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One man’s baloney is another’s tax credit

May 28, 2010 By

The three candidates who are vying for the Iowa Democratic Party’s 2010 nomination for U.S. Senate were on an Iowa Public Television set late this morning, taping an hour-long edition of “Iowa Press.”

During the program, candidate Tom Fiegen called the federal tax breaks for ethanol and biodiesel “baloney.”  The other two candidates, Roxanne Conlin and Bob Krause, did not endorse the baloney concept and, instead, said they support the two credits.  Read all about it here.

This was the third and final joint meeting of the three candidates.  They spent some time talking about trade policy, protectionism and the economy.  They also addressed issues ranging from a second stimulus bill (they all support it) to trying terror suspects in civilian courts (they all support it).

After the taping, I asked Fiegen where all the “good stuff” he promised he’d be dumping on Conlin had been.  Fiegen elaborated and, to paraphrase, she said he was full of baloney.

Read about Thursday night’s debate here.   Watch the hour-long “Iowa Press” here, or watch it tonight on IPTV from 7:30-8:30 p.m. or on Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  It will also air Saturday morning on IPTV’s “World” channel.  And here’s a bit more about what Fiegen, Conlin & Krause had to say after the show was taped.

Filed Under: Politics Tagged With: ,

Iowa Delegation splits 3-2 on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal

May 27, 2010 By

The U.S. House has voted to repeal the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that allows homosexuals to serve in the military only if they don’t “tell” anyone they’re gay or lesbian.  The three Iowa Democrats — Congressmen Bruce Braley of Waterloo, Dave Loebsack of Mt Vernon and Leonard Boswell of Des Moines — voted for the repeal of DADT.  The two Iowa Republicans — Congressmen Tom Latham of Ames and Steve King of Kiron — voted to keep the 1993 DADT policy in place.

Boswell is the only veteran among the five Iowans who currently serve in congress.  He issued the following statement:

Boswell Releases Statement on Support for the Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy in Defense Authorization Act

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Leonard Boswell released this statement following his vote to repeal the Department of Defense’s ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy after the Department has completed their ongoing internal review; prepared policies and regulations, and repeal is consistent with the military’s standards of readiness, effectiveness, unit cohesion and recruitment and retention.

“After serving 20 years in the military, including two tours of combat in Vietnam, I support the repeal of the ‘Don’t ask, Don’t tell’ policy. During my Army career, I served alongside great men and women who, regardless of sexual orientation, were courageous military leaders that I trusted with my life and the lives of the troops under my command. The character and strength of a solider is reliant on their courage, loyalty, honor, and ability to do their job – not their sexuality.”

King (the Republican from Kiron in western Iowa) issued a statement earlier today on the topic.

King: “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Repeal.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Steve King (R-IA) today released the following statement following his participation in a Capitol Hill press conference in which he urged Congress to reject efforts to repeal the legislative prohibition on military service by openly homosexual men and women. King was joined at the press conference by: U.S. Representative Jack Kingston (R-GA); Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council; Douglas Lee, Chaplain, (Brigadier General, Ret); Kevin Theriot, Senior Counsel, Alliance Defense Fund; and a delegation of Pastors and Rabbis representing congregations throughout America.

“One of the few things President Clinton got right was his decision to sign the ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy into law,” said King. “To Clinton’s credit, he put the nation’s interests in military readiness and unit cohesion ahead of the political interests of so-called ‘gay-rights’ activists. Regrettably, it appears that the ruling troika of Speaker Pelosi, Senator Reid and President Obama want to reverse these priorities.

“The nation’s military is currently fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is not the time to subject our fighting forces to a rushed and risky experiment in social engineering. As lawmakers, our responsibility to our troops could not be clearer: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Repeal.”

Filed Under: Congress, Politics Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Gingrich rips Obama over oil spill, flirts with ’12

May 26, 2010 By

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is at this hour sitting at a table in the downtown Des Moines Marriott, signing copies of his new book.  The folks standing in line to get his John Hancock attended this evening’s Polk County Republican Party banquet.  Gingrich was the evening’s keynote speaker, although G.O.P. candidates in the third congressional district spoke, as did the three Republican candidates for governor.

During a news conference before the event started, Gingrich lambasted the Obama Administration’s handling of the oil spill in the Gulf.  (Listen here: rips)  Here are a few key quotes:

“The lack of initiative and the lack of using modern technology and the lack of aggressiveness, both by B.P. and by the United States government, is pretty appalling,” Gingrich said.  “…You just go through item after item after item…and you think to yourself, ‘Why did not the president take a commander-in-chief responsibility?  Why has there not been a command post established in a sophisticated way?’

“…This is five weeks into this and the president’s had time to go raise money. He’s had time to go campaign. He’s had time to do a wide range of things except worry about the largest single environmental problem in the United States.”

As for the flirting with a bid for the White House in 2012: 

“Look, Callista and I will decide in February or March of next year.  Obviously, since she went to Luther College in Decorah, she is reasonable familiar with Iowa and she likes being in Iowa and it’s very possible that she’ll spend a lot of time in Iowa…but we’re trying to focus all of  our energy on maximizing the opportunity to win seats (in congress) this fall…We need to focus on winning this year’s elections this year and then we’ll come back and chat with you in February or March of next year.”  

Filed Under: Congress, Iowa Caucuses, Politics Tagged With: ,

Grassley on crude…oil, that is

May 26, 2010 By

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-New Hartford, Iowa) holds a weekly teleconference with Iowa radio stations most every Tuesday morning.  In this week’s edition, Grassley talked about the federal tax on crude oil – not gasoline.

“I think the tax is going to be increased and it ought to be increased,” Grassley said.  “The extent to which it ought to be increased, since it goes into a trust fund, ought to be directly related to what we think the needs of that trust fund is going to be.”   Listen to the soundbite by clicking on this link: mkcg1

Grassley said he won’t support legislation to boost the federal tax on barrels of crude oil if it appears the money would be used for pork-barrel spending.

“It shouldn’t be a tax just to bring more money in to spend more money, so whatever the needs are of the trust fund, I will vote for an increase in that tax.”  Listen to the soundbite by clicking on this link:  mkcg2

The “fund” Grassley is referencing is the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.  According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the money in the fund comes primarily from a 5-cent-per-barrel tax.

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Filed Under: Congress, Politics Tagged With:

DMU to honor former governor

May 25, 2010 By

Des Moines University, the osteopathic medical school, is holding its commencement this weekend and they’ll be honoring a former Iowa governor.  No, not that former Iowa Governor, Terry Branstad, who until October served as DMU’s president.  They’ll be honoring former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack.  Full details below.  (When you see the phrase “mace bearer” in the last line of the news release, it’s a reference to a ceremonial weapon – sometime maces look like a staff.  It’s not a reference to a guy carrying a spray can of mace.)

Des Moines University to give 466 degrees Saturday at 110th commencement ceremony

Sec. Vilsack to speak at commencement, receive honorary doctor of laws degree

DES MOINES, IA (05/25/2010)– Des Moines University (DMU) will award 466 degrees at its 2010 Commencement service May 29 at 10 a.m. at the Polk County Convention Complex, 501 Grand Ave. The dean from each of the three DMU colleges will present their classes and DMU interim president, Stephen S. Dengle, M.B.A., will confer degrees. Visit www.dmu.edu/commencement for a full schedule.

Continuing a tradition started in 1899, the College of Osteopathic Medicine will award the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree to 211 graduates, the Master of Science in Biomedical Science to three and the Master of Science in Anatomy to nine graduates. The College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery will award the Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (D.P.M.) degree to 52 graduates and the College of Health Sciences will award degrees from five programs – Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) to 50, Postprofessional Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T) to 63, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (M.S.) to 45, Master of Public Health (M.P.H) to 12 and Master of Health Care Administration (M.H.A.) to 21 graduates. Some students earned dual degrees.

The commencement speaker, Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack, J.D., the 30th secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will receive an honorary doctor of laws degree, based on his distinctive career in public service and his many contributions to the welfare of Iowans and the nation.

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Filed Under: Politics, State Government Tagged With: ,

Gingrich defends subtitle of his book

May 24, 2010 By

“If it turns out, by the way, this is a secular-socialist machine, then using the words is simply clarity which may make some people uncomfortable, but – in fact — is factually defensible.” — Newt Gingrich, defending the subtitle of his new book “To Save America: Stopping Obama’s Secular-Socialist Machine“

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was the guest on today’s edition of “The Exchange” on Iowa Public Radio.  Gingrich will be in Iowa later this week, keynoting an American Future Fund event in Davenport on Wednesday afternoon and a Polk County GOP dinner in Des Moines Wednesday evening.  He’s to be in Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, too, to headline a fundraise for the Republican Party of Iowa. Gingrich is among a handful of Republicans who’re considered potential candidates for the G.O.P.’s 2012 presidential nomination and, as always, a trip to Iowa is seen as a “sign” of some sort.

Iowa Public Radio host Ben Kieffer asked Gingrich about a passage in his new book that has gotten attention.  “Mr. Gingrich, you refer in your new book to President Obama’s secular-socialist machine representing as great a threat to America as Nazi Germany or the Soviet Union once did,” Kieffer asked at about 16 minutes into the show if you click on the link above to list. “You’ve received a good deal of criticism for that comparison, even from some in your own party. Don’t you think it’s even, as FOX News’ Chris Wallace put it, wildly over the top to equate the Obama Administration with Nazi Germany?”

“I didn’t equate them,” Gingrich said.  “What I said was that just as it was a decisive threat to the survival of liberty as we have known it, I think the victory of a secular-socialist machine fundamentally changes America in ways that will make it unrecognizable to most Americans and I think that that’s just technically correct.”

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Filed Under: Congress, Iowa Caucuses, Legislature, Politics, State Government Tagged With: , , , ,

Conlin, Fiegen, Krause debate

May 24, 2010 By

The three candidates who are seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate debated this morning in WHO-TV studios here in Des Moines.  Des Moines Register columnist Kathie Obradovich — a co-host of the debate, which was co-sponsored by The Des Moines Register — writes up the pre-debate drama.  My parents would have put it this way:  Tom Fiegen “threw a kitten fit” right before show time because he couldn’t have his huge stack of notes on the set.

Here’s the initial Radio Iowa story out of the hour-long debate.

Filed Under: Politics

Weekend wrap-up

May 24, 2010 By

A few political items from this past weekend are bloggable.  Below you may read items about the timing of Iowa’s Caucuses; the fundraising of Iowa’s two major political parties; a Sioux City Journal story about Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats’ tenure at Opportunities Unlimited and Bill Salier’s endorsement of Vander Plaats.

Iowa First?

STATEMENT FROM IOWA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIRMAN ON DNC RULES AND BYLAWS MEETING
DES MOINES, IA – Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan, a member of the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee, released the following statement after (Saturday) morning’s vote to retain the early states:
 
“Today, the Rules and Bylaws Committee took another important step in determining the schedule for the next presidential nominating process and it is one, I believe, that will help us ensure that Iowa is First-in-the-Nation once again.
 
“The Rules and Bylaws Committee voted this morning to retain our status along with that of New Hampshire, Nevada, and South Carolina as early voting states for the 2012 presidential nominating process.
 
“I am pleased that the Rules and Bylaws Committee voted to retain the early voting states this morning.  Serving on the committee and representing Iowa’s interests is a huge responsibility and I am nothing but delighted at today’s votes.”

Party fundraising. 

Republicans say they have more cash on hand than do Democrats.  Democrats say they’re raised more money.  First, here’s what the Republicans had to say last Thursday.

State Finance Reports Reveal Iowa GOP Strength, Dem Weakness

DES MOINES – The Republican Party of Iowa today said the latest State of Iowa campaign finance reports indicate the Party and its candidates are competing head-to-head, and even out-pacing in many instances, majority Democrats and incumbents.

While the Iowa GOP has more cash-on-hand than its Iowa Democratic Party counterpart, the Party’s Executive Director Jim Anderson said the recent state campaign filings are encouraging for Republicans at all levels and in races as varied as Governor to Attorney General to control of the Iowa legislature.

Anderson first pointed to the Iowa GOP’s cash-on-hand advantage over the Iowa Democratic Party (IDP) in the May 19 state reports. The reports show the Iowa GOP filing with $214,997 cash-on-hand, while the IDP only has $170,555 on-hand. Further widening the gap is that state reports indicate the IDP incurred new debt last month by receiving a $100,000 bank loan that remains outstanding.

“Even accounting for many competitive Republican primaries that are competing for resources, there is no question that the resources, energy, and enthusiasm in this state are flowing to Republicans,” said Anderson, noting that nearly half of Governor Chet Culver’s financial support in 2010 came from a single source – a $750,000 check from the Washington, DC-based Democratic Governors Association.

“In the battle for control of the Iowa House, the momentum and resources are with Leader Kraig Paulsen and House Republicans, who dramatically outraised majority Democrats,” said Anderson.

In 2010 Iowa GOP State House candidates raised over $595,000 compared to only $415,000 for majority House Democrats. The cash-on-hand totals are even more striking as Iowa House Republicans have over $925,000 to spend while the Iowa House Democrats have just $591,000. 

The filings in the race for Attorney General provided another boost to Iowa GOP efforts to defeat longtime incumbent Democrat Tom Miller. Republican Brenna Findley blew away Miller’s fundraising in 2010, by dramatically out-raising the incumbent by posting receipts of $124,000 to Miller’s $15,000. The two candidates will enter the summer months on equal financial footing as Findley shows $95,000 cash-on-hand to Miller’s $105,000. 

“With Governor Culver relying almost exclusively on outside of Iowa interests to fund his sagging re-election efforts and overwhelming support flowing to legislative Republicans, the building blocks are in place for bringing Iowa the change it deserves this November,” concluded Anderson.

And here’s what the Democrats had to say on Friday.  (There’s a bunch of comparison data at the end of the IDP release.) 

IOWA DEMOCRATS OUTRAISE IOWA REPUBLICANS- AGAIN
 
DES MOINES, IA – The Iowa Democratic Party announced another successful fundraising period, outraising the Republican Party of Iowa again. Iowa Democrats raised more than double what Republicans raised, according to the recently filed state and federal reports. 
 
“The numbers speak for themselves,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan.
 
The reports filed this week with the Iowa Elections and Campaign Disclosure Board and the Federal Election Commission reveal that the Iowa Democratic Party raised double what the Republican Party of Iowa raised, outraising them by over half a million dollars in the last fundraising period.
 
“Don’t buy into the Republicans’ spin. Democrats are united, and are excited. How else can you explain our fundraising success or why we still have a huge voter registration advantage?” asked Kiernan.
 
In addition to outraising the Republican Party of Iowa in both state and federal dollars, Iowa Democrats retain a 100,000 person voter registration advantage.
 
By the numbers:
 
Federal Money Raised– January 1, 2010 through April 30, 2010:
IDP Raised: $411,189.97
RPI Raised: $ 369,290.56
IDP COH: $243,970.89
RPI COH: $163,075.25
 
State Money Raised – January 1, 2010 through May 14, 2010:
IDP Raised: $788,140.29
RPI Raised: $232,489
IDP COH: $170,555.69
RPI COH: $214,997.44
 
Total Money Raised:
IDP Raised: $1,199,330.26
RPI Raised: $601,779.56
IDP COH: $414,526.58
RPI COH: $378,072.69

The Vander Plaats campaign

This Sioux City Journal story in Sunday’s editions of Lee Enterprises papers has the political sphere talking.   Here’s the first paragraph:

SIOUX CITY — The human services agency led at one time by 2010 Iowa gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats nearly closed its doors in the early 2000s in large part because he failed to produce adequate fundraising support after stepping down as CEO, according to a former board member and executive for Sioux City-based Opportunities Unlimited.

The Iowa Republican has a long thread of comments about this development here at the bottom of a story by Craig Robinson.  Former GOP gubernatorial candidate Chris Rants had raised this issue last September.  (Rants dropped out of the race in February. 

On Sunday afternoon, the Vander Plaats campaign announced an endorsement.

LEADING CONSERVATIVE BILL SALIER ENDORSES
VANDER PLAATS’ GUBERNATORIAL BID
               
            WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Bill Salier, a staunch pro-life, small-government conservative and co-founder of the group Everyday America, today announced his support for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats.
 
            “Bob Vander Plaats is the only candidate in the governor’s race who stands for true conservative values,” Salier said during a Vander Plaats campaign rally at Crossroads Park. “He understands that our freedoms depend on the checks and balances that our Founding Fathers so wisely installed into our system of governance. He’ll be a governor who stands up for what is right and stands strong in defense of our rights.”
 
            A former Marine who completed his tour of duty in Somalia, Salier shook up the state’s political scene when his grassroots campaign for the GOP’s 2002 U.S. Senate nomination garnered 42 percent of the vote against then-Congressman Greg Ganske.  Salier served as the Iowa state chairman of then-Colorado Congressman Tom Tancredo’s 2008 presidential campaign.  A graduate of Iowa State University, Salier and his wife Karla operate the family farm near Nora Springs.
 
            Salier co-founded Everyday America, a group that believes an educated voter is the key to a good government and great nation. Everyday America’s mission is to teach the voting public that “Constitution is the rulebook for government and voters must make politicians accountable to our rulebook.”
 
            “Bill Salier has proven that he will stand up for what he knows is right and work tirelessly to elect principled conservatives,” Vander Plaats said. “Bill answered the call of duty as a Marine in Somalia and put his life on the line for our country – and he answers the call of duty as an involved, informed and responsible citizen right here at home. He is a true conservative leader in Iowa who recognizes the big challenges facing our state and the need for a governor who will follow the rule of law and get this state going in the right direction again. I’m honored to receive his endorsement.”

Filed Under: Congress, Iowa Caucuses, Legislature, Politics Tagged With: , , ,

Trooper cleared in review of traffic stop involving governor

May 21, 2010 By

Explaining the headline:  the governor wasn’t pulled over.  Last Sunday the governor and his son were riding in an SUV driven by a state trooper when the SUV went on pursuit of another vehicle that the trooper says cut him off in traffic and was driving erratically.  The driver of the other car says the trooper was the aggressor and cut him off.  The driver said he feared the guy (who we now know was a trooper) driving the dark SUV had a gun and that’s why he didn’t pull over.  The driver eventually pulled over when he saw West Des Moines cops join the chase. 

The only thing the two sides have agreed on in public accounts is this:  the passenger in the car – the woman who was the wife of the car’s driver and the mother of the kids in the back seat – made an obscene gesture (ok, flipped off) the trooper.

The following statement was released by the Iowa Department of Public Safety at 5:11 p.m. on a Friday:

Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Public Safety – Professional Standards Bureau’s investigation into the alleged rule violations brought forth by a citizen against Trooper Michael Clyde is complete. 

The findings of the investigation determined that no departmental policies were violated during the course of this traffic stop. 

Iowa State Patrol Chief, Colonel Patrick Hoye added, “The Iowa State Patrol takes the security of the Governor and the First Family very seriously.  This incident provides us with an opportunity to evaluate procedures that relate to the Executive Protection Unit.”

The following was released by Culver’s staff at 5:21 p.m. on a Friday: 

DES MOINES – The Governor’s Office issued the following statement concerning the Department of Public Safety’s findings in the investigation of a traffic stop made by a state trooper who is part of the Executive Protection Unit:

The governor joins with others who appreciate the conscientious and effective work of Iowa’s law enforcement personnel who, every day, make difficult decisions in an effort to make our roads and our state a safer, better place. The governor is happy that this incident has been reviewed and resolved, and believes this concludes the matter.

In case you’re just tuning in, here’s more background.

Filed Under: Politics

State Rep Kerry Burt formally charged in tuition fraud case

May 21, 2010 By

State Representative Kerry Burt (D-Waterloo) faces criminal charges.  Details below.

Formal Charges Filed Relating to Malcolm Price Lab School in Cedar Falls

Statement of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office:

            The Attorney General’s Office filed formal criminal charges Friday in Black Hawk County District Court alleging that nine persons committed one or more counts of tampering with records related to Malcolm Price Laboratory School in Cedar Falls.

            The formal charges, called a “Trial Information,” follow criminal Complaints and Affidavits filed April 7 against the same nine defendants with the same allegations. 

            The Complaints filed in April alleged defendants tampered with records who used false addresses as they registered a child for the 2007-8 or 2008-9 school year.

More background and detail:  

            District Court Judge James Coil set an arraignment date of June 4 for all defendants.  He continued the defendants’ status of being released on their own recognizance.

            Defendants named in the Trial Informations filed Friday, and the number of counts alleged of tampering with records, are:  Angela Bigelow, Cedar Falls, one count; Connie Bigelow, Cedar Falls, one count; Kerry Burt, Waterloo, two counts; Flora Dekock, Cedar Falls, one count; Kristi Eastman, Waterloo, three counts; Todd Eastman, Waterloo, three counts; Angie Gilbert, Waterloo, three counts; Stephanie Hovey, Cedar Falls, one count; Cheryl Longnecker, Cedar Falls, one count.

            Tampering with records is an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of $625 to $6250.

            The Complaints and Affidavits filed in April alleged that parents of Price Laboratory School students listed false addresses on school records to indicate their children lived in the Price Lab School zone when in fact the pupils lived elsewhere in Cedar Falls or Waterloo and not in the Price Lab School zone.  The Complaints and Affidavits said students registered as living in the Price Lab School “residential or buffer zone” were charged much lower fees than students who lived outside the zone.

            Go to www.state.ia.us/government/ag/latest_news/releases/apr_2010/Price_Lab.html  for details and documents of the April 7 Complaint and Affidavit filings.   Go to www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov for Trial Information documents filed May 21, 2010.

            The Iowa Attorney General’s Office is serving in the role of prosecutor in the matter, at the request of the Black Hawk County Attorney.

            A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
                                                           

Filed Under: Politics
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