Jennifer Harper
Articles by Jennifer Harper
Inside the Beltway: Mark Cuban eyes the White House
Billionaire businessman, reality TV personality and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has his eye on a presidential run in 2020 — that is, if the man has a plan. Published August 23, 2017
Inside the Beltway: 66% of Americans now fear speaking their minds in a politically correct nation
Is the nation switching from the land of the free and the home of the brave -- to the land of the silent, and the home of the reluctant? Citizens are wary of speaking their minds, a new poll suggests. Published August 22, 2017
Inside the Beltway: Bikers for Donald Trump on duty in Phoenix
At last count, there are 14 organizations planning to protest against President Trump's rally in Phoenix on Tuesday, this according to a tally by the Phoenix Sun Times, a news organization that has attempted to track them all. The groups also have urged their members to request free tickets to the rally, then not attend — to lend the impression that there are empty seats in the humongous arena. Meanwhile, two groups will be on hand in support of the president. Published August 21, 2017
Inside the Beltway: Jerry Falwell Jr. stands up for Donald Trump
Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr. endorsed then-candidate Donald Trump in early 2016 — and continues to stand by him, even as the president navigates much criticism over his handling of the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, along with a political scenario electrified by a hostile media, conflicting reports and strong public emotions. Published August 20, 2017
Faith still a factor: Every state constitution in the nation mentions God or the divine, study finds
God or the divine is mentioned at least once in each of the 50 state constitutions and nearly 200 times overall, according to a meticulous new Pew Research Center analysis. Published August 18, 2017
Inside the Beltway: Both Donald Trump and voters confront a hostile media
News coverage often seems like a skittish, random collection of outrage, commentary, fleeting news, stray facts, speculation, conflicting information, whining and suggestive headlines these days. The public — along with politicians and even journalists themselves are hard pressed to navigate the technology-fueled tumble of information, a trend that is flourishing during a time when Americans crave and deserve clarity, solutions and wisdom. Published August 17, 2017
Inside the Beltway: Rush Limbaugh does the math
The news media continues to hammer on controversy surrounding President Trump in the aftermath of Charlottesville plus turmoil over Confederate statuary in public places, Mr. Trump's comments about the situation, and the identity of those who support and elected him. Talk radio host Rush Limbaugh has addressed the resulting confusion, particularly the president's association with particular groups. Published August 16, 2017
“Sing for the glory of God’: Museum highlights Elvis Presley’s personal Bible
Many fans around the nation will observe the 40th anniversary of the death of music icon Elvis Presley with concerts, look-a-like contests and peanut butter and banana sandwiches. The Museum of the Bible, however, is offering an online look at Presley's personal Bible, complete with his handwritten notes in the margins. Published August 16, 2017
Inside the Beltway: ‘This is about controlling the historical narrative’
The past events in Charlottesville have become a cultural and political force — a catalyst for America's latest identity crisis in uneasy times, and one magnified by incessant media coverage. The violence and turmoil four days ago has sparked related rallies, somber commentary, ceaseless criticism of President Trump and continued protests against Confederate-era statuary in public places. Like many observers, Laura Ingraham, talk radio host and founder of Lifezette.com, is wondering how far the critics will go for their cause. Statue removal is not the main motive of the marchers and activists, she says. Published August 15, 2017
Fox News tops Twitter as the ‘most shared’ news organization on U.S. college campuses: Study
Researchers with CollegeStats.org have a revelation about Fox News, which remains the most watched network in the entire cable realm, according to ongoing Nielsen Media Research numbers. But it is also very popular among youthful denizens of the Twitterverse. Published August 15, 2017
Inside the Beltway: Liberals faulted for the ‘stinging’ failure of identity politics
Arriving Tuesday: "The Once and Future Liberal: After Identity Politics" by Mark Lilla, a Columbia University humanities professor and, yes, a liberal Democrat. Published August 14, 2017
Inside the Beltway: First campaign ad surfaces: Donald Trump’s quest for 2020 now underway
It's never too early to get underway. President Trump has a robust re-election committee, and it has released what it bills in no uncertain terms as a "campaign ad." Donald J. Trump for President Inc. remains ready to rumble, and continues to counter the din of the hostile press, career politicians and assorted rivals. The pushback is direct and to the point. Published August 13, 2017
Inside the Beltway: Only 23% of Americans say Republicans in Congress help Donald Trump
Obstruction from Democrats is expected. President Trump, however is getting some heavy-handed pushback from his own party — and Americans see it. Published August 10, 2017
Inside the Beltway: Media still dithering over ‘fire and fury’
The news media is comfortable using anonymous sources, suggestive headlines and expletives once considered offensive in their daily coverage. But the press does not appear to know what to do with terse language. In the wake of President Trump's "fire and fury" remark about the North Korea threat, the news media has followed up with a lot of fire and fury of its own, framing the remarks as reckless and dangerous. It was a "rhetorical grenade," according to The Washington Post; "inflammatory words" at The New York Times; and just plain "trash talk," according to the Daily Mail. Published August 9, 2017
Inside the Beltway: David Letterman’s Donald Trump obsession
Retired late night kingpin David Letterman has a new gig on Netflix, poised to host a half dozen talk shows for the online giant — this after a previous 33-year run on NBC and CBS which yielded 6,000 shows. Though news organizations are already suggesting guests for Mr. Letterman's new project, the host himself has a wish list. Published August 8, 2017
Inside the Beltway: Trump is ‘a welcome boost’ to Bedminster
The news media's latest narrative against President Trump now suggests Mr. Trump's biggest fans are weary, peeved or unsure about the man they elected. These stories cite select polls which indicate that support for Mr. Trump has dropped by such-and-such percentage points and that fervor has faded -- or words to that effect. Published August 7, 2017
Inside the Beltway: Numbers don’t lie: Donald Trump’s doing fine
President Trump faces nonstop criticism and a hostile news media which advances one narrative after another, building their case against him with mostly anonymous sources, suggestive headlines and clever speculation. But he carries on. The result? Among other things, the economy has improved, there's a glow on Main Street and the stock market continues to soar to record highs despite rumor mongering and unproven innuendo from the "resistance." Published August 6, 2017
Inside the Beltway: Libertarian health care: Repeal and deregulate
The health care clash continues, pitting Republican against Democrat. A third combatant has entered the fray, however: The Libertarians now are weighing in on the challenge to create a workable, healthy health care system out of the loose ends and leftovers of Trumpcare and Obamacare. Published August 3, 2017
Inside the Beltway: Do-nothing? Congress plans to work only 12 days in the next two months
Lawmakers may think no one is looking as they exit the nation's capital for impending vacation, campaigning, fundraising or the proverbial family time. But someone is watching. And counting. Jim Hoft, founder of GatewayPundit.com, dragged out the current congressional calendar to discover that lawmakers have only 12 days of work scheduled through the end of September. Published August 2, 2017
Inside the Beltway: Twitter master Trump strikes again
Between his long-standing personal Twitter account and his official White House Twitter account, President Trump has many millions of followers. Each of his tweets is often "liked" more than 100,000 times and retweeted, on rough average, 20,000 times. That is a lot of buzz. Mr. Trump has tweeted 953 times since taking office on @POTUS, his official tweet source. He also has tweeted 35,400 times on @realDonaldTrump — the personal account he has held since 2009. Published August 1, 2017
