Jennifer Harper
Articles by Jennifer Harper
Inside the Beltway: The rediscovery of Jon Huntsman
It was inevitable. A few curious observers have placed Jon Huntsman Jr. on the ever-expanding list of potential White House contenders, citing his previous presidential campaign-trail experience, foreign-policy credentials and crossover appeal that could possibly counter Hillary Clinton in 2016. Oh, the speculation, the drama. Published May 6, 2014
Michael Bloomberg’s push into political news and the ‘culture of disruption’
Now that he is no longer mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg is ramping up some vigorous projects. Yes, he’s promised another $50 million in his efforts for gun control. And here comes the politics. Coming soon, it's Bloomberg Politics, an aggressive new digital brand to be wrangled by former Time magazine analyst Mark Halperin and former MSNBC analyst John Heilemann. Published May 6, 2014
Hope and change? Weary voters now hope for change from Obama administration
It's a "challenging midterm landscape for Democrats," declares the Pew Research Center, which reveals in new survey findings that 47 percent of Americans now are Republicans or lean that way, compared to 43 percent who are in the Democratic camp. Published May 6, 2014
Inside the Beltway: The press quickly fixes upon Trey Gowdy
The press has embraced an instant narrative about Rep. Trey Gowdy, the South Carolina Republican appointed to lead the House select committee on Benghazi. He is a man intent on meticulous clarity and fairness; Mr. Gowdy says of his new mission, "All of those lines of inquiry are legitimate and should be apolitical. Facts are neither red nor blue." Published May 5, 2014
Airborne mystery: Did a U-2 get buzzy with Los Angeles - or was it something else?
Journalists are fascinated with reports that a U-2 "Dragon Lady" spy plane recently disrupted commercial aircraft service near Los Angeles by triggering an overload of air traffic control tracking systems, and thus delaying hundreds of flights. Some now ask if it was a U-2 - or something else. Published May 5, 2014
Republican Party to meet in Memphis, dine at Graceland
Ready to rock? Now on radar: the Republican National Committee two-day spring meeting which begins Wednesday in Memphis, with dinner at Graceland and much 'red meat' strategy. Published May 5, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Ben Carson’s 12 words to live by
Is there a message to the nation from Ben Carson, a man who draws both political and cultural interest for his plainspoken wisdom and inner mettle? Yes. There is. Published May 4, 2014
POLL: Half the press are political independents, 60 percent distressed by the profession
The press appears to be straying from a rigid allegiance to either the Republican or Democratic Party says some uncommon new research. And they're not very satisfied with the state of their own profession according to a new survey of - yes - more than 1,000 journalists. Published May 4, 2014
Hey, it’s no Nerd Prom: the White House Correspondents Dinner is big but cheerful
Consider the math of the White House Correspondents Dinner: there are about 200 authentic White House correspondents who belong to the White House Correspondents Association, an august group founded 100 years ago. But 3,000 people will show up Saturday night for the dinner itself. Yes, there is a cast of thousands. Published May 2, 2014
How much does it cost Americans to comply with federal regulations? Try $1.9 trillion a year
Yes, someone is actually tracking the hidden weight of all those pesky federal regulations. Here's the startling news: it cost Americans $1.9 trillion last year to comply with myriad rules and protocols that are issued at the rate of 3,500 a year - this according to one Clyde Wayne Crews, vice president for policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Published May 2, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Half the press are political independents
The nation's newshounds appear to be straying from rigid allegiance to either the Republican or Democratic Party, says some uncommon new research. Published May 1, 2014
Media coverage of racial remarks varies
Talk of race relations in America is never simple. Amplified on a public stage by an intense mix of news coverage, speculation and commentary and the topic becomes complicated. Such is the case with the recent racially charged remarks made by a sports team owner, a rancher and a Democratic congressman. Published May 1, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Republicans favor brand-name politicians
Yes, earnest talk and aggressive posturing have their charm. But fame and a name also resonate with voters. A new survey finds that Republicans who have some celebrity fanfare going for them lead the early-bird presidential polls. Published April 30, 2014
Inside the Beltway: The Bible is America’s favorite read
Just so you know: The Bible is America's favorite book "of all time." So says a Harris Poll released Tuesday that asked 2,300 "unprompted" respondents to volunteer their answers. Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind" was in second place, followed by J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series, J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" series, and Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" round out the top five. Published April 29, 2014
Tough or not tough enough? Americans give President Obama mixed reviews on Ukraine matter
So how's President Obama doing with the Ukraine matter? Americans give him him mixed reviews on the ever unfolding situation that seems to hover between provocative political theater and dangerous sabre rattling. Published April 29, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Federal regs — they cost $1.9 trillion
Yes, someone is actually tracking the hidden economic weight of all those pesky federal regulations. Here's the startling news: It cost Americans $1.9 trillion last year to comply with all the myriad rules and protocols that are issued by the federal bureaucracy at the rate of 3,500 a year — this according to Clyde Wayne Crews, vice president for policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Published April 28, 2014
‘Blue collar conservatives’ could be a GOP powerhouse in 2016
It’s all right there is the title of Rick Santorum's new book: “Blue Collar Conservatives: Recommitting to an America That Works.” The former presidential hopeful estimates there are about 6 million of the hard working stalwarts out there. And he warns that the Republican Party could be overlooking them, a topic the author takes very personally - particularly as he mulls another run for the White House. Published April 28, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Mr. Santorum finds a new demographic
It's all right there in the title of Rick Santorum's book: "Blue Collar Conservatives: Recommitting to an America That Works." The former Pennsylvania senator and presidential hopeful estimates there are about 6 million of those hard-working stalwarts out there, with much on their minds. And the Republican Party could be overlooking them, he warns. Published April 27, 2014
Prediction: Unintimidated Scott Walker likely re-elected in November
Wisconsin voters appear to be happy with their current leadership. Gov. Scott Walker currently leads his Democratic challenger Mary Burke 48 percent to 45 percent says a new Public Policy Polling survey of voters in the states. Published April 27, 2014
NRA mom: ‘Bloomberg’s efforts would leave mothers defenseless’
It's going to be interesting in Indiana over the next few days. Activists with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America plan three days of protest-themed events in close proximity to the National Rifle Association annual meeting in Indianapolis. An NRA mom has her own response. Published April 25, 2014
