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Republicans are split between naming former President Ronald Reagan the best president of the past 40 years or saying its former President Donald Trump, while a majority of Democrats say the designation belongs to former President Barack Obama.

Thats according to a new poll out by Pew Research Center. The poll found 42% of Republicans named Reagan as the best recent president, while 37% believe its Trump. They were followed by former President George W. Bush and Obama, interestingly enough, who tied for third in a steep drop-off at 6%.

Among Democrats, 59% named Obama as the best modern president, followed by former President Bill Clinton at 19% and Reagan at 8%, who came ahead of President Joe Biden at 5%.

Overall, Obama was the most popular recent president, clocking in at 35% support.

The poll found significant differences by age, with Democrats more likely to name Obama as the top POTUS the younger they were. Reagan was most popular with older Republicans, while 20% of Republicans ages 18 to 29 said a Democrat was the best president of the last four decades, the highest cross-party response for any age group, Republican or Democrat.

According to historians, however, Reagan is the best recent president. C-SPANs 2021 presidential historians survey, released in June, asked 142 historians, college professors and other professional presidential observers to score every POTUS on a 1-to-10 scale across 10 qualities of presidential leadership. The survey ranked Reagan ninth, giving him high marks for his public persuasion and vision, while Obama came in right behind at No. 10, scoring high on the pursuit of equal justice for all and moral authority (Abraham Lincoln came in first).

Trump came in 41st, ahead of just three presidents: the two pre-Civil War presidents, Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan, and Andrew Johnson, the first president ever impeached. A majority of Republicans, however, think Trump was better than Lincoln, according to a 2019 Economist-YouGov poll. The poll had the latest Republican president beating out the first Republican president by 53% to 47%.

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Who was the best president? Survey explores views of Republicans, Democrats - Deseret News

Kevin S. Carpenter| St. Cloud

Minnesota Republican state legislator Peggy Bennett (District 27A)wrote a letter dated Dec. 8to the boss of some Minnesota health care workers, challenging the employers requirements for employees getting vaccinated and wearing masks, and threatening to refuse to support future state funding for this clinic. 37 other Republican state legislators added their signatures to the letter, including St. Cloud-area representatives Tama Theis and Shane Mekeland.

The letter can be found at: https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/goppdf/KjjzzR9JvE2GyqQV2Nc_eA.pdf.

The letter was addressed to Dr. Gianrico Farrugia, CEO & President of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

In an interview about the letter, author Bennetts answers to questions reflected that the letter was based on anecdotal information rather than statistics and science.

This is so sad. First, party members of the supposed party of less government, in their roles as government representatives, decided to interfere in the business of Minnesotas largest employer.

Second, these legislators demonstrated that they do not understand that the Mayo Clinic, like most employers in Minnesota, is not democratic; it is autocratic. The leaders have to make decisions that they feel are best for the company, including its employees and, in this case, its patients. The Mayo Clinic employs 71,350 in all its locations and sees more than 1 million patients from around the world every year.

Third and foremost, these 38 Republicans decided to challenge the worlds most renowned experts in medicine on their stand on a medical issue. When faced with a serious medical condition, how many people consult the Republicans in the MN State House of Representatives rather than the Mayo Clinic?

I suggest that these Republicans work on their research skills. They should begin by reading about the Dunning-Kruger effect.

Kevin S. Carpenter

St. Cloud

Link:
Republican legislators come to the aid of health care workers: Letter - SC Times

Dear Readers,

The New Year is upon us, and along with it come those resolutions. There is room for improvement in all our lives, right? As many as 70% of Americans will resolve to eat healthier in 2022. Others will set a goal to exercise regularly. And, of course, many will seek to lose weight.

Eating healthier is a lifestyle change; its as simple as that. There is no such thing as magic. There are no pills to melt fat away and no diets to trick your body into burning calories more efficiently. We have to change our habits and our thinking around food. Here are some recommendations to get you on the right track.

Eat a variety of foods. Your plate should be half filled with fruits and vegetables. Choose lean proteins, whole grains, and dont forget low-fat dairy products to fulfill your calcium needs. Eliminate fast food, junk food, and snacks after the evening meal. Save dessert for a once-a-week treat.

Calories in, Calories out. If weight loss is your goal, you simply have to burn more calories than you consume. Keep it simple. A healthy weight loss calorie level for women is 1500-1800 calories per day; for men, 1800-2000 calories a day. These levels vary according to age, weight, and physical activity.

Create a food plan. When you have a plan, you are less likely to grab something unhealthy when hunger pangs hit. Plan your meals ahead of time and write them down. Pack a lunch for work, and plan healthy snacks. A good snack consists of protein and carbohydrates, such as an apple with one oz. of cheese or one tablespoon of peanut butter, a low-sugar Greek yogurt, or cup nuts with raisins. Keep snacks to 100-200 calories each, and have 1-2 per day.

Dont get too hungry. This is perhaps the most important guideline. Many diets fail because they are too restrictive in calories or eliminate an entire food group. In this case, you may feel deprived, overcompensate, and find yourself bingeing on a pint of ice cream or a family-size bag of chips. You may feel like you have failed, making it difficult to get back on track.

Journal. Record your food intake; it helps to see it in black and white. Journaling can also help you get in touch with your feelings when you eat out of emotion instead of physical hunger.

Set realistic goals. A realistic goal for weight loss is one pound per week. The diets that claim you will lose 5-7 pounds the first week do this by depleting glycogen stores in your body. Glycogen is an intermediate energy source made up of carbohydrates. When these storage fuels are depleted, water is released with them. Hence, the rapid weight loss.

Find emotional support. Have a buddy system or join a weight loss support group like TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly). Those who join a support group have greater success rates than those who go it alone.

Finally, be patient. Habits are hard to change, and it takes time. If you follow the new health plan as best you can (not perfectly) for 30 days, you will be well on your way. By this time, you will start to see results, which will motivate you to keep up the good work.

I wish you all a happy, healthy New Year!

Leanne McCrate, RD, LD, CNSC, is an award-winning dietitian based in Missouri.

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Healthy lifestyle for the New Year | News, Sports, Jobs - Marshalltown Times Republican

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A growing roster of Republican lawmakers are encouraging Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., to consider crossing the aisle permanently to join the GOP.

Some left-wing Democrats are imploring the moderate Manchin to leave the party following his opposition to President Biden's $1.8 trillion Build Back Better spending package, but the senator has not publicly expressed an intention of defecting.

Last week, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters that "it would be a great idea" if Manchin were to switch.

MANCHIN SAYS HE OFFERED TO BECOME INDEPENDENT IF DEMS FOUND HIM EMBARRASSING, NEVER CONSIDERED JOINING GOP

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., who made headlines in 2019 when he left the Democratic Party to join the Republicans, likewise assured Manchin that he would be well-received if he made the move.

"I am not sure whether Senator Manchin will switch parties, but I have no doubt the Republican Party will welcome him with open arms, as they did with me," Van Drew told Fox News in a statement. "Personally, I hope Senator Manchin does make the switch, and speaking from experience, I can say it was one of the best decisions I ever made."

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., echoed the sentiment during a Tuesday interview on Fox News' "The Story," saying, "I think its pretty rich when Bernie Sanders, who wasnt even a Democrat at all until six years ago, is criticizing Joe Manchin for not being a good Democrat. So maybe it is time for Sen. Manchin to come over, and wed welcome him with open arms if he did."

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., speaks during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the conclusion of military operations in Afghanistan and plans for future counterterrorism operations on Capitol Hill on Sept. 28, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Patrick Semansky-Pool/Getty Images)

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, also told Fox News Digital this week that Manchin would be welcome in the ranks of the GOP but noted such a move would be an uphill battle for him.

"A lot of folks ask, Well, gosh, is Manchin going to become a Republican? I hope he does. I've asked him to. I think every Republican senator has made that case a dozen times to Joe," Cruz said.

"I will say I think it's a tough hill for him to climb. He's just culturally, he's a Democrat. He's been a Democrat his whole life, and he's really the godfather of Democrats in West Virginia. So I get why switching parties, that's hard. That being said, if they're nasty enough, the best thing that could happen is they could drive him over to the Republican Party, and we would welcome him."

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) Annual Leadership Meeting in Las Vegas, on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. (Bridget Bennett/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told local Austin outlet KXAN that he sent a note to Manchin saying of the Democrats, "Joe, if they dont want you, we do."

"I dont know what he will decide to do," Cornyn said. "But I do know West Virginia has gotten increasingly red, and I think his vote on Build Back Better is reflective of what hes hearing from his constituents in West Virginia. So yeah, wed love to have him. That would change the majority."

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Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., also told Fox News host Neil Cavuto that Manchin would be welcome. "Were in a dead set 50-50 Senate," he said. "The only reason they have control is because they control the White House. And of course, wed be happy to have Joe Manchin."

A source close to Manchin told Fox News on Tuesday, "In the 10 years Ive known him, hes never once discussed switching parties with me."

Fox News' Joseph Wulfsohn contributed to this report.

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Growing number of Republican lawmakers beckon Manchin to switch parties: Wed welcome him - Fox News

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Editorial Board| Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Voting is the beating heart of democracy, the way we claim control of this government ofthe people. But in Wisconsin, an infection in the bloodstream of the body politicis threatening our ability to be self-governing.

Donald Trumps repeated lies about the 2020 election over the past year have put our democracy at grave risk, but he has not done this alone. His enablers, from U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson to Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, haverefused to stand up to a dangerous man.

If they wont do their duty, then citizens must: TellJohnson, Vos and the rest to stop undermining confidencein Wisconsin elections.

EDITORIAL: Ron Johnson's dangerous shilling for Donald Trump makes him unfit to represent Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate

EDITORIAL: Ron Johnson, Scott Fitzgerald and Tom Tiffany should resign or be expelled for siding with Trump against our republic

EDITORIAL: Michael Gableman's sham investigation is a threat to democracy. A Republican leader just called him out.

Here are the facts. Donald Trump lost the popular vote in Wisconsin by about 20,600 votes; he lost nationally by 7 million. Recounts in Milwaukee and Dane counties last year confirmed that he lost. Courts repeatedly threw out ludicrous challenges by Trump backers.

A legislative audit found nothing that would call the results into question.

A conservative group found no widespread fraud.

And an Associated Press review of every potential case of voter fraud in six battleground states that the former president complained about foundfewer than 475 votes in dispute.Biden won Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin; thedisputed ballots represent just 0.15% of his margin in those states.

In other words, there was no steal and nothing to investigate. Just lies.

But the Republican sycophants in Wisconsininsist on appeasing Trump.

After Trump hectored him last summer for not doing enough to investigate and spread the former presidents lies, Vos launched a partisan review with former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman at the helm. Gableman bungled it, choosing to talk to more conspiracy theorists than electionexperts. His work has been anembarrassment to the state,even to many Republicans.

In November, Johnson literally called for the takeover of federal elections by the partisans in the Wisconsin Legislature. In other words, his own party. Johnsonsaidlocal officials should ignore the bipartisan Elections Commission that his own party set up six years ago.

Thestench of racism permeates much of this, especiallyefforts by Republicans to clamp down on access to voting. People of color are likely to be most affected.

But the lying also corrodes trust in the most basic act of democracy.

A wide majority of Republicans 68% nationwide according to a Marquette University Law School Poll in November dont have confidence in the 2020 election.

This growing lack of trust opens the door for more problems in 2024. If every election a politician loses is now somehow rigged, then the very idea of elections is suspect.

This breakdown in faith could lead to what Trump falsely claims happened to him: a stolen election.

Imagine if in 2024 a Democrat once again carries the popular vote in Wisconsin in a close presidential election, but the Republican-dominated Legislature chooses to certify an alternative slate of electors to cast the state's 10 electoral votes. It could make the chaos following the 2020 vote look like child's play.

Johnson would be happy to take the first step toward such a corruption: He would seizecontrol of election oversight taking that job away from a bipartisan commission. Similar efforts are ongoingin other battleground states.

Laura Thornton, director of the Alliance for Securing Democracy of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, has seen it all before. The German Marshall Fund is a non-partisan policy organization that advocates for democracy and human rights around the world.

I spent more than two decades living and working overseas to advance democracy and credible elections giving me plenty of opportunity to see the lengths to which autocrats will go to gain power,"Thornton wrote of Wisconsin recently.

"Even so, the proposed Wisconsin power grab is shocking in its brazenness. If this occurred in any of the countries where the United States provides aid, it would immediately be called out as a threat to democracy.

RELATED: Why international election observers would give Wisconsin a failing grade

We believe the state should do all it can to make it easier for everyone to vote. With that in mind, we supported drop boxes and other outreach, especially with a deadly pandemic raging. But there is also no doubt that the conduct of elections can be improved.

Installing cameras to monitor drop boxes strikes us as a reasonable idea. Beginning the counting of absentee ballots before election night so the final results can be learned earlier is another.

EDITORIAL: Wisconsin should allow clerks to start counting absentee ballots before Election Day

Unfortunately, instead of actually caring about improvingelections, Johnson,Vos,and others in the Legislature have chosento pander to Trump.

Citizens canstill have the final say, but they mustband together now to protest this nonsense. Now is the time not next year, not the year after.

Now is the time to tell these so-called leaders to find their backbones and stand up to Trump.

To tell them to cut off the charlatan Gablemans $676,000 slush fund.

To tell them towork with Gov. Tony Evers on constructive changes that strengthensthe electoral process for all Wisconsinites.

To tell them to let the Elections Commission do its work.

And, perhaps most important,to insist that they respect the results of elections.

When leaders are so willingto put at risk the most successful democratic experiment in human history, the beating heart of democracy is in danger.

But it's not too late to defend it.

Editorials are a product of the USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin editorial board, which operatesindependently fromthe network's news departments. Email:jsedit@jrn.com

Why we write editorials. Meet theeditorial board.

Continued here:
Democracy is at risk from repeated Republican lying about the 2020 election. You can stop this nonsense. - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel