‘American Refugees’: Book outlines the great exodus from blue to red states

NEWS AND OPINION:

A new book has arrived with a telling and timely title: “American Refugees: The Untold Story of the Mass Exodus From Blue States to Red States.”

The author is Roger L. Simon, co-founder of PJ Media, a conservative news and opinion site. Fans of the new book include commentator Tucker Carlson and presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy, both of whom had kind words on the book’s cover.

“A net exodus of Americans from blue to red states has been in progress for several years now. This is largely a southbound movement, and perhaps some migrants are ‘running from the cold up in New England,’ as the song goes. But mostly they are leaving states that are too far gone into woke socialism to recover anytime soon — notably California, New York and Illinois — in favor of states with more conservative governance,” publisher Encounter Books said in a news release.

“The conventional wisdom, or fear, among red state locals is that these newcomers are closet liberals whose growing numbers will serve to replicate the same dysfunction they left behind. Roger Simon argues that the reverse may be more accurate: blue-to-red migrants tend to be serious constitutional conservatives, and they might be the cavalry that rescues the red states from their own problems,” the release noted.

“American Refugees is the story of how a culture clash precipitated a great blue state exodus, and what it means for the rest of America. Focusing particularly on Tennessee as a paradigm, Simon contends that only the red states can preserve the constitutional republic envisioned by the Founders. Only they can save America for our children and grandchildren. The struggle will be great, but the story will ultimately have a happy ending,” the release said.

Find information at EncounterBooks.com.

WELCOME, DON!

X has news to share. The social media giant revealed Tuesday that it was the new home for new commentators with much on their minds.

“We’re delighted to announce a new content partnership with @DonLemon for his new project, The Don Lemon Show. The award winning TV journalist will share his unique and honest voice in 30-minute episodes, three times a week, covering politics, culture, sports and entertainment. The show will run exclusively first on X. Welcome Don!” the social media giant said in a post Tuesday.

In his own post about the news, Mr. Lemon told readers that “you’ll find it first on X, the biggest space for free speech in the world. I know now more than ever that we need a place for honest debate and discussion without the hall monitors. This is just the beginning, so stay tuned.”

“Congratulations. It’s a new world. Welcome,” tweeted Tucker Carlson, who took his political commentary to X in June after his departure from Fox News and also launched his own video streaming service in mid-December.

ALOHA, TULSI!

X has also announced new alliances with former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and sports commentator Jim Rome.

“Aloha! We’re excited to announce a new partnership with @TulsiGabbard! The Army Reserve officer and veteran, 4-term congresswoman, and 2020 presidential candidate will be sharing her unique POV through an exclusive series of documentary style videos and broader content on X. X is a free speech platform for all voices — thank you for sharing yours, Tulsi,” X advised in a written statement.

Mr. Rome declared in a post on X, exclamation points and all, that he was “totally HYPED to announce my new video programming partnership with X! We will be live on X soon and I can’t wait. X provides an incredible opportunity for me to reach fans on the biggest, most dynamic platform in the world. Day 1! All in! Let’s go!”

C-SPAN PLANS

C-SPAN offering extensive coverage of the Iowa presidential caucus and the New Hampshire primary. The public affairs network is already in Iowa with Republican presidential candidates as the first-in-the-nation caucus looms.

“Our viewers can hear the candidates’ closing arguments to caucus-goers, watch voters meet the candidates and experience what it is like on the campaign trail,” C-SPAN said in a written statement.

It will broadcast live each night from Friday to Monday.

“Hear candidates make their final pitches to Iowa caucus-goers before the Hawkeye State’s contest. We’ll also feature campaign analysis with Iowa reporters and Caucus experts, viewer calls and social media reaction,” the statement said.

“We will take a similar approach in the days leading up to the New Hampshire primary, starting Tuesday, January 16, through primary night on Tuesday, January 23,” it said.

In addition, C-SPAN’s popular morning program “Washington Journal” will originate from Iowa in the days before the caucus and in New Hampshire before the state’s primary. Find program notes and more details at C-SPAN.org.

A TRUMP TOWN HALL

Some programming of note: Fox News will present a live town hall with former President Donald Trump in Des Moines, Iowa, from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday. The event will be co-moderated by Bret Baier, chief political anchor of “Special Report” and Martha MacCallum, executive editor and anchor of “The Story.”

“Hannity,” which usually airs in that time slot, will be preempted that evening.

“The town hall marks the first time the former president will sit with Baier and MacCallum jointly since May 2020. In June 2023, Baier received praise on both sides of the aisle for his interview with former President Trump,” the network said.

“Most recently, Baier and MacCallum moderated the first Republican presidential primary debate in Milwaukee which delivered 13 million viewers and has been the most-watched debate of the 2024 cycle,” Fox News said.

POLL DU JOUR

• 48% of U.S. adults who have revolving credit card debt say they feel stressed about the debt.

• 36% feel worried.

• 22% feel defeated.

• 20% feel sad.

• 18% feel calm.

• 15% feel indifferent.

• 14% feel angry.

• 13% feel content.

• 7% have no feelings about their debt.

SOURCE: A NerdWallet survey of 796 U.S. adults with revolving credit card debt, conducted Nov. 7-9 and released Tuesday. Respondents were offered a list of descriptors and could cite more than one.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook @Harperuniverse.