Barbara Grassley Calls for Debates; Conlin Extends Invitation

(Des Moines, Iowa) – While campaigning for Congressional Candidate Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa, Barbara Grassley supported debates between Miller-Meeks and her opponent.  In fact, Grassley suggested that “Miller-Meeks notify Loebsack of a certain time, date and place for a debate and if he does not show, “do the empty chair routine.”

http://www.westlibertyindex.com/article.php?viewID=3535

“Mrs. Grassley is absolutely correct,” said Conlin campaign spokesperson Paulee Lipsman.  “And to that end, the Conlin campaign would like to extend an invitation to Senator Grassley to debate on Sunday, September 19th in Des Moines.” 

A location is being finalized. The Conlin campaign hopes Mrs. Grassley is successful in getting her own husband to agree to debates with Roxanne Conlin.  So far, Senator Grassley has not agreed to any debates.  He has said he will do one 30-minute joint interview with Conlin on Iowa Press, but refusing to agree to an hour long session on the Iowa Public Television program.

“It would be embarrassing for Senator Grassley, a career politician with 50 plus years of service, to have his opponent resort to the ‘empty chair routine,’” added Lipsman. 

Barbara Grassley works for a D.C. lobbying firm and her online bio says she works on “message development” as well as “crafting legislative strategy.”

I am writing today to invite you to a very special reception taking place in Iowa on September 2nd.  My good friend – and the next Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives – Republican Leader John Boehner will be in Iowa for an important event benefiting the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).
 
…I know that you are getting many requests for help these days.  But, I want you to know that I believe that this is one of the most important elections in nation’s history. We must elect at least 39 new Republicans to gain control of Congress and stop President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s left-wing, jobs-killing agenda, and put forward better, common-sense Iowa solutions to the challenges facing families and small businesses.
 
The time to act is now!  

Boehner will be the main drawn for a private fundraiser tomorrow on behalf of Republican congressional candidate Brad Zaun.  Both Boehner events in Iowa are closed to the press.

Read the ICGA’s news release below:

Iowa Corn Growers Association Announces Corn PAC Awards

Johnston, IA, September 1, 2010  –  Today, the Iowa Corn Growers Association  Political Action Committee (ICGA PAC) endorsed 66 candidates for the November 2010 elections, including 57 candidates for the Iowa State Senate and the Iowa House of Representatives.

The ICGA PAC established bipartisan support for Democrats and Republicans for the 2010 state and federal races, including 33 Democrats and 33 Republicans.
 
“Political decisions here in Iowa are critical to the future of farming,” said Bruce Rohwer, PAC chair. “PAC support is one tool we can use to help elect people who have supported corn growers’ policies and who have taken action on issues that matter to corn growers.”

ICGA PAC decisions are made through an objective analysis including candidate responses to our survey, voting records, letters and other quantified evidence of support.  The ICGA PAC committee members include farmers from across Iowa, with an equal balance of party affiliation to ensure decisions are based only on corn growers’ policies.

Endorsements for the 2010 federal election cycle include:
• Senator Grassley (R)
• Congressman Boswell (D)
• Congressman Braley (D)
• Congressman King (R)
• Congressman Latham (R)
• Congressman Loebsack (D)

The Iowa Corn Growers Political Action Committee (PAC) has endorsed both Terry Branstad (R) and Chet Culver (D) for the 2010 State of Iowa, Governor’s Race.

The Iowa Corn Growers PAC is also endorsing Bill Northey (R) for the 2010 Iowa Secretary of Agriculture race.

The Iowa Corn PAC endorsed 57 candidates for the Iowa State Senate and the Iowa House of Representatives for the 2010 election cycle.

• For Iowa Senate:
Staci Appel (D), Daryl Beall (D), Dennis Black (D), Nancy Boettger (R), Bill Dix (R), Bill Dotzler (D), Robert Dvorsky (D), Sandy Greiner (R), Bill Heckroth (D), Hubert Houser (R), David Johnson (R), Keith Kreiman (D), Larry Noble (R), Rich Olive (D), Amanda Ragan (D), Becky Schmitz (D), and Joe Seng (D).   
• For Iowa House of Representatives:
Dwayne Alons (R), Richard Arnold (R), McKinley Bailey (D), Clel Baudler (R), John Beard (D), Dennis Cohoon (D), Betty De Boef (R), Dave Deyoe (R), Cecil Dolecheck (R), Jack Drake (R), David Heaton (R), Erik Helland (R), Daniel Huseman (R), Jeff Kaufmann (R), Bob Kressig (D), Steven Lukan (R), Jim Lykam (D), Larry Marek (D), Kevin McCarthy (D), Helen Miller (D), Patrick Murphy (D), Donovan Olson (D), Steven Olson (R), Eric Palmer (D), Kraig Paulsen (R), Henry Rayhons (R), Michael Reasoner (D), Nathan Reichert (D), Thomas Sands (R), Paul Shomshor (D), Sharon Steckman (D), Kurt Swaim (D), Annette Sweeney (R), Linda Upmeyer (R), Jim Van Engelenhoven (R), Ralph Watts (R), Andrew Wenthe (D), Matt Windschitl (R), Gary Worthan (R), and Ray Zirkelbach (D).

Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC decisions are made by a bipartisan committee of Iowa Corn Growers Association members after candidates are evaluated for their support of Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) policies, including such topics as the farm bill, ethanol, livestock support and transportation.

Funding for the Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC comes from voluntary donations by ICGA members. ICGA dues money are not used for PAC contributions.

Governor Culver Issues Election Proclamations

Notification of proposed actions required by law

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver has signed two proclamations concerning the Iowa Constitution. By law, both proclamations must be issued at least 60 days prior to Election Day. The first is a proclamation relating to the Iowa Water and Land Legacy Amendment to the Constitution that will be on the November ballot.

The Governor also issued a proclamation regarding the constitutional convention question that will be on November’s ballot. The question to hold a convention to amend or revise the Iowa Constitution is required by law to be put before voters every 10 years. The last year the question was on the ballot was 2000.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Democratic Party (IDP) announced today that Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell will serve as the keynote speaker for their 2010 Jefferson Jackson Dinner, which will take place on October 16th in Des Moines. Gov. Rendell, the former Democratic National Committee chairman, has been a strong voice for the Democratic Party at a local, state, and national level.

“Governor Rendell’s lifetime of public service and dedication to the Democratic Party has made him one of our strongest and most outspoken voices, it is an honor to welcome him as our keynote speaker for the Jefferson Jackson Dinner,” said IDP Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “The Jefferson Jackson Dinner is always a great opportunity for Iowa Democrats to hear from our great leaders from across the nation and build support for the Party. This year Governor Rendell will help us prepare to reelect Governor Culver and send Roxanne Conlin to the Senate as we build on our past success.”

The IDP’s annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner has welcomed many national political figures, most recently hosting Vice President Joe Biden in 2009. For more information about the Dinner visit http://iowademocrats.org/JJ.

Gov. Sarah Palin to Headline Iowa GOP’s Ronald Reagan Dinner

“Salute to Freedom” Event, Friday, September 17
 
DES MOINES – Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn today announced Governor Sarah Palin will be the Party’s special guest at the upcoming Reagan Dinner: A Salute to Freedom.

“The Iowa GOP is pleased that Gov. Palin is traveling to Iowa to join the battle to return principled, conservative leadership to Iowa,” said Chairman Strawn. “Our economic and personal freedoms are under attack in Washington, DC and Des Moines. I know Iowa Republicans will be energized and motivated by Gov. Palin to stand up and fight for these principles all the way to Election Day and beyond.”

The Reagan Dinner: A Salute to Freedom will take place the evening of Friday, September 17 in Des Moines. The exact time and location will be announced closer to the event. Tickets for the Reagan Dinner are $100 each, or $1,000 for a table of eight.

Strawn noted that while the former Governor of Alaska and Vice Presidential nominee is popular among Iowans, the current economy is challenging for many Iowa families who may wish to attend. That is why the Iowa GOP is offering Iowans an opportunity to volunteer through any of its ten statewide Victory Centers in exchange for a ticket to the Ronald Reagan “Salute to Freedom” Dinner.  For additional details regarding volunteer opportunities, Iowans should contact their local Iowa GOP Victory Center in: Ames, Cedar Falls, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Iowa City, Marion, Mason City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Urbandale.

Tickets can be reserved by emailing RSVP@IowaGOP.org or by calling 515-282-8105.

UPDATE:  read some of what the national media is saying about Palin’s pending trip.  Jeff Zeleny of The New York Times talked about the “Iowa political terrain” in his post; Mark Halperin of Time offered half-a-page of analysis;  Peter Hamby of CNN says the trip comes at an “opportune” moment;  Chris Cilizza of The Washington Post uses the word “spadework” in his blog post.

Here’s the script:

ANNCR: They’re back.

The folks behind the sleaziest ad in history – NOW backing Ben Lange…lying about Bruce Braley.

Truth is, Braley says New Yorkers should decide about building near Ground Zero…

…just as IOWANS should decide things HERE.

Big corporations are hitting Braley because he’d END tax breaks for those shipping jobs overseas.

Gutter politics fueled by corporate cash may work for Ben Lange.

But Bruce knows who HE works for.

TAG:
I’m Bruce Braley and I approve this message.

P.S.  Willie Horton was featured in a now-infamous 1998 campaign ad for George H.W. Bush, attacking Democrat Michael Dukakis.

A check of King’s Twitter account shows he has posted nothing about the episode.  His last tweet was last Tuesday. UPDATE:  King issued a brief statement late this afternoon:

King Statement:

“I have long said I will debate if my opponent develops an issues based campaign.  Clearly he has not and his most recent ‘fraternity prank’ at Western Iowa Tech Community College is conclusive.  Any discussion in favor of a debate is therefore concluded.  There will be no debate.  I will continue to take my message to Iowans and make myself available to them for an honest and open exchange of opinions.”

Here’s a news release from Campbell’s campaign.

Tea Party member says Steve King should debate Campbell –King looks to avoid formal debate for 8th year in office
[SIOUX CITY, IA]—Matt Campbell earlier today asked Steve King at a town hall meeting at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City whether he intends to participate in a live television debate for the first time since being elected to Congress.  Steve King has never formally debated an opponent since being elected and says Campbell has not “earned the right.”  Campbell is the Democratic nominee from Manning, Iowa who won a competitive June 8th primary by a convincing 76% to 24% margin.

Campbell is the son of five generations of Iowa farmers, the grandson of two World War II veterans and was a former four-state regional lead of international tax at the 10th largest accounting firm in the U.S.  Campbell holds numerous endorsements for the position including from Republican members of Steve King’s own party–former Lieutenant Governor Art Neu and Matt Walsh, mayor pro tem of Council Bluffs.

Joyce Schulte, the 2002 and 2004 Democratic nominee for Iowa’s 5th District says, “Matt Campbell is imminently more qualified for the position than Steve King.”

Campbell says, “Steve King has never held himself accountable to the voters of Iowa in eight years and needs to fulfill his responsibility to the Democratic process.  Steve King is playing games when in reality he’s the one not respecting the process.  Even a Tea Party member of the audience agreed King should debate me.”

“I cordially introduced myself to Steve King in Storm Lake as King indicates I should have and since then King has ignored letters and phone calls from my office to discuss his participation in a formal debate focused on the issues facing the country,” Campbell says.  “It’s been 8 years, and it’s high time he fulfills his responsibility to voters.” 

Campbell last week accepted an invitation to participate in a live debate on KTIV-Channel 4 News in Sioux City on October 23rd, 7pm.

King charges that Campbell is not focused on the issues.  Campbell responds, “Anyone can visit my website at www.MattCampbellForCongress.com to see that I’m focused on the issues.  I’ve noted how King wants to raise the social security full retirement age to age 70 or reduce benefits and how King doesn’t want to pursue millions of dollars in international criminal tax evasion after the UBS banking scandal saying that it would ‘squeeze the rich.’”

While a review of a Campbell’s website substantiates that Campbell has a number of issue statements, Campbell also has issued press releases on King’s extremist statements.

Campbell says, “I’m focused on good job development and on issues that will move Iowa forward, but I’ve called-out King when he’s made extremist statements such as referring to Democrats as being like Pontius Pilate for taking up immigration reform, for King falsely charging in Red Oak, Iowa that the President is a Muslim Marxist and for King empathizing with the suicide bomber in Austin, Texas earlier this year.”

Campbell indicates, “It’s not about me and it’s not about him.  It’s about what’s best for Iowa and America moving forward, and Steve King should be willing to respect the process to have a formal discussion of the issues when we have men and women in harm’s way sacrificing far more.”

Ambassador Charles Manatt, former Democratic National Party chairman and former President Clinton Presidential campaign co-chairman is hosting an event for Campbell’s campaign in Audubon, Iowa on Tuesday, August 31st and Congressman Bruce Braley will appear with Matt at events in early September.

A news release from the Iowa Democratic Party attacks King:

DES MOINES – Republican Congressman Steve King today said he would not debate Democratic challenger Matt Campbell. King, who previously claimed Campbell, “hasn’t earned” the right to debate, justified his refusal by saying, “he’s not worthy.”

“The people of the 5th District deserve an open debate between Steve King and Matt Campbell. They have earned the right to hear from both candidates in a fair and public setting and Steve King is proudly standing in the way of that,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “Surely a four-term Congressman like Steve King is capable of debating the issues, the only question is why he feels his constituents don’t deserve the chance to make an informed decision in this election.”

While King has repeatedly dodged debate requests, when asked again by Matt Campbell today at a town hall in Sioux City he said “no” and went on to argue that debate is not necessary to the political process, saying “I don’t know where that rule is written.” Since taking office in 2003 King has avoided a single, formal debate with his opponents.

“It’s disappointing that Steve King, who never misses an opportunity to comment on an issue, is hiding from a real debate with his opponent. The people of the 5th District deserve better, Matt Campbell will be a strong voice for hard working families across the district” added Dvorsky.

Matt Campbell won the Democratic nomination after a competitive primary earlier this year and has earned the endorsement of prominent figures including U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.

Vicki Kennedy, wife of the late U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, will headline an event for Governor Chet Culver next month.  She is the “special guest” at the fundraiser on Thursday, September 9 in central Iowa.  Individuals can pay $1000 to go; $1500 to be listed as a host or $2000 to be listed as a sponsor. 

Vicki Kennedy hosted a fundraiser for Culver in Masschusetts on May 10. Culver’s father, John, was a long-time friend of Senator Kennedy.