Jennifer Harper

Half of Americans say President Obama is a ‘dove’ on foreign policy

The nation, for the most part, says President Obama does not appear to be too fond of military aggression. Anti-war positions have defined him as a candidate from early in his career as a national politician, though there's some signs there's some change afoot.

May 30, 2014

Inside the Beltway: The real roots of the veterans scandal

How on earth did America ever end up mistreating its beloved military veterans? There's something aberrant afoot where the Department of Veterans Affairs is concerned, say some close observers.

May 29, 2014

Benham brothers to address upcoming Faith & Freedom Coalition conference

The brothers will have their say, and in a very public way. The Faith & Freedom Coalition has revealed that David and Jason Benham will be among the luminaries speaking at the organization's upcoming "Road to Majority" Conference in the nation's capital.

May 29, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Picking conflicts based on politics

Amid the saber rattling, cat calls and assorted bombast that followed President Obama's foreign policy-laced commencement speech at West Point comes a moment of practical lucidity from Rep. Michael T. McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.

May 28, 2014

BYOP: Colorado discovers the implications of ‘bring your own pot’

Now appearing on swank invitations in a certain state: "BYOP". That stands for "bring your own pot." The new acronym has shown up on public radar through the Colorado Symphony, which has organized three marijuana-friendly symphonies, including one dubbed "Classically Cannabis."

May 28, 2014

Scott Brown intends to be Kelly Ayotte’s ‘wing man’ in Washington

The place was a diner in the capital of the Granite State. The intense occasion: an endorsement, and some public evidence that there's some unity in the New Hampshire Republican Party. On Tuesday, Sen. Kelly Ayotte formally endorsed Scott Brown in his quest for U.S. senator in her state in an eaterie adjacent to Nashua city Hall.

May 28, 2014

Inside the Beltway: The masterful marketing of Hillary Clinton

Brace for impact: Here comes the Hillary Clinton presidential brand, and it's a doozy. Her much ballyhooed new memoir "Hard Choices" — which has been available for pre-sale for almost a year — will be published in 13 days.

May 27, 2014

Duck commander Phil Robertson among ‘Republican leaders’ on Thursday

Many are ready to stride on stage at the three-day Republican Leadership Conference, which begins Thursday in New Orleans. There's a new entry on the roster, though: “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson, simply billed as "patriarch of the Robertson family" by the organizers of the event.

May 27, 2014

Despite ‘fear porn’ in the media, 71 percent of the world report they’re happy

Despite 'fear porn' in the media, a massive new Gallup poll finds that 71 percent of the planet report they regularly feel much happiness, among other positive emotions. The pollsters based this number on interviews with 138,000 people around the planet - 1,000 respondents in each of 138 countries.

May 27, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Can a doctor be president?

"I find it amusing when people ask why a doctor is speaking out on public policy. Why don't they ask why a lawyer is speaking out on public policy, or why is a businessman speaking out on public policy? Why does anyone speak up on it?" asks Ben Carson, in "Can a Doctor Be President" — a video released Monday.

May 26, 2014

75 percent of Americans say the war on terror continues, half deplore 9/11 souvenirs

The nation has not won the war on terror. But it has not lost it either. Americans have learned to live with the global threat of terrorism that emerged after the 9/11 attacks, and a big majority say the "war" itself continues. They have mixed feelings, however, about the new 9/11 museum at Ground Zero.

May 26, 2014

Inside the Beltway: McConnell victory not so impressive

So was that big "establishment" Republican win over a conservative challenger in the Blue Grass State really all that crushing? Maybe not, says one academic source, which offers a historic perspective.

May 25, 2014

What qualification do voters most want in a president? Military service tops the list

Military experience tops the list of qualifications voters want to see in presidential candidates. And insider status in Washington? That warrants only a tepid response.

May 23, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Rep. Ralph Hall — the veteran of Congress

"I come from a military family — my father fought in World War I and my brother fought in both theaters in World War II. I have personally taken up arms in defense of our great nation and I was proud to do so. Serving my country in this way taught me discipline — to focus my work ethic, fight for what I believe in, and to never give up," Rep. Ralph Hall tells Inside the Beltway.

May 22, 2014

The tea party hangs on, despite media attempts to bury it

Much of the mainstream news media can't wait for tea party-backed candidates to lose their races, pack their suitcases and disappear. Of course, declarations that the tea party is dead proved premature once before. It could happen again, and the tea partiers themselves still have some very staunch, high profile defenders.

May 22, 2014

Inside the Beltway: What Americans want in a president

Behind closed doors and inundated with demographic data, campaign strategists are trying to figure out what voters want in a president this time around. Insider political prowess does not lead the list regardless of party, however.

May 21, 2014

New motto: Jeb Hensarling discovers the ‘Main Street competitive economy’

It is a delicate maneuver to appear available for a major job on Capitol Hill without compromising civility. Such is the case of Rep. Jeb Hensarling, who has declared on at least three occasions that he's not angling for the post of Speaker of the House, but if it, uh, just happens to come up this fall, the Texas Republican and chairman of the House Financial Services Committee has not quite shut the door.

May 21, 2014

Inside the Beltway: One for the vets

Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and Mike Lee plus Reps. Michele Bachmann, Don Young, Joseph Heck, Ralph Hall, Sam Johnson and Mike Coffman are among the lawmakers who will step forward to salute military veterans Wednesday evening. Many are vets themselves.

May 20, 2014

No big deal: 77 percent of voters unmoved by extra-marital affairs in Congress

Maybe the American voter is just weary. Maybe they've just seen the news too many times. But a hefty majority of registered voters wouldn't react much if their local lawmaker had a fling with someone other than their spouse. As in 77 percent of them.

May 20, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Who’s minding the authentic ‘Reagan’?

There are those who zealously guard the legacy of Ronald Reagan, in an era when just the Reagan name is bandied about by press and politicians as a multi-purpose, brandlike entity. There's Reaganesque, Reagan-like, the anti-Reagan. The list goes on. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, however, is there to ensure the Reagan legacy remain authentic, and true to the values of the man who inspired it.

May 19, 2014