Jennifer Harper

The New Hampshire Rebellion’s 250-mile walk to protest big money in politics underway

The New Hampshire Rebellion, a nonpartisan grass-roots group that has declared that the Granite State is "no longer for sale" to presidential candidates, has made good on its promise to walk over 250 miles from the four corners of the state, to eventually converge on the State House in Concord for a big rally by Wednesday. Despite freezing temperatures and challenging weather, the intrepid group is receiving a warm welcome, apparently.

January 17, 2015

GOP accused of omitting Univision from 2016 debates to ‘avoid uncomfortable immigration questions’

It only took a few hours for the squabbles to break out following the Republican National Committee's announcement revealing the time, place and network for the Party's nine official Republican presidential debates. Critics complained that such networks as Univision and MSNBC had been frozen out of the line-up, which is a lot skinnier than it was in 2012, when 20 debates crowded the schedule.

January 16, 2015

Inside the Beltway: Mitt Romney urged to speak the truth and ‘be the president now’

Now that Mitt Romney must face cranky critics and the rigors of the campaign trail, he might consider changing his approach to a White House run. "I have a solution for Romney. He should throw caution to winds — be the president now," says Roger L. Simon, founder of PJ Media. "Why do I say that? Because America doesn't have a real president at the moment and we are at war with radical Islam."

January 15, 2015

America going to pot? Bill Bennett issues a ‘call to action’ against marijuana legalization

While marijuana career schools and party planner tout the giddy glories of legalized marijuana, along comes "Going to Pot: Why the Rush to Legalize Marijuana Is Harming America," an upcoming new book by the very down to earth Bill Bennett and co-author Robert White.

January 15, 2015

Inside the Beltway: Republican voters say GOP no longer stands for its traditional values

Conservatives who insist the Republican Party has lost its bearings and abandoned its traditional tenets are not alone. New research confirms this phenomenon, which does not bode well as 2016 looms like a thunderhead on the distant horizon.

January 14, 2015

Saved from the wrecking ball? New plans for OSS HQ, historic home to the nation’s top spies

Three cheers, and perhaps a 21-gun salute for a rare cultural victory in the age of hasty conclusions and insta-buildings. The General Services Administration is now mulling over practical ways to preserve one of the most unique clutch of buildings in the nation's capital, all previously faced with a most undignified tear down. The august former headquarters of the Office of Strategic Services - that's the precursor of the CIA - were at risk of facing the bulldozer, potentially to fall in favor of new office space for the Department of State, which stands close by, as does the Lincoln Memorial, Kennedy Center and multiple historic sites.

January 14, 2015

A first: The green-minded Embassy of Finland wins a coveted LEED platinum certification

On-site composting, high efficiency water faucets, low energy consumption, bikes for staffers and no plastic cups on the premises - these are just a few measures one green-minded embassy has taken. And to much acclaim. The Embassy of Finland in the nation's capital has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification - and the first embassy in the U.S. to win the ultimate designation. There's history. In previous years, the striking and beautifully designed diplomatic site has won a "green," then a "gold" designation. Such efforts can only enhance the nation's image on these shores and elsewhere.

January 14, 2015

U.S. Chamber of Commerce president lauds American free enterprise as ‘economic populism’

The economy is improving, but the nation and its lawmakers must stay vigilant, advised U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue in his annual state of American business address on Wednesday. And never forget that free enterprise is the linchpin that holds things together.

January 14, 2015

Inside the Beltway: Mitt Romney fires up the election machine

There's a big to-do list on Mitt Romney's desk now that he's advanced into the I'm-maybe-sort-of-running category of presidential hopefuls, which is viable enough to command major news coverage — and a poll, of course.

January 13, 2015

Rand Paul’s ambitious schedule in New Hampshire: Six stops in eight hours

A certain Kentucky Republican appears to be indefatigable, and eager for opportunity. Sen. Ran Paul journeys to New Hampshire on Wednesday where he will make a half a dozen stops - in a matter of eight hours.

January 13, 2015

Inside the Beltway: U.S. terrorism worries ‘little changed’ even after Paris attacks

"In the aftermath of deadly terrorist attacks in Paris — and months after the start of U.S. airstrikes against ISIS — there has been little change in the public's worries about an imminent terrorist attack in the United States. One-in-four are very worried about a domestic terrorist attack happening 'soon,' while about four-in-ten (39 percent) are somewhat worried; 36 percent are not too worried or not at all worried. That balance of opinion has not significantly changed since last July. The long-term trend on terrorism concerns has been fairly stable, except on a few occasions, since the fall of 2001," reports a Pew Research Center survey released Monday.

January 12, 2015

Portly pastors: Study finds over a third of America’s clergy are obese due to stress, long hours

Potluck dinners and donuts at the Sunday coffee hour are not to blame. Over a third of America's ministers and clergy are now considered obese because of demanding hours, lower pay and dwindling self care says a new study from Baylor University released Monday. Researchers based their conclusions on the responses of 539 clergy members from multiple denominations and religious traditions - to discover the complex challenges for those with a calling.

January 12, 2015

Inside the Beltway: Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, conservative stalwarts fight for Main Street

While news outlets bustle with activity over terrorism and the incoming White House agenda, a core group of conservative lawmakers continue to stay focused and fight the good fight. The two-day Heritage Action Conservative Policy Summit begins Monday in the nation's capital, showcasing over 20 Republican lawmakers with much on their minds — including Sens. Ted Cruz, Mike Lee and Rand Paul, and Reps. Jeb Hensarling, Jim Jordan, Mark Meadows, Raul Labrador, Todd Rokita and Tom Price.

January 11, 2015

The legalized marijuana ‘green rush’: Cannabis Career Institute business seminar tells all

While lawmakers, health officials and law enforcement agencies ponder the greater implications of marijuana legalization, the entrepreneurs are busy. Underway in Los Angeles this weekend: a business seminar hosted by the Cannabis Career Institute, advising prospective students, "With law changes and endless opportunities in the industry coming to late there is no better time to invest in the green rush." A dozen similar seminars are planned in the month of January alone.

January 10, 2015

Thom Loverro, of the Washington Times, named D.C.’s top sportswriter

Washington Times sports columnist Thom Loverro has been named District of Columbia Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, a membership organization consisting of 800 sportscasters and sportswriters from across the nation.

January 8, 2015

Inside the Beltway: Independents now outnumber Republicans and Democrats says Gallup

Republican, Democrat — and Maverick? We already know that Americans are weary of Congress, the White House, gridlock and government. Now that ire has inspired voter defections: The number of self-described 'independents" is at a record high level says substantive new Gallup research. "An average 43 percent of Americans identified politically as independents in 2014," says analyst Jeffrey M. Jones, who also reports the number is the highest since the pollster began tracking the phenomenon in 1988.

January 8, 2015

New legislation against executive amnesty from Aderholt and King gains momentum

While the opening dramas of the 114th Congress played out, one Alabama Republican was in action mode: Rep. Robert Aderholt quickly introduced the "Repeal Executive Amnesty Act," directed at President Obama's executive amnesty proposal, an idea that has irked conservatives for many weeks. And Rep. Robert Aderholt's legislation is gaining momentum - including an endorsement from Sen. Jeff Sessions, also from Alabama.

January 8, 2015

Inside the Beltway: U.S debt reaches $18 trillion

Okay, now brace for it. Here's the exact national debt according to the Treasury Department — "to the penny," as the exacting federal agency phrases it. The amount: $18,097,814,959,110 — and 13 cents. That's over $18 trillion, and it is a stark and very real figure to consider.

January 7, 2015

Gadget alert: Tiny, palm-size drone promises to deliver the ultimate selfie

Now creating buzz: Zano, a powerful little drone that comes with a promise: "Taking your selfies to new heights." It can perch on a palm then rise up to snap high quality still or video images with a 5-megapixel camera. "Oh, the noble quest for the perfect selfie," says Jill Scharr, a staff writer for Tom's Guide, an industry review. "Meet the Zano, a camera-equipped drone barely bigger than a person's hand, and designed to let users take high-quality photos that even a selfie stick can't reach."

January 7, 2015

Inside the Beltway: And so it begins: Jeb Bush’s first fundraiser

Jeb Bush, both the brand and the man, has officially launched. Mr. Bush now commands a spiffy new political action committee named The Right to Rise, which promises a leg up for small business, free enterprise, a strong defense and entrepreneurship. Its mission cites hard work and earned success as the "central moral promise of American economic life." The group espouses tempered optimism about future opportunity, "but we know America is falling short of its promise," Mr. Bush says.

January 6, 2015