Jennifer Harper

Inside the Beltway: Brace for the climate change mega-storm

One thing is for sure about Al Gore: It never rains on his global warming parade. The former vice president is not about to let go of his climate change zeal, and he takes to the Internet at high noon Tuesday for a lengthy demonstration. Mr. Gore's "24 Hours of Reality" online broadcast is the kickoff for a series of events with hurricane-force winds leading up to the massive United Nations-led climate change summit in New York City next week. So batten down the hatches, folks, for alarmism is on it way.

September 15, 2014

Study finds people attracted to the smell of those with the same politics

Politics stink? Maybe. A new study reveals that people are attracted to the smell of others with similar political opinions - an idea that also helps explain why couples share political views. This is no random conclusion. Researchers from three universities persuaded 125 participants to evaluated the body odor of 21 "strong" liberal and conservative who were cooperative indeed. All taped little cotton squares in their underarms for 24 hours to get the sample scent.

September 15, 2014

Motivated Republican voters give their party an edge in the midterms

The neck-and-neck competition between the Republican and Democratic parties for those elusive voters continues, with the Grand Old Party ahead. A new Pew Research Center poll says that the "more engaged" GOP bests the Dems among likely voters.

September 15, 2014

Inside the Beltway: The White House itch to fundraise continues - no matter what

How quickly the tone changes in the nation's capital. Five days ago, the White House was the epicenter of solemnity and serious talk about the state of national security and America's place in the world. There has been a quick return to the old norm — that is, a traveling President Obama, who is also doubling as campaigner in chief. Mr. Obama, in fact, attended a Democratic fundraiser in Baltimore just 24 hours after the 9/11 anniversary. So fire up Air Force One; the midterm elections are now 50 days off.

September 14, 2014

Hillary Clinton heads to Iowa ‘meat and greet’ steak fry with vegan husband Bill

Poll numbers suggested this week that Hillary Clinton's lofty approval ratings are waning, and she appears more like a typical political candidate than invincible Democratic rock star. But Iowa is calling, nonetheless. On Sunday, she journeys to the heartland with former President Bill Clinton, both bound for the Hawkeye State's biggest "Steak Fry", this organized by retiring Sen. Tom Harkin for the 37th year in a row.

September 12, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Atlas still shrugging: Here comes the film

"This weekend, Atlas Shrugged: Who is John Galt?, the third and final part of the trilogy, will be released in 300 movie theaters across America. I wish it were 3,000 theaters, and that we had tens of millions of dollars for advertising, but that would be wishful thinking," says John Aglialoro, the independent producer who took the trio of critically acclaimed movies, all based on Ayn Rand's monumental 1957 novel, onto the big screen.

September 11, 2014

Discovery Channel strands two rival U.S. senators on deserted island in shark-infested waters

It was inevitable. The old "survivor" reality TV template has gone political. The Discovery Channel has produced "Rival Survival",which takes a pair of real world political adversaries and maroons them on a remote island for a week. No, really. This is not a joke. "Senators Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican, and Martin Heinrich, Minnesota Democrat,must put their political differences aside and work together for six days and six nights to find common ground through compromise if they want to survive," the network says.

September 11, 2014

Inside the Beltway: The culture shifts: America gets vigilant

It could be a new national motto: Give me liberty, but give me security too. On the 13th anniversary of 9/11, a tempered nation is back in touch with its inner mettle.

September 10, 2014

Inside the Beltway: The president takes it to prime time

A vast audience, eager anchors, controlled circumstances: A presidential speech on prime time TV can be an unparalleled showcase for White House policy — unless the speech is delivered on the eve of the 13th anniversary of 9/11, before an intense audience in a nervous season, just two months before a pivotal midterm election.

September 9, 2014

Patriot’s delight: 6,609 school kids form the largest ‘living’ American flag on record

It's proof that not everything is melancholy or alarming this week: Three cheers for the National Park Service, which managed to assemble 6,609 appropriately clad children into a "living" American flag at Fort McHenry National Monument in Baltimore to celebrate the 200th anniversary of "The Star Spangled Banner."

September 9, 2014

Other nations back U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, oppose taking part themselves

Well, at least it's a sign that American air power, know how and guts still has respect and approval overseas. A new YouGov survey finds that majorities of European allies of the U.S. are just fine with air strikes on Iraq - as long as it's the U.S. that is doing the striking. Reactions to the findings ranged from annoyance to sarcasm.

September 9, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Book reveals secrets and lies behind the Benghazi scandal

In bookstores Tuesday: "The REAL Benghazi Story: What the White House and Hillary Don't Want You to Know," by Aaron Klein. He tells Inside the Beltway that his investigative book shows the Obama administration "has lost all credibility and will not hesitate to outright lie to the American public, even at the expense of our safety" — and that the administration "cannot be trusted with U.S. national security." Mr. Klein has much on his mind.

September 8, 2014

The cost to educate young illegal immigrants over $761 million - a bill for all 50 states

The complexities of illegal immigration continue. One new estimate places the annual cost for state governments to educate unaccompanied minor immigrants at $761,405,907 a year, this according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform, a non-profit interest group which based its findings on federal data. Tax-payer funded classes conducted in Spanish or indigenous languages, plus free school meals contribute to the cost.

September 8, 2014

Wary Americans: Only 22 percent say the economy is going to improve

Yes, about that U.S. economy: Wary Americans remain in a defensive posture when it comes to their pocketbooks, and for good reason. A majority still have some serious financial issues, with only 22 percent feeling confident that the economy will improve - with Democrats more hopeful than their Republican counterparts.

September 8, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Hispanics vexed with the ‘Deporter in Chief’

"The president meets the press. Will he meet with undocumented immigrants?" asks Pablo Alvarado, director of National Day Laborer Organizing Network, a Los Angeles-based grass-roots membership group. "We feel strongly that undocumented immigrants are the most qualified people to persuade President Obama to do the right thing at this moment."

September 7, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Mitt Romney’s old Jihadist warning gets a replay

A Mitt Romney presidential campaign ad from Oct. 12, 2007 has found a new fan base: It has resurfaced online with the title "You Were Warned," heeded by those seeking clarity in alarming times, and as the 13th anniversary of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks approaches.

September 4, 2014

Hola? Chris Christie won’t speak Spanish during his trade trip to Mexico

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is being prudent during his three-day trade mission to Mexico. Though it may seem an unlikely match, there's a certain coziness between his state and the border nation: New Jersey exported $2.1 billion in goods to Mexico in 2013; the Garden State also imported $3.4 billion from Mexico. And of interest: Mr. Christie won 51 percent of the Hispanic vote during his 2013 re-election.

September 4, 2014

Inside the Beltway: The press fixates on Biden’s big ‘hell’ moment

Well it's one way to galvanize the press and jolt the public. Several hundred news accounts appeared within an hour of Vice President Joseph R. Biden's vow to pursue the Islamic State "to the gates of Hell" during an appearance at a New Hampshire shipyard on Wednesday.

September 3, 2014

Inside the Beltway: 9 of top 10 ‘endangered’ senators are Democrats

It's not easy to be named to a has-been list, but such is life for lawmakers, even powerful lawmakers. Roll Call has issued its top 10 list of the "most vulnerable" senators; a list for House members will be issued Wednesday. For now, though, nine Democrats and one Republican — Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky — are on the endangered list.

September 2, 2014

The Washington Post makes room for a Republican publisher

Changes of command often occupy the most complicated areas of the media marketplace. In quick succession, a family dynasty is about to end at The Washington Post when Katharine Weymouth steps down as publisher on October 1, to be replaced by one Frederick J. Ryan, Jr. Ms. Weymouth was advised of impending change by Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos in mid-August; the news organization went public with it on Tuesday.

September 2, 2014