NEWS AND OPINION:

One Vermont-based ice cream company has long made its political views known. That is Ben & Jerry’s, which has added politically themed names to its delicious products over the years.

Now comes its latest endeavor.

“There is no denying the energy surrounding the upcoming presidential election suddenly jumped off the charts which is why Ben & Jerry’s is doing what it does best: launching a new ice cream. No, it’s not a coconut flavor, but it does celebrate childless cat ladies everywhere — and it’s called: Churn Out the Vote,” the company said in a statement shared with Inside the Beltway.

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“The limited batch flavor is packed with pretzel swirls, fudge chips, and ripples of chocolate mousse in a creamy vanilla ice cream and is proudly presented in partnership with the company’s longtime friends at Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute (BVM),” the statement continued.

“Inspired by the delicious optimism surrounding this election, Churn Out the Vote is part of a larger campaign to celebrate and activate young voters, especially young voters of color, to participate in this historically important election and join the growing movement to protect democracy and be a voter,” it said.

Find the company — which also makes flavors for dogs — at BenJerry.com.

GUTFELD’S ALTERNATIVE

Those who dread the upcoming Democratic National Convention can catch a little relief when the four days of coverage begins on Aug. 19. Fox News has an alternative.

“Fox News Channel’s ’Gutfeld!’ will broadcast live at 11 p.m. in New York during the Democratic National Convention. From Aug. 19-22nd, host Greg Gutfeld will be joined by a live studio audience following the network’s special coverage of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago,” Fox News said in a statement.

“Throughout the program, Gutfeld, along with panelists Kat Timpf, George ’Tyrus’ Murdoch and two guests, will break down the headlines from the convention as well as other news of the day with their signature satirical banter,” the network said.

Mr. Gutfeld himself shared the programming news with his audience on Tuesday night.

“A quick announcement. We will be live at 11 p.m. the week of the Democratic National Convention. Not in Chicago, thank God, but here in New York. That is Monday, Aug. 19th until Thursday the 22nd,” the host told the enthusiastic audience.

“I can’t wait,” Mr. Gutfeld said.

It is of note that the host had his most-watched week in program history during the Republican National Convention, drawing a daily average of 3.3 million viewers, according to Nielsen.

TRUMP’S LATEST

Former President Donald Trump continues to provide some detailed summaries of current politics. Here’s an example, posted Thursday by Mr. Trump on Truth Social:

“This election is about the economy, inflation, open borders, (illegal immigration), respect for our nation, preventing World War III and a 1929-style depression!” he said in a statement.

Mr. Trump will also be on the move — hosting a rally on Friday at a field house on the campus of Montana State University in Bozeman.

“Trump has endorsed Montana U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, who is scheduled to be at the Friday event. Sheehy is a Republican who is challenging incumbent Jon Tester, a Democrat, in one of the most highly-contested and expensive Senate races of 2024,” reports KRTV, based in Great Falls and part of the Montana Television Network.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer said in a written statement that his department’s “top priority is the safety of the dignitaries and all attendees at the rally. We are working closely with the U.S. Secret Service and our local and state law enforcement partners to ensure a secure environment for everyone involved.”

According to the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, those partners include the Montana State University Police, Bozeman Police Department, Belgrade Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Montana Department of Criminal Investigation, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport Police and Madison County Sheriff’s Office.

AND THE NUMBERS

In the meantime, former President Donald Trump has maintained his lead over Vice President Kamala Harris, and support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent campaign continues to decline.

So says a Rasmussen Reports survey which found that 49% of likely U.S. voters would vote for Mr. Trump, 44% would vote for Ms. Harris. Another 4% say they’d vote for some other candidate and 3% are undecided. Those numbers are nearly unchanged from a week ago, the pollster said in a brief analysis.

The survey of 1,794 likely U.S. voters was conducted by phone and online on Aug. 1 and Aug. 4-7.

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POLL DU JOUR

• 40% of U.S. adults think gasoline prices will be higher six months from now; 43% of Republicans, 46% of independents and 29% of Democrats agree.

• 44% of Hispanics, 41% of Blacks and 39% of Whites also agree.

• 24% overall say gas prices will be at the same level; 19% of Republicans, 20% of independents and 34% of Democrats agree.

• 27% of Hispanics, 18% of Blacks and 25% of Whites also agree.

• 11% overall think gas prices will be lower; 12% of Republicans, 7% of independents and 15% of Democrats agree.

• 7% of Hispanics, 11% of Blacks and 12% of Whites also agree.

• 25% are not sure whether the prices will increase; 26% Republicans, 26% of independents and 22% of Democrats agree.

• 22% of Hispanics, 30% of Blacks and 24% of Whites also agree.

SOURCE: An Economist/YouGov poll of 1,618 U.S. adults conducted Aug. 4-6.

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