Jennifer Harper

Analysis tracks costly path of 3,541 new federal regulations, provides antidote for Congress

The frugal but liberty-minded analysts at the Competitive Enterprise Institute have done a tally revealing that in 2014 alone, 3,541 new regulations hit the books, and the burden of their upkeep and the impact on productivity is constantly growing. The ultimate toll on the economy: $1.9 trillion.

January 28, 2015

Inside the Beltway: Scott Walker forms American Revival PAC

Our American Revival: The title suggests camaraderie, patriotism and purpose. It is also the name of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's new political action committee, launched Tuesday and raising the volume on rumors he would run for president in 2016. Well, sure. Mr. Walker has been delicately developing his political brand, starting with "Unintimidated: A Governor's story and a Nation's Challenge," his 2013 memoir. But it's a very crowded marketplace, and memoirs plus PACs are very much a part of the equation.

January 27, 2015

The Manhattan snow storm: A rush of ‘blizzard buddies’ - and the Great Kale Panic of ‘15

Only in New York, perhaps? As snow falls and gale force winds howl down city streets, some residents of the Big Apple now seek "blizzard buddies." That's right. They don't want to face Winter Storm Juno alone. Scores of romance-minded New Yorkers have taken to Craigslist with unapologetic invitations for companionship, amour and cocoa - among many other things.

January 26, 2015

Inside the Beltway: Networks ignored March for Life - and prefer hipsters to pro-lifers

The march for what? Nineteen pro-life organizations and the Media Research Center have joined together to call out the "Big Three" broadcast networks for essentially ignoring the Annual March for Life, which drew thousands of participants, four lawmakers and a host of significant activists to the National Mall last week. CBS was the sole broadcaster that acknowledged the event in a single 15-second segment. NBC and ABC were mum.

January 26, 2015

Alaska lawmakers push back on ‘stunning attack’ of state’s sovereignty by Obama administration

There's fury brewing in Alaska: The Obama administration's plan to designate 12.2 million acres of the state's public land as pristine wilderness sounds nice, but the vast parcel also happens to contain Alaska's richest oil and natural gas prospects on the Arctic coastal plain.

January 26, 2015

Inside the Beltway: Libertarians have ‘good reason to be optimistic’

A recent Gallup poll revealed that self-described "independents" are the nation's largest political demographic. Indeed a record-breaking 43 percent of Americans now say they are independents, compared to 30 percent who are Democrats and 26 percent who are Republican.

January 25, 2015

True cybersecurity: Intelligent computer keyboard identifies users by pattern of their key taps

Protective computer passwords have some competition. Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a novel intelligent computer keyboard that not only cleans itself - but can identify users by the pattern and style of their fingertips and keystrokes. The "human-machine interfacing" device, reported in the American Chemical Society's academic journal "Nano," could provide a foolproof way to prevent unauthorized users from gaining direct access to computers.

January 24, 2015

53 percent of Americans say God rewards athletes of faith with good health, success on the field

Sunday is often associated with both church and devoted football watching. Now there's an intersection of the two: 53 percent of Americans and 56 percent of sports fans say "that God rewards athletes who have faith with good health and success on the playing field." So says a new survey of public sentiment about sports and religion conducted by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute and the Religion News Service.

January 24, 2015

Chris Christie on ‘last-ditch effort’ to regain his mystique, says New Jersey analyst

He was once intensely popular, and his signature style wooed the media and voters both in and out of his home state. Those who watch him closely think New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is about to lose his mojo. "It's been fascinating to see the Christie strategy unfold over the past two years. It's been a bit like watching a ping pong match," says one New Jersey pollster

January 23, 2015

Inside the Beltway: A mighty conservative summit in Iowa

They will be liberated from the domination of Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush for a few hours - 23 high-profile speakers headed for the bodacious Iowa Freedom Summit in Des Moines on Saturday will be free to test their messages and strike a presidential pose without feeling like also-rans.

January 22, 2015

Rick Perry to speak at CPAC in February - emphasizing ‘ideas and opportunity’

CPAC will welcome former Texas Gov. Rick Perry in their speakers lineup at the annual gathering of conservatives in February, The Washington Times has learned. "If 2014 taught us anything, it's that Americans are looking for a positive vision for this country, and 2016 will be no different. Republicans have the chance to be the party of ideas and opportunity," says Mr. Perry.

January 22, 2015

68 percent of Americans oppose use of tax dollars to provide abortions: Poll

The Republican Party appears to have the jitters over pro-life legislation for complicated reasons. The public, meanwhile, has their own conclusions about abortion according to a new poll titled "Abortion in America," conducted by Marist College and the Knights of Columbus.

January 22, 2015

Inside the Beltway: Tim Scott, Cathy McMorris Rogers stand by the March for Life

Four lawmakers will stand by the massive March for Life when it gets underway at high noon on Thursday in and around the National Mall.

January 21, 2015

State of the Union address was least watched in 15 years

Nielsen reveals the preliminary news about President Obama's State of the Union address: It garnered an estimated audience of 31.7 million people across 13 cable and broadcast networks, making it the least watched address in the last 15 years, when former President Bill Clinton‘s finale garnered drew 31.4 million viewers in 2000.

January 21, 2015

Tea party leader suggests emerging unity between establishment GOP and the grassroots

There's emerging unity between tea party and establishment Republicans says Taylor Budowich, executive director of the Tea Party Express. The national political action committee organized an official grassroots response to the State of the Union address by Rep. Curt Clawson, a Florida Republican who won his office in a special election by 40 percentage points last year, with much bedrock conservative support. Mr. Budowich finds evidence of this unity in the response itself.

January 21, 2015

Inside the Beltway: Lobbyist argues for government ‘disclosure’ about extraterrestrials

Those now completely weary of politics as usual in the nation's capital can consider this less-traveled road manned by one Stephen Bassett, a registered lobbyist and activist who has not given up his pursuit of aliens, as in the extraterrestrial variety. He brings his case to the National Press Club, and now seeks a congressional hearing.

January 20, 2015

70 broadcasters, hours of coverage: State of the Union address takes over networks

There is no escaping President Obama’s sixth State of the Union address on Tuesday. Despite a declining audience in recent years, the primetime speech will be carried live by virtually all broadcast and cable news networks, each touting their own style, talent and fancy technology. Most feature companion multi-platform coverage at their websites, through social media and in some cases, on radio and in Spanish. Most will also air the official Republican response from Rep. Joni Ernst which follows the main event, and most coverage gets underway at 8 p.m. ET. Mr. Obama's speech begins an hour later.

January 19, 2015

Inside the Beltway: Curt Clawson gives the tea party rebuttal to State of the Union address

There's more than one rebuttal to President Obama's State of the Union on Tuesday. Sen. Joni Ernst does the heavy lifting on behalf of the Republican Party. Then there's the official tea party response delivered by Rep. Curt Clawson from the National Press Club moments later.

January 19, 2015

Critic suggests White House cancel the State of the Union address - too ‘big, noisy, overhyped’

"Are we ready for a big, noisy, overhyped prime-time production that has outgrown its simple origins and usually leaves us feeling both gorged and disappointed? If not, you may want to skip the State of the Union address and prepare for something humbler, like the Super Bowl," says Steve Chapman, a Chicago Tribune columnist, who notes that President Obama has already revealed much of his speech to the nation. "Cancel the State of the Union," says Mr. Chapman.

January 19, 2015

Inside the Beltway: ‘American Sniper’: Middle America’s $100M blockbuster

How did this movie galvanize the national audience and bring in $26 million every 24 hours following its recent debut? Here is an explanation, which also illustrates why both Republicans and Democrats ardently pursue the middle class: Both side know the undeniable and traditional force of its bedrock power. "Middle America turned out in force to see American Sniper," points out Hollywood Reporter analyst Brian Porreca.

January 18, 2015