Jennifer Harper

Inside the Beltway

No, he didn't make the cover of Rolling Stone this week. That was left to President Obama. But Glenn Beck did make the cover of the New York Times Magazine, the focus of "Being Glenn Beck"- one of those endless Times profiles that showcases the fancy footwork of fancy correspondents.

September 29, 2010

Inside the Beltway

This is a first. The "tea party" has bested both the Republican and Democratic parties in a Zogby favorability poll: 44 percent of likely voters surveyed gave a thumbs up to tea partiers, compared with 38 percent who favored Democrats and 30 percent who preferred Republicans.

September 28, 2010

Inside the Beltway

Academia appears to be rejecting the "imperial" White House. University of Iowa law professor David Orentlicher says the presidency has become too powerful an office and now suggests the U.S. adopt a two-person, multiparty presidency.

September 27, 2010

Inside the Beltway

For a few glorious moments, the "Pledge to America" soared unsullied in the sunshine before plummeting to earth, to be pawed at and snarled over by predators from several camps.

September 23, 2010

Inside the Beltway

Election season is teeth-grinding time across America. Blame the press for that. Two-thirds of the public say news coverage of the 2010 midterms is focused on "strategy and conflict" rather than red meat candidate positions.

September 22, 2010

Inside the Beltway

Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart: Are they he-man enough to face the nation's ultimate gatekeeper?

September 21, 2010

Inside the Beltway

A double standard in Delaware: Why does Republican Senate hopeful Christine O'Donnell get such excruciating press scrutiny about a dalliance with witchcraft while her Democratic rival, Chris Coons, gets only a few passing mentions of his youthful admiration of Marxism?

September 20, 2010

Inside the Beltway

Is it his audience they want? His, uh, clout? Comedy Central hosts Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart appear obsessed with Fox News host Glenn Beck.

September 19, 2010

Inside the Beltway

President Obama's glittering campaign for the White House two years ago is a hard act to follow.

September 16, 2010

Inside the Beltway

"For the politically challenged, let me spell it out: R-E-V-O-L-U-T-I-O-N. This country is in a state of upheaval," says Brent Bozell, president of the conservative Media Research Center.

September 15, 2010

Inside the Beltway

It's new for the stack of stuff to be read on those long, thoughtful autumnal nights. And it's free.

September 14, 2010

Inside the Beltway

Run for the hills. Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. has incurred the wrath of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which has condemned him for serving hot dogs to troops returning home from combat tours, during an appearance on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report."

September 13, 2010

Inside the Beltway

"I am opposed to the building of the 'mosque' two blocks from ground zero. I want it built on ground zero," says filmmaker Michael Moore. Uh-oh.

September 12, 2010

Inside the Beltway

The media frenzy over a minister in Gainesville, Fla., and the unusual trajectory of his activities has distracted the public momentarily.

September 9, 2010

Inside the Beltway

There is talk that his hair is speckled with worrisome gray and that the daily tide of public opinion polls is a welter of White House negativity. Though the hope-and-change era appears to have waned in the U.S., it's still bright elsewhere, apparently.

September 7, 2010

Inside the Beltway

The midterm elections are exactly eight weeks away. That's 56 days. Or 1,344 hours. Or 80,640 minutes. Or 4,838,400 seconds. Batten down the hatches, folks, the real season has begun.

September 6, 2010

Inside the Beltway

'As we recognize the contributions of the American workers who have built our country, we must continue to protect their vital role and that of organized labor in our national life.'

September 5, 2010

Inside the Beltway

The bodacious, unapologetic "tea party" is ready to rumble on Sept. 12 when the National Mall will be wall to wall with those who favor less taxes, smaller government and a return to traditional American values.

September 2, 2010

Inside the Beltway

Joe the Plumber, meet Flagg the Fix-it, who has political prowess and much skill with hand tools. Flagg Youngblood - director of Vets for Freedom PAC and former director of military outreach at Young America's Foundation - is competing for the title of "All American Handyman" on HGTV, one of 20 finalists on parade during the show's debut on Sunday.

September 1, 2010