Jennifer Harper
Articles by Jennifer Harper
Huckabee: President protected by guns; all Americans should have the option
The president, vice president and assorted elected officials and bureaucrats are protected by guns. So why can't average Americans warrant the same treatment? So asks syndicated talk radio host Mike Huckabee as the nation's gun owners, retailers and interest groups await the outcome of White House talks on new gun control restrictions in a post-Newtown world. Published January 10, 2013
Inside the Beltway: Piers Morgan can stay
"President Obama has officially decided I am NOT being deported." So tweets hoity-toity CNN host Piers Morgan, the centerpiece of a public White House petition calling for his deportation, British accent and all. Published January 9, 2013
Inside the Beltway: Zero hour
"There's been a lot written about this movie; some of it has popped off the entertainment page to the news page. And from time to time, some of you might have wondered if we would have liked to comment on some of that coverage, and the answer is yes," said Mark Boal, writer of "Zero Dark Thirty," during his acceptance speech for best picture at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards on Monday. Published January 8, 2013
Inside the Beltway: Gun Appreciation Day
OK, mark the date, for it will surely spark an outcry in the gun-control community. Published January 7, 2013
A curtain-raiser: 10 stars to watch in new season of Congress Theater
Who's worth watching in 2013? Here are 10 lawmakers of note as the curtain rises on a new season of political theater in Congress. Published January 7, 2013
Inside the Beltway: The media’s lousy aim
"Anti-gun New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was half-right when he told NBC's Jimmy Fallon that there is 'scant coverage' of other firearms news, because there is virtually no coverage of self-defense uses," says Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, a Washington state-based interest group. Published January 6, 2013
Inside the Beltway: Silver-screen Clinton
Many wonder if Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will make good on her offer to testify about the Benghazi killings. But many also wonder if she is a buzz-worthy Hollywood property. Currently in development is "Rodham," a new dramatic movie chronicling Mrs. Clinton's adventures as a young, single Justice Department attorney who was working to impeach President Nixon while dallying with a certain ambitious politician from Arkansas named Bill. Published January 3, 2013
Inside the Beltway: The bane of Boehner
Oh, woe is House Speaker John A. Boehner. Well, maybe. As the vote for his re-election as speaker looms Thursday, the Ohio Republican faces claims that conservative stalwarts on Capitol Hill are angry and organized, and there's no guarantee he'll retain his title. Published January 2, 2013
Inside the Beltway: The ‘Reagan’ movie
At last, some Hollywood news of interest: silver screen conservative Jon Voight is likely to take on a meaty role as a Soviet agent in "Reagan," an upcoming $35 million independent production backed by an unapologetic, determined team of creatives, including producer Ralph Winter, a force behind the "X-Men" film series, plus Mark Joseph, a producer associated with "The Passion of the Christ" and "The Chronicles of Narnia." Published December 20, 2012
Inside the Beltway: Boehner = Pelosi
House Speaker John A. Boehner now resembles one iconic Democrat according to a fierce coalition of 25 prominent conservatives who don't much sympathize with the lawmaker who's tasked with taming the "fiscal cliff," appeasing the White House and maintaining integrity. The group has advice for the Grand Old Party. Published December 19, 2012
Inside the Beltway: A tale of two Boehners
Is House Speaker John A. Boehner hero or villain? Depends on who's talking. Published December 18, 2012
Inside the Beltway: Great Scott: The reviews are in
Fiscally sensible, check. Limited government, check. Pro-life, check. Leadership qualities, check. Thrilled conservatives and contented Republicans have tweeted their delight over South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's decision to appoint Rep. Tim Scott to replace Sen. Jim DeMint next month. Published December 17, 2012
Feds’ guide on holiday ideas to keep under wraps
The phrase "Merry Christmas, BB" on a holiday greeting card once got a federal supervisor relieved of his duties. "BB" stood for "Big Butt," and the rest is hostile-workplace history. Published December 16, 2012
Inside the Beltway: Libertarians question gun-free zones
"We've created a 'gun-free zone,' a killing zone, for the sickest criminals on the face of the Earth," says R. Lee Wrights, vice chairman of the Libertarian Party, in the aftermath of the Newtown, Conn., killings. "And we've made the children of this country the victims." Published December 16, 2012
Inside the Beltway: United we’re not
The past four years have taken a serious toll on the "united" part of the United States: "Currently, 80 percent view the country as more politically divided — the highest percentage ever in a Pew Research Center survey," Pew researchers report. Published December 13, 2012
Inside the Beltway: Walking the slow walk
"I think if [women] were in charge of the Senate and of the administration that we would have a budget deal by now. What I find is, with all due deference to our male colleagues, that women's styles tend to be more collaborative," says Sen. Susan M. Collins, Maine Republican, in an upcoming ABC News interview that won't air until Jan. 3. Published December 12, 2012
Inside the Beltway: 12/12/12 cliffhanger
If President Obama and House Speaker John A. Boehner really hurry, they can tie the "fiscal cliff" to 12/12/12 — as in Dec. 12, 2012, a Wednesday filled with "once in a lifetime" buzz, and the final alliteration date of the century. Published December 11, 2012
Inside the Beltway: The mop-up
Occasionally, embattled Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus gets a star and two smiley faces for bustling into action, intent on steering weary Republicans towards political productivity. Published December 10, 2012
Inside the Beltway: Culture warrior Christie
Viewer interest will likely intensify now that Sen. Joe Manchin III asked MTV to cancel "Buckwild," a new reality TV show that the West Virginia Democrat says promotes unsavory, inaccurate stereotypes about the Mountain State. He's also troubled that MTV will profit from the provocative backwoods shenanigans. Published December 9, 2012
Inside the Beltway: Anti-DeMint press strikes
Thoughtful analysis, straight reporting, maybe an appreciation? Sen. Jim DeMint had no press honeymoon upon announcing his bold career switch from U.S. senator to incoming president of the Heritage Foundation. Published December 6, 2012
