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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

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. is the co-author of a new e-book, "A Shared Vision for a Stronger America." (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: The rediscovery of Jon Huntsman

It was inevitable. A few curious observers have placed Jon Huntsman Jr. on the ever-expanding list of potential White House contenders, citing his previous presidential campaign-trail experience, foreign-policy credentials and crossover appeal that could possibly counter Hillary Clinton in 2016. Oh, the speculation, the drama.

May 6, 2014
** FILE ** New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaks during a news conference at Lucky's Cafe in New York, Tuesday, March 12, 2013. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Michael Bloomberg’s push into political news and the ‘culture of disruption’

Now that he is no longer mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg is ramping up some vigorous projects. Yes, he’s promised another $50 million in his efforts for gun control. And here comes the politics. Coming soon, it's Bloomberg Politics, an aggressive new digital brand to be wrangled by former Time magazine analyst Mark Halperin and former MSNBC analyst John Heilemann.

May 6, 2014
Bloomberg Media CEO Justin B. Smith promises the new Bloomberg Politics digital project is a "full throttle" concept. (Bloomberg Media)

Inside the Beltway: The press quickly fixes upon Trey Gowdy

The press has embraced an instant narrative about Rep. Trey Gowdy, the South Carolina Republican appointed to lead the House select committee on Benghazi. He is a man intent on meticulous clarity and fairness; Mr. Gowdy says of his new mission, "All of those lines of inquiry are legitimate and should be apolitical. Facts are neither red nor blue."

May 5, 2014
Illustration Regulations by Alexander Hunter for The Washington Times

How much does it cost Americans to comply with federal regulations? Try $1.9 trillion a year

Yes, someone is actually tracking the hidden weight of all those pesky federal regulations. Here's the startling news: it cost Americans $1.9 trillion last year to comply with myriad rules and protocols that are issued at the rate of 3,500 a year - this according to one Clyde Wayne Crews, vice president for policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute.

May 2, 2014
Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi Democrat, who labeled Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas "an Uncle Tom," has doubled down on his attacks. (Photo: Associated Press)

Media coverage of racial remarks varies

Talk of race relations in America is never simple. Amplified on a public stage by an intense mix of news coverage, speculation and commentary and the topic becomes complicated. Such is the case with the recent racially charged remarks made by a sports team owner, a rancher and a Democratic congressman.

May 1, 2014
** FILE ** Sen. Rand Paul, Kentucky Republican. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Republicans favor brand-name politicians

Yes, earnest talk and aggressive posturing have their charm. But fame and a name also resonate with voters. A new survey finds that Republicans who have some celebrity fanfare going for them lead the early-bird presidential polls.

April 30, 2014
Sen. Bob Corker supports legislation that would remove the requirement for presidential approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. (Sen. Bob Corker)

Inside the Beltway: The Bible is America’s favorite read

Just so you know: The Bible is America's favorite book "of all time." So says a Harris Poll released Tuesday that asked 2,300 "unprompted" respondents to volunteer their answers. Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind" was in second place, followed by J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series, J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" series, and Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" round out the top five.

April 29, 2014
Larry Wilske, retired Command Master Chief of SEAL Team Seven, is now a Republican Congressional candidate in California’s 53rd District. (Larry Wilske)

Inside the Beltway: Federal regs — they cost $1.9 trillion

Yes, someone is actually tracking the hidden economic weight of all those pesky federal regulations. Here's the startling news: It cost Americans $1.9 trillion last year to comply with all the myriad rules and protocols that are issued by the federal bureaucracy at the rate of 3,500 a year — this according to Clyde Wayne Crews, vice president for policy at the Competitive Enterprise Institute.

April 28, 2014
Former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, one of the social conservatives who sought the GOP nomination but eventually dropped out, says his role at the convention this week is to “amplify” Mr. Romney’s campaign, not to add to it. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)

‘Blue collar conservatives’ could be a GOP powerhouse in 2016

It’s all right there is the title of Rick Santorum's new book: “Blue Collar Conservatives: Recommitting to an America That Works.” The former presidential hopeful estimates there are about 6 million of the hard working stalwarts out there. And he warns that the Republican Party could be overlooking them, a topic the author takes very personally - particularly as he mulls another run for the White House.

April 28, 2014
Rick Santorum's new book identifies a new voting demographic and possibly sets the stage for a White House run. (Regnery Publishing)

Inside the Beltway: Mr. Santorum finds a new demographic

It's all right there in the title of Rick Santorum's book: "Blue Collar Conservatives: Recommitting to an America That Works." The former Pennsylvania senator and presidential hopeful estimates there are about 6 million of those hard-working stalwarts out there, with much on their minds. And the Republican Party could be overlooking them, he warns.

April 27, 2014
National Rifle Association gun-safety mascot Eddie Eagle stands beside Wayne LaPierre, NRA executive vice president and CEO, during a news conference in Washington on Friday, Feb. 28, 1997, to mark the third anniversary of the Brady Act. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

NRA mom: ‘Bloomberg’s efforts would leave mothers defenseless’

It's going to be interesting in Indiana over the next few days. Activists with Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America plan three days of protest-themed events in close proximity to the National Rifle Association annual meeting in Indianapolis. An NRA mom has her own response.

April 25, 2014