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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

If the Mueller probe does not turn up evidence of collusion, it could be a "day of reckoning" for the media, says ABC News analyst Terry Moran. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: A day of reckoning for Democrats, progressives and the media

Sooner or later the Mueller report will emerge on public radar. Some analysts predict it will be sooner rather than later — and instant media mayhem will follow, no matter what the outcome. The press has been poised to pounce since special counsel Robert Mueller began his investigation on May 17, 2017, into possible "collusion" between President Trump and Russia during the 2016. Journalists have been revving their engines about the possibilities for almost two years.

March 11, 2019
The Libertarian Party is trying to decide which theme they should use for their 2020 presidential convention. So far, the winner is the acronym "TANSTAAFL," which means "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." (Libertarian party)

Inside the Beltway: ‘TANSTAAFL’: How the Libertarians think

Many voters are having a serious flirtation with the idea of a third political party, a trend not lost on the Libertarian Party — which has celebrated a 92 percent rise in its membership in the last decade, plus increased ballot access and some significant local victories. The Libertarians are also busy planning their 2020 presidential convention, and have asked members to come up with a theme for the big event. Over 60 suggestions have rolled in, including such mottos as "Don't mess with anyone" and "Taxation is theft."

March 10, 2019
As 2020 looms, the Trump campaign reinvents the dry old public opinion poll as an effective and engaging outreach. (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Inside the Beltway: Trump campaign reinvents the public opinion poll

President Trump continues to have the last word on most big news events via his nimble tweets and vigorous reactions, issued at all hours. Mr. Trump also continues to skirt around pollsters. The president simply conducts his own surveys, using them to gauge which issues are the most important to Republican voters, or to ask their reactions to, say, a biased news media, aggressive Democrats or a challenging global situation.

March 7, 2019
The second summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has drawn 3,000 journalists from 40 nations. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Summit reality: Two leaders, 3,000 journalists

There will be 3,000 journalists from 40 nations covering the second meeting between President Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un — and all 3,000 of them are vying for a chance to produce the proverbial blockbuster story amid unprecedented security and lots of competition.

February 26, 2019
Polling reveals that over three-fourths of Democratic voters now find socialism appealing, according to a Public Opinion Strategies survey. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: 77% of Democratic voters now lean socialist

The popularity of socialism appears to be percolating throughout the Democratic Party, just as some GOP strategists have predicted, often citing the influence of both Sen. Bernard Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The Vermont independent and New York Democrat present socialism as a sensible, conscientious, feel-good alternative — a sentiment which plays well among the "hope and change" set and younger voters in particular.

February 25, 2019
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, 76, has announced the launch of Gingrich 360, described as "a full circle American consulting and media production group," with a focus on the nation's success. (Associated Press)

Still in the game: Newt Gingrich forms his own media company

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, 76, remains an aggressive fixture at the complicated intersection of media and politics. On Monday, he announced the launch of Gingrich 360, described as "a full circle American consulting and media production group," with a focus on the nation's success.

February 25, 2019
Portrait of a border bird: An RC-26 aircraft similar to those used in surveillance missions along the U.S./Mexico border (U.S. Army)

Inside the Beltway: Adam Kinzinger: Yeah, the border is an emergency

One lawmaker has unique insight into the southern U.S. border and whether it poses an emergency, as President Trump suggests. That would be Rep. Adam Kinzinger, Illinois Republican, just back from a working visit to the region as a member of the Air National Guard — and as a pilot flying an RC-26 surveillance aircraft some 12,000 feet above the terrain. It was his fourth border mission as an eyewitness to the illegal immigration challenge on the border.

February 24, 2019
An Oscar is pictured at the press preview for the Academy Awards on Sunday. A poll says two-thirds of Americans may not be watching. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: No-shows: 65% of Americans won’t watch Academy Awards

They are no-shows. Two-thirds of Americans will not watch the Academy Awards: 65 percent say they are not planning to watch any of Sunday's glittering but often predictable show; 81 percent of Republicans, 70 percent of independents and even 53 percent of Democrats agree. So says a new YouGov poll, which also suggests a contributing factor to this disinterest.

February 21, 2019