Jennifer Harper
Articles by Jennifer Harper
Inside the Beltway: Rep. Mike McCaul’s ‘Terror Threat Snapshot’ offers a reality check
Here's one way to stay vigilant: House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Rep. Michael McCaul has just launched the "Terror Threat Snapshot" - a regular monthly feature that tracks the "escalating and grave threat environment" facing the U.S. The lawmaker is specific. The inaugural snapshot reveals that there have been 24 ISIS-linked plots or attacks against Western targets in the first half of 2015, up from 19 in all of last year. Published June 23, 2015
Inside the Beltway: Megyn Kelly now predicted to become the next Barbara Walters
She's not just an anchor anymore. Fox News CEO Roger Ailes himself has given Megyn Kelly a new series of broadcast specials to augment her top-rated primetime hour on the network , prompting Variety - a leading industry source - to compare her to longtime interview maven Barbara Walters. Published June 22, 2015
Inside the Beltway: Americans say Jeb Bush is likable; but still a ‘Bush’ survey finds
He's like the friend of a friend. Voters know Jeb Bush; he seems familiar, though public impressions of the Republican presidential hopeful are still mixed. One-thousand Americans were asked to describe Mr. Bush in a single word of their own choosing -- and here are the top-10, verbatim, based on how many times they were cited: Bush, family, likable, liberal, conservative, moderate, RINO, good, honest and OK -- this according to an Economist/YouGov survey. Published June 21, 2015
Hillary Clinton’s 24-hour fundraising jaunt to Hollywood expected to net $1 million
Hillary Clinton made her grand public debut before American voters only a week ago in New York City, then rushed off for some quick grassroots stops in Iowa and New Hampshire. Then came California, land of Hollywood fundraising. Mrs. Clinton is expected to do exceptionally well. Published June 19, 2015
‘Right Side Forum’ with Armstrong Williams discusses the way to genuine success for young people
The "Right Side Forum," an hour-long conservative live news and talk show hosted by columnist Armstrong Williams, will take a close look at the challenges of young people seeking a genuine route to success. Published June 19, 2015
Inside the Beltway: John Bolton campaigns to stop Hillary Clinton’s White House ambitions
The Republican National Committee puts it this way: "The Clinton machine rumbles on." Indeed, Hillary Rodham Clinton's quest for the White House is akin to an all-terrain vehicle on the campaign trail -- rolling over bumps, skirting ditches, and even airborne at times. Despite the rough ride, it relentlessly covers the territory, on course for the prime destination. Yes, well. Mrs. Clinton's critics, meanwhile, are weary of it, and thinking tactics. Published June 18, 2015
Marco Rubio, frugal lawmaker — his legislation calls for $330 billion in spending cuts: Study
A watchdog group has a counter-narrative to the recent New York Times "investigative" story on Sen. Marco Rubio's personal finances, decades-old parking tickets, a family purchase of a fishing boat and other matters. He's actually pretty frugal. Published June 18, 2015
Inside the Beltway: The climate, the pope, the skeptics
The world is now privy to the Vatican view on global warming, thanks to overeager journalists who reported details from an encyclical by Pope Francis on earthly environmental matters, before its official Thursday release. A tacky practice. The contents, though, are already drawing commentary. Published June 17, 2015
2016 surprise poll: Voters actually looking forward to electing a new president
Passive, they're not. Americans appear engaged and ready to do their civic duty according to a new Monmouth University Poll which reveals that a large majority of the voting public are anticipating the presidential season in a big way. Published June 17, 2015
Lindsey Graham writes autobiography, gives it away as a free download
Available for free: "My Story" by Sen. Lindsey Graham, a 126-page autobiography released online by his presidential campaign. The e-book reveals that the GOP hopeful had a challenging, modest childhood, served his country, flew a C-130, won his public offices. "Everyone has a story. Not everyone has to tell it, of course, and most people have the good sense not to," he writes. Published June 17, 2015
Inside the Beltway: Donald Trump rumples the Republicans, tantalizes the press
Before departing for the Iowa heartland, new and improved GOP presidential hopeful Donald Trump left behind one message for his enthusiastic fans and determined critics: "Let's make American great again." He also advised that his personal skills as negotiator, self-made entrepreneur, family man and unapologetic rich guy would come in handy on the global stage. Published June 16, 2015
Pat Boone, conservative stalwart, a guest of the Heritage Foundation on Wednesday
Among the hundreds of policy events in the nation's capital on Wednesday, one in particular stands out. Authentic cultural icon, family man, ace performer, man of faith and conservative stalwart Pat Boone is in town to have his say about the state of the nation, and his own 60-year career in entertainment. He'll appear at high noon at the Heritage Foundation, just a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol. Published June 16, 2015
Inside the Beltway: Donald Trump readies his 2016 script — then roars off to Iowa
Here comes Republican presidential candidate No. 12. Not to be outdone by any rival, Donald Trump has garnered intense buzz and media coverage for better or worse, in favor and disfavor. Published June 15, 2015
And so it begins: Political reporter barred from Hillary Clinton campaign event
In an age where official transparency is valued by both press and the public, The Daily Mail reports that David Martosko, the U.S. political for the British news organization, was denied access to a campaign event for Hillary Clinton in New Hampshire on Monday morning - despite the fact he had been designated as the "pool reporter" for the day. Published June 15, 2015
Gallup poll: Americans now less likely to think the war in Iraq was a ‘mistake’
Americans have lived with the Iraq and Afghanistan wars for 12 years, essentially, and their perceptions of the conflicts are shifting. "Amid a security situation in Iraq and Afghanistan that continues to be contentious, a smaller share of Americans now than last year view the conflict in Afghanistan or the Iraq war as a mistake," says a new Gallup poll analysis. Published June 15, 2015
INSIDE THE BELTWAY: Jeb Bush adds an exclamation point to punctuate his bid for presidency
His face is leaner, his focus intense. John Ellis Bush -- now known as Jeb! in his campaign outreach -- makes his bid for president Monday afternoon on his home turf in Florida. There's a new campaign logo, a straightforward video and public vows that while he is a Bush through and through, his emerging policies are sound, his political acumen authentic. Published June 14, 2015
The ‘Right Side Forum’ with Armstrong Williams to uncover secrets of success for entrepreneurs
The "Right Side Forum," an hour-long conservative live news and talk show hosted by columnist Armstrong Williams, will explore a goal-minded topic on the next broadcast: "The Epitome of Success." What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur? Published June 12, 2015
Inside the Beltway: Hillary Clinton’s moment of truth in New York City - or maybe not
Bill Clinton will be there, Bill de Blasio will not. New York City's Democratic mayor is skipping an event that includes a marching band, happy Democrats, a backdrop of skyscrapers and spirited speechifying that taps the wisdom of Franklin Roosevelt and spouse, Eleanor. We're talking Hillapalooza here. Hillary Rodham Clinton finally makes it official on Saturday at high noon, on an island at the lower end of Manhattan, aiming to persuade the nation that she is a sage populist destined for the White House. Published June 11, 2015
Inside the Beltway: Lindsey Graham to introduce Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
He's off the presidential campaign trail for the time being, and on to cause close to his heart. On Thursday, Sen. Lindsey Graham heads to the U.S. Capitol to formally introduce the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act before the U.S. Senate. He will be joined at a press conference by pro-life leaders who support legislation meant "to protect children after five months," -- more than halfway through pregnancy, when the baby can feel pain. The coalition points out that even fetal surgeons acknowledge this phenomenon by "routinely anesthetizing their small patients before surgery." Published June 10, 2015
Inside the Beltway: David Petraeus’ Bilderberg Conference appearance puts him among power
There's a fair amount of fuss about the Bilderberg Conference, which gets underway in Austria on Thursday and attracts titillating media coverage, angry protesters and public curiosity about the idea that 140 powerful people from 22 nations are meeting to figure out what the world should do at this alarming juncture. Henry Kissinger, David Petraeus, James D. Wolfensohn and Richard Perle are among those representing America. "USA" and "US elections" are on the organization's 15-item to-do list, along with Russia, terrorism, globalization and cybersecurity -- but there's nothing on climate change. Published June 9, 2015
