Influential GOP pollster Frank Luntz's research is a ‘total schtick and scam’ that relies on manipulated focus groups, former employees say  — Luntz is an influential pollster who helps shape Republican talking points  — Former Luntz employee Chris Ingram criticized his old boss in an interview

Rand Paul: 'I'm not getting vaccinated'  —  Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Sunday that he will not be getting vaccinated against COVID-19.  —  During an interview with John Catsimatidis on his radio show on WABC 770 AM, Paul, an ophthalmologist, said he he's making the personal decision because he's already had COVID-19.

Trump's GOP is a Party of Snowflakes and Beta Males  —  MAKE AMERICA SOFT AGAIN … The party's patient careerists believe that swallowing their pride and sublimating their anger, opinions and even familial loyalties is the way to win the long game.  It's pathetic.

Columbia Prep students and parents reel after class on ‘porn literacy’  —  Parents at the posh Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School are outraged they were never told of a fourth “R” being added to the curriculum: raunch.  —  In addition to the usual reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic …

Long Slide Looms for World Population, With Sweeping Ramifications  —  Fewer babies' cries.  More abandoned homes.  Toward the middle of this century, as deaths start to exceed births, changes will come that are hard to fathom.  —  All over the world, countries are confronting population stagnation …

Ryanair flight carrying wanted Belarus journalist forced to land in Minsk  —  MOSCOW — Belarusian authorities ordered a Ryanair flight that took off in Athens to land in their capital of Minsk over a bomb threat, which the opposition is calling just a pretext to arrest an activist on board.

‘I Said Nothing Wrong’: Marjorie Taylor Greene Doubles Down on Comparing Pelosi to Nazis, Says ‘Rational’ Jewish People Should Also Oppose ‘Overbearing Mask Mandates’  —  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) doubled down on her controversial comments comparing Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) …

CNN Drops Rick Santorum After Racist Comments About Native Americans  —  The former GOP senator lost his contract with the network after claiming there was “nothing” in America before white colonizers arrived.  —  CNN has terminated its contract with senior political commentator Rick Santorum after racist …

Republicans struggle to define a new governing coalition as Trump closes grip on party  —  WATERFORD, Mich. — The Republican Party's metamorphosis starkly showed this week in the faceoff between a parade float championing Donald Trump and “Mr. Perks,” an 18-foot pink pig on wheels emblazoned with the words “End Washington Waste.”

Cease-fire put US in position ‘to building something more positive’: Blinken  —  Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared on ABC's “This Week.”  —  ABC News Live Update: Israel, Hamas agree to cease-fire  —  Plus, the U.S. turns the corner on the pandemic, and Princes Harry and William speak …

Biden's COVID aid: Is it ‘preference’ or ‘prejudice’?  —  President Biden has spoken out often, eloquently and passionately against the “ugly poison” of discrimination and racism in our government.  So a ruling by a federal district court in Texas this week was particularly jarring …

Biden protects thousands of Haitians from deportation with new TPS measure  —  The Biden administration is granting a new 18-month designation of Temporary Protected Status to Haiti, a significant move that alleviates the threat of deportation for thousands of Haitians and recognizes …

The mob made me do it: Rioters claim Jan. 6 crowd at fault  —  Christopher Grider said he came to Washington on Jan. 6 with no intention of rioting.  But he got caught up in the mob of angry supporters of then-President Donald Trump as they surged into the U.S. Capitol, breaking through police barriers and smashing through doors.

Arizona Democrats pass resolution urging Sinema, Kelly to junk filibuster  —  Arizona Democrats called on Sens. Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly to help eliminate a controversial procedural hurdle that allows Senate Republicans to block key legislation.  —  At its state convention on Saturday …

Trump Flack Jason Miller Ordered To Pay $42,000 in Legal Fees For Failed Suit  —  BITTER PILL  —  A U.S. District Court judge in Florida has ordered Jason Miller, a spokesperson for former President Trump, to pay G/O Media 42,000 in legal expenses.  This comes after a federal appeals court rejected …

When Congress wastes money, let red states use it to pay down the national debt  —  Democrats, when they control Congress, like to lay a peculiar spending trap.  —  First, they propose unnecessary federal spending — some pipe-dream boondoggle or something redundant with existing federal, state, or private-sector spending.

Three pitfalls of Bidenomics  —  As we approach the four-month mark of the Biden administration, we are beginning to see the initial results of President Joe Biden's economic agenda.  Suffice to say, the results of Bidenomics so far have been lacking.  —  Although Bidenomics is not easily explained …

11 days, 8 calls and a ceasefire: Inside Biden's response to the Gaza crisis  —  Before 11 days of fighting in the Gaza Strip ended in a ceasefire, President Biden held six phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and one with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The Shows: Sunday listings for May 23, 2021  —  CNN “State of the Union”: Cedric Richmond ... Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) ... Rep. Peter Meijer (R-Mich.) ... Scott Brown ... Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.).  —  Gray TV “Full Court Press”: House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) ... Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.).

Dick Van Dyke says Biden got down on one knee for Oval Office visit: ‘Now I expect that from everyone!’  —  Dick Van Dyke says he received a welcome fit for a comedy king during his visit with President Biden in the Oval Office, with the commander in chief getting down on one knee to show his gratitude to the actor.

Harris, White House betting on Guatemala to help stem migrant influx  —  Vice President Kamala Harris is looking for leaders to partner with in the region known as the Northern Triangle to curb migration to the United States.  There aren't a lot of options.