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Marsha Blackburn wants to be vice president. This is not news to anyone whos halfway paying attention to politics nobody takes winter junkets to New Hampshire and Iowa or spends long weekends in Mar-a-Lago flirting with Donald Trump just for the fun of it.

The senior senator from Tennessee* has always had that yearning, burning feeling inside of her that she was meant for great things, and this hasnt changed as she approaches her 70thbirthday. The key to her success is the 45thPOTUS. And this will remain so until his polling numbers take a nosedive.

(*Sorry, old-timers. I know it gives you heartburn to hear her called that, but Blackburns popular with the young bloods whove recently moved here from New Jersey and California and dont give a fig about Howard Henry or Fred or Lamar or anybody named Bill or Bob. Plus, they think youre all RINOs.)

Meanwhile, Blackburn hasnt put a foot wrong while playing to the Trump base, although the rats nest bouffant she sported while attempting to match wits with Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson might have been a wee bit much for Old 45, who is famously critical of the way women ought to look. Being the 1970 Cantaloupe Queen will only take a girl so far.

But The Donald, as he was famously christened by his first wife, would be well-served to acquaint himself with the fate of the first Don who mentored Marsha Blackburn, a Mississippi native who took her talents to Nashville where she parlayed her beauty pageant bona fides and her home economics degree into a high-profile marketing job at Castner Knott department store that left her with lots of free time to get active in Williamson County Republican politics. Link to interview.

Ad for Marsha Blackburn as image consultant

Blackburn made a lot of friends within the GOP while as she worked her way up, but nobody was more crucial to her start than Gov. Don Sundquist, who was being leaned on by Williamson County GOP leaders to help her raise her statewide profile. He obliged them in 1995 by appointing her executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission, where she made many connections in the entertainment industry, particularly in the music sector. To this day, she touts these ties as her greatest strengths.

I havent asked her, but Id bet a bunch that she does not count Sundquist as a mentor. That relationship went sour after the governor declined to pay the high-dollar invoice she submitted for expenses incurred on a prospecting trip to Los Angeles, where she stayed at a five-star hotel and hired a limousine to ferry her around the city.

Blackburn took great exception to being asked to pay her own extravagant way and demonstrated her displeasure by burning the invoice and mailing the ashes back to the governors office. The story got out, of course, but clearly didnt hurt her.

She was elected to the state Senate on the strength of her anti-tax stand and became even more popular with the right wing of her party when she jumped out in front of the parade opposing Sundquists tax reform initiative, which was doomed to tank and left him in GOP purgatory for acting on good intentions and sound fiscal advice. Marsha, of course, kicked him to the curb.

Longtime Republicans still shake their heads over the way she treated Republican Leader Ben Atchley, whose stock-in-trade was working collaboratively across the aisle and whose nickname was Gentleman Ben.

Anybody who couldnt get along with Ben Atchley said one lifelong Republican.

Blackburn moved up to the House of Representatives and was buoyed by the Tea Party movement after Barack Obama was elected in 2008.

Ask Republicans who have served with her to describe her, and the word youll hear most often is ruthless. So, if Donald Trump (the Second Don for the purpose of this column) finds himself on a downward slide which appears to be happeninghed better not depend on the likes of Marsha Blackburn to rescue him. The first Don could set him straight on that one.

Betty Beanwrites a Thursday opinion column for KnoxTNToday.com.

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Two Dons and a Marsha - Knox TN Today

Brought to you by Beltone - A leader in hearing healthcare.Spring is in the air and Easter is this Sunday! With it, there are fun events happening all over the Tucson and Yuma areas for you and your family to enjoy. Looking for a little springtime and Easter fun? Check out this guide to local Easter events happening in the area.For more events happening around the state, be sure to check out the Signals A Z events calendar!

April 16, 8:00 am-11:00 am Come to the Easter at the Swap event! Also, hunt for sellers with candy! MORE

April 16 9:00 am-10:30 am Join us for a very special Easter event at Our Play Place!Easter egg hunt around Our Play Place, Easter theme craft, snacks, and of course playtime. MORE

April 16, 9:00 am-12:00 pm The Oro Valley Easter Eggstravaganza is an annual egg hunt that includes crafts, games, food trucks, and other fun activities! MORE

April 16, 9:00 am-10:30 am Join us for an Easter tea party! We will be reading, Fancy Nancy, Tea for Two. Kiddos will get to sip on tea or lemonade and create their own mini Easter egg teacups. There will also be water coloring on doilies, playing dress up, and of course an Easter egg hunt! MORE

April 16, 9:00 am-11:00 am Children of all ages are invited to join us for this years Bunny Bonanza! Egg hunt, crafts, and photos with the Easter bunny! MORE

April 16, 10:00 am-12:00 pm The Easter Eggstravaganza is a great community event for the entire family! We would love for you and your family to join us! MORE

April 16, 10:30 am Easter Egg Hunt! Lunch! Bounce House! Face Painting! Games! All in a safe and nurturing environment! Please join our families for an Easter egg hunt, lunch, and good old-fashioned fun! MORE

April 16, 12:30 pm When the price of eggs go up, mean Farmer Brown decides not to give any eggs to the Easter Bunny to decorate and hide for the children. MORE

April 16, 10:00 am-1:00 pm The Garcia Group at Gateway Mortgage are Happy to Announce That we will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for The Yuma Child Burn Survivors and their siblings. MORE

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Easter Events in Tucson and Yuma - Signals AZ

Just the way a sommelier will tell you that the shape, structure and material of wine glass affect wines taste, aromatics and flavor, a tea enthusiast will always know that tea-ware can build the taste and flavour of your tea. There are multiple products that contribute to the taste of tea in their own special way. The tea market these days is flooded with accessories that promise to make brewing tea easier, better or more fun.If youre just starting out with tea, its hard to know which of these tea accessories you actually need and which ones only get in the way.Octavius Tea, a heritage tea producer, presents a guide to exquisite tea accessories to make your tea time extra special.

Tea pressDid you know that theres a French press made for tea brews as well? Well, if not, today is your lucky day! A tea press has a plunger mechanism that presses the steeped tea leaves. When tea is plunged the brewing stops, so the tea does not become bitter. Tea can be brewed to the strength of your preference without actually removing the infuser. Need something to baffle the guests at your next tea party, tea press is the way to go.

Tea cupsFor most of us, our mornings dont start without our cup of tea. Any tea lover needs a good set of teacups. There are so many to choose from, but porcelain, clay, ceramic and glass cups usually make great teacups. They also come in various shapes and sizes. Did you know that the classic teacup shape is designed in a way that maximises the mouth-feel and texture of tea? A classically shaped teacup has increased surface area which ensures more tea is sipped as you tilt the cup to your mouth. This complements and enhances the tea-drinking experience, especially in the case of black teas that have a velvety and rich texture.Flared teacups, generally, have thin walls which make heat dissipate quicker. This is good for white and green teas which are typically enjoyed warm. The flared cup also gives you more control over the amount of tea that can be sipped.Teapot with infuserA chai lover is always on the lookout for accessories that add more excitement to the process of brewing. If that sounds much like you, then the teapot with an infuser is something that would catch your fancy. An infuser helps in extracting maximum flavours from the tea. Since the teapot infuser is transparent, there is the added bonus of watching the unfurling of the leaves as they blend into the hot water. Using a teapot infuser provides space for the tea leaves to open up entirely thereby releasing a depth of flavours.

TeapotsDesigned to be functional, teapots are also aesthetically pleasing to look at. Teapots are used to brew teas, unlike kettles which are mainly used as vessels for holding brewed tea. Theyre available in different styles, both traditional and modern looking in glass, ceramic, stainless steel, copper and more. Ceramic teapots look traditional but also have a charming element to them. Ideal for brewing the same type of tea daily. Whereas stainless steel teapots are good for brewing multiple flavours of tea since the flavour can be easily washed off. Glass teapots are a wonderful option for loose leaf teas and have a built-in infuser that acts like a French press offering maximum functionality. And last but not the least, the copper teapots are for those who love the vintage feel while also looking for durability making them excellent gifting options.

Infuser mugWant to enjoy the refreshing flavours of a brewed tea while on the go? The infuser mug is the one for you. As the name suggests an infuser mug is a product that helps you to brew tea within the mug with the help of an infuser.With the infuser mug, you can brew loose leaf teas at home or at work without much of a hassle and enjoy a hot sip directly after removing the detachable infuser. So if youre looking to gift something to your loved ones or treat yourself with something useful, infuser mugs, available in multiple designs is what you should go for.

GaiwanGaiwan means lidded cup or bowl a cherished item that is appealing as well as utilitarian. A gaiwan is said to be an extension of the tea bowl but with an artistic touch to it. The beauty of drinking tea from a gaiwan is that you get to admire the blossoming of tea leaves in your cup. If you relish taking lazy sips and cherish watching the unfurling of tea, then Gaiwan is a must-have in your teaware collection.Whether youre looking for gift inspiration for your favorite tea lover or looking to add to your own collection, this list of tea accessories is a must-have for every tea lover. So no matter the brew, you can always try something new.

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Love tea to the T? - Ahmedabad Mirror

MILWAUKEE Democrats are working overtime this election cycle to oust their public enemy No. 1: Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin.

Mr. Johnson is facing a tidal wave of Democratic challengers seeking to defeat the Republican firebrand, citing their irreconcilable disagreements over the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, his leadership of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and his oft-repeated doubts about the integrity of the 2020 election.

Tom Nelson, one of several Democrats vying for Mr. Johnsons seat, said animosity toward the senator has grown in the past decade and the more than dozen challengers running to defeat him showcase that.

Back in 2010, you could count on [Mr. Johnson] to spit out traditional conservative Republican talking points, tea party talking points, railing against Obama and Obamacare, but in 2020, things really began to change, Mr. Nelson said. He is pretty much the manifestation of Donald Trump for 2022.

Mr. Nelson, the executive of Outagamie County in the northeast part of Wisconsin, is one of more than 10 Democrats seeking to replace Mr. Johnson.

Other Democrats challenging Mr. Johnson include Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, state Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, and Alex Lasry, the son of Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry.

Long-shot Republican challengers include John Berman, a former engineer, and Adam Benedetto, who accused Mr. Johnson of perpetuating the big lie that the 2020 election was stolen from Mr. Trump.

Mr. Lasry, who grew up in New York, said he was motivated to run by the way Mr. Johnson has governed. He said the incumbent has brought few results back to Wisconsin.

For over a decade, Wisconsinites have only had one U.S. senator fighting for them in Washington while Ron Johnson has spent his two terms in office failing to deliver anything for the people of Wisconsin, Mr. Lasry told The Washington Times. The states other senator is Democrat Tammy Baldwin.

Ms. Godlewski has accused Mr. Johnson of using his platform to spread nonsense while ignoring working families.

Ron Johnson and I couldnt be more different. While hes focused on peddling conspiracy theories, voicing support for higher taxes on working families and calling on the GOP to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Ive spent my time as state treasurer delivering for working families, she said.

Since Mr. Johnson announced his reelection in January, liberal groups have poured at least $5.3 million into Wisconsin to defeat him. They are expected to expand their campaign donations until November. The incumbent entered January with $2.3 million in cash on hand for his campaign, over $1 million more than any Democrat.

Mr. Johnson, 67, is the only Republican senator running for reelection in a state President Biden won two years ago.

Mr. Biden took Wisconsin in 2020 by about 20,000 votes after Donald Trump narrowly flipped the state in 2016, breaking years of Democratic dominance. Republicans in the state Legislature ordered a review of the 2020 election, but Democratic officials filed legal challenges.

Mr. Johnsons campaign said it is confident in the senators record and tied Democrats to rising crime, inflation and overspending.

Based on what he has accomplished, Sen. Johnson believes he is in a strong position to win reelection, said Johnson campaign spokesman Jake Wilkins. His strategy will be to do what he has consistently done: work hard and simply tell the truth.

Mr. Wilkins said the campaign believes the only challenges Mr. Johnson faces are negative news coverage and outside money.

The Democrats strategy is obvious, Mr. Wilkins said. They will continue to lie about and distort his record and take everything he says out of context to falsely portray his stance on the issues. His biggest challenges will be the massive spending by liberal outside groups and the partisan liberal media that advocates for Democrats by pushing the radical lefts message and agenda.

Mr. Johnson is seeking his third term in office after speculation that he might retire after two terms. Mr. Trump offered his total endorsement a year ago, before Mr. Johnson announced his run for reelection.

The Oshkosh manufacturer came to Washington as a tea party-inspired political outsider in 2010 after defeating Democrat Russ Feingold, who lost again to Mr. Johnson in a 2016 rematch.

In more than a decade in office, Mr. Johnson swiftly raised his national profile, particularly by chairing the homeland security committee and focusing his investigations on conservative concerns such as the Chinese origins of COVID-19 and the financial dealings of Hunter Biden, the presidents son.

Mr. Johnson and Sen. Chuck Grassley, Iowa Republican, recently revealed financial records indicating that an arm of the Chinese government transferred $100,000 to Hunter Biden.

Mr. Johnson has not shied away from downplaying the events of the 2021 Capitol riot, which a Democratic-led panel in the House is investigating.

The senator, who objected to certifying Mr. Bidens victory, last year referred to the riot as largely peaceful.

Mr. Johnsons positions that make him an enemy of Democrats have largely made him a champion among Republicans.

Rep. Glenn Grothman, Wisconsin Republican, said Mr. Johnson has a base that reaches beyond other Republican favorites in the state.

Hes loved in a way even [former Republican Gov.] Scott Walker wasnt, Mr. Grothman said.

Mr. Johnson has also been dealing with dropping poll numbers despite a loyal base among Republicans.

According to Morning Consult quarterly polls conducted from 2017 to 2021 among at least 2,517 registered Wisconsin voters, 36% approved of Mr. Johnsons job performance in the final months of 2021, compared with 51% who disapproved.

The poll carried an error margin of 3 percentage points.

Evan Finger, 23, of Kenosha, said he probably wouldnt vote for Mr. Johnson in November. He said the senator is too partisan.

I am not a huge fan of Mr. Johnson. He seems like a party loyalist, said Mr. Finger, adding that he is unsure which Democrat he would support in the general election.

Don Schnorr, 59, of Milwaukee, said he has supported Mr. Johnson in the past but is willing to listen to the platform of whichever Democrat is nominated.

Mr. Schnorr added, however, that he thinks Mr. Johnson is right to look into some of the issues that Democrats dismissed.

I think the things coming out now show that he wasnt such a nutcase about what Hunter Biden was up to, things of that nature on his laptop and his dealings with foreign governments, Mr. Schnorr said.

Wisconsins primary election will be held on Aug. 9.

Originally posted here:
Democrats battle to knock out Sen. Ron Johnson in tough election year - Washington Times

By his wedding day, Continetti had established himself as one of the Rights rising stars. He had published two books and had just launched a new outlet, The Washington Free Beacon, backed by hedge-fund billionaire Paul Singer, and designed to serve as a conservative rejoinder to left-leaning websites like ThinkProgress. A presentable white guy with glasses and a full head of hairimagine if Chris Hayes had a Republican cousinContinetti was an ideal face for the respectable Right in the Obama era, a polite young man who happened to believe that fiscal responsibility entailed taking a meat cleaver to the welfare state. While Breitbart News was running a vertical on black crime, The Washington Free Beacon was earning praise from liberals for its commitment to breaking news. Continetti poked the establishment to get its attention, not to draw blood. I dont listen to talk radio, he told an interviewer. I listen to NPR. To liberals, the signals were clear. He was on the Right, sure, but he wasnt one of them.

And yet he could always be trusted to advance the conservative line with absolute sincerity. His second book, The Persecution of Sarah Palin, offered a prickly defense of an unpredictable and courageous politician in the grand American populist tradition. After the Tea Party made its debut, he celebrated the emergence of a grassroots movement devoted to self-reliance, fidelity, piety, industry, and responsibility. Continettis dreams of a populism fueled by entitlement reform had zero space for Occupy Wall Street. Inequalities of condition are a fact of life, he lectured as protesters were streaming to Zuccotti Park in 2011. Some people will always be poorer than others.

If one figure stood for Continettis ideal politician, it was Paul Ryan. A decade older than Continetti, Ryan was another clean-cut veteran of the conservative establishment. Continetti described him as the brains behind the Tea Party and called Ryans budget programincluding major reductions in government spending, tax cuts tilted toward the wealthy, and privatization of Medicarethe GOPs only ambitious and intellectually coherent policy response to a looming fiscal crisis. (Steve Bannon, who had a very different view of what fueled the Tea Party, called Ryan a limp-dick motherfucker who was born in a petri dish at the Heritage Foundation.) The details of Ryanism were politically toxic, but Continetti didnt worry about the polls. Ideas, even controversial ones, are not hindrances in politics but boosters, he wrote. They propel you to the top. When Ryan looked set to take over as speaker of the House in October 2015, Continetti saw it as a coming-of-age moment for the Rights next generation. Liberals are terrified of what these young conservatives might accomplish, he wrote. Liberals should be.

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The Struggle for the Soul of the GOP - The New Republic