Jennifer Harper

Majority in poll says crises reflect U.S. in ‘slow decline’

How are Americans feeling about the nation amid such challenges as the pandemic, the Ukraine invasion, inflation, social discord and other negative factors continue to batter the status quo? An NBC News poll has asked this disconcerting question.

March 28, 2022

Biden’s bomb on getting rid of Putin: How’s it playing?

The press appears to be either alarmed, shocked or confused by President Biden's new tough talk, showcased with much ado during his appearance in Poland on Saturday. Among other things, Mr. Biden declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin "cannot remain in power," which prompted choice headlines in the last 48 hours.

March 27, 2022

Newscasts continue to shield Biden over motorists’ pain at the pump

Prices of gasoline in some parts of the nation are literally shocking. Consider that the current average price per gallon in San Luis Obispo, California is now $6.08 per gallon according to GasBuddy.com, a very nimble industry source. Similar prices are found throughout the Golden State -- and elsewhere to various degrees across the U.S.

March 24, 2022

The collapse in economic confidence under President Biden

The year was 1992. James Carville -- then adviser to Bill Clinton and his bid for the White House -- hung a sign up in the candidate's campaign headquarters. It advised Mr. Clinton to talk of "change" and not to forget health care. And then came one more talking point from Mr. Carville.

March 23, 2022

Poll shows some unexpected support for Trump

Former President Donald Trump continues hosting large-scale public rallies and making regular appearances in the news and social media. Mr. Trump also continues to hint that he is considering a second run for the White House in 2024.

March 22, 2022

Many Americans vulnerable to personal ‘economic disaster’

Here's a stark look at the financial status of many Americans at the moment. "So 56% of all Americans -- over half of the population -- have either no savings or barely enough to last two months, should economic trouble occur. For most, that means they are one job loss or personal injury away from economic disaster," wrote Terry Jones, editor of Issues & Insight.

March 21, 2022

Russian invasion puts the children of Ukraine in peril

Nonstop news reports continue to stream from Ukraine, including the war's impact on children. "Authorities in the eastern city of Kharkiv say at least five civilians were killed in the latest Russian shelling, with the victims including a nine-year-old boy. Kharkiv has been under siege since the start of the Russian invasion and faced relentless Russian artillery," said an Associated Press summary of events in Ukraine published Sunday.

March 20, 2022

Biden’s negotiating shows he needs ‘The Art of the Deal’

The Republican National Committee has a reading recommendation for President Biden as he navigates a complex situation. "Can someone please send Mr. Biden a copy of 'The Art of the Deal' before it's too late?" asked.

March 17, 2022

Instant stature: First major book on Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives in April

Regnery Publishing is set to produce the first major profile of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy -- and it arrives in a matter of weeks.

March 17, 2022

Nuclear doomsday becomes big news for the press

It could be the mere provocative topic du jour among journalists -- or something more. As the Ukraine situation continues, discussion about Russian President Vladimir Putin's potential use of a nuclear weapon has exploded on the news cycle. Press coverage in the past 48 hours suggests that this dire possibility is on press radar.

March 16, 2022

CIA predecessor provides American know-how to Ukraine

Some genuine American know-how has reached Ukrainians fighting for their nation's very existence. The OSS Society has shared a valuable resource with those on the front lines.

March 15, 2022

Death of American journalist in Ukraine a possible ‘war crime’

The death of Brent Renaud has not been forgotten. The journalist, award-winning filmmaker and former New York Times contributor -- was killed Sunday while working in Ukraine outside Kyiv.

March 14, 2022

Justice Clarence Thomas has a say about civil society

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas recently journeyed to Utah to offer his perspective on current events during an event staged by the Orrin Hatch Foundation -- where the motto is "civility and solutions" -- an idea based on the late Utah senator's approach to lawmaking during his 42 years on Capitol Hill.

March 13, 2022

Trump enthusiasm is still percolating

Grassroots enthusiasm is still percolating out there for former President Donald Trump, who is hosting a "Save America Rally" in Florence, South Carolina, on Saturday. The event follows Mr. Trump's traditional style, which he perfected by hosting over 350 rallies during his first presidential campaign.

March 10, 2022

Journalists under fire in Russian invasion of Ukraine

Multiple news reports confirm that journalists are under fire in Ukraine -- such as a Sky News crew recently ambushed in their vehicle outside Kyiv, despite their prominently displayed press identification. Two were shot. The team, however, continued their coverage and documented the event -- and were eventually evacuated. The resulting video was viewed on Sky News, of course. Another 4 million people watched on YouTube in the hours that followed.

March 9, 2022

Gas price panic now a political tool for Republicans

The Republican Party has become downright nimble when it comes to the gas price crisis. Americans of every political persuasion are intensely interested in the escalating price of gasoline and its dire effect on their wallets.

March 8, 2022

Poll: If U.S. were attacked, 38% say they would flee country

An attack on the U.S. homeland would bring out the fight in most Americans. according to a new poll, but a surprisingly large percentage say they'd flee.

March 8, 2022

‘Drill, baby, drill’: Lauren Boebert reinvents Sarah Palin’s famed line

Maybe the White House should seriously revisit "Drill, baby, drill," a popular Republican slogan which landed on public radar, ironically, during a 2008 vice-presidential debate between then-Sen. Joe Biden and Republican hopeful Sarah Palin.

March 7, 2022

Public sees ‘greater chance’ of nuclear war in Ukraine crisis

Is the unthinkable a possibility? This question might seem familiar to those who either remember or are well aware of the chances of nuclear war that emerged during the 1950s and have continued at various levels of urgency since then. A pollster is now gauging the intensity of such perceptions as the Ukraine crisis continues.

March 6, 2022

U.S. broadcasters take on Russian news outlets

A powerful branch of the American news media has stepped up to support the people of Ukraine -- and present a reminder about the value of free speech.

March 3, 2022