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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

Then-presidential nominee Hillary Clinton reaches for a falling balloon at the conclusion of the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. (Associated Press) ** FILE **

Inside the Beltway: Democrats reinvent the wheel

Still jittery after their 2016 losses, Democrats are now knee deep in remaking the party image with fancy new window dressings, jaunty slogans and bravado. The latest effort? Behold the official "Democratic Party Unity Reform Commission," launched over the weekend with a bustling meeting and a flurry of earnest mission statements.

May 7, 2017
Demonstrators protest against Ann Coulter and her recent scheduled appearance on the campus of the University of California, Berkeley. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: Yale students report that just 1% of their professors are conservative

Political clashes on American campuses have dominated headlines in recent months, fueled by violent student revolts and blatant rejection of conservative speakers at several major schools. When things get this emotionally charged, straightforward numbers can sometimes provide a startling reality check. A new survey of Yale University students reveals that 88 percent said their professors were liberal while 6 percent felt their instructors were politically moderate. Only 1 percent said the professors were conservative.

May 4, 2017
CBS "Late Night" host Stephen Colbert responded on May 4, 2017, to controversy surrounding a gay sex joke he made earlier in the week to attack President Donald Trump. (CBS "Late Night" screenshot)

Stephen Colbert leads Late Night with most Trump jokes

It's unprecedented, and a likely record-setter. During his first hundred days in office, President Trump was the target of 1, 060 jokes from leading late-night TV talk show hosts, more than his recent predecessors attracted during their entire first year in office according to a new study released by the Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University.

May 4, 2017
Organizers say that protesters who show up for President Trump's event in New York City on Thursday will be supplied with "Lady Liberty" crowns and torches. (Associated Press)

Inside the Beltway: NYC protesters march against Trump on Thursday

It will likely be a patriotic and historic affair: On Thursday President Trump journeys to the mighty USS Intrepid, a decommissioned aircraft carrier docked in lower Manhattan. Accompanied by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Mr. Trump will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea. Angry protesters will be waiting for him, however. Lots of them. Thousands may show up at a demonstration titled "Rise and Resist" if online participant response records prove correct.

May 3, 2017
Fox News Channel has been the No. 1 cable news network for over 15 consecutive years according to Nielsen Media Research. (Fox News)

Indisputable: Fox News has been No. 1 for 15 years says Nielsen

The past year has not been the easiest for Fox News, what with the departures of top stars and top brass, some pending lawsuits and a great deal of gleeful, often speculative coverage from the left-leaning media. But such is life in the broadcast world, a workplace where change and uncertainty is a constant. This is also an industry that rewards stalwarts who are consistent with their products and know their audience. Innovators with a vision tend to rule the ratings. Such is the case for Fox News, which now is marking 184 consecutive months as the No. 1 cable news network.

May 2, 2017
Once upon a time: Then-President Barack Obama takes to the dais during the 2016 White House Correspondents' dinner. (J.M. Eddins for White House Correspondents' Association, File photo) ** FILE **

Inside the Beltway: Democratic Party sending protestors to Trump’s ‘100 Day’ speech in Pennsylvania

There are two momentous political events to consider this weekend, and they are polar opposites. First, we have President Trump, who will step out on the broad stage of a major arena in Pennsylvania on Saturday night for one of his favorite activities: a massive, grass-roots rally to affirm his first 100 days in office and to connect with the voters who love him. The event is not without issue.

April 27, 2017
President Trump hands over his pen after signing his first executive order on Jan. 20, surrounded by the press. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Inside the Beltway: Americans agree: ‘first 100 days’ test for Trump is bogus

President Trump says the "first 100 days" litmus test for White House achievement is ridiculous. The rest of the nation is not very keen on the idea either, which is reassuring. A new CBS News poll finds that 62 percent of all Americans say that 100 days is simply "not enough time" for them to judge the work of Mr. Trump and his administration.

April 26, 2017
Republicans Reps. Mark Meadows, Jim Jordan, Louie Gohmert, and Sen. Rand Paul at a press conference covering health care last month: These "Freedom Caucus' members are often vilified by the news media. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) ** FILE **

Role call: News media casts conservatives as the extremists of Capitol Hill

Ever wonder why Republicans always appear to be the villains on Capitol Hill? Easy. They have been cast in the role by the news media, as revealed in a representative new study of 141 news stories on the health care debate which advances the public's impression that Republicans are troublemakers.

April 25, 2017
Conservative author Ann Coulter (Associated Press) ** FILE **

Inside the Beltway: Republican students sue Berkeley after campus blocks Ann Coulter speech

"If Berkeley won't protect its students rights, Young America's Foundation will," proclaims the conservative youth organization of the same name, which is mounting a lawsuit against the University of California, Berkeley after the school essentially blocked an upcoming appearance by commentator Ann Coulter. Officials launched a series of scheduling maneuvers to dissuade the popular author from appearing on campus. The young conservatives of the "YAF" are prepared to strike back.

April 24, 2017
Center Street Books Caitlyn Jenner appears on Fox News to talk politics on Monday, and introduces a new memoir on Tuesday.

Inside the Beltway: Caitlyn Jenner to talk politics on Fox News with Tucker Carlson

Some programming of note: On Monday, the very astute Fox News host Tucker Carlson essentially makes his formal debut in the coveted 8 p.m. time slot previously occupied by Bill O'Reilly for two decades. The network says Mr. Carlson's first guest is none other than "Olympic Gold Medalist and author" Caitlyn Jenner, who has remained outspoken on a variety of subjects following a very public debut as a transgender woman two years ago. The left-leaning news media was mesmerized, but they have an ongoing political challenge here. The former Bruce Jenner is also a Republican.

April 23, 2017