Jennifer Harper

Climate conference underway — whether the weather is ready or not

There is already a lot of chatter in the press about climate change -- and no wonder. The world's best-known climate conference is underway in the United Arab Emirates and will continue through Dec. 12. More than 70,000 delegates are expected to attend, according to the United Nations.

November 30, 2023

$34 trillion national debt called ‘our generation’s world war’

As of Wednesday, the national debt was $33,836,693,993,860.35, according to the U.S. Treasury, which updates this startling statistic through a helpful online feature titled "Debt to the Penny." In the meantime, the House Budget Committee got a stark earful from its chairman about the burden of this debt.

November 29, 2023

Tracking polls show Trump at his all-time high as a presidential candidate

"As of this writing, Trump leads Biden by 2.6 percentage points nationally in the RealClearPolitics Average. This is Trump's largest lead in the RCP average to date. Not for 2024, mind you. Ever," said Sean Trende, a senior elections analyst for Real Clear Politics.

November 28, 2023

Merriam-Webster looks for 2023’s most authentic word

Merriam-Webster -- which has been publishing dictionaries since 1847 -- has revealed its annual choice for the "Word of the Year" -- an honor bestowed upon a single word which has emerged as much both popular and sought after. That word is "authentic."

November 27, 2023

Robert Kennedy Jr. counts on youth in push to get on all 50 state ballots

A determined independent presidential hopeful has not given up on his quest to win the White House. He may get some traction this week with young voters -- with the help of a 15,000-square-foot nightclub.

November 26, 2023

A long — and crowded — weekend expected as 182 million plan to go shopping

"An estimated 182 million people are planning to shop in-store and online from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday this year, according to the annual survey released Monday," the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics advise. This figure is 15.7 million more people than the number listed last year and is the highest estimate for shopping participation since the survey was launched in 2017, according to the groups' new research.

November 23, 2023

The Senate’s famous bean soup — and how to make it

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. And without further ado, a recipe of note which has a few political overtones, and some history. "Senate Bean Soup" is a revered entry on the menu up on Capitol Hill, and a regular feature on tour guides and travel books.

November 22, 2023

Ramaswamy plans ‘fun on the campaign trail’ in New Hampshire

One Republican presidential hopeful appears to be in a good mood at the moment. Republican presidential candidate and political outsider Vivek Ramaswamy is heading back to New Hampshire on Saturday for a full "weekend of barnstorming," according to his campaign.

November 21, 2023

‘God above government’: DeSantis touts religious outreach, support

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is embracing voters of faith in no uncertain terms. The Republican presidential hopeful launched his own national Faith and Family Coalition in September, which includes in its public outreach the motto 'God Above Government."

November 20, 2023

Biden gets birthday wishes — and birthday advice — from media

"If President Biden's birthday Monday is anything like his last one, he'll eat a cake quietly with family and hope nobody else notices," noted the Wall Street Journal editorial board in an op-ed published Sunday.

November 19, 2023

The GOP’s master plan to restore fiscal responsibility

"Reverse the Curse." Yes, it sounds like the name of a 1950s horror movie, perhaps -- but it happens to be the main title of a wide-ranging and helpful new report from the House Budget Committee. A subtitle explains it all: "The Plan to Restore Fiscal Responsibility, Economic Freedom, and Prosperity in America."

November 16, 2023

Americans differ about country’s role on world stage

Not everyone thinks the nation should be a major player in world affairs, according to a new poll conducted by NPR, PBS and Marist College, released Wednesday. "Half of Americans (50%) think it is crucial for the U.S. to play a major leadership role in world events. 47% say the U.S. should focus on its own problems and take less of a leadership role," the poll analysis said.

November 15, 2023

Latest Michael Savage book warns of potential fatal threats to America

Veteran talk radio host Michael Savage has written a new book with a bold title: "A Savage Republic: Inside the Plot to Destroy America."

November 14, 2023

Media’s reliable sources include Hamas terrorist group

"The American news media have been catching a lot of flack for uncritically quoting Hamas as a source for much of their on-the-ground coverage in Gaza. In the month following the terror organization's horrific October 7 attack on Israeli civilians, exactly two-thirds of the evening newscasts on ABC, CBS, and NBC cited either Hamas itself or Hamas-controlled entities when reporting on the conflict," wrote Bill D'Agostino, media editor and a senior research analyst for Newsbusters.org, a conservative press watchdog.

November 13, 2023

DeSantis reminds us — politicians need convictions

Amid the hubbub of the campaign trail, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis clarified his basic mission during an appearance on the Fox News show "One Nation." The Republican hopeful was asked his opinion on "doing what's right" -- and why he was not "beholden" to anyone.

November 12, 2023

Megyn Kelly returns as GOP debate moderator, for fourth presidential primary faceoff

Wait, didn't we just have a big presidential debate? Yes. But time marches on -- and so do the candidates. Here comes another bout between White House hopefuls of the Republican persuasion. Megyn Kelly will be one of the moderators here, by the way.

November 9, 2023

Pro-life warning: Democrats will force the abortion issue, GOP must respond better

Some are still mulling over the outcome of legislative races in Virginia on Tuesday and now have thoughts about long-term implications -- particularly from the pro-life standpoint.

November 8, 2023

Fewer candidates, but possibly more fireworks, at third GOP presidential debate

"The third Republican presidential-candidate debate in Miami probably won't draw as many eyeballs as the last, and the stage will be less crowded. But what it lacks in quantity of speakers and listeners it may make up for in drama and conflict," New York magazine reported.

November 7, 2023

Ramaswamy schedules ‘Stop World War III’ rally

"Political outsider and presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy will host a rally on Tuesday night to 'Stop World War III' in Miami ahead of the next GOP presidential debate," his campaign advised in a written statement. The event will be staged in a museum and performing arts center, but there were not too many details about the activities, except that the gathering begins at 7 p.m. Eastern time.

November 6, 2023

Dirt Road Democrats hope to revive party’s rural fortunes

Consider this newly formed organization: "Dirt Road Democrats PAC." This political action committee has debuted on the Democratic landscape in recent days, and it already has been active in Indiana, Mississippi and Virginia.

November 5, 2023