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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

Journalists had many observations to make about four U.S. presidents and their spouses sitting in the same pew at the funeral of George H.W. Bush. The news coverage of the event quickly drifted into drama. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Four presidents in the ‘awkward pew’

Journalists could not stop speculating about the subtle occurrences that transpired in just a few moments during the state funeral service for George H.W. Bush. There in the front row, and very much on-camera was a rare gathering: President Trump was on the aisle seat, with first lady Melania Trump to his left; then came former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton and former President Jimmy Carter and Rosalynn Carter. Published December 5, 2018

(Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Voters doubt Mueller can ‘trap’ Trump

For those who are keeping count, the proverbial "Mueller investigation" began on May 17, 2017, when Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, "the No. 2 Justice Department official, appoints former FBI director Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia," according to a helpful Reuters timeline of the big doings. If we do all the math, that means that on Dec. 17, the investigation will have gone on for 19 months. Published December 4, 2018

FILE - In this Oct. 15, 1992, file photo, President George H.W. Bush, left, talks with independent candidate Ross Perot as Democratic candidate Bill Clinton stands aside at the end of their second presidential debate in Richmond, Va. Bush died at the age of 94 on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, about eight months after the death of his wife, Barbara Bush. (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander, File)

Long-term press bias: Only 7% of journalists voted for George H.W. Bush in 1992

Journalists have offered fair coverage of the passing of George H.W. Bush. But it was not always thus says Rich Noyes, senior analyst for Newsbusters.org - who consulted records dating back to 1988 for an analysis of coverage of the late president's campaign and years in office. Published December 4, 2018

Some claim that then-business tycoon Donald Trump was inspired to run for president after Jesse Ventura's run for Minnesota governor. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Jesse Ventura mulls a White House run

Forty Democrats are mulling a run for the White House according to some counts, many fueled by their disbelief that President Trump not only won the 2016 election, but that he's still in office. Yes, well. It's going to be a noisy lead-up to 2020 — and now we have one more name to add, and he is among the first of the independent hopefuls. Published December 3, 2018

Stormy Daniels returns to Washington, D.C. for a one-night-only show at a nightclub. (The Cloakroom)

Stormy Daniels returns to Washington for a one-night show at local club

Stormy Daniels has been in the news this week for drama surrounding complicated legal matters. The adult film star soon might make the news again when she arrives in the nation's capital for another reason. "A Storm is coming back to Washington, D.C for one night only," noted a new announcement from the Cloakroom, a downtown club. Published November 30, 2018

Host Rush Limbaugh says the media has destroyed the conservative "brand" and offers a way to neutralize the negative effects. (Rush Limbaugh) ** FILE **

Inside the Beltway: Critics out to destroy the conservative ‘brand’

Like President Trump, the conservative brand - the identity, traits and causes of those who espouse this ideology - has been under attack by the news media, along with liberal pundits and educators, Hollywood, progressive strategists and PR shops. This relentless team has created a negative shorthand about conservatives that suggests they are heartless, archaic, racist, etc. - and it has reinforced the rigid polarization between Americans. Published November 29, 2018

President Trump's approval ratings are inching up. A poll finds his favorability at 48 percent among all voters, and higher among fans. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Warmer still: Trump favorability at 48%

President Trump's tenacity in the political and policy arena appears to be paying off. A new American Barometer survey from The Hill released Wednesday finds that 48 percent of American voters now approve of Mr. Trump. The approval is highest among rural voters: 66 percent give the president a cordial nod. Also among the higher numbers: 53 percent of men and Midwestern voters approve, along with 51 percent of baby boomers and 50 percent of Gen X-ers, those over 65 and those who are 35 to 49 years old, respectively. Published November 28, 2018

Jesse Kelly — a combat veteran, talk radio host, former congressional candidate and columnist — was banned from Twitter. Following a "conservative revolt," the platform reinstated him within 48 hours. (Jesse Kelly)

Inside the Beltway: Jesse Kelly, Twitter and a conservative revolt

"Conservatives can't even sneeze without lefties accusing them of fomenting violence. But when lefties do it? It's just speaking truth to power or something. Take Rob Reiner, for instance. He doesn't seem to be at risk of any pushback from liberals for a tweet about Donald Trump," notes Twitchy.com, which monitors the Twitter realm for signs of liberal bias, outrage and other matters. Published November 27, 2018

A large proportion of the news media live in New York City, Washington D.C. and Los Angeles says a new Pew Research Center study. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Trump suggests U.S. launch a ‘Worldwide Network’ to counter CNN

President Trump can be very canny when dealing with a hostile news media or opinion-mongers, and often wins skirmishes with just a provocative tweet or two. Mr. Trump's campaign, meanwhile, continues to conduct its own opinion polls, and the White House regularly vets news coverage, clearly citing beneficial stories, information and helpful data. It could go a step further, though. Published November 26, 2018

Democrat Mike Espy challenges an answer from rival appointed Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith during a recent debate. President Trump will be in Mississippi on Monday to support Ms. Hyde-Smith's campaign. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Espy and Hyde-Smith: Never a dull moment

President Trump departs for Mississippi on Monday, bound for a jumbo campaign rally for Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith in an election run-off against Democrat Mike Espy, a former representative U.S. representative and Clinton-era agriculture secretary. Published November 25, 2018