NEWS AND OPINION:
American voters are under the distinct impression that sexual harassment is rampant in Hollywood and the entertainment industry: three fourths of them say it’s “a problem” in that glittering domain. A sizable 59 percent of that group, in fact, consider sexual harassment “a big problem.” A mere 4 percent said it wasn’t an issue.
So says a meticulous new Politico/Morning Consult survey which gauged voter impressions of harassment in multiple workplaces. Curious? While Hollywood was cited as the No. 1 culprit, the “federal government/Washington, D.C.” was second on the roster, with the news media in third place. Reactions between Republicans, Democrats and independents were surprisingly similar in the survey.
Press, pundits and political strategists continue to track the phenomenon across public radar. The survey also revealed that fewer voters say sexual harassment is a problem in “blue collar workplaces” — and in their own office as well. Only 29 percent felt sexual harassment was a problem at their place of employment. Check today’s Poll du Jour at column’s end for more numbers.
TRUMP BUMP: 164 MILLION SHOPPERS CAN’T BE WRONG
Friday marks the start of the biggest retail weekend of the year: 69 percent of the nation — an estimated 164 million people — will shop over the Thanksgiving weekend. They’ll drop $682 billion — up by $30 billion since last year, and a likely by-product of the optimistic “Trump bump” which has bettered the economy and sent the stock market soaring.
“Our forecast reflects the very realistic steady momentum of the economy and overall strength of the retail industry,” says Matthew Shay, CEO of according to the National Retail Federation, which tallied the activity.
It’s complicated, though. A consumer survey from RetailMeNot.com, an online discount coupon distributor, found that 12 percent of Americans shop drunk. Another 36 percent report they are sleep-deprived. There’s also shopping multi-tasking.
“Regardless of where people shop, many rely on digital shopping tools for assistance. Nearly four-in-10 expect to buy something online while they are in a store due to better pricing and/or price matching,” reports a new Deloitte survey, which also notes that the average consumer spends over two hours researching the best Thanksgiving deals, with a quarter spending from three to five hours.
Deloitte also found that 37 percent do all this T-Day shopping simply because they enjoy it, while 35 percent say shopping is now part of their Thanksgiving tradition. Another 29 percent say the retail experience is “something to do” over the holiday weekend while 26 percent shop on Thanksgiving Day “to avoid the experience of Black Friday.”
No wonder: 115 million people typically shop on Black Friday, another 71 million repeat the process Saturday, with three fourths of them intent on supporting small businesses — retailers which make a community “unique,” according to Linda McMahon, administrator of the Small Business Administration.
On Sunday, another 35 million will trudge out once again, with 78 million on board for Cyber Monday.
W’S ‘TEX CHEX’ SNACK MIX
So after the big Thanksgiving meal, after the leftovers, Americans need to snack. So did former President George W. Bush back in the day. That in mind, White House White House chef Cristeta Comerford created “Tex Chex” snack mix for Mr. Bush. Here’s the recipe, which Ms. Comerford shared with ABC News when Mr. Bush was still in office:
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons butter (melted), 1 tablespoon Yucatan Sunshine (habanero pepper sauce), 1 tablespoon Tabasco, 2 tablespoons Worcester sauce, 1/2 tsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp. oregano, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 3 cups Corn Chex, 3 cups Rice Chex, 1 cup Wheat Chex, 1 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds), 1 cup pistachios and 3 cups pretzels. Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Spread on baking sheet and bake for 90 minutes at 200 degrees. Stir occasionally; watch for signs of scorching.
HUCKABEE’S QUIET REMINDER
“Here’s the undeniable, historical truth about Thanksgiving: It’s an American holiday explicitly created to remind us that God is the great source of every blessing. Time after time, especially in the face of adversity, our forefathers turned to God — not only to give thanks but to also humbly repent before Him. They understood God’s blessings follow those who obey and seek Him,” said Mike Huckabee in a statement released for Thanksgiving weekend.
“This Thanksgiving is an opportunity for us to also turn to God in gratitude and repentance. In fact, I believe there’s never been a more urgent time for us to remember the Judeo-Christian values of our faith that have kept us on a path of blessing. Let’s not waste this national moment — it could turn America around.”
WEEKEND REAL ESTATE
For sale: The White House Hotel, built in 1868 overlooking the Missouri River in Hermann, Missouri. Twelve bedrooms, six baths; three-story building with 12-inch thick brick walls, original 16-foot coffered ceilings, woodwork, flooring. 14,000-square-feet; completely renovated, luxury baths with copper or marble tubs. Multiple public rooms and parlors, wrap-around balconies, wine cellar, original saloon, 19th century furnishings. Priced at $1 million through ReeceNichols.com; find the property here.
POLL DU JOUR
• 76 percent of U.S. voters say sexual harassment is a “big,” problem or “somewhat” of one in “Hollywood/the entertainment industry”; 78 percent of Republicans, 70 percent of independents and 78 percent of Democrats agree.
• 70 percent of voters overall say the harassment is a problem in the “federal government/Washington, D.C.”; 70 percent of Republicans, 65 percent of independents and 74 percent of Democrats agree.
• 63 percent of voters overall say harassment is a problem in the news media; 69 percent of Republicans, 58 percent of independents and 62 percent of Democrats agree.
• 59 percent of voters overall say harassment is a problem in “white collar workplaces”; 59 percent of Republicans, 55 percent of independents and 64 percent of Democrats agree.
• 54 percent of voters overall say harassment is a problem in “blue collar workplaces”; 52 percent of Republicans, 48 percent of independents and 60 percent of Democrats agree.
• 29 percent of voters overall say harassment is a problem in their own workplace; 32 percent of Republicans, 22 percent of independents and 36 percent of Democrats agree.
Source: A Politico/Morning Consult poll of 2,586 registered U.S. voters conducted Nov. 16-19.
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• Jennifer Harper can be reached at jharper@washingtontimes.com.
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