major news outlets. Keep watching.

Let’s not forget that the former player is 6 feet 7 inches tall and has practiced his own style of diplomacy. Since , Mr. Rodman visited North Korea four more times under the orders of Kim Jong Un. He even played an exhibition match there with former U.S. baseball players. The Rodman visit was a rare occasion when both the U.S. State Department (and the White House) remained elusive.

“Mr.

“Mr. Rodman made an individual trip,” Jay Carney, then White House press secretary said Jan. 7, 2014..

“Sports trades are valuable. It can also be a valuable form of diplomacy. It’s something we do in many countries around the globe, even through our direct support. According to official White House transcripts, Mr. Carney said that this was a private trip.

The White House was, later on, more focused on North Korea’s willingness to move away from “further isolution” and embrace the “opportunity to join the community of nations .”

Would a sign be waved?

Are politics and political beliefs influencing the lives of voters? An NBC News poll asked registered U.S. voters how to gauge the importance of their personal political calling — and here’s what the survey found: 38% of U.S. adults said their “political identity” was “somewhat important” in their life, 25% deemed it “very important.”

Another 19% said their political identity was “not too important” while 15% said it was “not at all important.” A mere 3%, however, said their political identity was “the most important thing” in their life.

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And one more noteworthy finding: Respondents were asked if they would carry a protest sign around “for a day” if an issue surfaced that “upsets you enough.” The survey found that 61% said they would carry the sign; 36% gave a flat-out “no” and 3% were not sure.

The NBC News poll of 1,000 registered U.S. voters was conducted Aug. 12-16 and released Sunday.

Advice for Mitch McConnell

It is no surprise that so many Americans are watching Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. He was born in Tuscumbia (Alabama) in 1942, and was first elected to U.S. Senate as 1984.. Many people watch McConnell, and many have some advice.

“McConnell is a strong individual, even though his most vocal critics may not be willing to acknowledge them. His work with the judicial nominees has been excellent. His success in playing small ball effectively to achieve legislative wins is something he prides himself on. Mollie Hemingway (editor in chief, The Federalist) wrote that he has powerful connections and is good at raising money.

Her essay’s title is: “Come on Mitch McConnell. Republicans need to get up and lead .”

Ms. Hemingway praises Mr. McConnell for his ability to raise money, promote legislative victories and finesse confirmation of judicial nominees.

Then there’s this:

” McConnell must be an even better leader at this time. McConnell should show ecumenical support for every Republican candidate for Senate. He is the most vocal cheerleader for them on the national stage. While it is understandable for an established figure like him to prefer candidates who are more like him, he must let go of his anger and support all Republican senatorial candidates. He must motivate, energize and reach out to all those who are able to be convinced to vote Republican. Instead of allowing the media to destroy Republicans, he should be able to defeat them. He needs to be able to envision a bold legislative strategy that will save our country.” Ms. Hemingway wrote.

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“Mitch McConnell, the most elected Republican in America is at the top. She advises that McConnell must immediately improve and significantly increase his ability to perform these basic and fundamental political skills.

A Melania moment

Here is an update on Melania Trump’s former First Lady. A long headline tells it all.

“Melania Trump now is ready to take another shot as First Lady. Enemies claimed they would split once Donald Trump leaves the White House. But as he suggests he will run again, his friends portray her as “the power behind the throne,” according to the Daily Mail.

” When asked if she would like to be First Lady again, her answer was “never say never”, which was followed by a shorter headline.

“While many speculated Melania would leave her husband of 17 years the moment Marine One, the presidential helicopter, departed the White House front lawn at the chaotic end of his term in office, that has not turned out to be the case. Caroline Graham, an American editor at the British news agency, wrote that the ex-First Lady is now quietly rebuilding her life.

” I get mad whenever I read false stories that she and Donald will divorce and how they live separate lives,” Toni Holt Kramer, a close friend of Mrs. Trump told The Mail Sunday.

” I’ve known Donald Trump 2010, since my husband joined Mar-a-Lago. I met Melania a short time after. They have taken me to many parties since then. Melania is sweet, gentle, charming, and classy. She puts her family first. “People love to hate Trumps so she gets a bad reputation,” Ms. Kramer stated.

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Poll du jour

62% of U.S. business executives expect inflation in the U.S. to remain elevated in the next 12 months.

61% expect increased political tension and divisiveness in that time period.

60% expect a recession to occur; 54% expect higher global taxes.

52% expect higher U.S. corporate taxes; 49% expect COVID variants or other public health risks to occur.

49& expect increased societal unrest in general; 48% expect more U.S. regulatory activity.

Source : PWC Pulse Survey of 722 U.S. Business Leaders from Public and Private Companies, Aug. 1-5. Released Aug. 18.

Follow Jennifer Harper via Twitter @HarperBulletin.

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