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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

In this undated photo provided by Anheuser-Busch, Lt. Chuck Nadd and his girlfriend Shannon Cantwell wave as they ride aboard the famously-red Budweiser beer wagon pulled by Clydesdales in a parade, led by a marching band in Winter Park, Fla. The brewer has fashioned an ad around the parade that will run during the Super Bowl.(AP Photo/Anheuser-Busch, Hand Out)

Just say whoa: Budweiser ditching beloved Clydesdales in their advertising

It is a cultural moment in advertising: Budweiser is unhitching the iconic team of Clydesdale horses which has appeared in their commercials for 27 years, charming a global audience and creating herds of fans. But no more. The beer maker is now alarmed by falling sales and huge competition from craft beers - and is intent on retooling its image for a younger crowd.

November 24, 2014
Jim Webb has formed a presidential exploratory committee and brings a most interesting resume to the table. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Why Hillary Clinton should worry about Jim Webb

Ready for Jim? We're talking Jim Webb here — said to be a populist, centrist Democrat with a rollicking resume, and one who just might transcend the dreaded campaign fundraising challenge. He's formed the first exploratory committee among the pack of potential presidential hopefuls, and has some spectacle to provide weary voters.

November 20, 2014
In this Sept. 5 file photo, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine agent looks for signs along trail while on patrol near the Texas-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

American Conservative Union: Obama’s amnesty plans like ‘a single-finger salute of contempt’

Add the American Conservative Union to the list of organizations condemning White House plans for illegal immigrants. It is appalling that a president of the United States, after having suffered a humiliating defeat in the midterm elections and getting a clear vote of no confidence, would give the voters a single-finger salute of contempt," declares Matt Schlapp, chairman or the group.

November 20, 2014
Image courtesy of The American Legion

The American Legion gives thumbs down to Obama’s immigration plans

The nation's largest veterans service organization now questions the wisdom of the White House "putting politics above national security" via President Obama's plans to bypass Congress and grant amnesty to 5 million illegal immigrants. "At a time when ISIS, al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations are killing innocent Americans, it makes no sense to let our guard down and send a message that the United States is an open, soft target," says Michael D. Helm, national commander of the American Legion

November 20, 2014
Fox News Channel's Megyn Kelly. (Associated Press) ** FILE **

Inside the Beltway: Obama’s immigration showcase

News of instant executive immigration reform is a call to arms for Republicans who cringe over the idea of White House interference in a complicated issue. But there will be a sizable percentage of the population who will be glued to the TV at exactly 8 p.m.

November 19, 2014
Detainees sleep in a holding cell at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection processing facility in Brownsville, Texas. (Associated Press) ** FILE **

Hey, wait: 46 percent of Americans want Obama to delay executive action on immigration

Hey, not so fast: Almost half of Americans - 46 percent - say President Obama should hold off taking executive action on immigration, this according to a USA Today poll released Monday. The nation waits a little nervously for Thursday night, when the president will offer his big reveal on the situation. Some offer historic perspective and a reality check as the hours go by.

November 19, 2014
The countdown to CPAC 2015 has begun. (American Conservative Union)

The 2015 CPAC countdown begins with gusto: Ted Cruz, Mark Levin among the speakers

For those pining for the next Conservative Action Political Conference- their beloved CPAC - the countdown has begun. The big four-day event is just over 100 days away, set to begin February 25. Already signed up to speak: Sen. Ted Cruz, radio kingpin Mark Levin and potential presidential hopeful Carly Fiorina.

November 18, 2014
Shining moment: Barry Goldwater lost the presidential election 50 years ago, but he won the hearts of a new generation of conservatives. Many of those who have carried his torch will celebrate and remember at a dinner Tuesday in Washington. (Associated Press)

Barry Goldwater celebrated on 50th anniversary of campaign that ignited conservative movement

When Barry Goldwater accepted the 1964 Republican nomination for president, he gave a speech that galvanized his audience and went on to serve as a catalyst for the American conservative movement for decades to come. Now, a wide array of conservative luminaries — historians, politicians, journalists, former Goldwater associates — have joined forces to organize the Barry Goldwater 1964 Campaign 50th Anniversary Dinner and Forum, set for Tuesday in Washington.

November 17, 2014
Fences that separate the U.S. and are not what many border town residents want. They would rather politicians talk about bringing businesses and jobs to the area and repealing Obamacare. (Associated Press/File)

Inside the Beltway: Secure the border first

Hey, not so fast: Almost half of Americans — 46 percent — say President Obama should hold off taking executive action on immigration, according to a USA Today poll released Monday. And so, while the nation waits a little nervously, some offer historic perspective and a reality check.

November 17, 2014
Illustration on the continuing burdens of Obamacare by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Grubered, gruberish, Grubergate? The new gruberisms multiply

Grubergate, gruberish, grubered, grubermania, moneygrubering and gruberpalooza are among the new terms that have sprung into public use, these inspired by one particular economist who made an unfortunate comment about Obamcare, transparency and the mental capacity of Americans recently. But such things spawn instant culture. All the new nouns and verbs - some capitalized, some not - are now appearing in multiple print and online reports from Time, Bloomberg, Fox News, Powerline, Lucianne.com and many other sources. What with Twitter hashtags and jaunty dialogue, the usage has been spirited in recent days.

November 16, 2014
President Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell have tried to distance themselves from economist's Jon Gruber's "stupid Americans" remark. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Tales from Jonathan Gruber-land: Things get dumb and dumberer

"Are the American people too stupid to understand the true costs associated with Obamacare?" asks a point blank survey question from Rasmussen Reports. The pollster wonders if voters agree with MIT economist Jonathan Gruber, a key pointman behind the health care law, caught on video saying that lack of transparency is "a huge political advantage" and suggesting the cumbersome law itself was too complex for "stupid" Americans.

November 16, 2014
Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker gives a thumbs up as he speaks at his campaign party Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, in West Allis, Wis. Walker defeated Democratic gubernatorial challenger Mary Burke. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Not much of a sizzler, but still a victor: Scott Walker becomes viable 2016 contender

"Does Walker sizzle? Not exactly. Is he a particularly charismatic speaker? No, he isn't. But does he sit upon a throne made of the skulls of his enemies? Yes, yes he does. The November 4 election proved that in a definitive fashion. And though we are a constitutional republic not given to men upon thrones, this particular throne deserves consideration for a national position," observes Federalist writer Rich Cromwell observes.

November 15, 2014
Martha McSally, a retired Air Force colonel and a former A-10 fighter pilot, has won her race for a U.S. House seat in Arizona after all the votes were finally tallied.

Inside the Beltway: Immigration and Obama’s audacity

Well, here it comes. Reports from Fox News and other news organizations indicate that President Obama could stop deportations and inaugurate a 10-point plan to change the immigration system in a week. Many were expecting this to happen, but some are more upset over the news than others.

November 13, 2014
agence france-presse/Getty images FAO Schwarz, founded in 1862 by German immigrant Frederick August Otto Schwarz in Baltimore, has reigned for decades as the premier retailer for unique toys and a pioneer of "entertainment retail," the idea that a store could be an experience for its customers.

A charity toy drive with heart set for Saturday

The name "Hadeed" has been long associated with the meticulous care of fine rugs and carpets at a 70,000 square-foot facility in Virginia. The site takes on a new function on Saturday, however. Charity-minded owner Joe Hadeed has invited the public in to tour his big shop, and bring along a little something for children who could use cheer - and a sense that someone cares.

November 13, 2014