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Iowa congressional delegation statements re: bin Laden

May 2, 2011 by

Four Iowa congressmen issued statements shortly after President Obama announced the world’s most-wanted man had been killed in a U.S. military operation.

Waterloo, IA — Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) released the following statement after the announcement of Osama Bin Laden’s death:

“Today the world is a safer place. Tonight’s announcement that Osama Bin Laden has been killed by U.S. forces is good news for all Americans. Nearly ten years after his cowardly attacks on innocent Americans and citizens of the world, and on the eighth anniversary of declaring “Mission Accomplished,” we can finally close a tragic chapter in our nation’s history. Our troops have made tremendous sacrifices, with many lives lost and many changed forever, and we must never forget the real cost of this war on terror.”

Des Moines, IA – Congressman Leonard Boswell released the following statement after President Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden.

“After hearing the news of Osama bin Laden’s death tonight, I immediately thought of our men and women in uniform who have bravely fought al Qaeda forces in the pursuit of the man responsible for attacking our nation on September 11, 2001,” said Congressman Leonard Boswell, who recently returned from a congressional trip to Afghanistan. “President Obama and our military leaders should be commended for their steadfast commitment to pursuing Osama bin Laden and his followers. I look forward to joining Iowa’s military families in welcoming our brave troops as they return home.”

WASHINTGON, DC- Congressman Loebsack issued the following statement after President Obama’s announcement that Osama Bin Laden has been confirmed dead.

“Tonight’s announcement is a testament to the men and women of our armed forces’ and intelligence community’s commitment to tracking down the man responsible for the death of thousands of innocent Americans.  Tonight stands as a profound chapter in our nation’s fight against those who work every day to do harm to the American people.  Even as we mark this day, however, we must remain vigilant – the threat against the American people remains and there are those who may seek revenge. The safety of our nation is paramount. Having just travelled to Islamabad to discuss critical counter-terrorism issues, and as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to work to ensure the security of our nation.”

WASHINGTON, DC – Iowa Congressman Tom Latham issued the following statement after President Obama announced that Osama bin Laden had been killed:

“The reign of a ruthless killer has been brought to an end.  The death of Osama bin Laden is welcome news for America and her allies around the globe.  We owe a debt of gratitude to the military and intelligence officials who carried out this operation.  This is a critical victory for the cause of freedom and liberty.  God bless the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks, and God bless the United States of America.”

Neither of Iowa’s U.S. Senators issued statements Sunday evening, nor did Congressman Steve King.

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AUDIO: Christie Vilsack talks about campaign

April 20, 2011 by

Former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack just called into the Radio Iowa newsroom to ahve a conversation with me about running for congress.  Listen: Christievilsack (mp3 runs about 9 minutes).

Here’s Vilsack’s answer to a question about the voter registration edge in the district (GOP has the edge in the new fourth district): 

“I looked at the numbers and they were pretty much the same as when Tom ran for governor all across Iowa and I think it’s a winnable district. Everybody I’ve talked to and all the people who are working with me think it’s a winnable district and I think it’s the most winnable district for me. I am a small town person and this is a district of small towns flanked by two or three really good-sized Iowa cities and I just think, all things considered, I thought it was the best district and I’m in it to run. I’m in it to win and if I decide to get to get in it, when the time comes after my exploration is done, then I’m going to go for it and I think this is the best place to win.”

I’ll be back with more from the interview, including Vilsack’s response to Governor Branstad’s “fish out of water” assertion and her own husband’s characterization of a Christie Vilsack versus Steve King match-up as a “holy war.”

UPDATE:  Here’s the Radio Iowa story.  From that story:

On her husband’s “holy war” statement: “Well, I think my husband two days ago wasn’t the spouse of a potential candidate and I don’t think he’s got the spouse thing down quite yet,” she told Radio Iowa. “But today he is and I think he’ll be able to stand next to me and be supportive.”

On Branstad’s “fish out of water” staement: “I could have run in any of Iowa’s districts because I feel like all Iowa is my home,” Vilsack said this morning.  “But, you know, I was in Emmetsburg in the parade at St. Patrick’s Day, right behind (Governor Branstad) and I’ve been in Crawford County — I’ve been traveling all over that district for the last 12 or 14 years and they’re my people and I feel very comfortable with them and I feel like it’s the best district for me as I reviewed it.”

I also asked her why she didn’t run against Congressman Boswell (D-Des Moines) in the new third district or against Congressman Loebsack (D-Mount Vernon, moving to Iowa City)  in the new second: “I really used quite a process and spent a long time trying to decide, really, what’s best for me and my family, what district fits me best and what’s best for my party,” Vilsack said. “…I wanted to run where I had the best chance of winning and I think I have the best chance of winning in the new fourth.”

Andrea Bozek of the National Republican Congressional Committee emailed the following:

After floating her name for practically every political office in Iowa, Democrat Christie Vilsack today announced her plans to move into Iowa’s new 4TH Congressional District to run against Republican Rep. Steve King.

 Please consider the following quote as you follow Vilsack’s announcement.

“Considering Vilsack’s support for the government takeover of healthcare she will fit right in with liberal Nancy Pelosi’s big government and spending agenda. Iowa voters understand that sending Vilsack to Washington will only result in more debt and a vote to try to put Nancy Pelosi back in the Speaker’s Chair. ” – NRCC Spokeswoman Andrea Bozek

 New District Breakdown:

 Steve King has represented nearly half of the new Fourth District since 2002.

 McCain received 50.2% in the new fourth.

Republican Gov. Terry Branstad received 59.4% in the new fourth.

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Loebsack fundraisers in the “new” second district

April 6, 2011 by

Wagons are already circling — way before the state legislature takes a vote on a reapportioned map of Iowa’s congresional districts (as well as districts for Iowa House and Senate seats).

As you may recall, the first map unveiled last week would pit two Democratic congressmen (Bruce Braley of Waterloo & Dave Loebsack of Mount Vernon) in the new firt congressional district.

Senator Tom Harkin & Congressman Bruce Braley are co-hosting a fundraiser for Congressman Dave Loebsack in the middle of May….in Scott County.  Scott County is currently in Braley’s first congressional district, but Scott County would be in Iowa’s new second congressional district if legislators approve the redistricting plan.  (Loebsack is likely to move into Johnson County/the Iowa City area — which is in the newly-proposed second district — to avoid a head-to-head match-up with Braley.)

Congressman Leonard Boswell also has agreed to host a fundraiser for Loebsack in…wait for it…Jasper County.  Jasper is in the current third congressional district, which Boswell now represents, but it will be in the new second congressional district if the redistricting plan is approved. 

Eric Witte, an aide to Loebsack, says these two fundraisers should erase “any doubt about people’s efforts to help Loebsack in the new Second CD should the map pass…Both Scott and Jasper are in the new 2nd CD as are 14 of the 15 counties Dave currently represents.”

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Redistricting round-up

March 31, 2011 by

Here’s the map of the proposed congressional districts.  Here’s a Radio Iowa story outlining the key races.  Here’s the list of legislators who’d be forced to run against another incumbent if they choose to remain in their current home and seek reelection in 2012. 

The four congressmen involved — Latham, King, Braley & Loebsack — issued written statements.  King and Loebsack granted telephone interviews today as well.

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Loebsack statement on redistricting

March 31, 2011 by

See headline above. Read statement below.

Loebsack Statement On Iowa Redistricting Proposal

“In Iowa, we are fortunate to have a nonpartisan redistricting process that puts Iowans and Iowa’s communities first, ahead of politics. For more than four years, I have been honored to represent much of southeastern Iowa – in Iowa’s Second Congressional district.  Understanding that the redistricting process is ongoing, as the map stands now, I would plan to continue to represent the southeastern district of Iowa that stretches from I-35 to Iowa City, the Quad Cities and to the southeastern most tip of Keokuk.  I have been honored to represent these communities in the past and look forward to representing them in the future.”

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And they paired off, two-by-two

March 31, 2011 by

The redistricting plan for Iowa’s congressional and legislative districts was released this morning.  It pairs Congressmen Tom Latham of Ames and Steve King of Kiron in one district.  They’re both Republicans.  It pairs Congressmen Bruce Braley of Waterloo and Dave Loebsack of Mount Vernon in another district.  They’re both Republicans.

It is possible, no probable that if the Iowa General Assembly approves this plan that two of those aforementioned congressmen will move.  Latham has moved before.  Loebsack could move into Johnson County, the Iowa City area.  In the last reapportionment, then-Congressman Jim Leach moved from Davenport to Iowa City.  And Congressman Leonard Boswell moved from Davis City to Des Moines.

It will be a few hours before the full extent of pairings in state legislative races for House and Senate seats is known.

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Loebsack befriends worried Utah Republican

January 25, 2011 by

Utah’s Jason Chaffetz was featured in this HuffPo story, fretting about not having a “date” for tonight’s State of the Union address.  Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Mt Vernon, Iowa) is going to be sitting with Congressman Chaffetz tonight.  No word on “the flowers thing” that Chaffetz tweeted about earlier; nor has he tweeted about sitting with Loebsack.  Loebsack’s staff, about half an hour before speech time, revealed the two will pair up.

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Boswell’s buddy for SOTU

January 25, 2011 by

Congressman Leonard Boswell (D-Des Moines) has a date for tonight’s State of the Union address.   From Jane Slusak, Boswell’s press secretary:

He has made plans to sit with Congressman Mike Conaway from Texas. He is the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, which the Congressman serves on as Ranking Member.

In case you haven’t been following the saga, some members of congress are literally trying to mix it up tonight, sitting with someone of the opposing party. It means there won’t be Republicans on one side of the room and Democrats on the other when the president gives his speech in less than an hour.  Senator Grassley (R-New Hartford) has a date. Congressman Steve King (R-Kiron) does not.  Here’s a bit more about the whole “prom night without the corsages” atmosphere, with details about Congressman Tom Latham (R-Ames) and Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Mt Vernon).  UPDATE:  Loebsack will sit with Congressman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).

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Iowa delegation 2-3 on health care repeal

January 19, 2011 by

The five congressmen from Iowa voted along party lines today as the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation that would repeal the federal health care reform law President Obama signed into law in the spring of 2010.  All 242 Republicans and three Democrats in the U.S. House voted for the repeal.  (None of those three Democrats were from Iowa.)

Congressman King speaks at a Capitol Hill press conference to urge passage of his ObamaCare repeal language. Also pictured (left to right): Rep. Tom Price, Rep. Jeff Duncan; Rep. Louie Gohmert and Rep. Michele Bachmann

Congressman Steve King (R-Kiron, Iowa) made several cable TV appearances and spoke on the House floor a few times over the past couple of days.  Check out King’s YouTube channel to watch those videos.  King  issued the following written statement after tonight’s vote:

“When ObamaCare passed, I made a pledge to work to uproot the law from the U.S. Code. To fulfill this promise, I drafted and introduced language to repeal ObamaCare ‘as if such Act had not been enacted.’ Today, the House of Representatives passed this language, and we are one step closer to fully repealing the law,” said King.

“Today’s historic vote was made possible because Americans have consistently demonstrated both resolve and fervor for repeal. In fact, Americans even elected 87 new Republicans to the House of Representatives to provide repeal supporters with the reinforcements we needed to answer their calls for repeal.”

“Today’s repeal vote represents not only a promise kept, but also the beginning of the end of ObamaCare itself. I will continue to work for ObamaCare’s repeal until this unconstitutional law is no longer on the books.”

[Read more…]

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Loebsack in “Center Aisle Caucus”

January 16, 2011 by

It had escaped my notice that Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Mt Vernon) was a member of something called the Center Aisle Caucus.  Read below for his comments about a new seating plan for the president’s State of the Union address. 

Congressman Loebsack Issues the Following Statement on the Proposed Seating at the State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today on a proposal by the independent group Third Way that members of both parties sit together during the President’s State of the Union Address.

“As a member of the Center Aisle Caucus, I strongly support the proposal that members of both parties sit together during the President’s State of the Union Address. This will symbolize that, although we will not always agree, Congress remains committed to civil discourse, honest debate and mutual respect. At a time when our nation is facing pressing challenges, we must transcend party lines and come together to craft common-sense solutions that will move our country forward.”

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