It’s a difficult question for the public — and one fraught with mixed feelings of anger, sadness, schadenfreude, empathy, glee and everything in between. Should Hillary Clinton retire from public life? Consider that she announced her intent to seek the presidency in a two-minute video released on April 12, 2015 — advising the public “everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion.” And as we all know, 575 days later, she lost the election and did not gain the title “Madame President.” Now what? There are numbers to consider.

“Following Hillary Clinton’s surprise loss to Donald Trump, most voters think it’s time for her to quit the public arena,” notes a new Rasmussen Reports survey, which finds that 55 percent of all likely voters agree that Mrs. Clinton should perhaps find something else to do. The inevitable partisan divide: 82 percent of Republicans, 54 percent of independents and 31 percent of Democrats agree with the idea, while 57 percent of the loyal Democrats say Mrs. Clinton should stay in the public life. But the dynamics appear to have changed.

“Democratic voters now believe their party should go more in the direction of Clinton’s primary opponent, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Fifty four percent of likely Democratic voters think the party should be more like Sanders. Only 26 percent think the party should stay more like Clinton, although a sizable 20 percent are undecided,” the poll reports.

PLEASE GET A GRIP

“The Trump Era hasn’t even started yet. The media should wait for something to actually happen before it declares the end of the world. “

That’s New York Post columnist Kyle Smith, who also has a recommendation for the press in general.

“A word of neighborly advice to our more genteel media friends, the ones who sit at the high table in their pristine white dinner jackets and ball gowns. You’ve been barfing all over yourselves for a week and a half, and it’s revolting to watch. For your own sake, and that of the republic for which you allegedly work, wipe off your chins and regain your composure,” Mr. Smith notes.

FRIENDS OF JEFF

The press has not been kind to Sen. Jeff Sessions following his nomination as attorney general for President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration. But Mr. Sessions has powerful peers who are giving the choice of the Alabama lawmaker a big thumbs up — issuing positive, on-the-record statements praising Mr. Sessions as a champion of the Constitution and the rule of law. His fans include:

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, U.S. Senate president pro tempore Orrin Hatch, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley and Sens. John Barasso, Susan Collins, John Cornyn, Ted Cruz, Jeff Flake, Lindsey Graham, Richard Hatch, Jim Inhofe, Mike Lee, Joe Manchin — a Democrat — David Perdue, Dan Sullivan, Thom Tillis and Roger Wicker.

The National Sheriffs’ Association, Americans for Limited Government, the Susan B. Anthony List, Concerned Women for America and Public Interest Legal Foundation are among organizations who also approve.

“No one will work harder than Jeff Sessions to defend the freedoms and safety of all Americans as Attorney General. He is not intimidated by the liberal media or the Washington establishment,” says Jim DeMint, president of the Heritage Foundation. “He has the courage and the proven record to take on special interests. He is passionate about defending the Constitution and the rule of law to protect the rights of everyone. Jeff has been such a great friend to me and many others, becoming one of the most respected leaders in the Senate and should easily be confirmed.”

MR. TRUMP’S SUNDAY

In between endless meetings, interviews and strategy sessions this weekend, President-elect Donald Trump took time off for more important things. He went to church. Accompanied by Vice President-elect Mike Pence, Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus and campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, Mr. Trump attending morning services at Lamington Presbyterian Church in Bedminster, New Jersey.

The congregation’s reaction: A hearty cheer for the four visitors.

“I’ve been a member of this church for 45 years and the whole congregation is thrilled to have him. We gave him a standing ovation at the end of mass, a rousing stand standing ovation. I hope he follows his heart,” local resident Shirley Ricco told the New York Post in the aftermath.

MAKE ROOM FOR ‘PESS’

The nation’s first therapy session for those who still upset by the 2016 election takes place Monday. Laurel Mellin — a psychologist and associate clinical professor of family medicine at the University of California San Francisco — will launch the first PESS Workshop. PESS? That stands for “Post Election Stress Syndrome.”

She hopes to help people “move through stress to a state of well-being,” though she does not specify if the process is for those who supported Hillary Clinton, or fans of President-elect Donald Trump. But no matter. The call-in workshop begins at 6 p.m. PST. The number to call is 712/775-7031, the access code is 401 903 286. No preregistration needed. Yes, organizers say the session is “complimentary.”

PASS THE POTATOES

“Bring America together — just for one day. On Thursday, many U.S. families will face relatives who may be political enemies, with turkey legs and carving knives between them. Rather than revert to pre-election shouting matches, Thanksgiving should be a time to appreciate why Aunt Bea or Cousin Ranjit chose to vote against everything you believe in. ‘Be curious’ and genuinely listen to their views,” advises seasoned hostage negotiator George Kohlrieser. “‘Try and understand their alienation.’ Above all, keep your emotions in check, and when a comment threatens to spoil the meal, ‘Pass the potatoes’.”

— From “Tips for enjoying Trumpsgiving,” published Sunday by Ozy.com, a news site.

POLL DU JOUR

• 58 percent of U.S. voters say one important thing the government can do to create more jobs is “prevent American companies from moving jobs overseas.”

• 27 percent say another would be to “grant tax credits to encourage technological innovation.”

• 21 percent say the government should “lower corporate taxes”; 18 percent say “renegotiate trade deals to limit international trade.”

• 16 percent say the government can “remove regulations.”

• 13 percent say it should “slow immigration.”

Source: A Vrge Analytics survey of 1,833 registered U.S. voters conducted Nov. 16-17.

• Murmurs and asides to [email protected]

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