Jennifer Harper
Articles by Jennifer Harper
Sarah Palin’s ultimate defense: ‘A good guy with a nuke’
Cavalier talk of a possible "nuclear war: between the U.S, and Russia has become fashionable in the mainstream media as the Ukraine matter continues without a neat and convenient ending. Some of that coverage adds a couple of kilotons of agenda as well. Published March 10, 2014
New Benghazi investigation published on the 18-month anniversary of the attack
Has it been that long already? The terrorist attack on the American diplomatic mission at Benghazi took place exactly 18 months ago on Tuesday, March 11 - which is also the publication date for a new book parsing the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report that reviewed events that led to the deaths of four Americans. Published March 10, 2014
Inside the Beltway: GOP determined to find out who’s behind Clinton lockdown
An increasingly aggressive Republican National Committee has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to the National Archives and Records Administration to determine exactly who "improperly withheld" some 3,500 documents at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library for many months. Published March 9, 2014
Inside the Beltway: A sampler of CPAC wisdom
No one can ever really have the final word at the Conservative Political Action Conference. The three-day event is too massive and too intense to be defined by a single statement, except maybe "a good time was had by all." Published March 6, 2014
Historian: Valdimir Putin using Peter the Great tactics
When the pundits and press feast on a global event, they must make room for the historians. Such is the case with Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Ukraine matter, now drawing academic commentary. And those analysts who think Mr. Putin pines to recreate the Russia of yore may be on to something. Published March 6, 2014
Christine O’Donnell eager to re-engage in political debate
Christine O'Donnell has weathered political strife, media mockery and IRS scrutiny with a resolute smile and a tactical agenda. And she's not done yet. Published March 5, 2014
Inside the Beltway: CPAC spectacle and a cast of thousands
In years past, the Conservative Action Political Conference — CPAC — has proved a model of management and organization. Doubtless, it will again when the three-day event gets rolling. Ah, but it's an art too. Published March 5, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Romney renaissance under way
It is a rare occurrence, but some authentic polling numbers reveal that Republican voters miss Mitt Romney, even as he earns some newfound public appreciation for his canny prediction that Russia could prove a viable threat to the U.S. Published March 4, 2014
Limbaugh on Putin: ‘the aggressor sets the rules’
Amid all the Ukraine-centric media coverage, statements, photo-ops and editorials have come the bare-fisted warnings of those who are more interested in a reality check than fancy prose. And the contrast between Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Obama is the focus Published March 4, 2014
Inside the Beltway: White House media pals get cranky
Well, this can't be good. Mainstream media allies of the White House appear to be suffering from fatigue; the soaring rhetoric just isn't enough any more in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. A USA Today editorial gripes, "Perhaps the most surprising thing about Russia's weekend invasion of Crimea is that the U.S. and its allies were caught so flat-footed, groping for a response that didn't look weak and ineffectual." Published March 3, 2014
Inside the Beltway: The put up or shut up moment
With the help of an impatient news media, a global taste for drama and Russia's provocative posturing in the Ukraine, the White House is now wedged in the put up or shut up position. Are we in a Cold War now? A Cool War? Maybe it's just tepid. Published March 2, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Taking measurements for the big tent
The Republican Party is delicately measuring the dimensions of the proverbial "big tent," seeking to preserve its principles while plumbing the proper strategies to expand voter appeal among libertarians, disaffected Democrats, conflicted moderates, assorted ethnicities and women, among other groups. Now it's the tea party's turn, and civility appears to be part of the thinking. Published February 27, 2014
Inside the Beltway: The tea party at five years
The tea party celebrates its fifth anniversary Thursday, essentially marking some 1,826 days since the grass roots movement spontaneously emerged to become a political and cultural force to be reckoned with, driven by a call for fiscal sanity and fueled by traditional American values. Published February 26, 2014
White House petition to make MLB opening day a national holiday: 47,000 signatures in 48 hours
None other than Budweiser has filed a petition at the White House website to make baseball's opening day a national holiday. Published February 26, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Baseball lobs one to the White House
Canny marketers have tiptoed into "We the People," the White House's public petition outreach that draws motley interest groups with myriad causes. And now the cause is baseball, beer, opening day revels and official blessings. Published February 25, 2014
Out with a bang? Gun rights advocates offer a 21-gun salute to Piers Morgan
Well, this could be a fitting finale, perhaps. "We're offering a 21-gun salute to Piers Morgan for admitting that his push for gun control killed his ratings and his show," declares Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Published February 25, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Coulter seeks liberal challenger
It's all a matter of Ann Coulter vs ? The cool blonde with the brilliant mind and unflappable mien seeks a liberal debating partner for an event that is the equivalent of New Year's Eve, Fourth of July and maybe Thanksgiving Day for conservatives. That's the Conservative Political Action Conference — CPAC — now just nine days off. Published February 24, 2014
Eyes on Benghazi: two thirds of American voters want a congressional investigation
Though a wide spectrum of Democrats, progressives, Obama administration officials and certain members of the press pine for the Benghazi matter to fade away, voters will have none of it. Published February 24, 2014
Inside the Beltway: A Beach Boy, two Bushes and a Reagan
A cultural moment of note: Mike Love, the longtime iconic lead singer for the Beach Boys, has gotten some love from former president George H.W. Bush and wife Barbara, plus Nancy Reagan. Mr. Love recently won the Society of Singers "Ella Award" — which recognizes performers for their dedication to community and worldwide causes. Published February 23, 2014
Inside the Beltway: Tune in — the FCC gets a ‘scandal’
It's already been deemed a "scandal." Journalists and broadcasters are chafing over news that the Federal Communications Commission had developed plans to monitor the nation's newsrooms, as outlined in a federal initiative with this brusque title: "Multi-Market Study of Critical Information Needs." Published February 20, 2014
