Jennifer Harper
Articles by Jennifer Harper
Inside the Beltway: Triggered: The media’s memo meltdown
The release of the House Intelligence Committee memo suggesting misconduct within the FBI set off the press and provided an instant catalyst for explosive news coverage casting Republicans as villains who either obstruct justice, undermine the Russian investigation or even aid Russian President Vladimir Putin. Some accounts also claimed the memo was proof of disunity in the Republican Party, or that it could eventually cause a constitutional crisis. Published February 4, 2018
‘Please stand’: GOP lawmaker produces pro-anthem TV spot to run during Super Bowl pregame show
Rep. Diane Black, Tennessee Republican and staunch social and fiscal conservative, has produced a new TV spot simply title "Patriotic," due to air during the official Super Bowl pregame show on Sunday. Published February 2, 2018
Inside the Beltway: Cheer up: CPAC countdown now underway
It is an annual rite of spring for conservatives, and the countdown is now underway. Here comes CPAC -- the Conservative Political Action Conference -- which begins Feb. 21 and features three days of robust speeches, rousing moments, authentic patriotism and profound reassurance that conservatism is thriving and gutsy. Published February 1, 2018
Inside the Beltway: Democrats still in the mood for a brawl
The resistance, the struggle, the fight: They are the mantras of choice for the Democratic Party, which is still centering its strategies on pushback and aggression. That could make sense, perhaps. Democrats raised $65.9 million in the last year, and their GOP counterparts brought in $132.5 million. Democrats are $6.1 million in debt, and the GOP has zero debt. Meanwhile, the midterm elections are just over 40 weeks away. Published January 31, 2018
40 million tune in to see Trump’s State of the Union address
President Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night drew over 40 million viewers on the four major broadcast networks and three cable news networks according to Nielsen Media Research. Over a fourth of those viewers chose to watch on Fox News, which drew a respectable 11 million people to its coverage. Published January 31, 2018
Americans predicted to bet $4.7 billion on Super Bowl, much of it through illegal wagers: Report
The American Gaming Association estimates that Americans will wager approximately $4.76 billion on Super Bowl 52 between the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, but only an estimated 3 percent of that will be wagered legally. Published January 31, 2018
Inside the Beltway: Throughout the chaos, Republicans stay on task
Between the squawking over the State of the Union Address and chatter about Russian collusion, Americans now live in a noisy, often polarizing melodrama — which is a lot of work. Some thrive in the environment. Like President Trump, the Republican Party has remained admirably on task and focused during all the unruly upheavals, whether they are created or genuine. Case in point. Within hours of Mr. Trump's speech, the Republican National Committee's winter meeting begins, staged at a hotel a dozen blocks from the White House. The three-day gathering begins with an address by Newt Gingrich. Published January 30, 2018
Inside the Beltway: Hostile media already blasting Trump’s State of the Union address
President Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday will be covered by at least 15 cable and broadcast networks - and there could be a substantial audience. A new Politico/Morning Consult poll finds that 52 percent of Americans plan to watch the address; that includes 76 percent of Republicans, 45 percent of independents and 37 percent of Democrats. The networks, meanwhile, have already pounced on the speech even before the president has delivered it. Published January 29, 2018
Inside the Beltway: Less than 10 percent of Americans believe all harassment allegations are true
Another day, another allegation. Less than 10 percent of Americans believe that all of these stories of sexual harassment are true, however. Published January 28, 2018
Melania Trump’s favorability ratings go up despite scandal-seeking news coverage
Much of the press coverage of first lady Melania Trump has descended from mere criticism and speculation to downright scandal mongering. The American public is not buying it if recent poll numbers are a gauge. Published January 27, 2018
Married military veterans more at risk of suicide than single soldiers, study finds
A new study of U.S. military veterans who have recently returned from overseas deployment has found that those vets who are married or living with a partner are at higher suicide risk than soldiers who are single. Published January 26, 2018
Inside the Beltway: Here comes the ‘sin tax’ on burgers, brats, ribs and wings
Burgers, buffalo wings, brats, ribs, chili, shrimp, crab dip and bacon-loaded anything are staples in the nation's traditional Super Bowl feast. It is a big deal. Americans will spend a hefty $15.3 million on their game day celebrations, according to the National Retail Federation — and there's a proverbial Trump bump too. Published January 25, 2018
Inside the Beltway: A big carbon footprint: 1,000 private jets arrive in Davos
No one is thinking too much about their carbon footprint at the World Economic Forum, now underway in Davos, Switzerland. The hosting organization has a formal sustainability policy that vows to "limit our environmental impact" and addresses such issues as climate change and deforestation. Published January 24, 2018
Fed up with ‘tyranny’ and taxes: California group wants to secede from their own state
Without much fanfare, an interest group staged a recent press conference in Sacramento, California, to announce its intention to form its own state called New California, composed mostly of rural areas with a population of about 15 million. Published January 24, 2018
Inside the Beltway: In new book, Howard Kurtz says Trump and media now in a battle over truth
Veteran journalist and Fox News host Howard Kurtz has a new book arriving Monday from Regnery, a conservative publisher that counts President Trump, Michelle Malkin and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in its large stable of well-known authors. Mr. Kurtz's new book — his sixth — is titled "Media Madness: Donald Trump, the Press, and the War over the Truth. " It already is generating many headlines, particularly among news organizations hoping it will be another Trump-bashing extravaganza. Published January 23, 2018
Roughly 80% of all voters say U.S. needs secure borders, including 68% of Democrats: Harvard poll
A wide-reaching new poll conducted by Harvard University reveals that majorities of U.S. voters -- including Democrats -- appear to agree with many of President Trump's most basic beliefs about immigration. Published January 23, 2018
Inside the Beltway: Democratic dream of riding a ‘blue wave’ to victory in 2018 fades
The 72-hour government shutdown melodrama is over, leaving analysts to explain what it all means. Or doesn't mean. The phrases "Democrats caved" and "Republican victory" were bandied about a great deal. But one reality looms for both political parties. The shutdown is but a few steps on a long march which leads right through the midterms and onto the final destination, which is the 2020 presidential election. Published January 22, 2018
Donald Trump proclaims Monday as ‘National Sanctity of Human Life Day’
President Trump proclaimed Monday to be "National Sanctity of Human Life Day" to underscore that "all life is sacred," according to a proclamation issued by the White House that also praises the work of medical providers and elected officials who support the idea. Published January 22, 2018
Inside the Beltway: 56% of Americans said avoiding a shutdown ‘more important’ than continuing DACA
Some wonder if there's more going on with the government shutdown than a shrill blame game and righteous posturing among Republican and Democratic lawmakers. The shutdown reveals some specific opinions among Americans which may not bode well for Democrats. The shutdown also might be a dress rehearsal for the midterm elections. Published January 21, 2018
Inside the Beltway: Desperate Trump critics rage against the stock market boom
Though the economy appears to be humming and happy, analysts and journalists who care little for President Trump are issuing brisk warnings about the dangers of the roaring stock market. It will fail, go bust, collapse. America will not be great. All will be lost. Such dire predictions been surfacing quite a while, such as this CNBC headline: "The booming stock market is in denial. " It appeared over seven months ago. Then there was CNN's take: "Trump is playing with fire by obsessing over the stock market." That was six months ago. Published January 18, 2018
