Saturday, February 28, 2009

Harkin Interviewing Democrats for U.S. Attorney


Iowa Senator Tom Harkin is apparently doing a little interviewing during his weekend in Des Moines. A source close to the senator confirms Harkin is interviewing Democrats so he can soon make his recommendation for the person who should take over as the next U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa. Matt Whitaker holds the post now. But, as a Republican who now finds himself working under a Democratic president, he knows his days are numbered.

The source says Harkin is considering about a half dozen Iowa Democrats for the post. Several Democrats tell me Harkin doesn't want this position to be "political". As you'll remember, Democrats criticized some of former President George W Bush's Republican appointments for making the U.S. Attorney offices too political.

Would that seem to rule out several of the finalists like former Democratic Party Chairman Gordon Fischer and Polk County Democratic Chairman Tom Henderson? Several sources tell me they believe Nick Klinefeldt, a lawyer with Ahlers & Cooney of Des Moines is the favorite at this point.

Friday, February 27, 2009

McCain's Top 10 Porkiest Projects

(Photo courtesy: http://www.ehponline.org/)


Republican Senator John McCain isn't quite showing the love to the state that helped to send Barack Obama into the White House. McCain "tweeted" his Top Ten Porkiest Projects throughout the day. And at the top of the list, is the Swine Odor and Manure Management Research project at Iowa State University in Ames.

#1. $1.7 million for pig odor research in Iowa from web

and the #1 project is from web

#2. $2 million “for the promotion of astronomy” in Hawaii - because nothing says new jobs for average Americans like investing in astronomy from web

#3. $332,000 for the design and construction of a school sidewalk in Franklin, Texas - not enough $ for schools in the stimulus? from web

#4. $2.1 million for the Center for Grape Genetics in New York - quick peel me a grape. from web

#5. $650,000 for beaver management in North Carolina and Mississippi from web

#6. $1 million for mormon cricket control in Utah - is that the species of cricket or a game played by the brits? from web

#7. $300,000 for the Montana World Trade Center - enough said from web

#8. $200,000 "tattoo removal violence outreach program to could help gang members or others shed visible signs of their past" REALLY? from web

going to the floor from web

#9. $475,000 to build a parking garage in Provo City, Utah from web

#10. $1.7M "for a honey bee factory" in Weslaco, TX from web

Chuck Grassley for Governor


But first, the matter at hand. Our photojournalist was shooting close ups of Governor Chet Culver signing the allowable growth bill at Des Moines' SCAVO campus. You can see from the picture what he found on the governor's right hand. Signs of an alien abduction? Doubtful. Teething marks from the first family's new puppy, Buck? We wondered. A spokesman from the governor's office said he was not aware of the marks on the governor's hand. Mystery unsolved.

We just finished taping this weekend's edition of Channel 13's "The Insiders". Senator Matt McCoy, the Democrat from Des Moines, predicted Iowa's U.S. Senator Charles Grassley will not run for another term when his seat expires next year. Instead, McCoy said Grassley will run for governor instead. Now, that would be a juicy match up...Culver vs. Grassley, just like the headline back in 1980 when Congressman Charles Grassley defeated Senator John Culver. By the way, Grassley would be 77 when he took office as governor. Quite a prediction, Senator McCoy.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Polk County Republicans' New Leaders

I'm trying to catch up on some news. My laptop got zapped by some type of virus, xp-police or something like that? It apparently alerts you that you have a virus, then makes it look like it offers you some type of software to kill the virus. Although, when you try to activate that software, you are really activating the virus. We just took in the laptop to get some professionals to try to clean it up. 100 bucks...why the hell do these idiots create these viruses?

Anyway, enough ranting. The controversial Ted Sporer era in leading Polk County Republicans appears to be over. Sporer tried to muscle his way in as state party chairman, but failed to get enough support behind him. Sporer could be a "you love him or hate him" kind of guy. His blog went down for several months. It's now back up, but he's no longer leading the county party. Republicans have selected Jon Bloom and Will Rogers as co-chairs to take over. The party's county web site offers no information on the change. It says it is "reorganizing".

Chris Matthews: Oh, God

MSNBC's Chris Matthews is again causing a stir about the liberal leanings of his cable network's prime-time programming. Mathews uttered an "Oh, God" as Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal walked toward the camera for his party's response to President Obama's address to Congress. This clip is 46 seconds long. You can hear Mathews' comment at 41 seconds into it.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Chuck Grassley, the Tweeter


The Politico just ranked Iowa Senator Charles Grassley as the seventh most influential "tweeter" in America. Not bad for a 75-year-old guy. The article describes Grassley's updates on Twitter as Grassley’s are personal in an Iowan way: friendly but dry. This 75-year-old sometime farmhand Republican has developed quite a following (2,000-plus) with his plain-spoken, Midwest Twittering style: “On way bk to frigid waterloo. Will my car start at airport.” “I didn’t stay up to see Ball drop. I will watch Hawkeyw ftball. Otherwise read. Not a very exciting new year celebration but tradition forme.” “6 inches snow in New hartford last night. I missed it bc of senate session. Lucky we finished corn harvest last wkend.”

Here are his tweets from the past several weeks:

First day back in DC. Spend hrs going thru all communication handed me on my 24 county tour. doubt if I've evr collected so much in 28yrs from txt

Thanks for following me http://tinyurl.com/c2gxdh from txt

UNI lost from txt

UNI going to ovrtime from txt

I'm at UNI Creighton Halftime UNI27/26 from txt

1report 4 Fri 4 meeting. Clinton HS. Maquoketa Monticello Hopkinton. All well attended. Still biger than normal crowd. Great wk of meetings from txt

80 people at mechanicville town meet. First time in 20 counties that any attendee said disagreed w my stimulus vote from txt

715am btween 75 and 100 people attended Washington Ia town meet. Less discussion than usual on stimulus from txt

Biggest crowd of wk. Burlington ovr 200. Same issues. from txt

Lvig Sieman Manuf Ft Madison. Toured plant. Town meeting w all production workers. On way Burlington town meet from txt

45 people at Keosauqua meeting. Fraudulent North american union conspiracy came up again. Outrage abt earmarks. Onto ft madison wind manuf from txt

39 people at Albia town meet. Meeting in Centerville had different purpose so fewer attendees. Good report on Rural Water Recreation Corps from txt

Lving Chariton meeting. 93 persons. I stayed xtra 30min. More conservative group from txt

Lving corydon. 63 attended meeting Fewer Qs than leon meeting. People worried abt inflation bc of stimulus spending. On way to Chariton from txt

Just left Leon town meeting. Surprise large crowd of 63. 24 different pts of view or Qs brought up from txt

First stop 24 county tour. Capital City Norwalk Fruit tour and answer Qs for workers from txt

On way Ames speak to Ag majors. Then to group of Policy students. First day of Six day tour of town meetings in 23 counties. from txt

CSPAN 530pmEST. FIANAL vote stimulous)porkulus bill I vote NAY. Pres signs 800B$ bill Mon primetime TV from txt

Just had bfast w pres of Uni in Sen Dining Room to go ovr budget request from txt

Going on Fox news now. hope you watch from txt

Iowa Republicans Target Appel


Not exactly sure what this means...but... Iowa Senate Republicans sent out two releases on the idea to have us elect a new president based on the popular vote, instead of the electoral college (you remember what happened in 2000 when Gore received more votes than Bush). Republicans sent out the first release I've included last night; the one below it came out this morning. The only real change I can find is the first one is rather generic criticism of the Democrats who helped pass theplan out of committee. The second release picks a specific target: Democratic Senator Staci Appel of Ackworth.

Here's the first release:

Senate Democrats Pass “Iowa Voter Irrelevancy Act”
Out of State Government Committee
Senate Republicans instead focus on creating jobs and promoting Iowa’s economy and wonder why Senate Democrats are more focused on making Iowa’s voters irrelevant

DES MOINES, IA - A Senate Democrat proposal to strip Iowa of its influence in future presidential elections, dubbed the “Iowa Voter Irrelevancy Act”, passed out of the Senate State Government Committee today on an 8-7 vote with two Democrats joining unified Republican opposition to the bill. While Senate Republicans are busy trying to find way to save taxpayers money, keep taxes low, create good paying jobs and grow Iowa’s economy, this unpopular bill is being pushed through the legislative process. Should it gain enough votes in the Iowa House, the Iowa Senate and if it is signed by Governor Culver, Iowans right to have a say in who becomes the President of the United States will be dramatically diminished.

“As Iowans hear the details of this bill, I think they will end up coming to the capitol in outrage and demand answers. This is a terrible piece of legislation and Iowans must contact their legislators about this immediately to stop the Democrats from making Iowa voters irrelevant,” said Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley (R-Chariton). “Senate Republicans are focused on trying to grow Iowa’s economy, create and retain jobs and root out wasteful government spending but it appears that the Democratic agenda rests figuring out ways to cut Iowans out of presidential election process. You would think they already have enough on their plate considering their hundreds of millions in self inflicted budget deficits and their union boss anti-job agenda that will only raise taxes on Iowans already dealing with tough financial times.”

This bill would reverse traditions that date back centuries as our country’s founding fathers put the Electoral College in place to protect smaller states from having their say diminished by the larger, more heavily populated states. As it stands now, Iowa has seven electoral votes and those votes are awarded to whichever presidential candidate manages to win the most votes based on the results of Iowa’s 99 counties. However, this Democrat pushed bill will undermine that storied tradition with one fail swoop. This bill will force Iowa to give its seven electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote instead of Iowa’s popular vote.

“Democrats must really want voters in urban centers like Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Miami or Boston having more say in the process than the voters in our communities all over the state,” said McKinley. “During last year’s election, groups like ACORN were out meddling with voter registrations and tampering with our elections. Do we really want to give them more opportunity to steal our legitimate right to determine who becomes our country’s president?”

If this bill were enacted, presidential candidates would have very limited motivation to come to Iowa to campaign for votes because Iowa is only about 1/100 of the country’s population. They would instead stick to campaigning in other states where the population is more dense and Iowans would be ignored and our issues would be swept aside. This is just another example of how our founding fathers were once again right on target in their desires to protect smaller states.

“I want to urge every Iowan to immediately contact their Senator about this bill and let them know that it is wrong for Senate Democrats to make Iowa’s voters irrelevant,” said McKinley. “Let them know that with 80,000 Iowans out of work, they should be focused on creating jobs and growing Iowa’s economy instead of limiting our influence in presidential elections.”

Committee Roll Call Vote:

Nay: Sen. Feenstra (R-Hull), Sen. Behn (R-Boone), Sen. Hartsuch (R-Bettendorf), Sen. Seymour (R-Woodbine), Sen. Wieck (R-Sioux City), Sen. Horn (D-Cedar Rapids), Sen. Black (D-Grinnell)

Yes: Sen. Appel (D-Ackworth), Sen. Kibbie (D-Emmetsburg), Sen. Sodders (D-State Center), Sen. Jochum (D-Dubuque), Sen. Hatch (D-Des Moines), Sen. Dearden (D-Des Moines), Sen. Danielson (D-Cedar Falls), Sen. Courtney (D-Burlington)

Here's the second release:

Sen. Appel Joins Other Senate Democrats to Pass “Iowa Voter Irrelevancy Act” Out of State Government Committee
Senate Republicans instead focus on creating jobs and promoting Iowa’s economy and wonder why
Sen. Appel is more interested in making Iowa’s voters irrelevant

DES MOINES, IA - A Senate Democrat proposal to strip Iowa of its influence in future presidential elections, dubbed the “Iowa Voter Irrelevancy Act”, passed out of the Senate State Government Committee yesterday on an 8-7 vote with two Democrats joining unified Republican opposition to the bill. Sen. Staci Appel (D-Ackworth) voted in favor of passage of the bill. While Senate Republicans are busy trying to find way to save taxpayers money, keep taxes low, create good paying jobs and grow Iowa’s economy, this unpopular bill is being pushed through the legislative process. Should it gain enough votes in the Iowa House, the Iowa Senate and if it is signed by Governor Culver, Iowans right to have a say in who becomes the President of the United States will be dramatically diminished.

“As Iowans hear the details of this bill, I think they will end up coming to the capitol in outrage and demand answers. This is a terrible piece of legislation and Iowans must contact their legislators about this immediately to stop the Democrats from making Iowa voters irrelevant,” said Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley (R-Chariton). “Senate Republicans are focused on trying to grow Iowa’s economy, create and retain jobs and root out wasteful government spending but it appears that the Democratic agenda rests figuring out ways to cut Iowans out of presidential election process. You would think Sen. Appel and the other Democrats already have enough on their plate considering their hundreds of millions in self inflicted budget deficits and their union boss anti-job agenda that will only raise taxes on Iowans already dealing with tough financial times.”

This bill would reverse traditions that date back centuries as our country’s founding fathers put the Electoral College in place to protect smaller states from having their say diminished by the larger, more heavily populated states. As it stands now, Iowa has seven electoral votes and those votes are awarded to whichever presidential candidate manages to win the most votes based on the results of Iowa’s 99 counties. However, this Democrat pushed bill will undermine that storied tradition with one fail swoop. This bill will force Iowa to give its seven electoral votes to the winner of the national popular vote instead of Iowa’s popular vote.

“Sen. Appel must really want voters in urban centers like Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, Miami or Boston having more say in the process than the voters in our communities all over the state,” said McKinley. “During last year’s election, groups like ACORN were out meddling with voter registrations and tampering with our elections. Does Sen. Appel really want to give them more opportunity to steal our legitimate right to determine who becomes our country’s president?”

If this bill were enacted, presidential candidates would have very limited motivation to come to Iowa to campaign for votes because Iowa is only about 1/100 of the country’s population. They would instead stick to campaigning in other states where the population is more dense and Iowans would be ignored and our issues would be swept aside. This is just another example of how our founding fathers were once again right on target in their desires to protect smaller states.

“I want to urge every Iowan to immediately contact their Senator about this bill and let them know that it is wrong for Senate Democrats to make Iowa’s voters irrelevant,” said McKinley. “Let them know that with 80,000 Iowans out of work, they should be focused on creating jobs and growing Iowa’s economy instead of limiting our influence in presidential elections.”

Committee Roll Call Vote:

Nay: Sen. Feenstra (R-Hull), Sen. Behn (R-Boone), Sen. Hartsuch (R-Bettendorf), Sen. Seymour (R-Woodbine), Sen. Wieck (R-Sioux City), Sen. Horn (D-Cedar Rapids), Sen. Black (D-Grinnell)

Yes: Sen. Appel (D-Ackworth), Sen. Kibbie (D-Emmetsburg), Sen. Sodders (D-State Center), Sen. Jochum (D-Dubuque), Sen. Hatch (D-Des Moines), Sen. Dearden (D-Des Moines), Sen. Danielson (D-Cedar Falls), Sen. Courtney (D-Burlington)



Monday, February 23, 2009

The Insiders

In case you missed Channel 13's "Insiders" on Sunday (like anyone would miss it, right?), there's a link on our website. Jerry Crawford and Doug Gross talk about whether prevailing wage will prevail, why the popular vote movement should be unpopular with Iowans and go back and forth on a wild card. Enjoy:

http://www.whotv.com/news/theinsiders/

Republicans Claim Victory on Prevailing Wage

Iowa Republicans weren't doing cartwheels in the house chamber today. But they're definitely starting to claim victory now that the statehouse sleepover is over. Democrats had said they'd end the weekend-long drama at 1pm Monday if no one had switched from "yes" to "no" on the bill. No one did. Perhaps, appropriately, as this has all turned out, nothing happened at 1pm.

House Speaker Pat Murphy called the house into order (he added, "I hope you all had a good night's sleep", which drew some chuckles from lawmakers) and closed the voting. He adjourned the session...until today (technically, it was still last Thursday in the house) and called it at "1:08"pm, although my phone said it was 1:10pm. But what are two minutes among friends?

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy switched his "yes" vote to "no". That allows them to bring them bill up again later, hoping the second time around will help them find that elusive 51st vote to pass it.

I wasn't in on the gaggle of reporters surrounded Murphy after the session adjourned. But Radio Iowa's Kay Henderson reports Murphy says his "Irish temper" may have gotten the best of him Friday after he found out he lacked the one vote he needed to pass prevailing wage. That's why he apparently staged the sleepover all weekend long, in the hopes of a vote change.

Republicans have their "message" set on what's happened.

Here's the release from House Republicans:

Taxpayers Victorious Over Prevailing Wage Bill

(DES MOINES)—67 hours after the Speaker of the House decided to leave the voting machine open, House File 333 has officially been defeated.

On Friday, lawmakers debated the bill for five hour debate. On the final vote, five Democrats joined Republicans in opposition to the bill. House Democrats’ took unprecedented measures to strong arm the organized labor bill through the Iowa House. When Democrats did not receive the number of votes they needed to pass the bill, they announced they would be leaving the voting machine open for the entire weekend.

Monday, the Speaker closed the machine and the bill failed with a final vote of 49 to 49.

“I’m pleased the will of Iowans triumphed and sank House File 333 which would have raised property taxes, hurt disaster victims, and put small town contractors out of business,” said House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen. “While Iowans were victorious today, it is my hope that we will not see any version of this bill in the future. Even amended, this bill will hurt Iowa’s economy and raise taxes. Republicans instead believe it’s now time we start focusing on how to put 80,000 Iowans back to work, how to energize our economy and how to cut government spending to balance our budgets.”

During the weekend, the voting machine shut down three times. House Republicans took turns maintaining a presence in the House, watching the voting machine.


Here's the one Iowa Republican Party Chairman Matt Strawn sent out on Twitter:

Iowans, way to make your voices heard as prevailing wage fails. must stay vigilant on this and rest of jobs-killing agenda.

Statehouse Sleepover

It's 10a.m. as I write this. That means (I think) this prevailing wage/sit-in/sleep-in at the Iowa statehouse may be down to its final three hours. Can we assume now none of the five Democrats who voted against the bill Friday will change his/her vote? Can we also assume then that after 1pm today, one Democrat will file a motion to reconsider, allowing the prevailing wage to come up later in the session with a change or two in its scope? Can we also assume House Speaker Pat Murphy will get to shower today:)

I asked both parties for the night shift roster last night. I haven't heard back from the Democrats yet. Here are the Republicans:

Reps. Mike May, Renee Schulte, Duane Alons and Dave Heaton took shifts.

Republicans were also busy little "tweeters" last night as well. If you're not a Twitter person, tweets are the quick messages a user sends out to followers on Twitter. Here are their tweets from the last 24 hours:

annnnd the voting machine cleared again. That's the 3rd time. from web

Rep Alons came in to take over the reigns at the Statehouse. Kressing watching movies in the speakers chair. from web

are you out there? Stuck in the Capitol staring at the voter board. It's still on. Vote 50 to 48. NO changes from web

starinig at the voting machine...5 R Reps 2 D Reps, and 3 Friends of R's. CRs just left after bringing another round of Goody bags! from web

At the capitol for the night shift. Rs include Renee Schulte, Jason Schultz, Erik Helland. @C_Rants and Annette Sweeney are to join soon from web

Mike May and Jason Schultz are here. I'm headed out! from web

just opened an invite for AFL-CIO hospitality night. Must be a mistake from web

Watching Schueller, Gayman and Frevert in the well. Berry and Miller just left. from web

Well, Dane4Chair, my first time, so forgive me. Isaiah...heard the blue dog Ds are fortifying for tomorrow right now. from web

Pettengill wishing Rep. Frevert would start whispering also. Is that too personal to Twitter? from web

Pettengill again...never twittered before, so bear with me....reporting from IA House chamber, up to the minute news. :) from web

Pettengill here in House chamber, watching lots of whispering at the well and writing my column. from web

We are having fun! The College Republicans brought in some more goodies as did Grant Young! Greg F. just came in so now the total-50-48!BD from web

Rep. Forristall just cast the last Republican vote AGAINST HF 333. The vote is 50-48. Close the machine, Mr. Speaker from web

From the House: Grant - just bring goodies to the House Chamber. South Capitol public entrance is open. Thanks for the support! Rep. Tymeson from web

Report from House Chamber: Received another care package from ISU College Republicans. Many thanks for their support! from web

Sunday, February 22, 2009

As the Prevailing Wage Turns

It's day three of the prevailing wage sleepover at the Iowa statehouse. The vote still stands (as of 3pm) 50 "for" and 47 "against", meaning the Democrats remain one vote short of passing their plan. Early tonight, one of the missing lawmakers, Rep. Greg Forristall, is supposed to show up to vote. But the Macedonia Republican isn't in for a "yes" vote, so that still doesn't help make the math work for the Democrats.

We talked with one of the five Democrats who originally voted against the bill. McKinley Bailey, of Webster City, sure doesn't sound like he'll switch before tomorrow. He said he hasn't heard from Democratic leadership to try to push him the other way. But he adds he hasn't checked his phone, which is full of voice messages. When we asked him whether leadership could try to more than "gently" persuade him, he said he was shot at twice during the war. So he says he's not easily intimidated.

Here's a little non-statehouse Sunday distraction for you. Country star and former college football player, Toby Keith, performs before thousands tonight at the "Well" in Des Moines. Let's hope he doesn't have to kick a little a$@ like he did at this concert after a drunken fan threw beer at him and flipped him his "favorite finger".

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Prevailing Wage Sleepover


Who blinks first at the sleepover standoff at the Iowa statehouse? Or who showers first? As it stands tonight, the vote on the prevailing wage bill stands with 50 for and 47 opposed. Two Republicans missed the vote, Rep. Chambers, who's serving in Iraq and Rep. Forristall, who was not in Des Moines. Geri Huser, the Democrat from Altoona, is out of state. It doesn't appear any of the missing three will vote before Monday afternoon. So it seems as if House Speaker Pat Murphy's only chance here is for one of the five Democrats who voted against the bill Friday to change his vote over the weekend.

If that happens, then, perhaps, Murphy goes homes a little stinky and embarrassed. But, what happens if no Democrat changes, or even worse, what happens if a Democrat comes back Monday and switches from "yes" to "no"? How embarrassing will that be? Will Iowans care and think Democrats have tried to go too far here or will the politicos be the only ones losing sleep?



Friday, February 20, 2009

Prevailing Wage Doesn't Prevail

I think we can call this one a "stunner". The prevailing wage bill at the Iowa statehouse the Democrats were trying to push through before the weekend has hit a major bump. Democrats thought they had the 51 votes they would need to pass it. As it turns out they are stuck at 50 votes. Speaker of the House Pat Murphy plans to keep someone in the speaker's chair through the weekend until Monday, so the voting isn't officially closed. And ultimately that would have meant the bill failed. I assume the Dems are hoping a member has a change of heart over the weekend, one way or the other. Geri Huser of Altoona, according to Radio Iowa's Kay Henderson was out of town today and missed the vote. Do you think she will get some attention this weekend?

More on this later. But here's the statement from Murphy's office:

STATEMENT FROM HOUSE SPEAKER PAT MURPHY

"There is a difference between creating jobs and creating good-paying jobs. Thousands of Iowans work hard every day but don't get paid a decent wage. Prevailing wage is one step we can take to provide more support for Iowa's middle-class families. I want to be sure that taxpayer money is going to responsible Iowa employers who pay a decent wage, not employers who take advantage of people like we've seen in Postville and Atalissa. As the presiding officer of the House, I will stay in the Speaker's chair and the voting machine will remain open until Monday. My goal is to get 51 votes and make sure we have good-paying jobs for middle class families."

Prevailing Wage Debate Friday

Today is Friday. And apparently the Iowa legislature will work today. Friday. The controversial prevailing wage bill was supposed to get debated Thursday. But leaders say since it took so long to draft and ready amendments for the bill, they had to quit for the night without debate last night around 10:30. Even if you are the most casual follower of the Iowa statehouse, you know the legislature doesn't work at the statehouse on Fridays. Almost never, actually. Perhaps, one or two Fridays per session? And usually it occurs at the end of the legislative session as lawmakers try to finish up the budget or whatever issue needs final work.

Legislators are only about a third of the way through this legislative session. So why are Democrats pushing so hard to get this prevailing wage debate finished this week? Why can't it just wait until Monday afternoon, when lawmakers usually go back into session for the week? What's the rush? Republicans have maintained this whole debate is just a "thank you" for unions for helped Democrats win big in last November's election. Republicans say this thank you will cost you, the taxpayer, millions by jacking up construction costs of public projects. Democrats say this is a fairness issue. They say it will stop project builders from screwing over workers by classifying them as "independent contractors", which gets them out of paying benefits, decent wages, etc.

Critics would contend the Democrats may think they have the votes to get prevailing wage passed in the house today, so they're trying to get this thing passed a.s.a.p. That way they don't risk losing support when members go back home this weekend and get hounded by constituents' phone calls and complaints at the grocery store. Last I heard, Democrats were thinking they had 51 votes in the house. So a swing of one or two lawmakers would doom the vote. That's why critics say the Democrats don't want to wait until Monday for a vote.

If this prevailing wage bill really would make life better for Iowans (that is why lawmakers work for the taxpayers, right?) as Democrats contend, then don't Democrats owe it to Iowans to explain why this bill warrants the work today? Friday.

The man from Hope thinks President Barack Obama needs to give us all a little more hope. Former President Bill Clinton told ABC he thinks a little more happy talk will lift our spirits. What do you think? It worked for Ronald Reagan, right?

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Chicago Tea Party?


So how do you feel about all those federal bailouts? CNBC's Rick Santelli is all kinds of fired up about them. Have you seen what he did today from the floor of the stock exchange? He is calling for a "Chicago Tea Party" to protest the latest housing bailout President Obama proposed. And a Des Moines-based group looks like it may provide the tea cups. First, here's the rant:

The American Future Fund sent out this release this afternoon:

Would YOU join us in Chicago for a new, “Boston Tea Party?” IF WE GET ENOUGH SIGNATURES, IT WILL HAPPEN!

Rick Santelli of CNBC tells it like it is, speaking up on the Chicago Board of Trade’s stock floor about the wasteful, regulatory nature of the stimulus bill. He asks – Do YOU want to pay for your neighbor’s mortgage?! His appearance is a virtual call to action! You MUST WATCH THIS VIDEO.

Rick says we should have a new Boston Tea Party – in Chicago, THIS July!

Our petition for you is this – if American Future Fund hosted this tea party, in Grant Park – site of Barack Obama’s Chicago victory speech – would you be there? If we have enough folks say “YES!” then we just might start a major movement with this event. But it has to begin at the grassroots.

Will you be in Chicago to make a statement? Will you forward this to your friends and let them know about the NEW Boston Tea Party - held in July in Chicago? Will you post this on your blog, web site, Twitter and Facebook? Click here to sign our petition today!

Nicole Schlinger
President, American Future Fund


Wednesday, February 18, 2009

ITA Layoffs

Taxpayers were incensed about financial institutions taking their bailout money and then still taking those fancy, schmancy trips. Today, we know that anger has some fallout. Wells Fargo canceled one of its trips to Las Vegas. That cost ITA Group a bunch of cash, since it plans those types of trips for companies. The Business Record reports ITA is now laying off about 5% of its staff. The article says this is the second layoff for ITA. It seems layoffs just never stop right now.


President Harry Truman proudly said, "the buck stops here." For the Culver family, it's probably "the Buck went here." Today, Iowa's first family proudly showed off the new family dog, Buck. The photo comes courtesy Radio Iowa.


Monday, February 16, 2009

RIO Getting Pay Cuts

What exactly is going on at the Rebuild Iowa Office? And what was or wasn't going on for the past five months or so? The last several weeks have been tough ones. It's hardly the new CIETC. But, with allegations of inflated salaries and overpriced carpet, RIO has become the acronym of acrimony, at least in some lawmakers' eyes (mostly Republicans, but some Democrats, as well).

Governor Chet Culver hasn't exactly criticized what has been going on there, at least not publicly. Lawmakers have done plenty of that. Although, the gov did say today he was "disappointed" in some of the decisions there. That's the first time I remember him saying that about the office. It does seem like the gov has made changes. Chief of Staff Emily Hajek, it appears, was running the show there for about five months. Apparently, Lt. Gov Patty Judge ceased as the interim executive director on Labor Day, according to the gov. That revelation surprised lawmakers with whom I talked, along with the statehouse press corp. No one can remember any announcement back then that the Lt. Gov. was no longer part of RIO.


But after Hajek infuriated some lawmakers during a committee hearing earlier this month, the gov announced Major Ron Dardis was taking over. Lawmakers complained about the salaries of some RIO staffers (after getting two sets of documents showing two different sets of compensation for those staffers). Today, the gov said those salaries are going down. He said he'll submit a new budget for RIO. His office says the new numbers should come out in a few days.


Sunday, February 15, 2009

Boeyink and Sterzenbach

D-a-v-e P-r-i-c-e. I used to worry it's too simple. Maybe I need a better "tv name", I wondered. But I bet you have no problem saying it, right? Dave Price. Why do I bring it up, besides the fact that maybe we stayed out too late last night and I'm a bit sleep-deprived this morning?

Here are the names of the new Iowa Democratic and Republican Parties' Executive Directors:

Norm Sterzenbach for the Democrats, Jeff Boeyink for the Republicans. At least the telemarketers say my name correctly when they annoy me on my cell phone. I bet Norm and Jeff can't say the same thing. Good luck to both of them.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Kiernan Criticizes King

New Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan had said his priority was to get Chet Culver re-elected as governor. In a release today, Kiernan comes after a man who may want to take on Culver next year, Iowa Republican Congressman Steve King. Today, King voted against the stimulus package. In the release, you'll see below it says King voted with the "extreme wing" of his party on the stimulus bill. You should recall no house Republican voted for the bill today.

Here's Kiernan's release:

DES MOINES, IA – Days after announcing his interest in running for Governor of Iowa in 2010, Congressman Steve King (IA-05) once again placed the interests of the Republican Party ahead of the hardworking people of Iowa. Today, when given the opportunity to support a responsible economic recovery package that is expected to create 37,000 jobs in Iowa, Congressman King continued to ‘Just Say No.’ It appears King prefers to champion his extreme political ideologies over the needs of Iowans struggling during these tough economic times.

“Congressman Steve King is putting his personal partisan interests ahead of Iowa's interests” said Michael Kiernan, Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party. “If Congressman King is serious about running for Governor, he must stop being an obstructionist and start offering real solutions instead of advocating for failed economic policies of the Bush Administration.”

On Monday, during a taping of Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” when Congressman King announced his interest in running for Governor, he stated “his most important job now is to work to reunify the Republican Party in the state.” Someone should explain to Congressman King that if he wishes to continue to serve as an elected official, whether in the U.S. House of Representatives or in Iowa’s Capitol, he needs to stop being an obstructionist and start addressing the needs and concerns of the people of Iowa.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is the product of great compromise by Democrats and Republicans. Members from both parties recognized the need to put aside their differences in order to address the greatest economic crisis facing our nation since the Great Depression. However, Congressman Steve King continued to ‘just say no’ to the people of Iowa and voted in lock step with the extreme wing of the Republican Party instead of the over 75,000 Iowans currently looking for jobs.


Representative Burt's Arrest

Could someone please make sense of this? One of the new Iowa legislators, Kerry Burt, a Waterloo Democrat, apparently may or may not have been driving drunk. O.K., it sounds like prosecutors charged him with that offense. But even though officers pulled him over and Burt was reportedly the only person in the car, police aren't sure he was driving??? Let me know, when you figure this one out.

This quote from Ankeny Police Captain Arnie Porath comes from Charlotte Eby's story in the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier:

Ankeny Police Capt. Arnie Porath said an accident report also was filed.Police refused to release the report, saying that under Iowa law, they are not allowed to release accident reports that do not result in a fatality.“Let me put it to you like this, we took an accident report, but I cannot put Kerry Burt behind the wheel at the accident, OK?” Porath said. “So, I know this sounds ridiculous, but I can’t specifically say that he was driving at the time of an accident. However, I can say that when our officers stopped Mr. Burt, that he was driving and we are – as a result of our investigation -- charging him with operating while under the influence of alcohol.”

Republican blogger, Krusty Konservative, wants to know how House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy will handle this one. McCarthy, as you will recall, gave to the Des Moines Register some of the skeletons he found in Republican candidates' closets before last November's election. This is a quote Krusty offers from McCarthy from back then.

"If these candidates were elected to office, would not be a stretch that we would need to establish night court at the state Capitol, together with a bailiff and maybe bring in Jerry Springer to cover it."

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Republicans Targeting Braley

I must admit I haven't heard many names yet of Iowa Republicans looking to try to knock off 1st District Congressman Bruce Braley next year. Actually, I haven't heard any names. Of course, it is just February. But nationally, Republicans are apparently going to start running radio ads attacking Braley for his vote on the stimulus package.



Apparently, Dick Van Patten was wrong. Eight isn't enough. At least, not according to the "Octomom". Nadya Suleman is the California woman who decided a half dozen kids weren't enough, so she more than doubled her number of youngin's by somehow bearing eight more. Yes, that's 14. 14! And she's set up a pretty well-put-together website. I wonder if her publicist had something to do with this. It's the Suleman stimulus package.


Braley Forms Populist Caucus

Eastern Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley has formed what he calls the "The Populist Caucus".

dictionary.com defines a "populist" like this:

1. a member of the People's party.
2. a supporter or adherent of populism.


Here's how Braley's office defines it in the release:

23 Members of Congress from Across America Join to Establish Populist Caucus

Washington, DC – Today, 23 Democratic members of Congress joined together to form the Populist Caucus, the only caucus in Congress devoted solely to addressing middle class economic issues.

“The middle class is the economic engine of America, but too often in Washington, the needs of the middle class are ignored.” Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), Chair of the Populist Caucus, said. “During these tough times, we need a renewed focus on strengthening the middle class and improving the lives of working families. The Populist Caucus will work together to find common ground on policies that create good-paying jobs, make health care more affordable for all, and put middle class families first again.”

The Populist Caucus is made up of members from a diverse array of backgrounds and experiences. The caucus aims to bring members of Congress together by rallying around six key middle class economic issues:

Creating Good Jobs and a Secure Retirement: Creating and retaining good-paying jobs in America, providing fair wages, proper benefits, a level playing field at the negotiating table, and ensuring American workers have secure, solvent retirement plans;
Cutting Taxes for the Middle Class: Cutting taxes for the middle class and establishing an equitable tax structure;
Affordable Health care: Providing affordable, accessible, quality health care for all Americans;
Quality, Affordable Education: Ensuring quality primary education for all American children, and affordable college education for all who want it;
Fair Trade: Defending American competitiveness by fighting for fair trade principles;
Protecting Consumers: Protecting consumers, so that Americans can have faith in the safety and effectiveness of the products they purchase.

Founding members include: Reps. Bruce Braley (D-IA), Chair; Michael Arcuri (D-NY), Vice-Chair; Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Vice-Chair; Betty Sutton (D-OH), Vice-Chair; Leonard Boswell (D-IA); Steve Cohen (D-TN); Joe Courtney (D-CT); Keith Ellison (D-MN); Bob Filner (D-CA); Phil Hare (D-IL); Mazie Hirono (D-HI); Hank Johnson (D-GA); Steve Kagen (D-WI); David Loebsack (D-IA); Eric Massa (D-NY); Tom Perriello (D-VA); Linda Sanchez (D-CA); Jan Schakowsky (D-IL); Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH); Louise Slaughter (D-NY); Peter Welch (D-VT); and John Yarmuth (D-KY).


Save U of I Money

The University of Iowa has joined the Iowa statehouse gang in starting a website for you to recommend money saving ideas. House Democrats and Republicans started their own sites a few weeks ago. Like you thought they could do a site together! Do you really think lawmakers can be bipartisan during an economic crisis? See Congress' stimulus package, if you need more fodder for thought. Here's the U of I's site:

Perhaps, my St. Louis Cardinals could offer some cost-savers. They seem to be shedding salaries all winter long. Of course, if they only win 75 games, we'll see what Cards' fans think of the pennypinchers. Who's playing second base this season... Red Schoendienst?

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

New Iowa Republican Party Executive Director



It appears new Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn has decided on his number 2. Saturday, the State Central Committee will vote on whether to appoint Jeff Boeyink as the party's executive director. Boeyink is the former president of Iowans for Tax Relief. BTW, Radio Iowa's Kay Henderson has an interesting observation on ITR's gas tax (change of?) stance.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Iowa Bad for New Business


Iowa Republicans surely felt a little extra oomph in their argument that the state needs to do more to help new businesses begin. U.S. News & World Report ranked only one state worse than Iowa in the entire country. Here's what it says about Iowa.

2. Iowa
Politically, Iowa is a hard state to pin down. It is known for a progressive streak, but also has a strong conservative voting bloc that voted for George W. Bush in 2004 (although the state went for Barack Obama in 2008). Iowa's strong "purple" nature might explain why it ranks so poorly as a state in which to start a business. It seems to have the worst impulses of its conservative and liberal tendencies--relatively low investment in the things that make entrepreneurs succeed, and high government interference. For the latter, Iowa has very high capital gains taxes and corporate income taxes, and is also one of the worst states for unemployment taxes on wages. In terms of investment, Iowa is 46th out of the states for adoption of broadband telecommunications services, and the speed of those services.

Steve King vs. RFK, Jr.

Hog producers are a greater threat to the U.S. than Osama bin Laden. Robert Kennedy, Junior asserted that (or apparently re-asserted that claim) during a House Judiciary Committee meeting in Washington D.C. The words definitely raised a stink with Iowa Congressman Steve King. Cue into the video about 45 seconds or so, if you are in a hurry. (What did we ever do before YouTube?)


Wednesday, February 04, 2009

Life After David Yepsen


David Yepsen is leaving the Des Moines Register. Officially. Dave will take over the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University University at Carbondale (I went to SIUC's sister school in Edwardsville). He has worked for the paper since 1974 and has covered every Iowa caucus since 1976. It's tough to replace that institutional knowledge. Dave is one of the few journalists in this area who truly "gets" the media, whether it be radio, tv, newspaper or internet (I think Radio Iowa's Kay Henderson is the other).

I'll be very curious what the Register does now. Its parent company, Gannett, has been slashing jobs left and right. (Ironically, on the day Dave was officially introduced at his new job in Carbondale, he was in the middle of his company-mandated unpaid furlough to save a few more bucks for Gannett.)

Dave wasn't just locally well-known, he's a fixture on the national scene, as well, when it comes to Iowa politics. Will the Register replace him? Will someone else already on staff just pick up his duties? It will be an interesting money decision for the paper at a time when money is such a factor (that should be factor with a capitol "F") in the industry.