Jennifer Harper
Articles by Jennifer Harper
Inside the Beltway: Here comes Benghazi, The Investigation
The 13th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is nine days off, bringing a certain disquiet to the nation, along with newly realized resolve. Recent polls consistently reveal a public that is more hawk than dove; Americans approve of airstrikes against Islamic State fighters, while majorities say the Obama administration's approach to the challenge is not aggressive enough. Published September 1, 2014
O’Hillary: The Ready for Hillary superpac journeys to Ireland, raises $50,000
O'Hillary? Or oh, Hillary? Fundraise for Hillary Clinton in Ireland: faith and begorra, that’s exactly what Ready for Hillary did. The independent grass-roots activist group traveled all the way to Ballsbridge — that’s an exclusive suburb of Dublin — to raise $50,000 for Mrs. Clinton, a potential White House candidate. Published September 1, 2014
Inside the Beltway: The Senate Horse Race: Promising for the GOP
Midterm Election Day dawns in 64 days. The pollsters have started their engines and are eager to get rolling, with some promising prediction for the GOP, and the U.S. Senate. Published August 31, 2014
Rick Santorum by-passes Hollywood and debuts his feature-length movie in a church
He continues to appear on presidential straw polls. Now he is taking on politically correct culture and the bullies of the public realm. That would be Rick Santorum, CEO of the independent EchoLight Studios, which have already produced significant films that support faith and family values. Like Glenn Beck, Mr. Santorum has joined a growing group of feisty media folk who are bypassing Hollywood, and heading straight for the grassroots with their work. Religious freedom is at stake here, he says. And commercial theaters are an afterthought. Published August 29, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Let the fundraising begin for President Obama
President Obama journeys to the well-heeled countryside of Westchester County, New York, on Friday to attend a pair of "Barbecue with Barack" events for the Democratic National Committee — one quite a substantial party, the other a more intimate "roundtable" affair. Published August 28, 2014
The coattails effect: Could Mitt Romney Mania lead to a Paul Ryan Renaissance?
Mitt Mania continues, with potential: The public rediscovery of Mitt Romney may evolve into a renaissance for Rep. Paul Ryan if time and circumstance are right. But for now, Iowa loves Mr. Romney more than any other Republican: In a field of 14 potential GOP presidential candidates, a USA Today/Suffolk University poll released Wednesday find him in the very far lead. Published August 28, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Dueling West Coast gun control initiatives
Can big donations shore up shoddy gun control state legislation? No, insists Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, a 650,000-member grass-roots organization based in Washington state. Published August 27, 2014
Ben Carson wins presidential straw poll, wows ‘em in Iowa
Well, there you go. Dr. Ben Carson had a heartland victory with a "whopping" 62 percent of the vote in a presidential straw poll conducted at the Polk County Republican Party Dinner on Sunday night, which took place in Des Moines but drew attendees from as far away as Minneapolis, who were anxious to yell "Run, Ben, Run" and witness the good doctor's stirring speech. Published August 27, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Paul Ryan’s Reagan moment
Paul Ryan is currently touring the nation with his new book "The Way Forward: Renewing the American Idea" —and now reminding the public of his significant political pedigree. Published August 26, 2014
Conservatives advised to appeal to Hispanic ‘inner pride and Spanish sense of moral code’
The Democrats may not have a lock on the potential 30-million member Hispanic voting bloc, this according to conservative Cuban-American scholar and author Mike Gonzalez, who advises Conservatives to make the moral case to Hispanics on several fronts rather than 'cede this ground to the Left'. Published August 26, 2014
Inside the Beltway: ‘Meet the Press’ becomes a media test case
NBC's "Meet the Press" is a historic broadcast entity no matter who's hosting it. The show has been on the air for 57 years, is the longest running TV series in history and has ensured the appeal of talking heads remained a given in American culture. Published August 25, 2014
Just as you suspected: Study proves dogs get jealous too
Yes, dogs get jealous. Dog owners, and even Darwin, have observed this emotionally charged phenomenon among pooches over time. Now a University of California at San Diego study confirms that canines also are affected by the complicated, possessive scenario - the first research to do so. Published August 25, 2014
Leery of weed: Public still not keen on recreational marijuana legalization
Pot vending machines, cannibis-centered news organizations, weed-friendly party planners - the culture of marijuana legalization increases every week. But the public may not be keeping up. Voters in yet another state are confronting the complicated reality of legalization, both pro and con. Published August 25, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Ben Carson signs petition calling for Islamic State destruction
An emphatic petition calls for the U.S. and the international community to stop the Islamic State now. The 11,000-plus signers hail from multiple disciplines and political persuasions. Published August 24, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Rick Perry’s presidential saga continues to New Hampshire
In less than 48 hours he's gone from a Lone Star jail to the nation's capital to the voter-centric land of New Hampshire, all the while with the news media herd trailing behind him, mooing. Texas Gov. Rick Perry arrives in the Granite State at high noon Friday, when he assumes the starring role in not one but six consecutive political events. Published August 21, 2014
Inside the Beltway: ‘Born again voters’ warm to Romney
'Some emerging Republican sentiment about a certain governor would not much surprise the Utah-based "Draft Mitt" grass-roots effort. A new poll of likely GOP primary voters from Zogby Analytics shows Mitt Romney outpolling and outdistancing his nearest rivals for the nomination by a two-to-one margin. Published August 20, 2014
Ready for the Stress-Phone? It monitors body functions…
The inventor has received $3 million from the National Science Foundation to perfect smart phones that are smart enough and connected enough to actually monitor the human body. That would be Cornell University engineering professor David Erickson, who will head a multidisciplinary team of investigators who intend to develop devices with specific diagnostics. Published August 20, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Romney’s route could still lead to a ballot
He just looks presidential, all confident and centered amid national turmoil, ramped up by incessant media coverage. Yeah, well. That's the Mitt Romney brand. He appears in public as a consistently reassuring presence, campaigning for assorted Republican hopefuls with ease, cheerfulness and focus. Published August 19, 2014
Business as usual: Rick Perry in Washington this Thursday, then it’s on to New Hampshire
It's business as usual. True to his word, Texas Gov. Rick Perry is forging ahead despite his indictment for abuse of power which has mesmerized the news media. He will, in fact, be in the nation’s capital this very Thursday. Then it's on to New Hampshire for the weekend. Published August 19, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Ferguson becomes major media magnet
From President Obama to news officials, everyone agrees that freedom of the press is essential in Ferguson, Missouri — particularly after journalists were arrested, prompting American Society of News Editors President David Boardman to predict, "For every reporter they arrest, every image they block, every citizen they censor, another will still write, photograph and speak." Published August 18, 2014
