Jennifer Harper

Bacon burlesque show debuts in Las Vegas

Just in time for global hysteria over news from the World Health Organization that bacon is harmful to one's health comes this: "Bacon and Burlesque," a clever marketing outreach from Hormel. Yes, the bacon maker.

BELTWAY WEEKLY Nov. 16, 2015

Coffee is just the beginning: Pumpkin-spiced food now a $500 million industry

Chocolate once reigned as the flavor of choice. Lemon had its day, as did mocha, garlic, chipotle and the allure of red velvet cake. Pumpkin has now taken over. Pumpkin has squashed the competition.

Vietnam-era ‘Dustoff’ air ambulance crews nominated for Congressional Gold Medal

Sens. John Cornyn and Joe Manchin have introduced legislation to award an elite group of Vietnam veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal. That would be the tenacious "Dust Off" crews, who drew their name from the U.S. Army 57th Medical Detachment's radio call sign and fearlessly flew unarmed air ambulances into combat to rescue and evacuate the wounded. Their airborne mission has roots dating back to World War II.

Inside the Beltway: Voting vets: 14.7 million strong, mostly Republican

Analysts tend to quibble over whether military veterans vote primarily Republican. The unembellished numbers suggest that they do. According to National Election Pool final exit polls, 59 percent of veterans voted Republican in both the 2014 congressional elections and the 2012 presidential election, compared to the 39 percent who voted Democratic in both elections.

Former Secret Service agent pens thriller novel, donates all profits to Navy Seals Foundation

A retired Secret Service agent seeks to do good. Thomas D. Sloan -- who put in much time at the White House and later as a corporate security executive and pointman for an international financial crimes task force -- has penned a thriller titled "Bratva's Rose Tattoo," just published, and already selling on Amazon.

Inside the Beltway: Fox Business Network gets a breakout moment at the GOP debate

The Republican presidential hopefuls hope to distinguish themselves with an elusive breakout moment during their fourth debate on Tuesday night. And so does the presenting network.

Bill O’Reilly tops voter poll for most preferred GOP debate moderator

The next Republican debate looms on Tuesday night, and at last a pollster has asked GOP voters who they really want on the podium as moderator. Given a choice of seven primarily conservative or right leaning broadcasters, and here is how they ranked them, according to a new Vox Populi survey: Fox News prime time host Bill O'Reilly was in first place with 25 percent of the vote/

Inside the Beltway: 100 Million video gamers predicted to vote in 2016

Attention, political strategists: Video gamers are now a voting bloc, politically engaged, motivated and ready to show up at the polls in droves. So says a first-of-its-kind survey, which finds that over 80 percent of gamers say they plan to vote.

The Right Side Forum with Armstrong Williams addresses the $430 billion federal budget deficit

The Right Side Forum, an hour-long conservative live news and talk show hosted by columnist Armstrong Williams, this week will address the federal budget deficit, which now stands at over $430 billion.

Inside the Beltway: Republicans: U.S. still ‘greatest nation on Earth’

Those annoyed with repeated claims that America's best days are in the past can take comfort in the fact that 61 percent of Republicans still maintain that the U.S. remains the greatest nation on earth -- compared to 34 percent of Democrats. For all Americans, the number is 40 percent.

Polish up the resume: NASA puts out a call for new astronauts

Amazingly enough, NASA will soon be hiring astronauts again, what with space flights to Mars on the far horizon, and a push to return human spaceflight launches to American soil. The federal space agency notes there are more human spacecraft in development in the U.S. "than at any other time in history," and will begin accepting applications on Dec. 14. And the rides here?

Inside the Beltway: Ben Carson’s secret weapon

Following GOP presidential polls is like following the stock market; candidate stock goes up and down, and woe to the White House hopeful who dwells on their negative numbers. Even-tempered Ben Carson is now surging in the Republican ratings, and is No. 1 in three polls, to the annoyance of his more outspoken rival Donald Trump.

Beltway Weekly Nov. 9, 2015

THE GOP TAKES ON THE MEDIA

Inside the Beltway: Glenn Beck’s plan to overhaul the GOP debates

The GOP debate wars continue. In an open letter to Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, independent media maven Glenn Beck points out that the mainstream media treat the GOP debates as "comedies, as propaganda and as ratings and revenue opportunities, even as they mock conservative candidates." Mr. Beck also notes that his online empire -- which includes Blaze TV, TheBlaze.com and the Blaze Radio Network -- now reaches, at a minimum, 41 million viewers, listeners and readers.

Marco Rubio heads for ‘life of the party’ event in New Hampshire, and a surge in the polls

Sen. Marco Rubio, the Republican hopeful who recently tangled with Jeb Bush during the third GOP debate, will cement his role as the up and coming young star at a new political event on Wednesday. The New Hampshire Institute of Politics launches "Life of the Party," a public policy series designed to draw in a coveted, often oblivious voting bloc.

Inside the Beltway: Republicans prepare to fire the media

Voters must wonder if the 2016 presidential debates are entertainment, a sports match or a significant public affairs event. Overcome with ratings lust, the pushy broadcast media has packaged the debates as brash combat, complete with whirling graphics and monumental sets. Moderators have taken liberties with candidates and content. Now comes the pushback. GOP front-runner Donald Trump -- who knows the business better than the broadcasters -- has announced he will negotiate directly with the networks over the fate of debates, which could benefit from less raucous frills and more gravitas and authenticity. Mr. Trump's rivals are having their say as well.

Jeb Bush compiles a 644-page book made up of his own emails

The press has not been kind to Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush in recent days - but he is pushing back, embarking on an intense campaign tour Monday complete with new video. Mr. Bush is also releasing a new book which offers a contrast, perhaps, to Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's camp.

Inside the Beltway: Donald Trump writes big check to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Let's have a quick Donald Trump moment before rushing headlong into a complicated week. From an advisory to Inside the Beltway from Morning Hangover, a Nashville-based news-tip sheet for country-music lovers:

Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders: How-to for a last-minute Halloween costume

Last minute decisions? Torn between ideologies? It doesn't take much to make a Donald Trump costume for those who pine to impersonate the billionaire Repubican front runner on Halloween. Ditto for his rival Democrats Hillary Clinton and socialist hopeful Bernie Sanders.