Ballary Oblinton

Obama? Clinton? Barack? Hillary? The choice went back and forth for months. Now that Obama has claimed victory, it will soon be time for him to claim his choice for a running mate.

Hillary Clinton seemed to campaign for it Tuesday night. She does have a lot of followers. And imagine the history-making potential of this team... the first African-American President AND the first female Vice-President. But are two firsts one too many? Too much Clinton baggage to carry around to the White House?

Here's Hubler

Rob Hubler just took the stage. About half of the room who is left here at the Leonard Boswell victory party at the Hotel Ft. Des Moines is still talking. Supporters of the 5th District Democratic nominee, Hubler, have shhh-d the crowd several times. But it hasn't worked. Boswell just left. Hubler continues on with his speech.

He said the Sioux City media can't say his last name correctly. They say "HUBB-lehr", he said. He wanted to know how the Des Moines media would say his name. I don't know anyone in the media will be saying his name tonight though.

Still the One

"Still the One" by Orleans just filled the room here at the Hotel Fort Des Moines. Much like everyone in this room expected, Leonard Boswell has defeated Ed Fallon in the 3rd District Primary. He just gave his short victory speech. Five minutes long. A very interesting thing he mentioned...Fallon didn't call him to congratulate him for his win (and admit his own defeat) before Fallon gave his speech and then Boswell gave his. Boswell said he was surprised he didn't get the call. It is tradition, after all.

I just talked with the Congressman. He said Fallon has now called. BTW, Boswell also talked to me a bit about the Presidential race. He acknowledged the race is "probably" over. And he would love to see Clinton on Obama's ticket.

The Crowd Is Gathering

It's 9:30pm--The room is filling up here at the Leonard Boswell victory party at the Hotel Fort Des Moines. I haven't seen the Congressman since he passed through about 6pm. I have seen Kevin Miskell, one of the four challengers for the Dems 4th District Primary. The winner gets to speak here tonight if it's decided early enough.

The crowd gathered around the two tv sets in here to listen to Hillary Clinton's concession speech. Oh, that's right. She didn't concede. A little while later, the crowd listened in when Barack Obama gave his speech where he announced he's won the nomination (despite Clinton's lack of a concession). People here seemed more interested in his speech than watching the Boswell-Fallon returns on the other tv set in here. Although, as Obama's speech went on, the crowd seemed to split between the two tv sets.

A lot of optimism here.

He Has Arrived

Leonard Boswell just strolled by here in the Wedgwood Room at the Hotel Fort Des Moines. He smiled and waved. Seems happy and content. I wonder what he thinks of the Presidential race. He's a Hillary Clinton supporter. That's not looking so good right now.

Boswell will have some company here at his victory party (or so he hopes it's a victory party). The State Party Chair Scott Brennan should also be here, as will the winner of the 4th District Congressional race. That's a good way to get some tv face time. I wonder though how this will all shape out time wise. Clinton, McCain and Obama are all scheduled to give speeches tonight. Obama, by the time he takes the podium, could have this race officially clinched. So people will want to hear if he declares victory. And, of course, everyone will want to listen to see how Clinton handles herself during her speech. Will it be all about what she's accomplished? Will she congratulate Obama? Will she officially give up? And what will McCain have to say about it all? Of course, selfishly, I want to know, when will they all say it? Will they get in the way of Boswell's speech here? Timing is everything.

Sure Is Quiet Here

Not much going on in the Wedgwood here at the Hotel Ft. Des Moines. This is the site of what Leonard Boswell hopes is a victory celebration tonight. Ed Fallon is only a block away at the Raccoon River Brew Pub. That could make for an interesting scene at some point if they both hit the sidewalk at the same time.

This is a small room, probably half the size of the other ballroom candidates usually use on election night. I mean, sure, there are balloons, signs, pretzels and a stage. And it looks like popcorn bags, which means that irresistible smell will likely soon permeate the place. But I digress... Anyway, it's pretty quiet in here.

The absentee vote in Polk County looks big. That could mean a good night for Boswell. The Democratic machine is good at turning out the early vote. Turnout doesn't seem so big, at least not yet, in Fallon's turf in Sherman Hill. Overall, Polk Co does look big, maybe rivaling 2006. That would be impressive since that was a 3-way Democratic primary for Governor.

Previously undeclared superdelegates are pouring in for Barack Obama. Tom Harkin, are you ready yet?

So You Like This Race, Huh?

Looks like the 3rd District is stirred up a bit about this Leonard Boswell-Ed Fallon race. Polk Co Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald says turnout may approach 2006's level. Big deal, you might say? Well, it kind of is. In 2006 you'll remember we had the 3-way Democratic primary between Fallon, Chet Culver and Mike Blouin.

Is high turnout good for Fallon or Boswell? It likely depends where the turnout is. If Fallon turns them out in the Sherman Hill area, his home base, he could make this interesting. But if the heavy turnout comes elsewhere, could that be a sign it's a Boswell night?

What I'm Watching

Primary day. It just doesn't quite have the same ring to it as caucus night. But, oh, well. It'll still be interesting. Here's what I'm watching...

The Boz/Fallon--It's tough to beat an incumbent. Can Ed Fallon do it? Will his grassroots effort, without the last-minute ad blitz Leonard Boswell has put up, be enough in what looks like a "change election?" Boswell has the establishment behind him, plus six terms in Congress. Fallon has his organization from when he ran from Governor, whether that was once or almost twice. Plus, that business on the side..

Tom Harkin vs. ???--The Repubs hardly offer up household names in their U.S. primary battle. George Eichhorn seems to have the establishment behind him. Christopher Reed got some props from some of the people I talked with after their debate last Friday on Iowa Public Television. Steve Rathje...? He skipped the debate for some reason. I avoided having to make sure I didn't butcher his name. I'm still not 100% sure how to say it. Is it RATH'-gee or ROTH'-gee?

The 4 in 4--4 Dems running to eventually run against Republican Tom Latham in the 4th Congressional district. Becky Greenwald feels like she has more of the establishment behind her. Kevin Miskell has Joe Trippi, one of Howard Dean and John Edwards top guys. Kurt Meyer and William Meyers...will voters get confused by their last names?

Altoona District 42--Dems Geri Huser vs. Matt Ballard. Huser's been in the legislature for a dozen years now. Ballard is the local Teamsters president. Huser's, Ed Skinner, has power and money. Will he really "let" her lose in a primary? Can Ballard get the union folks to all stand up behind him?

Johnston District 69--Repubs Eric Helland vs. Al Lorenzen. Helland has been hitting Lorenzen hard with tv ads. Helland has the backing of the Right to Life and the Iowa Taxpayer folks. He's hitting Lorenzen has a Johnny, er, Al Come Lately to the Republican Party. Lorenzen says one one of the most beloved Republicans of them all in Iowa, former Governor Bob Ray, encouraged him to run.

Tom Harkin--Yeah, I know he's not on the ballot (well, technically he is. But you know what I mean). But will he finally get off the fence and endorse a Presidential candidate today/tonight? It seems unlikely Hillary Clinton would officially drop out tonight. But there are reports some superdelegates (who don't come out before the polls close) will endorse after the polls close. Harkin's wife, Ruth, is a big Clinton backer.

The Night Before

Twas the night before primary day and all through the trail, almost no one was stirring, not even a congressman. So much for a fast and furious end to the 3rd District democratic congressional race. No all day barnstorming across the district. No late night rallies so tv reporters could do their "live shots" for the late news. Instead, Leonard Boswell's campaign told me he had no public events. Ed Fallon did send out a schedule to say he would be live on a radio talk show. That's about it.

Perhaps, they've already said all that needs to be said. Boswell ran a gazillion tv commercials. Fallon hasn't run any tv ads. He would seem to need a lot of grass in his grassroots movement to overcome all that the incumbency affords Boswell. Fallon, who's a recent John Edwards to Barack Obama convert, has to hope the "change" message doesn't just work in the presidential race.

So is the conventional wisdom that if turnout is high, that would help Fallon? The Sec of State's office expects statewide turnout at 12 to 15%. That's about what it was four years ago.

Politics in Church

I can't ever imagine any of the pastors in any of the churches I have attended in any of the four states I have lived to put on a skit about a Presidential candidate wiping away tears, clearly mocking her. Isn't there supposed to be separation of church and state? I thought churches get the tax exemptions they do if they keep politics away from the pulpit. So what exactly is going on in Barack Obama's church? Or as I now should say, former church. Is this kind of talk happening at other churches and I just don't know it?



It is a no-brainer, a no-brainer that Obama had better expect question after question about what he heard when he sat in the pews at his former church. He never heard any comments similar to the ones making the rounds on YouTube now?

IPGOTV Thanks for the kind comments and emails you've given me after my first shot at moderating a debate. I moderated the two man contest Friday at Iowa Public Television studios between George Eichhorn and Christopher Reed. No, I still don't know why Steve Rathje opted not to take part. Although, Eichhorn and Reed had a few ideas. And, yes, this event, sponsored by the Polk County Republicans did run at the same time as the Republican Party of Iowa's Lincoln Dinner. Two Republican events for supporters at the same time. One county party event. One state party event. Polk Co. Chair Ted Sporer and State Chair Stew Iverson--can you feel the love tonight?

And, no, for the record, I didn't run 5 miles before the debate. The lights were really that hot. I kept trying to subtly wipe away what felt like buckets of sweat pouring down my face. It was foreshadowing for Dam to Dam the next day. I ran 2:07:13. Not the sub-2 hour race I wanted. And our softball team just fell to 0-3 for the season. Not quite the athletic week of champions.

The Big Fish

Iowa Repubs will get a look at who should be their best catch to beat Democratic U.S. Senator Tom Harkin. Yeah, I know. That was lame. But I needed to a reason to show off my brother Jake's 8 1/2 pound Channel Catfish he just pulled in at Carlyle Lake in southern Illinois.

Tonight, I will debate a forum between two of the three R's who want to knock Harkin out of office. For some reason, Steve Rathje, a Cedar Rapids businessman, has decided he doesn't want to take part in this debate and turn down the chance to go statewide for an hour. For free. In this race of little-known challengers with little money in the bank, it's beyond me why Rathje doesn't want to do this. Iowa Public TV seems to have bent over backwards to let him in at the last minute. They gave him 'til noon. But no change in plans. Oh, well, we'll need one fewer chair.

George Eichhorn, the Stratford attorney, and Christopher Reed, a Marion businessman, will get to make their case. It's my first live debate as a moderator. I hope I don't confuse Reed with the other Christopher, you know, Superman. My mom and dad are in the crowd, too. No pressure, not at all. And I'll try not to think of the fact that in too few hours after this hour-long 9pm debate wraps up, I have to step off in Saylorville for Dam to Dam. Dam.

Amazing

I wish I could find the right word to describe what I saw in Parkersburg. It has to be one of the most overwhelming sight I've ever seen. Definitely the worst tornado damage I've seen covering bad weather in seven years in Iowa. I do remember seeing a horrible aftermath in Oklahoma City in the late 90s. It seemed like that damage was even more widespread. But both are just mind boggling.

I can't imagine what it's like for the people of Parkersburg. Imagine losing her home. Some lost family members, too. They lost their vehicles. They lost their businesses. So they have no place to live, nothing to drive and no place to work. How do they not just collapse and sob?

One of the most telling sites I saw was what used to be an empty field. Now it's become a junkyard that keeps growing. It has more than 200 vehicles. Although, vehicles isn't the right word anymore. They are just scraps. Mangled scraps. Each vehicle has some items in it. They may or may not actually be items from the owners of the vehicles. With the way the storm hit, there's hardly any way to tell. I found the insurance card in one from one of the men who died. It took our breath away. We didn't know how to react. I found a broken fishing pole in one. Wedding reception napkins in another. A wedding invitation in another. There was a flattened stroller. It is just incomprehensible the damage to these vehicles. Each one looks like the result of the worst traffic accident you've ever seen. Except there wasn't just one.

HRC: RFK, Ok?

Hillary Clinton doesn't think she should quit the race yet because of a former President and a man who was murdered trying to become President? Here's what she told the Sioux Falls Argus Leader.

"My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it," she said, dismissing calls to drop out."



On "Meet the Press" Tim Russert pointed out that Bill Clinton actually had the nomination wrapped up in April (although Clintonian semantics may argue otherwise). But clearly, that's the afterthought in this statement. Was she really saying she shouldn't quit because of the chance of an assassination of Barack Obama? Really? What do the Clinton-should-be-the-Vice-President people think of this? Do you really think comments like these will help her chances?

Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times included former Iowa Gov and big time Clinton supporter, Tom Vilsack, in the first tier of possibilities for Obama's running mate. Vilsack's inclusion seems a bit curious. He helped lead Clinton's efforts in Iowa. And Clinton finished third. He doesn't exactly speak well about Obama. Where would Vilsack help Obama?

The baseball season is now nearly 1/3 of the way completed. At some point, my Cardinals may need to be considered contenders. "May" is still the key word there. But what a surprise. The same could be said for the Tampa Bay Rays. Who knew all they would have to do was get rid of the "devil" in their name and then they would have the best record in baseball?

Breaking News: Agriprocessors CEO Out

It's only been the illegal immigrants prosecuted by the feds so far, but it looks like there will be some punishment at Agriprocessors in Postville following that big raid. The owner's son is apparently out of his job (Sholom Rubashkin is the owner's son). Here's the release:

Agriprocessors Announces Leadership Change

POSTVILLE, IA (May 23, 2008) – Aaron Rubashkin, the owner of Agriprocessors, Inc., announced today that the company will hire a new chief executive officer.
“The best course of action for the company, its employees, the local community and our customers is to bring new leadership to Agriprocessors,” Rubashkin said. “The company has begun the search for a new permanent chief executive officer. We have engaged a team of industry experts to help us identify and secure a new leader who can help us meet the needs of Agriprocessors today and in the future. We will make more information on the search process available by the end of next week.”

Agriprocessors has long been committed to its workers and the local community, and to providing innovative and quality products.
The company is conducting an independent investigation of the circumstances which led to the recent worksite enforcement action, and is fully cooperating with the government. The company can not respond to specific allegations due to pending legal issues.

No Time to Debate

Leonard Boswell is still apparently too busy to debate Ed Fallon before the Democratic primary in the 3rd Congressional District. A bunch of lefty groups are putting together a forum next Wednesday. Fallon will be there. Boswell won't. An empty chair will take his place. Here's the latest press release to demonstrate the Congressman's busy-ness:

Congressman Boswell’s District Schedule
May 24 – May 28

Saturday, May 24 Des Moines Event
2:30 p.m. Boswell will speak at an event honoring former Congressman Neal Smith and dedicating the newly renamed Neal Smith Federal Building.
Neal Smith Federal Building
210 Walnut Street
Des Moines

Monday, May 28 Des Moines Event
7:15 a.m. Boswell will attend the S.O.S. (Stuff on a Shingle) authentic military breakfast, and appear on the Van and Bonnie Morning Show.
Camp Dodge
7105 NW 70th Ave.
Des Moines
9:00 a.m. Des Moines Event
Boswell will attend a World War I memorial service.
E 6th Street & University
Des Moines
10:00 a.m. Des Moines Event
Boswell will attend an event honoring veterans of the Korean & Vietnam Wars.
Korean & Vietnam War Memorials
State Capitol grounds
Des Moines
11:00 a.m. Des Moines Event
Boswell will attend a veterans’ memorial service.
Vets Auditorium, south Gaskell Room on the balcony level
833 5th Ave.
Des Moines

Tuesday May 27 Des Moines Event
2:00 p.m. Boswell will speak at the RaySociety event honoring World War II veterans.
Drake University
Harmon Fine Arts Center
25th & Carpenter
Des Moines

Wednesday May 28 Des Moines Event
10:00 a.m. Boswell will attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Corporate Headquarters Building.
Grand Ave. & 14th Street, SW corner
Des Moines

Fuel Fuming

"Soaring Toward Insanity". I wish I would have come up with it. It's the lead headline in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, talking about gas prices. Seriously. This is out of control. It seems like we're doing what we're supposed to. We're carpooling. We're combining trips. We're buying more fuel-efficient cars. This is a joke. How can prices keep going up like this? Will those hearings in Washington, D.C. actually accomplish something? What can we consumers do? Better yet, what can elected officials do?

My family had some really lean years (that's saying this euphemistically) during the recession in the late 70s. I remember how tough it was for my mom and dad putting food on the table, paying the heating bill, finding a car that would run, etc. I really don't honestly see how lower-income people can do it right now. Food prices are good up a bunch. Gas prices are ridiculous. I just don't see how they do it.

I did a story yesterday on the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority. The Rideshare program seems like a no brainer. DART gives you a van, if you want to be the driver. You get free transportation and free gas, plus you get 200 personal miles a month. I interviewed a human relations guy from Principal yesterday. He figures he saves about 4 grand a year plus. And it only "costs" him about 15 minutes extra time in the a.m. picking up the other passengers. Seems like quite a deal. And his passengers pay monthly fee to DART. It works out to be roughly about a quarter as much as they'd spend if they drove themselves to work solo every day.

Two for the Price of 1

What do you make of this? Is this Hillary Clinton's graceful exit. I just received this from an "Iowa Democratic Heavyweight".

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 22, 2008

IOWA DEMOCRATIC HEAVYWEIGHT ENDORSES DREAM TICKET CAMPAIGN

Veteran Presidential Campaign Strategist Jerry Crawford
Calls for Unity Ticket, Praises VoteBoth.com

DES MOINES, IA--Veteran Democratic Party leader Jerry Crawford today endorsed a “dream ticket” with both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, saying it is time for the Party to unite regardless of who wins the nomination. “This election is more important than Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton,” Crawford said. “For the sake of our Party and our country, Barack and Hillary need to take a hard look at running together.”

“Right now, our Party is brother against brother, literally—my brother is for Barack and I support Hillary. Soon we are all going to have to do what VoteBoth is doing--take a deep breath and have a serious conversation about how Democrats win in November.”

Crawford, a Des Moines native, is widely renowned as one of the Party’s savviest strategists and fundraisers. He has chaired the Iowa campaigns of the previous five Democratic nominees: John Kerry, Al Gore, Bill Clinton (twice), and Michael Dukakis. Crawford initially backed Tom Vilsack’s unsuccessful White House bid and last year endorsed Clinton, who named him her Midwest Co-Chair.

Since Crawford chaired the Dukakis campaign’s Iowa bid in 1988, the Democratic nominee has won the Hawkeye State every four years except in 2004, when George W. Bush edged out John Kerry by a razor-thin 49.9%-49.23% margin. Iowa is a must-win state for Democrats in November.

Crawford joins the growing ranks of prominent Democrats supporting a unity ticket with both Obama and Clinton. Representatives David Scott (GA) and Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH), both outspoken advocates for Obama and Clinton, respectively, argued Monday that a unity ticket was essential for victory in November. Other unity ticket backers include Governor Ed Rendell (PA), former Governor Mario M. Cuomo (NY), Senator Charles E. Schumer (NY), and DLC chairman and former Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. (TN).

Does Size Matter?

Go ahead. Insert your Viagra/Cialis joke here. Does size matter? I mean, when it comes to crowds. Barack Obama drew about 7,500 last night in downtown Des Moines for his first post-caucus visit. John McCain's return run brought in about 250. By my math, that means Obama brought 30 times as many peeps. What does it mean? Obama's people say it proves Obama has all the mojo. Senator Chuck Grassley, on behalf of McCain, told us polls matter more than rally size (I'll be curious what he says about polls later on in the campaign).

Majority Rules

It's 8:20pm. Barack Obama just sent out an email to supporters saying that he has now claimed enough delegates to give him the majority. Here's the email:

Dave --

The polls are closed in Kentucky and votes are being counted in Oregon, and it's clear that tonight we have reached a major milestone on this journey. We have won an absolute majority of all the delegates chosen by the people in this Democratic primary process.
From the beginning, this journey wasn't about me or the other candidates. It was about a simple choice -- will we continue down the same road with the same leadership that has failed us for so long, or will we take a different path?

Too many of us have been disappointed by politics and politicians more times than you can count. We've seen promises broken and good ideas drowned in a sea of influence, point-scoring, and petty bickering that has consumed Washington. Yet, in spite of all the doubt and disappointment -- or perhaps because of it -- people have stood for change.
Unfortunately, our opponents in the other party continue to embrace yesterday's policies and they will continue to employ yesterday's tactics -- they will try to change the subject, and they will play on fears and divisions to distract us from what matters to you and your future.
But those tactics will not work in this election.

They won't work because you won't let them. Not this time. Not this year.
We still have work to do to in the remaining states, where we will compete for every delegate available. But tonight, I want to thank you for everything you have done to take us this far -- farther than anyone predicted, expected, or even believed possible. And I want to remind you that you will make all the difference in the epic challenge ahead.

Thank you,
Barack Obama

He's on His Way

I'm told Barack Obama just landed at the Des Moines International Airport. Meantime, the Faculty Lounge, a local band here made up of area teachers, has been entertaining the crowd here in the East Village area of downtowno Des Moines. That crowd just keeps coming. The campaign expected 10-11,000. We'll see how the numbers come in. You know how the camps try to low ball their estimates. The line shows a lot of people still haven't made it inside.

It's actually getting a little chilly out here. Not cold. But chilly, now that the sun is going down. I doubt these packed in peeps will feel much of the chill though. I'm sitting way too close to Shane's Rib Shacks. That's not fair. I'm trying to watch the diet now that I'm less than two weeks away from running Dam to Dam. Damn barbecue.

Waiting for Obama

It's nearly 8pm here in downtown Des Moines. It's already been a long day. These waiting-for-the-Presidential-candidate events definitely aren't quick. The afternoon started with a little excitement, almost too much excitement. We have to drop off our equipment, so the secret service can check through it all before events like this one for Barack Obama tonight.

We were told we could pick up our equipment and get into our place on the media riser at 4:30. 4:30 came and went and so did many media's patience. Many of us needed to be in place for our 5pm live shots on the news. It was close. Producers back at the station kept calling wondering if we were going to make it. At about 4:45pm, the secret service started letting us come through the security line. We made it onto the media riser by 4:52pm. Crisis averted.

I'm hearing there may be 10-11,000 here tonight. It's a far cry from the 75,000 who came out to hear Obama in Portland, Oregon. But let's not forget those Oregonians don't get much of a chance to see these v.i.p.'s like we do in Iowa.

From where I'm sitting, I can see the line stretching on the ends of two different blocks. This place will be packed. I can't imagine many of these people will even get to see a glimpse of Obama. You would hope they can at least hear him.

The Obama folks say this won't be a victory speech here tonight. But I bet it will come close. I'm sure Obama won't dog on Hillary Clinton. Expect a little praise for her, no praise for John McCain and a lot of praise for Iowans. It all started here, remember. And I doubt Obama will let any of these people here tonight forget it.

Nor will he let people across the country forget. Make that people across the world. There are about 300 media members here, someone from the Obama campaign just told me. I've already seen Japan and German crews. I'm sure there are many more.

You wonder if Iowans are tired of this yet. Or maybe January to May was enough of a break. I guess we'll know once we see how many people come here.

Welcome Back, Barry

(Photo Courtesy: AFP)

I wonder what Hillary Clinton thought when she saw pictures like these from Oregon. 75,000 people (or so it's estimated) came to see hear Barack Obama in Portland. It doesn't look like Obama will officially have the nomination secured when he comes to downtown Des Moines Tuesday night. But he might be able to say by then he has a majority of delegates.

What kind of crowd will greet him in Des Moines? It's scheduled as an outdoor rally. Will it sound like a victory party?

ETC.

We got our butts kicked in softball again Sunday. We're 0-2 so far. Man, I felt old. We played a bunch of guys who clearly shouldn't have been playing in our league. High school/college age, mostly. Young punks.

Random Questions

Just a few questions to end the night...

What changed for John Edwards? Why is he now good with Barack Obama for President?

Does Hillary Clinton really think she can still win? Is she just campaigning to raise money to pay off her debt?

Will the unions hold a grudge against Governor Chet Culver for vetoing that collective bargaining bill? Does the Gov care? Or was he thinking ahead to the elections, both in 08 and his in 2010?

Who finally convinced Culver he was wrong to take that 9% pay raise at a time the news is full of layoffs, foreclosures and higher gas and food prices?

How painful will it be to see Jimmy Edmonds in a Cubs uniform when his new team returns to Busch Stadium in St. Louis July 4th?

Will it possibly hurt as much as seeing Jason Isringhausen's next appearance for the Cards? Ouch. It hurts already.

Catching Up

My whirlwind week is wrapping up. I'm glad I wasn't paying the gas for our cross-state commute to Waterloo. The detention site, camp, holding area...I don't know what the correct term would be is a bit surreal. It's the old National Cattle Congress grounds. They have dairy shows there. I think Cedar Falls High just held its prom there last weekend.

It almost doesn't look like our country. I'm not used to seeing prisoner camps like this. I've never seen so many federal agents in one place. Hundreds? The detainees, as you might guess, looked freaked out. At least many of them did. Some constantly shook their legs as they waited in the makeshift federal courtroom inside the Electric Park Ballroom. (A photographer at our station remembers making the drive there numerous times for dances back in the day). Other detainees showed no expression at all. It was hard to say what they were thinking or feeling. I wonder how many of them seriously thought this could happen.

Late Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Attorney's office in Cedar Rapids revised its detainee number. Not sure what happened. But it dropped from 390 to 389. I wonder how much this whole process cost? All the agents, the hotel rooms, the meals, the transportation, all the materials they brought to the cattle grounds...it has to be millions. All the detainees are gone now. But the feds rented the place through May 25th. Is there a second raid in the works? The U.S. Attorney's office did acknowledge there were 697 complaints of fraud, identity theft, etc. at the Agriprocessors Plant in Postville. Yet the feds only nabbed 390 people. Oh, yeah, make that 389. Have all the others fled the area. Fled the state? Fled the country?

What about the bosses in all of this? Swift management and owners seemed to escape unscathed. How will the Agriprocessors higher ups fare?...they had no idea any of this was going on? Even though there seems to be almost as many complaints about undocumented workers as there are total workers at the plant? This story doesn't seem to be over just yet.

Welcome to Waterloo

We just arrived in Waterloo. Quite a scene as we sit across the street from the National Cattle Congress. This place went up in 1912 to host a dairy convention. Apparently, Des Moines tried to swipe it. But local businessmen put up the money for prizes to keep the shows here. They've been here ever since from what I gather.

This place is crawling with federal agents. They are everywhere. Dozens, if not hundreds, are here. Emergency vehicles and SUV's are constantly coming and going inside of the one gate that I can see is open at this hour (it's about 11:30am, btw). Men in black keep a close eye. No sign of Wil Smith yet. It seems like almost every vehicle has darkened windows. Aren't those illegal?

Homeland Security Federal Protective Services Police cars have also been going in an out. I've never seen them before. But I think we've seen at least seven of them in the last five minutes. A couple of men in dark suits are now walking around. They look important. I'm wearing a dark suit. Maybe someone will think I'm important, too. No, probably not.

Call the Doctor

O.K. Maybe I'm being a "jerk" as John McCain would say...but, does this ad sound a little strange to you? Perhaps, a bit ironic? McCain's talking about health care, but, to me, he sounds like he needs a little health care himself. You sound sick to me, Senator...

The Raid

So what do you make of the worst kept secret in eastern Iowa...what turned out to be the raid of the AgriProcessors, Inc. in Postville. 300 arrests, at least, we're hearing. This seems to be quite the event...dozens, if not hundreds, of federal agents rounding up and then busing out possible illegal immigrants. The feds have a big "staging" area set up in Waterloo.

We had a tip another city would be targeted, as well. So we hit the road this afternoon to that city. Nothing. At least, not yet. We're back in Des Moines for now.

These are among the first few emails we've received after the 5pm news coverage of the raid:

"Watch a replay of the ICE raid today. Tell me why your reporter, who was at the site, is blatantly sympathetic to the people arrested? They are felons if they forged documents.
Your station has never fully reported on burden these illegals have placed on the people of Iowa. I don't feel any sympathy for criminals."

"Sorry, I do not have all the sympathy some seem to have for anyone that is breaking the law. If the people came into this country legally, I would have no problems with them having those jobs. I cannot see why we should let people from other countries come in here and tell us how to treat them. If we went to another country, we would have to abide by their laws, or else."

Here are a few VIP responses...

From Congressman Bruce Braley:

“My immediate thoughts are with the families impacted by today’s events. In Postville there are hundreds of children whose lives have been changed because of this raid, and in the wake of the December 2006 Swift Company raid, I want to make sure their well-being is a priority.

If people have broken the law, there should be consequences. There’s a legal system in place to determine those consequences, and justice should be fairly imposed with due process.

I’ll be interested to see if federal authorities will be bringing any charges against the employer. We know that the Swift Company never faced any charges after the raid in Marshalltown, and the enforcement of immigration violations against corporations has plummeted during the Bush administration. Until we enforce our immigration laws equally against both employers and employees who break the law, we will continue to have a problem with immigration.”

From Governor Chet Culver:

"My office was informed last week there would be an impending federal exercise in the Waterloo area. I was briefed via telephone this morning at about 10:15 am by the U.S. Attorney for Northern District, as the exercise was happening.

The state’s role in today’s exercise has been limited. The Department of Public Safety is providing traffic support on the scene, and if additional criminal activity is discovered through the course of the exercise, the DCI is prepared to investigate at the state level.

I believe it is important that we crack down on illegal immigration. Illegal means illegal. Not just those who cross the border, but also those who are responsible for helping make it happen -- traffickers, identity thieves, those who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, and anyone who has taken advantage of employees or turned a blind eye. At the same time we must take care to protect due process, and consider the impact on a small community and the people involved.

My Administration has made clear to the federal government the importance of ensuring the humanitarian side of this exercise is addressed in the community, and I have received assurances from the federal government that they are doing so.

I have also directed relevant state agencies to convene a working group under the Lt. Governor’s direction to ensure that state agencies are assisting the community in dealing with this event. This group will include representatives from Iowa Workforce Development, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Human Rights, the Department of Education, the Department of Public Health, and the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. Working group members have met this afternoon with the Lt. Governor to get briefed on this and begin working through their agencies to assist the community.

While this is a federal exercise, my office will continue to keep the public and press informed of any additional state involvement."

The Meat

Did you see any of that "Ballot Bowl" on CNN this weekend? They listen in on speeches by the candidates. Raw, as we call it in the biz. Any way, Hillary Clinton sure seemed to offer up a lot more meat than Barack Obama. A lot more specific ideas. No question Obama can give an inspirational speech. But once he starts going head to head with John McCain, won't he have to put some meat in his speeches, too, and not just dressing?

Apparently, Klayton Korver left a pink t-shirt that says "Korver's Girlfriends" for my wife. Should I be worried? Do I need cooler hair to compete?

Our softball team (it's kind of a station team, since we all either work at the station or used to work here) didn't get blown away, but we did walk away with an "L" today. It was our first game of the 14-game season at the Des Moines Parks and Rec league. The wind was crazy. Not good for me to try to pitch. Oh, well. We got down early but came back at the end to at least make it respectable, 11-9. Better luck next week. At least I didn't give up any home runs.

Curious About George

Repubs have apparently found their George to take them to that de-lux apartment in the sk-y-y...I mean to Washington.

Seems like the Repub establishment has focused on George Eichhorn to take on Democrat Tom Harkin for the U.S. Senate. George Eichhorn's campaign sent out a list of (by my count) 33 Republicans endorsing his bid for the June primary. The top three names on the list include Sen. Minority Leader Ron Wieck, former Senate Prez Jeff Lamberti and former GOP Chair Mike Mahaffey. You won't find current House Minority Leader Christopher Rants on that list. I recall watching a very heated exchange between Rants and Eichhorn several years ago in the House chamber (that was before rookie Democratic politican McKinley Bailey took away the seat in the fall).

Tom Harkin's campaign has taken notice. It just sent out a fundraising appeal noting Eichhorn's entrance into the race.

Dear Dave:

Tom Harkin launched his re-election campaign in March to serve Iowa as our United States Senator and continue the fight for progressive change for our state and our country.

The Harkin campaign is busy preparing for November, building the organization, raising the funds, and working hard every day to make sure Tom can continue to fight for us in the Senate.
Click here to help our campaign by making a donation today.

So far this year two Republicans are actively campaigning to challenge Tom in November, Steve Rathje and Chistopher Reed.

Earlier this week a third Republican announced his candidacy for the Senate. George Eichhorn appears to have the institutional Republican support that could make him competitive in the June 3 Republican primary and beyond.

Show your support for Tom Harkin by clicking here to make a donation of $25, $50, or $100 today.

According to the Associated Press, "Eichhorn released a list of 33 prominent Republicans who are endorsing his effort. Supporters include state Senate Minority Leader Ron Wieck and former Senate President Jeff Lamberti."

We have long known that the Republicans are not going to go out without a fight. In all of Tom's previous elections, well-funded conservatives have waged hard and dirty campaigns, laden with distortions of Tom's tremendous record of accomplishment. We expect this campaign to be no different.

Tom is unafraid of Republican attacks and has repeatedly stood up for us by taking on the Bush Administration. In fact, last year Tom was literally the strongest congressional critic of the Bush status quo, as he won the distinction of being "the most vetoed Senator" by the Administration.

Iowans want positive change, and that's why Tom is taking nothing for granted and is hard at work to build a blue Iowa in 2008.

Please show your support for real change in Washington by clicking here to make a donation to our campaign today.

Thank you for your support.


Jeff Link
Campaign Manager
Citizens for Harkin

Still Waiting on Hill

With the chatter getting louder about Hillary Clinton finally bailing out of the race for President, I figured I would hit up the Iowa v.i.p.'s to see if they wanted to add to the volume. Nope. Far from it.

Jerry Crawford, a top Iowa advisor, thinks she oughta keep going. Tom Vilsack takes it a step further. First of all, he says NBC's Tim Russert has something against Clinton. He has made that obvious with his coverage, Vilsack claims. (Russert, after Obama's big North Carolina win and narrow Indiana loss, said the race is over). Vilsack thinks Clinton can still win. BTW, he also thinks she had a "good" night Tuesday. For the record, I didn't hear that from anyone else I talked with the entire day. Vilsack said Clinton needs to win the upcoming states and win over the unpledged superdelegates. He also said Clinton needs to get superdelegates already pledged to Obama to switch to her. I can't find a case of that happening so far.

Third District Congressman Leonard Boswell, another Clinton backer, is still backing. Here are his words from his staff.

“I will support the eventual nominee for president. At this time, there are still millions of voters out there that have a right to vote in their primary. We need to be patient and let the process work. I am confident the situation will be settled before the Democratic National Convention.”

So what about those undecided, overly coveted superdelegates??? Democratic Party Chair Scott Brennan is still staying neutral. Come on, Scott, give us some news! But Brennan doesn't sound like he thinks Clinton has much of a shot to win the nomination. Our other undecided super Senator Tom Harkin (who seemed pretty cozy with Obama at the Steak Fry. Yes, it was the Steak Fry of '06, but I'm saying...) Anyway, if you are waiting to hear Harkin say, get out, HRC, well, you will keep waiting.

“This nominating contest has given more Americans the opportunity to see the candidates up close and has energized our party with new voters. That is a good thing. I believe that every Democrat should have the opportunity to vote in their state's primary or caucus and let their voice be heard.”

ETC...

But the biggest news of all....Def Leppard is coming to the Iowa State Fair August 16th (the day after my birthday). Wanna guess what I want for a present this year? I wonder if I can get my 80s hair back by then... No, I better not. A mullet would stand out too much at the fair...

Spinning...

A big loss in North Carolina. A narrow win in Indiana. Plus, she had to dig into her own bank account (again) to help pay the bills--$6.4 mil this time, $5 mil last time. But Hillary Clinton doesn't look like she's giving up. I'm trying to get a hold of her top supporters in Iowa. Should she punt or hope for the Hail Mary pass here? The numbers don't seem to work out in any reasonable scenario for her to win the nomination. Is she just hoping for another Reverend Wright story times 100? Or maybe Barack Obama will just spontaneously combust?

ETC...

I don't want to rip on our print brothers and sisters (television has its own economic woes and challenges these days). But have you seen the newest, new version of the Des Moines Register?

The paper is thinner. No doubt. But it sure looks whiter, too.

A paper from last week is on top (before the changes); one from today is underneath. Notice any extra white in the margins?

Barry Clinton or St. Louis Rockies

Such a tough choice tonight. Clinton vs. Obama on the cable news outlets. My St. Louis Cardinals against Colorado on FOX sports. What to do...what to do. Too bad this tv doesn't have picture in picture. Oh, well.


I predicted earlier in the day it would be a split tonight, in the political game, I mean. I figured Obama had to take North Carolina. And I thought (sort of confidently) that Clinton could take Indiana. But as I write this, Obama's making a charge. Indiana looks to be pretty close.


If that holds up, Clinton sure is going to have a tough time selling herself to the remaining undecided superdelegates. I mean, what is her argument? She's been talking about all this momentum. But the big mo is m.i.a. tonight. I don't see how a butt-kicking in Carolina and, at best, a squeaker in Indy looks like the big mo. But the Clintons are masters at spin. That's why she pays her spinners all those millions, right? They'll earn their money tomorrow.

Debate over Debates

Leonard Boswell's campaign says he's too busy to debate, with the Farm Bill and all. Ed Fallon's not buying it. He thinks, surely, Boswell can find one day somewhere to debate him. After all, Fallon says the candidates have received at least 10 requests to go head-to-head.

Boswell did debate Republican Jeff Lamberti back in 2006. He didn't debate Republican Stan Thompson in 2002.

Mac's Back

John McCain makes his return to Iowa later today. I get five minutes with him after his health care town hall meeting at the Polk Co. Convention Complex. Those five minute interviews are always kind of tough. Not much time to really get into very much. While we're hearing early on, Iowa will again be a battleground state for the Presidentials this fall, you wonder exactly what that means. Barack Obama clearly did much better in this state. So does that mean he'll hit it a lot harder if he's the nominee than Hillary Clinton, who didn't do as well. Plus, she hasn't exactly talked up this state or the caucus process since she left town.

The following is a joke forwarded to me. You right-leaners will like it a lot more than the lefties. Indies, I don't know what you'll think of it. I'll try to post these from time to time just so you can see what's being passed along to in boxes these days.

Read it all the way thru-- You will smile and shake your head yes. You will love it

Robin Williams, wearing a shirt that says 'I love New York ' in Arabic. You gotta love Robin Williams.... Even if he's nuts! Leave it to Robin Williams to come up with the perfect plan. What we need now is for our UN Ambassador to stand up and repeat this message. Robin Williams' plan...(Hard to argue with his logic!) 'I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of a plan for peace. So, here's one plan.'

1) The US will apologize to the world for our 'interference' in their affairs, past and present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic, Hussein, and the rest of those 'good ole boys'. We will never 'interfere' again.

2) We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany , South Korea , the Middle East, and the Philippines . They don't want us there. We would station troops at our borders. No one allowed sneaking through holes in the fence.

3) All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave. We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of whom or where they are. They're illegal!!! France will welcome them.

4) All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit!!!! No one from a terrorist nation will be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be available to anyone. We don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.

5) No foreign 'students' over age 21. The older ones are the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a 'D' and it's back home, baby.

6) The US will make a strong effort to become self-sufficient energy wise. This will include developing nonpolluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while.

7) Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go someplace else. They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the wells filling up the storage sites would be enough.)

8) If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not 'interfere.' They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.

9) Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island someplace. We don't need the spies and fair weather friends here. Besides, the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.

10) All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us, 'Ugly Americans' any longer. The Language we speak is ENGLISH...learn it...or LEAVE...Now, isn't that a winner of a plan? 'The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.' She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'you want a piece of me?' ' If you agree with the above forward it to friends...If not, and I would be amazed, DELETE it!!

Regency Headed to Bankruptcy?

A lot of tears in West Des Moines right now. Regency Homes is laying off employees as a result of the housing crisis. I'm told it's 103 employees. That's on top of the 26 the company let go in January. A letter handed out at the company warned of "deep layoffs". It didn't mention bankruptcy. It said, "our (Regency's) debt outweighs our current obligations."

No comment from Regency yet.

One More

It's 3:35pm. The jury is ready to give its verdict. Defendants Jane Barto and Karen Tesdell have arrived from their hotel. We're still waiting on the other defendant, Dan Albritton.

This is the Day

The jurors WILL reach a verdict today in the CIETC salary scandal trial in Davenport. Guarantee it. No, just kidding. Just wishful thinking. Gone are the back-to-back days of beautiful, sunny days with temps in the 70s. It still might be close to 70, but it's crummy outside today. Dark and rainy. Appropriate for our mood as the jury drags into its third full day of deliberations.

There's just not a lot to write about. We think the jury is getting lunch again at the Starting Line bar down the street again. We ate there Tuesday. They ran out of chicken and iced tea. Good thing I didn't want either of them. I did order chicken wings. Apparently, wings were in ample supply. No luck if you are more of a breast guy.

We had good Italian yesterday for lunch. I had the all-you-can-eat spaghetti. Although, much to the disappointment of my table mates, I only had one plate. Not sure what today brings. We like to wait until the jury orders, so we know it's safe to leave the building.

Yes. There's not much happening yet. But when it does, we want our bellies full.

A CIETC Diversion

Day 2 has been far from titillating so far here at the federal courthouse in Davenport. Sure would be nice to be a fly on the wall in the jury room, wouldn't it? Just what are those 12 people talking about?

Meantime, how 'bout that Presidential race? It ain't over just yet. Hillary Clinton had to win Pennsylvania. No doubt about it. Some of the pundits figured she really needed a double digit win to win over undecided superdelegates or at least convince them not to go for Barack Obama yet. Obama has to be disappointed. Sure, his people will say he closed a 25 point deficit or so. But it does seem like early on, the campaign downplayed how hard it would play in Penn. Based on the money and time he spent there though, it's hard to say the campaign didn't try to win. It just didn't happen. Question is now (at least one of the questions is) can Clinton raise enough cash just to keep going? Will she dig into the Clinton bank account again and lend herself some dough? Can't her hubby just go give another high dollar speech someplace? If you have relatives in North Carolina and Indiana (who both hold their primaries May 6th), you can bet they'll be getting some extra attention in the next few weeks.

Here's what the two candidates are sending out to supporters...

Dear Dave,

Thanks to you, we won a critically important victory tonight in Pennsylvania. It's a giant step forward that will transform the landscape of the presidential race. And it couldn't have happened without you. There will be much more to do beginning tomorrow. But tonight, let's just celebrate the fact that you and I are part of a remarkable community of people tough enough, passionate enough, and determined enough to win big when everything is on the line.

Thanks so much for all you do.

Sincerely, Hillary Rodham Clinton


Dave --

Votes are still being counted in Pennsylvania, but one thing is already clear. In a state where we trailed by more than 25 points just a couple weeks ago, you helped close the gap to a slimmer margin than most thought possible. Thanks to your support, with just 9 contests remaining, we've won more delegates, more votes, and twice as many contests. We hold a commanding position, but there are two crucial contests coming up -- voters will head to the polls in North Carolina and Indiana in exactly two weeks. And we're already building our organization in the other remaining states.

But it's clear the attacks are going to continue, and we're going to continue fighting a two-front battle against John McCain and Hillary Clinton.

I need your support right now. Please make a donation of $25:
https://donate.barackobama.com/whatthismeans

Thank you for all that you're doing to change our country.
Barack

Waiting...

Why exactly did we hurry here to the federal courthouse in Davenport this morning? I suppose it's paranoia. I didn't want to be lolly gagging at the hotel while the jury came back with a verdict in the CIETC salary scandal. No worries. Definitely, no worries.

If it weren't for the company of fellow reporters, the federal marshals, that mocha espresso, and, of course, the sheer bitterness of looking out through the window at this postcard-perfect sunny day, there wouldn't be much to keep us awake.

Unlike when I was here last time, there are no people in the "waiting room" outside the courtroom. No one's waiting to testify. No supportive family members help pass the time. It's empty. Of course, at this point, there's no reason to be here.

The jurors have been going at it since 8:30 this morning. The only activity so far is a request from them to again look at a c.d. that had audio recordings of an old CIETC board meeting. It's after 4pm now. You wonder if they'll quit for the night soon and try again tomorrow.

No sign of any of the defendants or their attorneys. They are all just a phone call away though when the jury reaches a decision. Whenever that is.

Price Likes Obama: David Endorses Barack

You know, they say we reporters need to stay neutral. We need to stay unbiased. Don't let who we like get in the way of our job. But it's time for David Price to tell the world who he likes. David Price believes Barack Obama is the best choice out there to become President of the United States.

No, not this David Price.

THIS David Price.

This Price is a former poli sci prof at Duke and current N Carolina Congressman. He's also an all-important superdelegate. Perhaps, a lot more important than that other David Price.

Sing Us a Song

(This was my view at Billy Joel. Yeah, I know the camera phone pic stinks. I'm looking for a new phone).

Billy Joel was the entertainer last night at the "Well" in downtown Des Moines. It wasn't a sellout. But he did still pack 'em in. A couple of interesting moments... During the second or third song, all of a sudden, he just stopped singing. He said he "swallowed a bug" or something. I was a bit skeptical. He had been coughing quite a bit (away from the microphone) earlier and continued to do so throughout the concert. He even made mention of some type of throat spray he was using to help. He said Madonna also uses it, so maybe he would start dressing better. ???

He also brought up the obvious...his appearance. He introduced himself as "Billy Joel's dad". He definitely has aged since I remember him. Of course, he's lived a pretty hard life. Maybe that has something to do with it.

The biggest ovation probably didn't come for him. But rather, it came for a "roadie" as Joel called him. He said this guy had been following the band for years and tried out for American Idol but wasn't "telegenic" enough (I think he was kidding). He said the band was going to give this guy a chance to sing and it would be some type of religious or spiritual song. He added maybe it would resonate with us as we were heading home after the concert. We soon found out why. It was hardly spiritual. It was "Highway to Hell" by AC/DC. And it was great! The guy was awesome...this middle-aged guy, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt that maybe fit him 20 pounds ago. He brought the place to its feet and then some. BTW, the Piano Man was good, too.

Smokers, Go Outside

Today, Governor Chet Culver signed the smoking bill in the Statehouse rotunda before I'd guess 300-400 people who gathered on two floors to watch. In case you weren't sure, that's his picture above. He's the one with the nameplate put in front of the temporary table set up for the event.

Lots of handshaking and smiles. Not a lot of time for us media folk. We assumed the Gov would want to talk about "this historic day" after the bill signing and what it means for Iowans' health. We assumed he'd have time for us. Was he worried at all about talk of a class action lawsuit from bar owners who are ticked off that casinos got a pass on the ban? Was he concerned the ban would be tough to enforce?

Trips to Disney World, the Master's in Augusta, Georgia, Kosovo and campaigning for Barack Obama in Pennsylvania have kept him away from the state he governs in recent weeks. Since he's back in Iowa now, we thought we'd be able to catch up with him. We were wrong.

BTW, I'm told the legislative session should end next week.

Attention, Herb Lovers

I don't even know how many emails our station has received from people who are "interested" in the University of Iowa researchers looking for people willing to help out with a pot study (they may also get 600 bucks to do it). Quit emailing us acting like you are just "curious". Here's how to get a hold of the guy:

By the way, what do you think of legalizing marijuana? It's not exactly a hot topic at the Iowa Statehouse, but just wondering what you think of the idea.

ETC...

Congrats to me (well, and Carroll's Dave Olson, Charles City's Brian Fiser and Council Bluffs' Matt Baker). We just won the league bowling championship last night at Plaza Lanes in Des Moines. Not that I'm bragging about our group of B-Rollers:)

More importantly, we want to send our best wishes to Ed Bangs. Ed manages Plaza Lanes. He had a heart attack at work Thursday night. He is set to undergo a double bypass today in Des Moines. Ed is a guy who's always willing to give you a tip (for free) and patient enough to wait around until you get it right. He's also a former New York city cop who doesn't put up with any crap in his bowling alley. Good luck, Ed. We can't wait to see you back at work soon.

The Soggy End

Richard Running took the stand too uncomfortably close to the end of the day for us. We were pushing to get our stories ready for the 5pm news. Running didn't walk into the courtroom until going on 4:30. Not all that much excitement, at least from what I could tell. He did offer a juicy headline. He said CIETC was "the problem child" for similar agencies in the state because of its history of money problems.

Running seemed to stick up for Janet Barto, his former Deputy Director at Iowa Workforce Development, a few times. He said she did the job of two people during her time there. He did testify he didn't know about the financial questions about CIETC until a month before the State Auditor's office released its report in April of 2006. He and Barto, of course, were supposed to know, since they headed IWD, which was supposed to oversee the dough at CIETC.

It seems like it's rained the entire time during my two plus days here in Davenport.

And look at the toll it took on my notebook. The wind picked it up...and dropped it...right in the middle of a puddle.

Time to clear out. Loretta Lynn's about to play across the street. Who knew she still performed? I thought I passed Lyle Lovett in the bathroom. I'm not kidding.

Day 2, Part 4

Richard Running is waiting his turn. He's the former Director of Iowa Workforce Development, the state organization that was supposed to watch over the dough given to CIETC. Then-Governor Tom Vilsack canned him for apparently not doing that.

Running has been standing and looking out the window here at the federal courthouse in Davenport. Occasionally, he looks down at some notes laid out on the window sill in front of him. I wonder what's going through his head as he waits to say what he knows about this salary scandal? After all, his former IWD Deputy Director Jane Barto is one of the three fighting to stay out of the state pen right now. I wonder if they've seen each other or talked since they both got fired.

Yesterday, I mentioned we had some awesome, rosemary potatoes at the Urban Grill for our breakfast (we went back there today and I ordered the exact same thing). A smarty-pants person over at the Statehouse sent me her recipe:

Red potatoes, cut them in halves or quarters and put on a greased baking sheet.
lots of olive oil over top

sprinkle w/ kosher salt and rosemary flakes

350 degrees 30 mins? (i usually just eyeball it)

could add garlic too, if that's your thing.

For the record, I already have a similar recipe. But the ones we had here are better:)

Day 2, Part 3

Jack Cline, we know now, also became Ramona Cunningham's gambling partner back in the day. Klein, a former supervisor at CIETC, said he went gambling in Altoona, Council Bluffs and Osceola. He figures Cunningham told staffers they were going gambling "several times a week."

I forgot to mention this from yesterday...Sam Fucolara, "Ramona's b*$%!" as we've now heard that he was called by co-workers, worked on Dan Albritton's garden while he was supposed to be working for CIETC. He said Cunningham asked him to do it. She was there, too. He didn't say she helped...with the garden.

O.K., maybe I'm just a loopy after my Mountain Dew at lunch, which followed by a.m. mocha latte, but do you find this scenario a little funny?-The U.S. Asst. Attorney asks each Polk County Supervisor on the witness stand: "Are you familiar with CIETC?" They respond, "Yes." Hell, my Mom and Dad know what CIETC is. And they live in Illinois!

BTW, the Sups gave $750 grand over 3 years (from 2003-2005) to CIETC. They each testified they thought the money went for job training. They say they knew nothing that the money would go for bonuses.

Day 2, Part 2

We have a quick break, so I need to catch up. Another former CIETC'er, Pamela Jones, said at one point she asked Ramona Cunningham if she had something going on with Dan Albritton. Cunningham, she said, no, because Albritton was "gay". Doesn't quite jive with what others have already said.

I just passed the Gang of 4 in the hallway. They're "on deck". Polk CO Supervisors EJ Giovannetti, Bob Brownell, Angela Connolly, and Tom Hockensmith. The other Sup isn't on the witness list, John Maura. You'd have to figure that's a guy Republicans would love to have seen get wrapped up in this whole mess.

Former Sup, Nathan Brooks is also waiting his turn to talk. He also used to work at CIETC.

My Day 2

Sex, lies and rubber stamps. How can today compare with that? David Stanley is on the stand right now. He's another former CIETC'er. The f-bombs are have found their way back into the federal courtroom here in Davenport.

Yesterday, another former CIETC'er, Sam Fucalaro, started the f-bomb train. Apparently, other workers at CIETC used to refer to him as "Ramona's b*!$&". He said he did very little work at CIETC. Sometimes he would go drinking with Ramona Cunningham. Sometimes he would also go with Jane Barto, the former number two at Iowa Workforce Development. One time he said he went to Las Vegas with Cunningham to represent CIETC at a convention. But he said he couldn't tell anything about the convention, because they had no plans to go. The purpose he said was for him to be the distraction. Cunningham didn't want people to know she took the trip so she could have a little private time with her man, and former CIETC board member, Dan Albritton. They were in love, Fucalaro testified. Back to the f-bombs.

Fucalaro said one time Albritton and Cunningham "faked" a big argument at CIETC, just so people wouldn't think they were together. He said they even called him the night before, so he wouldn't "loose his cool" when he saw them fighting. He has quite a temper, he admitted.

Albritton cussed him out and threatened him, Fucalaro said (that's where all the f-bombs come into play here) if he exposed the goings on.

O.K., back to today. David Stanley testified he also saw this "fight" between Cunnnigham and Albritton. Not nearly as juicy as the way Fucalaro described it. But Stanley did say he heard Albritton yelling at Cunningham as he left, "You, f-ing b*$#!". Stanley did ask the judge beforehand if could swear like that.

Mary Zimmerman, another former CIETC'er, said Ramona Cunningham told her to find some work for a woman named Diane Smith. Smith at the time worked part-time for Albritton. Zimmerman testified that Cunningham told her Albritton asked if CIETC could hire Smith because he didn't have full-time work for her.

The sun just came out. It's about time. I got drenched last night trying to tape a piece for tv for 10pm. My clothes still don't feel dry.

CIETC, part 4

Sex, a rubber stamp and now we have gambling on company time...and your dime. Chuck Brooks, who is Archie Brooks' big brother, said he, Victor Scaglione and Ramona Cunningham would gamble as much as 100 to 125 times over a three-year period while they were on the clock (if there was such a thing at CIETC). Brooks said he was the driver to get the trio to Prairie Meadows (they also went to the former Lakeside Casino in Osceola and Meskwaki in Tama). Normally, Brooks testified they'd gambling on Mondays, Thursdays and sometimes Fridays. They'd usually leave about 10am, he said, and return before 1. That is, unless they went to Lakeside and Meskwaki; then, it was essentially an all-day thing.

Brooks just said Ramona Cunningham wanted him to forge a signature one time, his brother's. She told him, he testified, that he should practice it first. He said Cunningham said it was a "routine document" and that Archie was busy in a meeting. Brooks said he refused to do it.

CIETC, part 3

The rain might be playing a bigger role here in Davenport. This is at least the second time Archie Brooks has asked for a question to be repeated. Each time the rain picks up upside, it gets louder pounding on the roof above us here in the federal courthouse.

Brooks just finished up and left the courtroom.

Dave Reed, the current Boone Co. Supervisor and former CIETC board member just took the stand. He's having problems with the rain, too. He has at least twice asked to have the question repeated to him, one time specifically saying he was having problems with the sound of the rain "going on".

More problems with the sound of the rain. Is this now the sixth time or so this a.m.?

Reed said he didn't know back during the CIETC days, even though he was vice-chair of the board, who got bonuses or how much execs received. He did say he didn't think Karen Tesdell's salary was "excessive".

CIETC, part 2

The man who didn't want to talk to Brooks doesn't seem all that interested in what Brooks is saying on the stand. Well, unless he fully concentrates with his eyes closed and head bobbing. I wish I knew who he was. BTW, he's one of about only four others in this room, who aren't jurors, lawyers, judges, security, defendants or reporters (or our sketch artist Katie, who's really nice and unfortunately battling a little carpal tunnel in her "sketching arm").

This rain overhead is really annoying. It's having the same effect as a faucet running, if you know what I mean. Or maybe it was that espresso I gulped down before I came in here. Although it was worth it. Great breakfast this a.m, btw. We found a cool little place called the Urban Grind just a few blocks away. I had an omelet with grated cheese and mushrooms. But the best part of the meal were the potatoes. Rosemary apparently is the secret ingredient. I checked with the owner, Bill, just to make sure. I need to figure out how to make them. I wish I would have had more than seven minutes to eat them all though.

Back to the testimony... The attorney for Jane Barto (the former head of Iowa Workforce Development) repeatedly made the point with Brooks that he didn't "conspire" with Barto, only that he did with Ramona Cunningham (CIETC's former CEO and Brooks' former lover, according to his testimony).

Man, the rain is really coming down outside. It's pretty loud. The judge just asked an attorney to repeat his comment.

Brooks just let out a big sign on the stand. It's time for a break again.

CIETC

I have CIETC duty today. It's my first day covering this now in its fourth day here in Davenport. It's a miserable-looking today outside. Chilly and rainy. We're constantly reminded here inside. There's the constant, annoying patter of the rain on the roof. Judge Robert Pratt judge told the jurors to let him know if the sound of the rain drowns out what they're trying to hear here in the courtroom.

Archie Brooks has been on the stand this morning. So far, he has been saying he approved those huge bonuses for CIETC execs under the guidance of then-CEO Ramona Cunningham.

The judge just let everyone take a break for a few minutes. Brooks walked around the hallway. He then tried to sit down next to a man seated at the end of the row next to me. The man told Brooks to get away. I don't know who the man is. Now, Brooks paced around in the courtroom, stopping to look up at the roof as the sound of the rain continued.

We're back in action. Brooks is denying that he is the one who signed a handful of CIETC documents. I seem to remember him telling me when the story "was breaking" that he did sign documents. I questioned why the signatures looked so different in appearance. Brooks said he had had a stroke. Apparently, his memory has changed now that he is on the stand.

He testified that he did sign SOME documents giving the raise. He said on two occasions he signed two of them after he had "sexual contact" with Ramona Cunningham. He didn't elaborate. Neither did the attorney.

Light Em Up

It's 11:37am here at the Iowa Statehouse. The smoking debate has just started (again) in the house. A few minutes ago, Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy stopped by to say he had no idea how this vote would turn out. He said he thought as of earlier this a.m., it may have 50 or 51 votes. Of course, if everyone's here and everybody votes, this needs 51 to make it through. So this could be an interesting vote. The smoking stoop outside may be a crowded one.

Last night, the Conference Committee agreed to ban smoking almost everywhere in public except for on casino gaming floors (if you needed a reminder of just how powerful the casinos are in this state) and in the Iowa Veterans' Home in Marshalltown.

1205pm...The votes are in...finally. 54 yes and 45 no. Republican Linda Upmeyer of Garner said her voting machine didn't work correctly and her vote didn't register. During the voting, for a time, this bill actually failed. At one point, there were 50 no's which would have killed it. But then a few no's disappeared.

By my eye, Helen Miller of Ft. Dodge waited and waited to decide. She finally went with a yes vote. That gave the 51 necessary votes. Then a few others changed their votes from no to yes. Democrats Paul Bell of Newton and Kurt Swaim of Bloomfield both switched to the yes side. A few others must have switched, as well, but I couldn't see who they were.

Wanna Spend Your Money

Hillary Clinton and her husband raked in $109 million in the past eight years. But she needs money. Barack Obama is schooling her on how to raise dollars in this presidential campaign (he took in $40 mil last month, twice her take). So the Clintons are resorting to good old-fashioned begging...but begging with a twist. Hillary, Bill and Chelsea (or so the emails say) sent out messages to supporters asking for cash. Chelsea even sent out one saying if you donated, you get registered to win a night with the Clintons at a private concert in New York with "The Rocket Man" Elton John or "Sharon" as the internet tells me Rod Stewart nicknamed him.

If Sir Elton doesn't sound like your type, how about a shot playing the conductor? Send your money to help Clinton in Pennsylvania, and you get to decide how the campaign spends your dough. Here's the email she sent to supporters:

We need yard signs to show our campaign's strength. We need vans to get Pennsylvania voters to the polls on April 22. We need ads on the air and online to compete against the Obama campaign. And starting today, you can decide just how your contributions will help us win Pennsylvania. MyPA, our new online effort dedicated to winning the Pennsylvania primary on April 22, allows you to designate exactly where you want your money to go.This campaign is your campaign. Every single day I think about how much I owe to your generosity and hard work. I wouldn't be where I am now without your support. So, I want to make sure you have a say in how your money is spent. We face an opponent who is outspending us by as much as 4 to 1 -- I need your help now.

Click here to visit MyPA, make a contribution, and tell us where to put your dollars in our campaign to win Pennsylvania! I need your help to win in Pennsylvania and the races beyond. Your commitment and your investment are absolutely critical. I cannot win without your help. I hope you'll show your support now and tell us exactly where you want your money spent in our Pennsylvania campaign. I appreciate all your input, all your support, and all the hard work you do. Sincerely, Hillary Rodham Clinton

If you're up late tonight, tip back a cold one. At a minute past midnight 75 years ago, prohibition ended and beer drinkers could celebrate once again.

7 Years

I really can't believe it. 7 years. Today is my seven year anniversary at WHO-TV. Amazing. I mean, it's Des Moines. It's Iowa. Boring, nothing-to-do here Iowa. Or so that's how it may seem to anyone who hasn't been here. Boy, were they wrong. Boy, was I wrong. Why didn't I come here sooner?

My Lucky 7

7 days I worked a week in the weeks/months before the Iowa Caucuses. No regrets.
6 th day of October will always now be extra special.
5 places I've lived since I moved here (Including the week I stayed at the Heartland Inn)
4 B-Rollers on our bowling team at Plaza Lanes. Two weeks til the championship.
3 Mizzou friends who convinced me to join them at WHO. Thanks.
2 Dam to Dams I've run. Number three is eight weeks away.
1 amazing wife. I went to Mizzou the same time Emily did. It took moving to Des Moines for me to meet her. Sunday is our 6 month anniversary. So glad I came here.

Thanks, Iowa