7 Things: Trump punches at Britt in Senate race, door-to-door vaccine push getting pushback, vaccination uncertainty leads to vaccine hesitancy and more …

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July 12, 2021

7. Space tourism is here

Virgin Galactic CEO Richard Branson has become the first space tourist. Branson flew 53 miles above the earth in a test that makes it clear that commercial space flights will be kicking off, as scheduled, next year.
But it wasn’t all praise for the adventure. Calls came for higher taxes on billionaires as this historic achievement took place. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) was not happy. He stated, “Here on Earth, in the richest country on the planet, half our people live paycheck to paycheck, people are struggling to feed themselves, struggling to see a doctor — but hey, the richest guys in the world are off in outer space! Yes. It’s time to tax the billionaires.”

6. Biggest protests in Cuba in decades

Declaring, “We are not afraid,” thousands of Cubans in multiple cities across the communist dictatorship took to the street in protests against general misery and the handling of the coronavirus pandemic. President Joe Biden has not responded to the protests and has already been called out by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), who tweeted, “The people of #Cuba bravely take to the streets against 62 years of socialist tyranny 12 hours later President @JoeBiden @POTUS has yet to say a word about it “
Cuba and communism fans like the New York Times reacted to the news by referring to Cubans’ cries for “freedom” as “anti-government slogans.” U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said nothing after notoriously praising Cuba’s policies for decades.

5. Brooks endorses Ainsworth

Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth has now been endorsed by U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) in his reelection campaign. Ainsworth has also been endorsed by U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL).
In announcing the endorsement, Ainsworth said, “Since our announcement, the groundswell of enthusiasm for our message from every corner of our great state has been overwhelming and humbling.”

4. CPAC could be previewing 2024

The most recent Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas still showed a strong favorability for former President Donald Trump to run again in 2024, with their polling data suggesting that 70% were for Trump.
In February, Trump received 55% at the Orlando CPAC event. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) was in second place with 21% and U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Nikki Haley, U.S. Representative Ted Cruz (R-TX), Fox News Host Tucker Carlson, former Vice President Mike Pence, and more only receiving 1%.

3. Fauci uncertain if a vaccine booster is actually necessary

Chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden Dr. Anthony Fauci has said it’s premature to say that a booster shot for the coronavirus vaccine is necessary, but it’s “entirely conceivable, maybe likely.”
The Food and Drug Administration has recently pushback on Pfizer’s suggestion that people who are already vaccinated should get a booster shot within 12 months. Fauci has said that current data doesn’t support booster shots.

2. Opposition to Biden’s door to door vaccine effort grows

President Joe Biden’s administration previously announced its intention to start an effort to go door-to-door to those in the country who are not vaccinated to educate them on the vaccine and encourage vaccination. Governor Ivey’s office has rejected this measure, saying, “Governor Ivey has no plans to put in a request for government workers to knock on people’s doors here in Alabama.” Even so, State Auditor Jim Zeigler is out seeking attention by calling on Governor Kay Ivey to “clearly ban home intrusions by vaccine squads in Alabama.”
U.S. Representative Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) has teamed up with 31 other House members in a letter to Biden requesting more details of what this plan includes. Moore said that this “is another step by the Biden administration to transform the federal government into ‘Big Brother.’” He also added that Congress can do away with a plan that would give “more power to an out-of-control federal government and endangers our fundamental liberties. Americans should have the expectation of privacy.”

1. Trump is trying to sway the U.S. Senate election

President Donald Trump is doing his best to insert himself into the U.S. Senate race here in Alabama already, asserting that candidate Katie Britt isn’t qualified for the position. He said Britt is not “what our Country needs or not what Alabama wants.”
In his statement, Trump also referred to U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) as a “RINO,” referring to Britt as Shelby’s “assistant.” Britt responded promptly, stating that she doesn’t “need anyone else to fight my battles, and as Alabama’s next U.S. Senator, I won’t be a rubber stamp for anyone.” She went on to say that U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) “is obviously panicked; he’s been in elected office for 40 years, but the people of Alabama are eager for a real conservative choice and someone who’s going to bring change to D.C.”