Jennifer Harper
Articles by Jennifer Harper
Journalists to Obama: Whatever happened to that new ‘era of openness’?
Thirty-eight national journalism groups have written their own headlines about the state of press relations with the White House, and the federal government in general. In an open letter to President Obama, the Society of Professional Journalists and other organizations have demanded a change of policy for federal agencies that allows more access, and less official intervention from public information offices. Published July 9, 2014
Inside the Beltway: President Obama’s script change in the Texas immigration drama
It appears that some adult over at the White House at last understood that even a hastily called meeting between President Obama and Texas Gov. Rick Perry to discuss the border crisis was unavoidable, and necessary. Mr. Obama is in the Lone Star State for a trio of highfalutin Democratic fundraisers Wednesday. But their big, likely brief rendezvous and photo op did not come about without much dialogue and theater. Published July 8, 2014
Pew Research Center: One-in-10 Americans couldn’t care less about politics
White House, Congress, campaigns, elections? Whatever. From the august Pew Research Center comes this headline: "One-in-10 Americans don't give a hoot about politics. These folks are simply bystanders, disengaged from the din of politicians, and the political marketplace. Judging by census statistics, those who lead a politics-free life could number 35 million people. Published July 8, 2014
Inside the Beltway: As the border crisis burns, Obama lets the fundraising begin
There was a recent Republican rodeo not 5 miles from the Mexico border: The most stalwart members of the House Homeland Security Committee and Texas Gov. Rick Perry staged a field hearing in McAllen, Texas, with the immigration crisis and the fates of thousands of hopeful but illegal young immigrants at the top of their agenda. They pined for a presidential visit — and still do. Published July 7, 2014
GOP strategist: There’s ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ for the Republican Party
The news media relishes the chance to issue dire reports that the Republican Party is in complete shambles — divided, disillusioned, fatigued. Yeah, well. Things are not as bad as they are portrayed, and while the Grand Old Party is quite capable of short sprints on the campaign trail, it’s also in it for the long march. Published July 7, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Elizabeth Warren’s rumored run gets serious
The rumor that President Obama will support Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts in a presidential bid rather than Hillary Rodham Clinton has emerged, like a big moth from a carefully crafted cocoon. Published July 6, 2014
Libertarians to voters: Declare your independence from the Republican and Democratic parties
"The Republicans and Democrats have maintained their power partly by fostering the illusion that they are significantly different from each other. Supporters are told that if the other team gets elected, the world will end. In reality, the Republicans and Democrats are so similar that it doesn't matter which of them are in power," the party says. Published July 4, 2014
Inside the Beltway: An ‘extra gill of whiskey’ and cannon fire for July Fourth - 1804
The grill beckons most Americans on Friday, as does the potato salad and strawberry shortcake. But consider how Americans feasted on the Fourth of July in centuries past — like founding father John Adams, for instance. Published July 3, 2014
Stalwarts: 72 percent of conservatives say religion answers ‘all or most’ of today’s problems
Stalwart conservatives say that religion can still answer "all or most of today's problems," this according to a new Gallup poll which places conservatives among the nation's most pronounced believers. Three fourths of conservatives - 72 percent - say faith is a key problem solver, compared to 36 percent of liberals and 58 percent of moderates. Among Americans overall, the number is 57 percent. Published July 3, 2014
Inside the Beltway: President Obama to go on fundraising patrol in Texas
Republican Reps. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, Mike McCaul of Texas and Darrell Issa of California are among lawmakers congregating in the Rio Grande Valley to bear practical witness to the ongoing surge of illegal immigrants — particularly unaccompanied minors under the impression that a future home is guaranteed. President Obama is also journeying down that way in a few days. To Texas, to be exact. But a visit to the border? Not on the agenda. Published July 2, 2014
Climate-minded scientists propose Americans start eating ‘food insects’
Be prepared. Be very prepared. A veritable swarm of academes hopes to steer Americans toward eating bugs. Whoops. We mean "food insects." Consider that crickets, they say, contain as much omega-3 fatty acids as salmon. The idea was presented recently before the Institute of Food Technologists' annual meeting in New Orleans. Published July 2, 2014
Big doings in New Hampshire: Scott Brown’s ‘Kick Off with Mitt’
The big moment has arrived for Scott Brown. On Wednesday, he'll receive the glittering endorsement and kindly nod from Mitt Romney himself as the sun sets upon a picturesque New Hampshire farm, a powerful jumpstart for Mr. Brown's quest for the U.S. Senate seat in the Granite State. Published July 2, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Jon Voight steps up to support ‘America’ movie
It debuts in 1,000 nationwide theaters Wednesday: That would be "America: Imagine the World Without Her," the unapologetic feature film written and produced by Dinesh D'Souza and Gerald R. Molen that offers rare applause for American exceptionalism. Published July 1, 2014
Gallup poll: Americans say personal freedom ebbing, government corruption on the rise
Land of the free? Not necessarily. A massive Gallup poll released Tuesday has confirmed what tea partyers and other grass-roots folk have warned about in recent years. A sense of real freedom appears to be diminished in America, and the nation itself ranks well down on a list of countries where residents report they are "satisfied" with the amount of freedom they enjoy. Published July 1, 2014
Fox News wins the cable news ratings war - for 150 consecutive months
Fox News still rules the ratings race above its competitors for a record breaking 150 consecutive months as the most-watched cable news network in both prime time and daytime programming. Published July 1, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Libertarians shift into aggressive mode
Republicans and Democrats, who pine to woo the all-important young, restless and disengaged demographic, have some serious competition for this sizable voting bloc, which now numbers about 45 million. Published June 30, 2014
Stealth candidate: Elizabeth Warren blips onto 2016 radar - and Hillary’s territory
There's a persistent bleep on the presidential radar, and that would be Sen. Elizabeth Warren, now getting cast in the role of a stealth candidate who could potentially upstage Hillary Clinton's strategic advance to the White House in 2016. Published June 30, 2014
Inside the Beltway: The beautiful truth about America
There's some surprising showbiz acknowledgment for the power of American exceptionalism, a belief already well known to grass-roots folk and patriots. Case in point: A recent test showing in Atlanta and Houston theaters holds great promise for "America: Imagine the World Without Her," a feature-length film by oft-embattled writer/director Dinesh D'Souza and Oscar-winning producer Gerald R. Molen. Published June 29, 2014
Whoops: Ed Klein’s ‘Blood Feud’ No. 3 on Amazon, Hillary’s ‘Hard Choices’ No. 34
The Clinton comeback tour is not going as planned. "Clintons taking turns explaining family fortune only worsens their PR problem," says Mediaite columnist Joe Concha, who has followed the trajectory of the Clinton wealth matter since it first surfaced some two weeks ago, at the start of Hillary Clinton's much-ballyhooed book tour. Published June 27, 2014
Inside the Beltway: ‘Steadfast Conservatives’ a dominant force
The news media often portray American voters as estranged from politics, confused and possibly neurotic. This is not always the case. Certain groups rule. Published June 26, 2014
