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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

Image of Planned Parenthood coverage of the 'baby parts' story on Fox News courtesy of the Media Research Center.

Broadcasters all but ignore Planned Parenthood fetal body parts investigation

A close study from the Media Research Center has examined broadcast coverage of an undercover video revealing Planned Parenthood's senior director of Medical Services referring to the practice of selling the body parts of aborted babies. The chilling account went public Tuesday but warranted little attention from the "Big Three" networks in the aftermath. ABC and CBS completely ignored the story while NBC gave it 39 seconds, omitting "damning quotes," according to the analysis. Published July 15, 2015

Veteran NBC newsman Lester Holt is currently filling in for "Nightly News" anchorman Brian Williams, who has taken leave while questions about his credibility are sorted out by the network. (NBC News)

NBC veteran anchorman Lester Holt wins the ratings race, bests CBS, ABC rivals

Five months ago, Lester Holt temporarily took over the NBC Nightly News anchorman's chair following the sudden exit of Brian Williams who was suspended following the discovery that he had made false claims as a newsman. Three weeks ago, Mr. Holt was named the permanent replacement. Nielsen now reveals that the Nightly News is in first place in the ratings race. Published July 15, 2015

Sen. James M. Inhofe, unhappy about the Iran nuclear deal, says the American military must remain at Cold War-era levels of readiness. (U.S. Air Force)

Inside the Beltway Advice on Iran from the Reagan era: Trust but verify — or else

Skeptical critics of the U.S. nuclear agreement with Iran have deemed the diplomatic deal a historic mistake, a disaster, a catastrophe and a surrender, among many other things. While the toxic fallout continues, one lawmaker recommends the U.S. at least consult the lessons of the Cold War, when finesse, guts and common sense were paramount -- along with a few fully loaded B-52s. Published July 14, 2015

In this Monday, Nov. 3, 2014 photo provided by NBC, from left, Tamron Hall, Natalie Morales, Savannah Guthrie, Matt Lauer, and Al Roker appear on the "Today" show, in New York. (AP Photo/NBC, Bryan Bedder)

How much do TV anchors really make? (Hint: Not all that much)

In past years, the public has heard tell of news anchors like NBC's Matt Lauer who earns $20 million a year, and Katie Couric, now pulling in $10 million from Yahoo News. The multi-million salaries of big name anchors is not the norm, according to an annual survey of current salaries released by the Radio Television Digital News Association, an industry group. The average salary for a news anchor is $83,300, though this can range from a minimum of $14,000 to a maximum of $875,000, depending on market size and other circumstances. Published July 14, 2015

A new book by American Enterprise Institute president Arthur Brooks explains the route to a 'fairer, happier more prosperous America.' (Broadside Books)

New advice for conservatives: ‘Build a fairer, happier, and more prosperous America’

The title says all: "The Conservative Heart: How to build a fairer, happier, and more prosperous America" by American Enterprise Institute president Arthur C. Brooks arrives Tuesday, with a clear mission and much acclaim. George Will, Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Mike Lee are among those praising the new book. It's establishing some new turf for conservatives -- and some pushback against the persistent progressive monopoly as "champions" of the needy and vulnerable. Published July 14, 2015

Citizens United for Israel is in the nation's capital for a major conference that includes 5,000 attendees and plenty of input from presidential hopefuls, pastors, activists and lawmakers. (Citizens United for Israel)

Inside the Beltway: Christians United for Israel draw 5,000 to Washington for summit

Christians United for Israel is now midway through its 10th annual summit in the nation's capital -- a major two-day event that has drawn 5,000 attendees and a wide spectrum of speakers that includes Sens. Lindsey Graham, Tim Scott, John Cornyn, and Tom Cotton; Mike Huckabee, John Kasich and Rick Santorum, with video messages from Jeb Bush, Sen. Ted Cruz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Published July 13, 2015

A majority of Americans believe in "fate" a new survey finds. Horoscopes? Not so much. (YouGov poll image)

Majority of Americans believe in fate: Poll

Horoscopes don't carry as much weight with Americans as the idea of "fate" according to a new survey. A majority, in fact, believe in fate. The world of Leo, Libra, Gemini and the other star signs? Not so much. Published July 13, 2015

In this July 31, 2014 photo, a traveler passes through Philadelphia International Airport Thursday, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Flying with God: Most major airports have dedicated chapels

Airports may be harried places. But many house holy places. A meticulous analysis of current FAA data reveals that 60 percent of the nation's largest airports have chapels, according to Aleksandra Sandstrom, a researcher and editor with the Pew Research Center. Published July 11, 2015

Armstrong Williams

The Right Side Forum with Armstrong WIlliams focuses on authentic African American manhood

The Right Side Forum," an hour-long conservative live news and talk show hosted by columnist Armstrong Williams, offers a special, one-hour forum broadcast, airing Saturday on News Channel 8 at 10:30 a.m. The topic this week: African American Manhood Today. "There are many African American men who are responsible, productive members of society who help others follow in their footsteps," he comments. Published July 10, 2015

In response to a voter's question at a New Hampshire forum, Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush reiterated that "I honestly think we need to provide a path to legalized status, not citizenship, for illegal immigrants." Analysts say it is hard to pin down Mr. Bush on the immigration issue. (Associated Press)

Confident Republicans more satisfied with presidential field than Democrats

Republican voters appear to be more optimistic about 2016 than Democrats at this point. A whopping 71 percent of the GOPers report they are "satisfied" with the field of GOP candidates running for president - despite peevish critics who question the number of hopefuls who have thrown their hats into the ring. Only 57 percent of Democrats are satisfied with their respective line-up of candidates. Published July 9, 2015

FILE - In this June 19, 2015 file photo, the Confederate flag flies near the South Carolina Statehouse in Columbia, S.C. The General Assembly returns Monday, July 6, 2015, to discuss what to do with the rebel flag that has flown over some part of the Statehouse for more than 50 years. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)

Gallup poll: 67% of GOP, 27% of Democrats say it’s OK for Southern states to fly Confederate flag

In earlier decades, a majority of both Democrats and Republicans said the Confederate flag was more a sign of Southern pride than of racism, and both groups were comfortable with Southern states flying the flag on state capitol buildings, according to a new Gallup poll. This is not the case anymore. There is a stark partisan divide in opinion between the parties, which a Gallup analyst attributes to a shift in the party makeup. Published July 9, 2015

Scott Walker

Inside the Beltway: The Winnebago vote: Campaigning Scott Walker-style

Forget Hillary Rodham Clinton and the Scooby Bus. Gov. Scott Walker is about to show the competition how to campaign in authentic down-home style once he declares his intent to run for president. Once the Wisconsin Republican makes his announcement, he's got big doings planned -- and we do mean big. Published July 8, 2015

Nancy Reagan turned 94 on Monday. (Photo courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation)

Nancy Reagan celebrates her 94th birthday

Nancy Reagan turned 94 on Monday, complete with a birthday cake trimmed with pink posies, her face aglow with an expectant smile. Social media hummed with well wishes for the former first lady, and observations about her continuing place in history. Published July 6, 2015

John R. Bolton tells Inside the Beltway he has some advice for the GOP hopefuls (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: John Bolton: The ‘only way’ to stop Iran is through military force

There's no evidence that Iran will jettison its nuclear program, according to former State Department missile-counter John R. Bolton, who offers a stark reality check as negotiations between Iran and P5+1 -- the U.S. and five other nations -- drag on. "Iran fully intends to continue its nuclear weapons program and is solely interested in getting free of the economic sanctions. There is no evidence Tehran has made the strategic decision to give up its pursuit of deliverable nuclear warheads," Mr. Bolton tells Inside the Beltway. Published July 6, 2015