You are here: Home / Archives for Uncategorized

Ted Kennedy’s last Iowa visit

August 26, 2009 By

As news of the death of U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) broke this morning, I thought of Kennedy's last appearance in Iowa.  It was the last weekend of September in 2003 and Kennedy had just endorsed John Kerry's bid for the White House. Kerry and Kennedy appeared, together, at a rally staged in the Hoover High School gymnasium. 

From the Radio Iowa text archives (we're unable at present to search the audio archives), here's an account of the day:

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, a Massachusetts Senator, got a boost this weekend from another Massachusetts Democrat, Senator Edward Kennedy, as the two campaigned in Iowa. The two men, though, clearly had their eyes on the new entrant in the race, retired General Wesley Clark who has surged in polls after announcing his candidacy earlier this month.

During a speech in Des Moines, Senator Kennedy sought to bolster John Kerry's foreign policy and security credentials. Kennedy said Kerry was a decorated military hero of the Vietnam era who "knows more about national security and foreign policy than any other candidate."

For his part, Kerry sought to distinguish himself from Clark by pointing out that while Clark had voted for President Richard Nixon, he had opposed Nixon on Vietnam. Kerry said he's proud that at the "ripe age of 27," he had landed on "Nixon's enemies list."

"The last thing we need in America is a second Republican party," Kerry said. 

Kennedy ran for president in 1980, challenging then-President Jimmy Carter. Kennedy won over 31 percent of the Democrat delegates selected on Iowa Caucus Night in 1980, but President Carter garnered over 50 percent. Kennedy said Iowans can redeem themselves this time around by supporting the candidate he's chosen. Kennedy said "all will be forgiven" if Iowans "make up" by helping elect Kerry.

Ted Kennedy's son, Patrick, campaigned this weekend for his choice in the Democratic presidential race, Missouri Congressman Richard Gephardt.

Kerry and Kennedy campaigned in Des Moines, Waterloo and Iowa City on Saturday. Patrick Kennedy made stops Sunday in Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Waverly, Independence

Filed Under: Congress, Politics, Uncategorized Tagged With:

Bump in Behn’s roll-out?

August 25, 2009 By

State Senator Jerry Behn (R-Boone) made it official today, announcing his campaign for the GOP's 2010 gubernatorial nomination in a series of one-on-one interviews with statehouse reporters.  I've covered Behn at a series of candidate forums over the past few months (in Sac City in June to Dallas County in August) and Behn has never suggested getting rid of the state's income taxes as Behn did late this morning when he sat down with Kathie Obradovich and Jason Clayworth from The Des Moines Register.

Unfortunately, Behn forgot to mention his get-rid-of-state-income-taxes idea during his half-hour discussion with reporters from Radio Iowa and The Cedar Rapids Gazette. Nor did Behn bring that up during his interview with WHO-TV or during his interview with IowaPolitics.com.

Filed Under: Politics, Uncategorized

Former Latham aide accuses both parties of “intimidation”

August 25, 2009 By

The Alexandria, Virginia-based "Center for Competitive Politics" has issued a statement critical of both the Republican Party of Iowa and the Iowa Democratic Party.  The CCP contends that in two recent actions the two parties are guilty of intimidation.  The CCP is a 501(c)(3) group founded by a former member of the FCC (appointed to GOP slot by Bill Clinton; term ended during the George W. Bush era) and one of his aides (who at one time worked for Republicans on the hill).  

The following was written by Jeff Patch, a Dubuque, Iowa, native who is communications manager for the Center for Competitive Politics. Patch at one time worked as a press secretary for Congressman Tom Latham (R-Ames, Iowa).  (Here's the permanent link to the article copied below; it has some hyperlinks to the flier and to some of the Iowa guidelines.)

Top officials at Iowa’s Democratic and Republican parties are responding to two instances of political speech in remarkably similar ways — threatening litigation, government investigations and other intimidation tactics.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Congress, Politics, State Government, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

$300,000 for a consultant

August 25, 2009 By

News that Governor Culver plans to spend $300,000 to hire a consulting firm, to find ways to pare down the state budget, is drawing ridicule from Republicans.  House Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) issued a news release this morning with this headline: Culver Hires Consultant to Explain Budget.  Read the news release below.

(DES MOINES)—As Gov. Culver’s staff put the final touches on a plan to spend $300,000 on an out-of-state consultants to find budget savings, House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) encouraged the governor to instead enact savings offered by House Republicans earlier this year.

“Gov. Culver is spending money to find solutions that we offered in April,” said Paulsen.  “House Republicans’ list of savings would have increased transparency, brought more accountability to budgeting and reduced unnecessary spending.”

In March, Republicans launched a website to gather Iowans’ input on cost-saving measures.  Soon after, House Republicans offered these suggestions, among others, such as selling part of the state vehicle fleet and reducing office supplies, which were nearly all rejected by Legislative Democrats. 

“It’s clear the governor continues to not understand his own budget,” said Paulsen.  “House Republicans will continue to offer savings and stand ready to meet with him to discuss solutions that will save the taxpayers money and make government more efficient.”

UPDATE:  Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats issued a statement on this subject late this afternoon.

[Read more...]

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

Another GOP candidate makes it “official”

August 25, 2009 By

State Senator Jerry Behn (pronounced BAYN), a Republican from Boone, is making himself available for one-on-one media interviews at the statehouse today to formally kick off his campaign.  Here's the news release:

State Senator Jerry Behn announced today that he is entering the race to be the Republican candidate for Iowa Governor in 2010.    
 
“For the past several months I have been traveling around the state and the people I have been talking to have encouraged me to get into the race”, said Behn.  “lowans are deeply concerned about the direction the state is taking under Governor Culver.”
 
“Right now, the state is facing a massive deficit because of excess spending,” Behn said. “The common sense answer is we need to cut spending.  The state is already taking in nearly record tax revenues, so this is a spending problem. I believe that government should live within its means.  As Governor, I would use the veto pen, if I have to, to make sure we do.” 
 

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Politics, Uncategorized

Fong goes up on radio

August 24, 2009 By

Republican gubernatorial candidate Christian Fong wins the race to be the first to air campaign ads.  See his campaign's announcement below.  (No word on how extensive, expensive the ad buy is.)

(Cedar Rapids, IA)  The campaign of Iowa gubernatorial candidate and Cedar Rapids businessman Christian Fong (R) announced today it has started a statewide radio advertising campaign.
The advertisement, titled, “Iowa Dream” focuses on introducing Christian and outlining his story for Iowa Republicans.

“Our fundraising has been strong enough; it’s allowed us the luxury of starting our paid media campaign earlier than we had initially anticipated.  Christian has a unique story that sets him apart in this crowded Republican field and this advertisement allows us to introduce him to Republicans across the state,” said Marlys Popma, Fong campaign manager.

Here is the transcript of the advertisement, “Iowa Dream”:

[Read more...]

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

Grassley, again, on pulling the plug on grandma

August 23, 2009 By

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-New Hartford, Iowa) was a guest on this morning's edition of "Face the Nation" on CBS.  Host Bob Schieffer pressed Grassley on the statements Grassley made in Winterset earlier this month in which Grassley said Americans have "every right to fear" provisions in a House health care reform bill which some argue would pull the plug on grandma.

"You're not saying that this legislation would pull the plug on grandma, you're just saying there are a lot of people out there who think that it would. Do you want to say this morning that that is not true, that it won't do that?" Schieffer asked Grassley.  

"Well, it won't do that," Grassley said in response.

A few moments before that exchange, Grassley told Schieffer the public's fears were justified (as he argued in Winterset, Iowa) because the bills under development seek to reduce Medicare costs and end of life care is a big cost for the program — and the public assumes end of life care is a priority area for cost-cutting.

"The Pelosi bill doesn't intend to do that, but that's where it leads people to," Grassley said.

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

Braley fuels “Grassley v. Braley in 2010″ idea

August 21, 2009 By

Congressman Bruce Braley (D-Waterloo, Iowa) has penned an op-ed for the HuffPo.  Read excerpts below:

As the important health care debate in Congress moves forward, certain members of the Senate insist on moving backwards. One of those Senators is my friend and constituent, Chuck Grassley.

For someone who claims he wants to help forge a bipartisan health care plan, Senator Grassley sure isn't acting very bipartisan. In fact, he's been behaving like someone who wants to see meaningful health care reform defeated.

….During his nearly thirty years serving in the Senate, Senator Grassley has earned a reputation as a "straight shooter" — someone who has been willing to take on powerful special interests even when his party has supported those special interests. He's also been someone who may disagree with with you on policy, but has not resorted to playing loose with the facts to fit his point of view.

That's why his recent behavior has been so disappointing.

….Senator Grassley is in a stronger position than just about anyone to bring Republicans on board with Democrats to achieve the health care reform we need. But when he uses the same rhetoric as pundits advising Republicans to "just kill it" and a Republican Senator who wants to make health care President Obama's "Waterloo," why would the President or Senator Baucus think he is their ally in achieving meaningful health care reform?

Sadly, it appears that Senator Grassley has decided to put his party before what's best for the people of this country.

Grassley communications director Jill Kozeny responds: 

“Congressman Braley is the one who might like to go backwards and change his vote for Speaker Pelosi’s fatally flawed health care bill.  It does nothing to reduce health care costs, piles on deficit spending and sets in motion a government takeover of the health care system.  The Pelosi bill, which Congressman Braley voted for in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has been rejected loud and clear at the grass roots.  Unfortunately, it looks like Congressman Braley put his party duties as Vice Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee ahead of Iowans.  Meanwhile, Senator Grassley is moving forward by working for a viable alternative that would actually lower health care costs for employers, employees and families.  He’s working to stop reform that would bankrupt the next generation and put government bureaucrats between you and your doctor.  Bruce Braley can stand with Nancy Pelosi.  Senator Grassley is standing with Iowans.”

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

Kerry Burt pleads guilty

August 21, 2009 By

Just into the newsroom, a statement from State Rep. Kerry Burt (D-Waterloo).  Burt pleaded not guilty to an OWI charge filed in February and Burt's trial on the OWI charge was to start Monday in Polk County District Court.  No word in this statement on what the "resolution" may have been; KWWL-TV is reporting online that Burt pleaded guilty. Read the statement below:

STATEMENT FROM REP. KERRY BURT ON RESOLUTION OF OWI CASE
 
"I wish to apologize to my family, colleagues, constituents, and all who share Iowa's roads for my poor judgment in drinking and driving.  There is no one but me to blame for my foolish decision.  Everyone who knows me recognizes that this action was completely out of character, and I will not allow it to happen again. 

"In the hope of setting the record straight so that all of us may move forward, I will relay what happened that morning: While driving on I-35 my tire blew out, which caused my vehicle to swerve and hit a barrier.
After determining that no one was hurt, I cautiously drove with flashers on to the nearest exit, where I knew I would find a convenience store at which to park and wait for a ride. 

"In the parking lot was Officer Phinney, who I approached to report the incident.  He suspected that I had been drinking, and – following proper police procedure – tested and subsequently arrested me.  The officer treated me with courtesy and respect and I applaud him for doing his job. 

"Contrary to a particular media depiction, I do not consider myself above the law or deserving of any preferential treatment.  I made a terrible mistake and rightfully am paying a price.  I hope this statement clears up any confusion that has surrounded this incident since I have no further comment on it.  Instead, I wish to focus my energies on putting together solid legislation that benefits the state and community to which I am devoted."

Filed Under: Politics, Uncategorized

Thursday Tidbits

August 20, 2009 By

There was a groundbreaking this morning for a new, $9.8 million state office building that will house the Iowa Utilities Board and the Consumer Advocate's Office. Utility customers will pay for it.

State officials sold bonds to raise the money for the building's construction and those bonds are financed, ultimately, by Iowa utility customers. That's because agencies like the Iowa Utilities Board are financed by fees charged to the utility companies it regulates. Chuck Seel, a spokesman for the Iowa Utilities Board, says the new building soon will be more cost-effective than renting office space.

"We've been in our current building since 1998 and we've paid over $7 million in rent, so over the long pull, this is a much better deal for everybody," Seel says.

Utility customers have footed the bill for that rent, too.

A bus bearing the phrase "Hands Off My Health Care" in large letters was parked outside the statehouse this morning.  Jason Clayworth of The Des Moines Register covered the anti-health care reform rally.  I drove by on my way to another event and saw a sparse crowd.  Clayworth reports: 

About 20 people attended the event at the Capitol today, which did not include staff from Americans For Prosperity, which helped sponsor the event, or six people from the media.

Todd Dorman of The Cedar Rapids Gazette and Kathie Obradovich of The Des Moines Register have both written about the polling a Republican group has done on the governor's race.  Governor Chet Culver, a Democrat who intends to seek reelection in 2010, was asked about it this morning and he started by channelling Terry Branstad who always told reporters "the only poll that counts is the one that's taken on Election Day."

"They mean nothing at all," Culver said of the Iowa First Foundation's polling.  "We will have one poll that matters: November of 2010. Terry Branstad was at 37 percent approval.  He, you know, these polls don't matter.  If a Republican 527 wants to pay for a poll, they'll get the result that they want.  A partisan, conservative 527 group led by a former Republican nominee for governor Doug Gross, they have no credibility….Surprise, surprise, they have a poll that is favorable for them because it's a partisan, right-wing operation that is trying to defeat Democrats." 

Not sure when Culver was saying Branstad's approval rating was at 37 percent.  It wouldn't have been on Election Days in 1994, 1990, 1986 or 1982, presumably, because those are the days on which "the only polls that count" were taken and Branstad won his four terms as governor.

The Iowa-based American Future Fund sent out a fundraising appeal to its supporters today, citing some recent comments from Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank, a Democrat who is the second openly gay member of the U.S. House.  The subject line of the AFF email was "Bloviating Barney Caught On Tape."  And what was Frank caught doing on tape?  Email author Tim Albrecht invites AFF supporters to "watch as Barney loses his cool with residents from his district. In another stunning, elitist and out-of-touch moment, you can watch three different outbursts from a congressman supposedly elected to represent We, the People."

Filed Under: Congress, Politics, State Government, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »