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Jennifer Harper

Jennifer Harper

jharper@washingtontimes.com

Jennifer Harper wrote the daily Inside the Beltway column for The Washington Times.

Articles by Jennifer Harper

Americans say they personally are more watchful for terrorism this Thanksgiving weekend, a poll finds. At such travel hot spots as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, the extra presence of law enforcement is apparent. (associated press)

Inside the Beltway: Americans watchful but grateful this Thanksgiving

A little jittery? You are not alone. While the turkey roasts, while family and friends gather, most Americans will "have their eyes open" for the potential threat of terrorism Thursday — and well into the weekend. Fifty-one percent say they will be more watchful for possible terrorist attacks this Thanksgiving weekend than they have been in the past, says a new Rasmussen Reports survey.

November 25, 2015
The iconic green bean casserole dominates the Thanksgiving table in many homes. (Photo courtesy of Campbells)

On the nation’s menu: 736 million pounds of turkey, 30 million green bean casseroles

It is a number that would even give frantic political pollsters pause. Americans will enjoy 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving Day. And it's no wonder. Almost nine-out-of 10 Americans - 88 percent - tuck into a plate of turkey on the big day, and they put away an estimated 736 million pounds of it according to the National Turkey Federation, a trade association. Two thirds of Americans say eating leftovers is the best part of the meal. On Thursday, Americans will also help themselves to 30 million green bean casseroles.

November 25, 2015
Sen. Rand Paul wants action on money and funding fueling the Islamic State. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Rand Paul says money keeps ISIS alive

"As a doctor, I know that attacking symptoms isn't the same thing as finding a cure. I'm also mindful of what the Cold War official and nuclear strategist Paul Nitze said: 'One of the most dangerous forms of human error is forgetting what one is trying to achieve.' If we are to eradicate ISIS once and for all, it's time to take a hard look at what is fueling its growth: money," GOP presidential hopeful Sen. Rand Paul says in a forceful new voter outreach.

November 23, 2015
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus. (Associated Press) ** FILE **

‘Great enthusiasm for the GOP’: Republican Party has a record-breaking streak of fundraising

The Grand Old Party still has many grassroots fans, and the war chest continues to grow. Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus says the organization raised a record-breaking $8.7 million in October, bringing their total in the 2016 election cycle to $89.3 million. Ninety nine percent of the donations are $200 or less; the average donation was $69.

November 23, 2015
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks at a press conference at the Jenkins Orphanage in North Charleston, S.C., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, before the start of the Blue Jamboree event. At left is S.C. State Sen. Marlon Kimpson and at right is South Carolina Democratic Party chair Jaime Harrison. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

Inside the Beltway: Americans reject Democratic plea for refugees

They are all women and children fleeing wartime horror: So goes the Democratic narrative about Syrian refugees that has become a handy political vehicle, presented in emotionally charged terms. The White House indulges in the telling. So do presidential hopefuls like Sen. Bernard Sanders, who has already launched a public petition on the matter.

November 22, 2015
'Right Side Forum' host Armstrong Williams. (GQ Magazine)

The Right Side Forum with Armstrong Williams addresses the Paris terrorist attacks

The Right Side Forum, an hour-long conservative live news and talk show hosted by columnist Armstrong Williams, this week will address the the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on Paris, but with a unique perspective. Armstrong takes the show to campus of the University of Michigan-Flint to get face-to-face reactions from American students, and spenthe d time with members of "United for a Free Syria."

November 20, 2015
Voice of America radio host Carol Castiel covers politics, culture, public policy, or academia debate. (Image from Voice of America)

226 million a week: U.S. government has the biggest broadcast audience of all

It's not the noisy cable and broadcast networks who get the really big audiences in the world. One federal agency eclipses them all: The Broadcasting Board of Governors -- the BBG, the official supervisory organization which oversees U.S. government-supported media such as Voice of America and Radio Free Europe.

November 17, 2015
Former President Bill Clinton Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton have both publicly discussed UFOs and extraterrestrials, and it has prompted some intense new interest from the press. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Hillary Clinton has 10 fundraisers this week

The money trail beckons more than the campaign trail this week for Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton. Beginning Tuesday, the campaign has 10 fundraisers scheduled in New York, Wisconsin, Kentucky, South Carolina, Texas and Ohio -- and yes, some of these "conversations with Hillary" events have single ticket prices of $27,000 and up.

November 16, 2015
Sarah Palin has written "Sweet Freedom: A Devotional" which was published Monday by Regnery Faith. (Regnery Publishing)

Inside the Beltway: Sarah Palin: Pray for America, trust your faith

On bookshelves Monday: A new book by Sarah Palin titled "Sweet Freedom: A Devotional" -- well-timed, considering the unsettled state of the planet in the last 72 hours. The compact, Bible-based volume offers 260 meditations from the former Alaska governor's own life and times, with suggested readings from both the Old and New Testaments.

November 15, 2015
Katrina Pierson is shown here in this 2015 file photo. Ms. Pierson is a campaign adviser for President Trump's 2020 reelection campaign.

Inside the Beltway: Donald Trump’s tea party connection

An interesting hire: Donald Trump has named Katrina Pierson as his national campaign spokeswoman. She ran for Congress in Texas, is a former adviser to Sen. Ted Cruz, a member of the Dallas Tea Party and Texas Tea Party Caucus Advisory Board and founder of the Garland Tea Party. The Trump campaign calls her a "passionate advocate for freedom" and a heavyweight thinker on state and federal budgets, civil liberties, community organizing and health care. She's got appropriate style for the marketplace.

November 12, 2015
In this Nov. 6, 2015, photo, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis., gestures during his news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington. Ryan promises a big, bold agenda and says lawmakers won’t shy from difficult choices. But several recent votes demonstrate Congress’ continuing penchant for small ball and timidity, and the tendency of lawmakers to reverse course at the first tingle of political pain. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Inside the Beltway: Approval of Congress at 41-year low

Alas, a new Gallup poll reveals that 86 percent of Americans disapprove of the U.S. Congress, tying a 41-year record for such negative sentiments. The survey was conducted after Rep. Paul Ryan took over as new House speaker, incidentally. A paltry 11 percent of the respondents actually approve of the lawmakers; that includes 8 percent of Republicans, 13 percent of independents and 11 percent of Democrats.

November 11, 2015