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Jennifer Harper

Jennifer Harper

A graduate of Syracuse University, Jennifer Harper writes the daily Inside the Beltway column and provides additional coverage of breaking national news, plus long-term trends in politics, media issues, public opinion, popular culture, Hollywood foibles and “eureka” moments in health and science.

She has been a frequent broadcast commentator on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, C-SPAN, Voice of America, Citadel Broadcasting, Talk Radio Network and other news organizations. Born in Elizabeth, N.J., Ms. Harper grew up in Texas and arrived in Washington in time for Watergate -- and has been tracking the political and media landscape ever since.

She is an active member of the American Federation of TV Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild. She has won 14 journalism awards during her years at The Washington Times.

To read Jennifer Harper's Inside the Beltway columns, click here. Contact her at jharper@washingtontimes.com.

Articles by Jennifer Harper

If the Mueller probe does not turn up evidence of collusion, it could be a "day of reckoning" for the media, says ABC News analyst Terry Moran. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: A day of reckoning for Democrats, progressives and the media

Sooner or later the Mueller report will emerge on public radar. Some analysts predict it will be sooner rather than later — and instant media mayhem will follow, no matter what the outcome. The press has been poised to pounce since special counsel Robert Mueller began his investigation on May 17, 2017, into possible "collusion" between President Trump and Russia during the 2016. Journalists have been revving their engines about the possibilities for almost two years. Published March 11, 2019

The Libertarian Party is trying to decide which theme they should use for their 2020 presidential convention. So far, the winner is the acronym "TANSTAAFL," which means "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." (Libertarian party)

Inside the Beltway: ‘TANSTAAFL’: How the Libertarians think

Many voters are having a serious flirtation with the idea of a third political party, a trend not lost on the Libertarian Party — which has celebrated a 92 percent rise in its membership in the last decade, plus increased ballot access and some significant local victories. The Libertarians are also busy planning their 2020 presidential convention, and have asked members to come up with a theme for the big event. Over 60 suggestions have rolled in, including such mottos as "Don't mess with anyone" and "Taxation is theft." Published March 10, 2019

As 2020 looms, the Trump campaign reinvents the dry old public opinion poll as an effective and engaging outreach. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Inside the Beltway: Trump campaign reinvents the public opinion poll

President Trump continues to have the last word on most big news events via his nimble tweets and vigorous reactions, issued at all hours. Mr. Trump also continues to skirt around pollsters. The president simply conducts his own surveys, using them to gauge which issues are the most important to Republican voters, or to ask their reactions to, say, a biased news media, aggressive Democrats or a challenging global situation. Published March 7, 2019

A new poll finds that only 29 percent of voters agree Democrats should investigate President Trump. Another survey finds that 6-out-of-10 voters say he should not be impeached. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Just 29% of voters agree with Democratic investigation of Trump

Opinion polls consistently reveal that voters are weary of negative politics and a gridlocked Congress. That's been a given for years. But wait. This week, they also do not appear to approve of the incoming Democratic investigation of President Trump and his administration. A single question explains all: Published March 5, 2019

Howard Schultz calls himself a "centrist independent" as he stands on the verge of declaring run for president as a third-party candidate. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Howard Schultz, the ‘centrist independent’

He calls himself a "centrist independent" — a semi-distinctive political brand in a very crowded marketplace. That would be billionaire Howard Schultz, on the verge of declaring his candidacy for president as a third-party hopeful. Published March 3, 2019

"Reagan at CPAC: The Words that Continue to Inspire a Revolution" is an unprecedented collection of inspiring speeches President Ronald Reagan made at the annual CPAC gathering. (Regnery Books)

Inside the Beltway: Ronald Reagan revolution still a force at CPAC

A remarkable new book, "Reagan at CPAC: The Words that Continue to Inspire a Revolution," is an unprecedented collection of all the inspiring speeches that Reagan himself made at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference. Published February 27, 2019

The second summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has drawn 3,000 journalists from 40 nations. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Summit reality: Two leaders, 3,000 journalists

There will be 3,000 journalists from 40 nations covering the second meeting between President Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un — and all 3,000 of them are vying for a chance to produce the proverbial blockbuster story amid unprecedented security and lots of competition. Published February 26, 2019

Polling reveals that over three-fourths of Democratic voters now find socialism appealing, according to a Public Opinion Strategies survey. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: 77% of Democratic voters now lean socialist

The popularity of socialism appears to be percolating throughout the Democratic Party, just as some GOP strategists have predicted, often citing the influence of both Sen. Bernard Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The Vermont independent and New York Democrat present socialism as a sensible, conscientious, feel-good alternative — a sentiment which plays well among the "hope and change" set and younger voters in particular. Published February 25, 2019

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, 76, has announced the launch of Gingrich 360, described as "a full circle American consulting and media production group," with a focus on the nation's success. (Associated Press)

Still in the game: Newt Gingrich forms his own media company

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, 76, remains an aggressive fixture at the complicated intersection of media and politics. On Monday, he announced the launch of Gingrich 360, described as "a full circle American consulting and media production group," with a focus on the nation's success. Published February 25, 2019

Portrait of a border bird: An RC-26 aircraft similar to those used in surveillance missions along the U.S./Mexico border (U.S. Army)

Inside the Beltway: Adam Kinzinger: Yeah, the border is an emergency

One lawmaker has unique insight into the southern U.S. border and whether it poses an emergency, as President Trump suggests. That would be Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Illinois Republican, just back from a working visit to the region as a member of the Air National Guard — and as a pilot flying an RC-26 surveillance aircraft some 12,000 feet above the terrain. It was his fourth border mission as an eyewitness to the illegal immigration challenge on the border. Published February 24, 2019

An Oscar is pictured at the press preview for the Academy Awards on Sunday. A poll says two-thirds of Americans may not be watching. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: No-shows: 65% of Americans won’t watch Academy Awards

They are no-shows. Two-thirds of Americans will not watch the Academy Awards: 65 percent say they are not planning to watch any of Sunday's glittering but often predictable show; 81 percent of Republicans, 70 percent of independents and even 53 percent of Democrats agree. So says a new YouGov poll, which also suggests a contributing factor to this disinterest. Published February 21, 2019