Time magazine won’t reveal the identity of it 2017 “Person of the Year” for another five days. Those who are currently up for the title include Pope Francis, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman, Russian President Vladimir Putin, “The Dreamers,” Colin Kaepernick, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, special counsel Robert Mueller, and the social media “Me Too” movement — just to name a few on the expansive list. There has been much back-and-forth in the media about President Trump and the magazine’s honorary designation, which has been around since 1927 when the title was won by aviator Charles Lindbergh.

Some have already spotted a winner, however. The American Spectator has named Mr. Trump as its official “Man of the Year,” and one who has stood fast and stayed on task during a trying year.

“Through it all he has held his head high, eyes focused on his goal of Making America Great Again. For which The American Spectator applauds this particular president of the United States — a man of decided courage, conviction — and consequence” writes contributing editor Jeffrey Lord in explaining the publication’s rationale.

“The list of enemies Trump has made is a who’s who and what’s what of exactly the people, institutions, or issues that millions of Americans have come to detest,” says Mr. Lord. “From the liberal media to the GOP establishment to the sacred cows of political correctness and identity politics and more, the President has been absolutely fearless in taking on people or subjects other presidents not to mention GOP establishment politicians would instinctively avoid.”

Mr. Lord also cites Mr. Trump’s accomplishments in the economic sector and with job creation, his appointment of Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch and his efforts to productively deregulate the government — all victories which have been virtually ignored by the media. Mr. Lord applauded the president’s determination to build a border wall and his distaste for the Paris Climate Accord.

“But well beyond the day-to-day accomplishments of governing the Trump presidency has been a breath of fresh air to its supporters. Gone is the sniffy, arrogant adherence,” writes Mr. Lord, who also made an informal study among Trump supporters about the top-10 reasons why they remain in the president’s corner.

Here’s what they said:

“He doesn’t have to raise his voice to make his points. He is determined. He relies on the merits of the issue. He has confidence in himself and the American people to do the right thing. He doesn’t ride the fence. He holds his ground. He is energetic. He is tireless, has a great work ethic — like us he is a workaholic — even when golfing. He doesn’t start fights but he will definitely finish them,” Mr. Lord recounts. “And number ten? This will be the one that launches liberals into the stratosphere: He’s the type of person you want to vote twice for.”

REAGAN, THE TV SERIES

There have been multiple movies and TV projects based on the life of President Ronald Reagan, with mixed results. Another one is in the planning stages, but this one has a defining characteristic. Its is the first production to include authorized input from a family member. USA Network has named Patti Davis, Reagan’s daughter, as the executive producer.

“The untitled limited series will explore his early days as a lifeguard, time in Hollywood and his victories and failures as a president as well as what made him an American paragon, beloved husband and complex father. This is the first project about Reagan that comes with cooperation from a member of his family,” reports Nellie Andreeva, an analyst for Deadline Hollywood.

The writer behind the new series is David Rambo, author “The Lifeguard,” a biographical play about Reagan brought to the stage in 2011.

“There are a lot of Reagan haters out there. I was one of those Reagan haters for a long time. But the more I researched, the more I felt — not a love — but a respect for Reagan the man,” Mr. Rambo told the Los Angeles Times that year.

There must be something in the air, though. The History Channel is also developing “Rise of Reagan, ” part of the network’s series about U.S. presidents titled “The Commanders.”

SOME TLC FOR THE MEMORIAL

Volunteers will gather Saturday at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall with a singular mission. They will clean it — carefully, and with reverence — as a way to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

On hand for the moment: veteran TV producer Morton Dean, whose recent work includes “American MedEvac”; and retired Navy Rear Admiral Thomas C. Lynch and Rob Posner, executive chairman and CEO, respectively, of NewDay USA, which provides home mortgages for veterans. Also present: Jan Scruggs, president emeritus of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund; Andrew Brennan, executive director of the Global War on Terror Memorial Foundation and James Pierce, a National Park Service ranger and retired U.S. Army sergeant who was gravely wounded in Afghanistan.

“When the Vietnam War ended, many of our veterans returned home to no fanfare, no homecoming parades, no thank you from a grateful nation. Today we remember and embrace the service and the sacrifice of our Vietnam veterans and the family members who supported them. Today we sincerely thank them for their service,” notes Mr. Lynch.

WEEKEND REAL ESTATE

For sale: Classic New England “Salt Box,” built in 1787 on eight acres near New Ipswich, New Hampshire. Five bedrooms, four baths; 4,000-square feet. Completely updated while preserving all period details, woodworking, interior beams; nine fireplaces, wide-pine plank floors, custom chef’s kitchen. Formal living and dining rooms, great room, detached garage, numerous outbuildings; property includes historic stone walls, meadows, established gardens and woodlands. Priced at $542,000 through Petersonsrealestate.com; find the home here

POLL DU JOUR

• 90 percent of Americans say sexual harassment is not a problem in their own workplace.

• 87 percent would be “comfortable” reporting sexual harassment if they encountered it.

• 67 percent of Americans say incidents of sexual harassment have not increased, but are now being reported more frequently.

• 66 percent would not support a politician who was accused of sexual harassment.

• 50 percent of Americans say “some” sexual harassment goes on in American workplaces; 31 percent say “a lot goes on”; 16 percent say “not much.”

• 13 percent say sexual harassment has increased.

Source: An NBC/SurveyMonkey poll of 3,772 U.S. adults conducted Nov. 27-29.

• Murmurs and asides to [email protected] Follow her on Twitter @HarperBulletin



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