Jennifer Harper
Articles by Jennifer Harper
Inside the Beltway
Blaming the plainspoken tea party and its lawmakers for debt woes and downgrades is a mighty hard sell. Now it's tea partyers' turn to speak. Published August 8, 2011
Inside the Beltway
The aftermath of the Standard & Poor's downgrade of America has become melodramatic, bombastic and intensely politicized. Dire claims that America's exceptionalism is at an end have surfaced, along with partisan vilification. Published August 7, 2011
Inside the Beltway
Bashing Rick Perry has become real sport in the press. And no wonder. Journalists realize that the Texas governor could impinge on President Obama's re-election efforts and are acting accordingly. Published August 4, 2011
Inside the Beltway
Just in case you're wondering, this is President Obama's horoscope on his 50th birthday: "Others are inspired and enthralled by you, magnetized by your aura of glamour. Published August 3, 2011
Inside the Beltway
Will President Obama party like it's 1996? Indeed, his big 50th-birthday bash in Chicago on Wednesday is lavish, crawling with celebrities and fawned over by a prattling press. Published August 2, 2011
Inside the Beltway
Among the 10 finalists chosen for the 2011 America's Best Restroom Contest is the Presidential Luxury Restroom Trailer, currently situated in Chantilly and the epitome of commode elegance from the porta-potty geniuses at Don's Johns. Published August 1, 2011
Inside the Beltway
Though the debt ceiling debate has ended up a twisted wad of belligerence, at least it has prompted the million-dollar question: Is Congress stuck on stupid or stuck in neutral? Published July 31, 2011
Inside the Beltway
Oh, those dastardly Republicans. Why, they're behind all this debt ceiling nonsense, right? Powerful broadcasters would have it so, and have dutifully cast the Grand Old Party as the villain of the debt debate, and one deemed unworthy of meaningful coverage. Published July 28, 2011
Inside the Beltway
Alas, poor Jane. When home shopping network QVC canceled a July 16 appearance to promote "Primetime," her new book on aging, Jane Fonda took to her blog, complaining that the broadcaster had capitulated to "well funded and organized political extremist groups" still unhappy with her 1972 visit to North Vietnam. Published July 27, 2011
Inside the Beltway
"The last time we saw a tie this green, it was on a leprechaun: The only thing missing on Boehner's versions are small, embroidered dollar signs." Published July 26, 2011
Inside the Beltway
"A strong public interest exists in knowing whether the executive in charge of the nations most-watched cable newschannel is acting as a political consultant to a prospective Republican presidential candidate. As journalists, plaintiffs may properly assert that public interest as a basis for obtaining these records." Published July 25, 2011
Inside the Beltway
In their quest to prevail, politicians spar with strategic sound bites, then pray for good press. But what about their sartorial demeanor? Canny politicos should also be aware that a power suit renaissance is under way. The inspiration? We're talking old school suits with vests, pleated pants, substantial tie and wide lapels once sported by the likes of Michael Douglas as he portrayed Gordon Gekko in the original "Wall Street," movie. Yes, in 1987. Published July 24, 2011
Inside the Beltway
And now for a reality check: "Muslim and Western publics continue to largely agree that relations between them are poor and disagree about who is at fault — Muslims largely blame Westerners, while those in the West generally blame Muslims." Published July 21, 2011
Inside the Beltway
"The virtue of the Sabbath, honoring the sanctity of life, reclaiming fatherhood, reclaiming motherhood, marriage and family, physiology of success, truth and its rewards, conscientious objection, the morality of race, the virtue of capitalism, the virtue of saving, moving towards a virtuous civilization." Published July 20, 2011
Inside the Beltway
He's got "scientific proof" that the press skews left. That would be Tim Groseclose, political science professor at UCLA, who reveals all in his new book, "Left Turn: How Liberal Media Bias Distorts the American Mind." Published July 19, 2011
Inside the Beltway
Who's buying into White House scare tactics? Not Republicans, and not tea partyers either, says a new Pew Research Center poll gauging public reaction to President Obama's predictions that certain doom looms if the debt ceiling isn't raised by Aug. 2. Oh, the drama. Published July 18, 2011
Inside the Beltway
"The Undefeated," an independent film chronicling the political career of Sarah Palin, got a test run in 10 midsize theaters over the weekend, accompanied by shrill news coverage claiming the public was absent from the screenings, the critics vicious, the reception chilly. The truth: The movie had a respectable showing, and a wider distribution is planned later this month. Published July 17, 2011
Inside the Beltway
Donald Trump believes that the federal deficit and the turmoil it engenders is no mere quagmire, it is an abyss. So says Michael Cohen, special counsel to the billionaire real estate tycoon who still appears to have a calling to re-join the 2012 presidential race. Published July 14, 2011
Inside the Beltway
While lawmakers argue and the White House cringes, consider that the nation's capital now has an official, "native" cocktail. Oh well, why not? D.C. Council member Jack Evans will issue an official proclamation Thursday, naming the "Rickey" as D.C.'s very own libation, and declaring July to be "Rickey Month." Published July 13, 2011
Inside the Beltway
He's persistent, that's for sure. Al Gore will not let go of his climate crisis and is couching his alarmist arguments about global warming with a new twist. Published July 12, 2011
