Jennifer Harper

What GOP voters crave for 2016: ‘They want a fighter’

Observers point out that one reason Hillary Clinton keeps winning all the early bird presidential polls is because Republican candidates have yet to defined themselves for voters in the campaign marketplace. So what the heck do voters want from the Grand Old Party?

February 20, 2014

Inside the Beltway: What Michael Savage knows

What is it that Americans hunger to hear, and what should they hear? And so goes a question to one Michael Savage, talk radio host and author currently heard on 200 stations each week.

February 19, 2014

Arnold Schwarzenegger: action star, policy wonk

Arnold Schwarzenegger's latest action thriller "Sabotage" opens next month. But the former California governor, age 66, can't quite let go of politics either.

February 19, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Big Gulp — here come the taxes

There's news about all those pesky sugary drinks that so vexed former New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, despite voter fatigue with meddlesome, large-scale nannying. But wait. Here comes the taxes on those beverages — and they're not originating in the Big Apple.

February 18, 2014

The ‘birther’ issue has not gone away yet: A new poll surfaces

Those who are convinced and occasionally obsessed by the idea that President Obama was not born in the U.S. got much press in years past. But suspicious sentiments about Mr. Obama's birthplace still linger, even swaying public opinion about where he should site his presidential library when the time comes.

February 18, 2014

Inside the Beltway: A peek in the Democratic treasure chest

Eighteen and counting: that's how many fundraising appearances President Obama has committed to attend as the 2014 midterm election season grinds into gear. But he has some help this week, and it's only the beginning.

February 17, 2014

Bill Clinton, George Washington in top-10 list of the richest presidents of all time

Some persistent researchers at girded their loins and tallied up the assets of American presidents past and present to assemble the nation's top-10 wealthiest presidents through history. Among the criteria they used: land holdings, inheritance, income in and out of office plus appropriate adjustments for the economies of their time.

February 17, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Peeking into the presidential wallet

Persistent researchers at Wall Street 24/7 girded their loins and tallied up the assets of all American presidents past and present to assemble a list of the Top 10 wealthiest occupants of the Oval Office — based on land holdings; inheritance; income before, during and after; plus adjustments for money values then and now, among many factors. Some presidents went broke, some never had any money, some made lots of it.

February 16, 2014

Inside the Beltway: About that real voter sentiment

Let's talk about voter sentiment as the nation dwells on romance for a few hours on Friday. Conservatives: Would you want to cozy up to a liberal this weekend? And Democrats, would you have a Republican sweetheart? Well, maybe not.

February 13, 2014

GOP loves Democrat? Not likely: Poll finds politics matter when choosing a sweetheart

Let's talk about voter sentiment. Conservatives: would you want to cozy up to a liberal Valentine? And Democrats, would you have a Republican sweetheart? Well, maybe not.

February 13, 2014

Weed remorse: Colorado voters say marijuana legalization could mar their ‘wholesome’ image

Hey man, like it's a bummer: There's unintended collateral damage when marijuana is legalized for recreational use. Legalization is "bad for the state’s wholesome image" according to a majority of registered Colorado voters. So says a new Quinnipiac University poll.

February 13, 2014

News service offers its own take on Mideast; Al-Monitor partners with PBS’ ‘NewsHour’

The founders of Al-Monitor set a goal to track the pulse of the Middle East, offering a direct and immediate look at the complex dynamics of the region through a combination of original reporting and analysis from two dozen partner sources in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Yemen and eight other nations.

February 12, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Scott Walker acts presidential

Maybe there's a reason why Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, called his recent memoir "Unintimidated." While Republicans cluck and dither over personal ideology and cautiously flirt with a master strategy for the 2014 midterm elections, Mr. Walker has cut to the chase. He gets it. The clock is ticking. Get busy. Pick up a weapon of choice and move forward.

February 12, 2014

Chris Christie gets his ‘Tony Soprano’ groove back

Is he getting his brusque, Tony Soprano groove back? Maybe. A simple comeback strategy has emerged from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, following the rigors of Bridgegate, internal reviews, official investigations and multiple subpoenas for his former staff members.

February 12, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Marijuana remorse

Hey man, like it's a bummer: There's unintended collateral damage when marijuana is legalized for recreational use.

February 11, 2014

Mark Levin: ‘The tea party is our only hope’

The Tea Party Patriots have already organized a substantial gathering on Feb. 27 in the nation’s capital, to be headlined by radio host and best-selling author Mark Levin, who is quite ready to rumble.

February 11, 2014

Inside the Beltway: DeMint’s demand for clear leadership, bold ideas

Frequent calls for unity in the nation come from many sectors, though most simply push emotional buttons while delivering little substance. Enter the Heritage Foundation, which is now setting forth this simple, but canny thought: "Uniting America through conservative reform."

February 10, 2014

Growing restrictions gone: Industrial hemp retailers rejoice over the federal farm bill

They are happy hempsters, no doubt. Tucked into the $1 trillion federal farm bill: an amendment that relaxes a 75 year old restriction on growing and researching industrial hemp. Those who have an eye on the potential $500 million industry are pleased.

February 10, 2014

Inside the Beltway: Ooh-la-la or maybe not

When French President Francois Hollande arrives in the nation's capital for a three-day state visit on Monday, he's bringing much baggage, but not of the suitcase variety.

February 9, 2014

Paul, Palin, West and Carson: 32 names crowd GOP presidential straw poll

The names on this survey indicate the Republican National Committee is ready for some big tent thinking. There are two Pauls - both Ron and Rand. And Sarah Palin, John Bolton, Allen West and Ben Carson.

February 7, 2014