Obama Gets Sworn In. Again.

(Courtesy: www.mulliganmovie.net)

A do-over. A mulligan. A make good. We knew this last presidential election was unique. And now we know, even the swearing-in ceremony is memorable. So Chief Justice John Roberts butchers the oath (do you think he'll take his notes next time, conspiracy theorists?). President Obama looked like he knew something was screwed up. After all, as a former constitutional law professor, he probably could recite the words backwards. Justice Roberts then meets the Prez last night to administer the oath again. It was surprising to me, I must say. I watched NBC Nightly News, which addressed the swearing-in stumbling. Brian Williams said experts with whom they talked said the messed up ceremony (he didn't used "messed up, of course") was still legal, so everything was o.k. Or not! The do-over came about an hour after the broadcast.

Boy, imagine if we could all get do-overs like that.

Would we still have invaded Iraq if we knew Saddam didn't have WMD?

Would John McCain still have (largely) skipped Iowa before the caucuses?

Would Rudy Giuliani still have waited until Florida to start campaigning?

Would Iowa lawmakers still have spent as much money if they knew the recession was coming?

Would I have still paid way too much money to a scalper to see Mark McGwire (the cheater) break the home run record in St. Louis?

Would I have still thrown my trumpet across the high school football field when I cracked the high note on the national anthem?

Would I have still moved to Iowa, if I had known how cold it is over the winter? Yes, I would.

Inauguration Day

I'm tired today. And for no good reason. I can only imagine how tired Barack and Michelle Obama must be. I remember my wedding day. You were grateful to have so many people there, filling you with well-wishes. But the smiling, waving, hand shaking, and thank you-ing were exhausting. The Obamas did that all day and all night long on inauguration day. I thought the First Lady looked like she was ready to go home by the time she and her presidential hubby danced at their tenth and final ball last night. She looked like she was too tired to smile. I can see why. What a day that must have been for the two of them. Now we'll see if her husband can really bring all that "change" he promised. He has his work cut out.

I'm also curious what George W Bush was thinking both today and yesterday. The job must be unimaginably exhausting. Does he look forward to having the weight of the world taken off his shoulders? Is he happy with what he accomplished? Does he wish he had more time? What will be do now that he's out of office?

Vilsack Confirmed as Ag Secretary

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Tom Vilsack as the next Secretary of Agriculture. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin's office just sent this release:

HARKIN CONGRATULATES FELLOW IOWAN TOM VILSACK ON CONFIRMATION AS AGRICULTURE SECRETARY

Leadership signifies focus on promoting the rural economy, nutrition, conservation and energy

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following comment after former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack was confirmed as Agriculture Secretary by the U.S. Senate. Harkin is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, the Committee that held nomination hearings on Vilsack’s appointment.

"President Obama could not have made a better selection for Agriculture Secretary than Tom Vilsack. He knows how to bring change that will help to strengthen and rebuild the farm and rural economy on a sound foundation. As governor, Tom Vilsack was committed to better nutrition and providing food assistance to those who need it. He built a strong record in promoting renewable energy, rural economic opportunity, and conservation. These qualifications will serve him well as he transitions into Agriculture Secretary. Tom Vilsack’s confirmation today signifies new leadership for the USDA, but also a new focus on the issues important to all Americans, including nutrition, conservation, energy and promoting the rural economy.”

Senate Cancels Action Wednesday

The Iowa Senate is canceling activities Wednesday so lawmakers can mourn Marion Senator Mary Lundby, who died over the weekend.

Here's the release from Senator Mike Gronstal's office:

Democratic Senators and staff:

Senator Gronstal has cancelled all committee and floor action in the Senate on Wednesday so that Senators and staff may attend Senator Lundby’s funeral, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joe’s Catholic Church, 1790 14th Street, in Marion.

$150 million Inauguration

(Photo courtesy: www.jibaros.com)

How much is too much to spend on a new president's inauguration? $150 million? That's the estimate of what everyone is spending for Barack Obama's big day. This price tag comes in the middle of possibly the worst recession since the Great Depression. In 2005, some Democratic congressman asked President George W Bush to scale his plans back because the country was in the middle of war (we still are, of course). Does this $150 million bother you or is money not the issue on a day like this?

And...how bout them Cardinals? Congrats to Kurt Warner and the rest of the former Gridbirds (that's what we called them when they were in St. Louis) as they head to the Super Bowl. I wonder if this latest push will get Warner into the Hall of Fame? Not bad for a former stock boy at Hy-Vee Grocery Store, huh?

Mary Lundby Has Died

Iowa Senator Mary Lundby has died. She had been battling cervical cancer for the past several years. Over the holidays, she said good-bye to family and friends. I always enjoyed talking with her at the Iowa Statehouse. She was funny, passionate and sarcastic, three traits I can relate to.

She left the senate after her leadership position ended to go back to Linn County to run for a board of supervisors position. But her cancer prevented her from doing so. Her dedication, humor and whistle will be deeply missed.

Patrick Dillon to the White House

Patrick Dillon moves from the Iowa Statehouse to the White House. Here's the release from the gov's office:

(DES MOINES) – Governor Chet Culver issued the following statement today congratulating former Chief of Staff Patrick Dillon on his new appointment as Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President Barack Obama.

"I could not be happier for Patrick, and the First Lady, Lt. Governor, and I wish him well in his new role at the White House. For more than three years, Patrick has been an invaluable member of our team – first during my campaign for Governor and then as Chief of Staff. Though we are all sad to see him go, Patrick’s skill and expertise will serve the President well in the coming years, and I couldn’t think of a better choice. Though he may no longer reside here, he will always be an Iowan. Our state couldn’t have a better friend in the Obama-Biden Administration.”

And happy birthday to this man!

(Photo courtesy: St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

Cardinals' superstar Albert Pujols turns 29 today. It's hard to imagine what he could accomplish by the time he is 40! The picture comes from the Cardinals' Winter Warm-up last year. Fans will need a warm-up from the weather and from the lack of action by ownership this off-season. I'm not sure which one has been colder.

Leasing the Lottery

Iowa democrats are thinking about leasing the Iowa Lottery. The Des Moines Register reports on the numbers...the state may get about $200 million up front and then about $20 million or so a year afterwards. That's about one-third of the revenue it's taking in a year now. Short-term gain, long-term loss? Do you want lawmakers to do this?

The Register also has an awful story about a Des Moines man who may have been stuck outside in his wheelchair last night in the snow when the temperature was minus 18. Awful.

I'm getting ready (it's just about noon right now) for a taping of "The Insiders", which runs Sunday morning at 9:30 on Channel 13. The guests are Jerry Crawford and Doug Gross. I hope you'll watch.

I'm still waiting to see if my Cardinals are going to make a move. I realize the economy sucks, but, surely, they can do more to help their pitching staff. Former favorite David Eckstein just signed with the Padres to play second base. And uber-fan favorite So Taguchi just signed with the Cubs. The Cubs?! First, Jim Edmonds and now So? Who's next...Pujols?

IBM Coming to Iowa

First Google. Then Microsoft. Now it's IBM that is moving to Iowa. Iowa Governor Chet Culver announced the company was bringing about 1,300 jobs to Dubuque. Taxpayers are kicking in about $53,000,000. By my math that works out to $40,769 per job. Is this how you want your tax dollars spent? Is this how it works these days? Should the state do more of this to lure other big name companies to our state as we move on from an all-farm-all-the-time economy?

Grassley vs. Vilsack

Tom Vilsack's apparent easy U.S. Senate confirmation would take away one of those potentially "sexy" match ups two years from now: Tom Vilsack vs. Charles Grassley. But some Iowa democrats aren't giving up the Vilsack vs. Grassley dream. They'd like Christie Vilsack to get on the ballot. After Tom's appearance before the Senate Agriculture Committee, I asked Sen. Grassley about it. He told me expects democrats to throw everything they have at him because of their strong 2008 election and their current 110,000 voter registration edge in the state.

He doesn't expect a "second-tier" opponent like he had last time around (Colonel Sanders look-a-like candidate, Art Small, offered a token contest against Grassley in 2002). But in 2010 Grassley expects a "first-tier" opponent, someone like Christie Vilsack he said. He said he is taking his re-election very seriously. He's held 8 fundraisers so far and has twice that many planned. Grassley will be 77 years of age by the 2010 election.

Tom Miller's Black Eye

(Photo courtesy: The Des Moines Register)

They said the budget would be a battle this year, but...did you notice that shiner on the A.G.? Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller showed a black eye as he stood and applauded during Governor Culver's Condition the State Address. His office told me the A.G. fell on the ice at his step-son's house Thursday as they were leaving to go out to eat. Ouch! I wonder if the A.G. plans to sue?

Breaking news

3:01pm...just heard Iowa Governor Chet Culver's Chief of Staff Patrick Dillon is stepping down. His wife is moving to D.C. No confirmation from his office yet...

UPDATE:
3:11pm...I didn't get a call back from his office confirming this, but the office did email a statement. Dillon's departure had been rumored months ago when his wife worked for the Obama campaign out of state.

GOVERNOR CULVER APPOINTS CHARLES KROGMEIER AS NEW CHIEF OF STAFF, PATRICK DILLON TO STEP DOWN

Current Director of Department of Management to Assume Role

DES MOINES – Chief of Staff Patrick Dillon announced today that he is stepping down from his position, and Governor Culver announced that he has appointed Charles Krogmeier, currently Director of the Department of Management and a longtime state government manager, to succeed him.

Dillon is moving to Washington, DC, with his wife, Jennifer O’Malley Dillon, who was recently appointed Executive Director of the Democratic National Committee.

"Patrick Dillon has been an invaluable member of our team for more than three years, and I cannot thank him enough for his service to the people of Iowa. Most importantly, I appreciate his personal friendship and trusted advice,” said Governor Culver. “I’m sorry to see him leave Iowa for now, but Patrick and I have always said that we married up, and I fully understand he needs to be in the same city as his better half. I wish him all the best as he begins a new chapter in his career during this exciting transition to a new Administration."

Dillon has served as Chief of Staff since his appointment in December 2006. Prior to that time, he managed the Governor's campaign.

"This time of great change at the state and national levels is also a time of change in my life, and so now is the right time for me to be with my wife," said Dillon. "It has been the privilege of my life to work every day helping Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Judge serve the people of Iowa. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to work side-by-side with so many committed public servants throughout state government, among them Charlie Krogmeier. There is no person better suited for these challenging times in state government.”

"I am very pleased that my good friend and longtime advisor Charlie Krogmeier has agreed to serve as Chief of Staff,” added Governor Culver. “His rich experience in state and local government, thorough knowledge of the state budget, and extensive management skills all make him the best person for the job."

"I am honored to have this new opportunity to serve the people of Iowa," said Krogmeier. "I am ready to go to work helping Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Judge to meet the challenges of rebuilding Iowa, balancing the budget and creating jobs across the state.”

Krogmeier was appointed by the Governor to the position of Director of the Department of Management in December 2006, and confirmed by the Senate in March 2007. The Department of Management is the executive branch's planning and budget agency and serves as the Governor's principal financial advisor.

Previously, Krogmeier directed the gubernatorial transition in 2006, and served as First Deputy Secretary of State from June of 2004 to November 2006. Prior to that he was a partner in the Des Moines law firm of Brown, Winick, Graves, Gross, Baskerville and Schoenebaum for 7 years. Krogmeier began his career in public service as a Lee County Supervisor (1979-86) followed by service as General Counsel to the Iowa Department of Transportation (1986-89) and as a Deputy Attorney General (1989-1997).

Krogmeier assumes the position of Chief of Staff effective immediately, and Dillon will serve in an advisory role through a transition period.

2009 Legislative Session

Monday morning at 10a.m...it begins. It seems like everyone has different opinions on just how much Iowa lawmakers will have to cut on next year's budget. But the upper end looks like about $800 million. That's about 250 bucks for every Iowan, if my math is correct (it usually isn't).

Expand the smoking ban, broaden the bottle bill, raise the pay for state union workers, increase the gas tax, cut income taxes...what should lawmakers do, besides the budget? Tell us. Tell THEM.

I was leaving the gym on my way to work today. A woman pulls up next to me (I must say this again...I was leaving the GYM). And I see her scarfing down the rest of this...

Yes, a large McDonald's fries. Good luck on the treadmill, lady!

Republicans Elect New Party Chairman

(Photo from Strawn's Facebook page. He is one of the owners of the Iowa Barnstormers, Des Moines' Arena Football League team)

Matt Strawn told us inside the Republican Party of Iowa's headquarters in Des Moines Saturday afternoon that he would use new technology to spread the party's message. Facebook, Twitter, etc. (I still haven't figured out Twitter and have only to begun to understand Facebook) And he did. It wasn't quite the wake-up I remember when Barack Obama texted to say he had picked Joe Biden as his v.p. But minutes after peers elected Strawn the new chairman, he did sent out the message on his Facebook page.

Matt Strawn is humbled and honored by his election to chair the Republican Party of Iowa.

A Republican in the room told me the room was "united". I must wonder why the man Strawn beat, former legislator Danny Carroll, did not hang around for the Strawn news conference. Outgoing chair Stew Iverson was also just that...outgoing. He also did not stick around.

Repubs have a challenge before them. They have to convince Iowans who THEY are and why Iowans should become one of them. More Iowans have decided the past few years..."no, thanks."

Strawn told me he has four goals:

1. rebuild the party
2. fund raise
3. recruit good candidates
4. communicate with Iowans and each other

Crooks and Cubs

A viewer/reader asks this hypothetical:

Dave, I have a question. What Illinois streak do you think will end first. The Cubs incredible streak of not winning theWorld Series, or the streak of consecutive Illinois Governors being arrested and sent to prison? Feel free to steal this question for the Price of Politics, I read it you could use the help.Thanks Dave,Leon the Bull Durham

Is that what people call a backhanded compliment?--"The Bull" apparently reads the blog, but also apparently, he thinks we need some help on the content. Well, Bull, thanks for the help.

Leon Durham, by the way, was a promising, up-and-coming first basemen with my St. Louis Cardinals before the team traded him, along with several others, to the hated Chicago Cubs for elite closer Bruce Sutter (Bru-u-u-u-ce). Unfortunately, he may be best remembered for letting that ground ball get past him, ultimately allowing the San Diego Padres to make it to the World Series instead of the Cubs. What a shame.

Rod Blagojevich is just another of Illinois' politicians to embarrass my home state. Three governors since the 1960s have gone on to prison. Perhaps, the latest, George Ryan, will be able to show Blago around. Does a person have to be crooked before he runs for governor in Illinois or does it just happen after he takes office?

So to answer your question, Bull, let's hope crooked governors break this streak before those cursed Cubs ruin their streak!

More Layoffs in the Metro; Iowa Republicans' New Chairman

My cell phone and email have been buzzing all morning long. It sounds like there may be more layoffs/reductions in the health care and media industries in central Iowa. This comes just one day after legendary Des Moines company, Meredith, announced it was cutting 250 jobs, including 100 in Des Moines. I'm not going to mention specific companies at this point until we get firmer details on this. This layoff stuff is really getting scary. It seems like everyone I know is either concerned about losing a job, having to cut a job or at least knows someone who has been affected by this pitiful economy.

Saturday, Iowa Republicans try to begin figuring out the "what's next?" for them. The State Central Committee picks a new chairman. As of last check there were six "candidates" to replace outgoing Chairman Stew Iverson (he had said he'd only do the job for 2008). I'm told by Republican sources to especially watch two people Saturday, former legislator Danny Carroll and Iowa Barnstormers' owner Matt Strawn.

Lee Enterprise Layoffs

(Courtesy: newsbusters.org)

It's a tough time for the media these days. It seems toughest for the newspaper industry. Davenport-based Lee Enterprises lost more than $800 million last fiscal year and has seen its stock price plummet (it's 56 cents as I write this). The company owns my "hometown" newspaper, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and laid off 39 people from that paper today.

Queen Face Time

Andrea Mitchell is "Queen Face Time." A new report shows she received 355 minutes of on-air time as a network evening news correspondent in 2008. 2007's "King Face Time" champion, ABC's Jake Tapper (330 minutes) came in 2nd, followed by CBS' Dean Reynolds (262 minutes).

The guy who tracked all of this clearly has no life! I wonder who would be Des Moines' "King" or "Queen Face Time"? Was anybody bored enough in 2008 to figure that out...I mean, was anyone curious enough to figure that out? Probably not.

Grassley Like's Obama's Tax Cuts; Braley Thinks Blue

Senator Chuck Grassley sounds like he thinks Barack Obama's planned tax cuts could win support from Republicans, but the overall cost of the stimulus package might be high for some pachyderms.

Eastern Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley looks like he's committed to keep coloring the country blue. Here's the release:

The DCCC today named the second of its three Vice Chairs – Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA) will serve as Vice Chair for candidate services, responsible for the DCCC's offensive efforts including recruitment, money, and training.

DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen said, "The DCCC will stay aggressive this cycle and continue to challenge Republicans who are out of step with their districts. As a former chair and former member of the Red to Blue program, Bruce Braley knows first hand what it takes to be a successful candidate; his battle tested leadership will be a real asset to our candidates facing tough elections."

Congressman Bruce Braley brings his experience as chair of the DCCC's successful and effective 2008 Red to Blue Program and as a former member of the Red to Blue Program.

Vice Chair Bruce Braley said, "I'm looking forward to continuing my work at the DCCC in this new leadership role. It's critical for us to continue assisting our candidates with the money, messaging and mobilization they will need to get elected in the 2010 election cycle. I will work hard to help our candidates win their races."

Congressman Bruce Braley will serve as Vice Chair for candidate services. The DCCC's candidate services include recruiting, money, and training. A Vice Chair focusing on Member participation will be named at a later date.

Culver Will Wait Til End of the Month for Budget

Governor Chet Culver will chew on the numbers a bit longer before he releases his budget plan for the next year. He apparently will wait until the end of the month. His office says the Gov wants to wait for President-Elect Barack Obama to take office first (January 20). Obama has pledged to help states out with some federal cash to help them rebuild infrastructure. That could obviously help state leaders make the numbers work a little easier as they put together what will be a tough budget. His office helps me remember Culver issued his budget with his Condition of the State address last year. His first session in office, he delivered it the end of January (Tom Vilsack was still the Gov for the Condition of the State).

Speaking of the budget... two things stick out from today. Three things, I guess.
Number One...Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal said leaders will be "saying no" a lot to people who want more money for existing programs or any money for new ideas.
Number Two...House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy was not in attendance at a statehouse news conference today (House Speaker Pat Murphy and Senate Prez Jack Kibbie were). Murphy said McCarthy had the flu.
Number Three...Kibbie at one point said "we will spend more money than last year". As you might guess, that got our attention pretty quickly. When Radio Iowa's Kay Henderson questioned his words, Kibbie later corrected himself with the obvious statement that "we'll spend less next year". Too bad. That would have REALLY made this an interesting session!

My Cardinals are now saying arbitration may limit them. Funny, because at the beginning of the season, I remember them saying they were knocking $30 million off the books when several players' contracts expired. $10 million of that may go toward raises due to arbitration. That leaves $20 million for new signings. Sounds like now there's some funny math going on. I realize money may be tight in a bad economy. But Cardinal fans expect to have a chance at winning it all each year and I don't see them flipping open their wallets for a team that's skimping in this economy.

Duffy Cartoon Criticizes Culver

Duffy is back, at least he was today. And he had a little message, in his own way, for Governor Chet Culver. Brian Duffy worked for The Des Moines Register for about a quarter of a century before the newspaper fired him in what it called a cost-cutting move. Apparently, the Iowa Progress Project found some money in its budget for him. The IPP isn't exactly a fan of Culver or most democrats for that matter. A spokesman told me a Duffy cartoon may not be a one-time thing.

Here's the rest of the release:

Christmas has come and gone yet state employee stockings continue to be filled.
Some state employees are luckier than others. For those not under union contract, they get lumps of coal in the form of layoffs and pay freezes. For AFSCME and union members, they get built in raises and promises of job security. Culver announced last week that non-union state employees wouldn’t be receiving deserved bonus, raises, or promotions. Layoffs are to be expected.
For the complete story on Culver's preferential money-saving plan click here.
The Culver cartoon will be featured on our website www.iowaprogressproject.com. Share the link with friends, family, and colleagues! You can also share this cartoon by using our “Forward to a friend” feature found below.


Santa may have brought some criticism for the Gov. But he didn't seem to bring my Cardinals much of anything. Royce Ring? Seriously???

Bushisms

The Associated Press has collected what it calls "Bushisms". Perhaps, these words isn't the bestest moments for George W Bush.

"I know the human being and fish can coexist peacefully." September 2000, explaining his energy policies at an event in Michigan.

"Rarely is the question asked, is our children learning?" January 2000, during a campaign event in South Carolina.

"They misunderestimated the compassion of our country. I think they misunderestimated the will and determination of the commander in chief, too." Sept. 26, 2001, in Langley, Va. Bush was referring to the terrorists who carried out the Sept. 11 attacks.

"There's no doubt in my mind, not one doubt in my mind, that we will fail." Oct. 4, 2001, in Washington. Bush was remarking on a back-to-work plan after the terrorist attacks.

"It would be a mistake for the United States Senate to allow any kind of human cloning to come out of that chamber." April 10, 2002, at the White House, as Bush urged Senate passage of a broad ban on cloning.

Here are some more...

Culver Tells State Workers about Budget Cuts

An Iowa state employee forwarded me this email that Governor Chet Culver sent out.

Dear Fellow State Employee,

Over the last few weeks, I have ordered all state departments to reduce spending. This will have an effect on state employees, and the services you provide Iowans. I want to take this opportunity to tell you directly why I took these actions, and what the next steps will be as we respond to the national economic situation.

As you know, we are in the midst of an economic challenge that is historic in its scope. While its cause comes from actions on Wall Street, supported by misguided federal policies from Washington over the past eight years, the result has been an economic recession that is hitting Main Streets and factories and farms and families – and state governments - across the nation.

And as we speak, 43 of our states are either in or headed towards a deficit. Iowa’s Constitution does not allow our state to operate in a deficit. This means cuts in spending are needed to balance our budget.

This process began this fall, when the state’s revenues fell short of predictions. As a response, I directed agencies to cut expenses and unnecessary travel, and to freeze state hiring.

But maintaining a balanced budget and staying in front of this national economic crisis requires continued and shared responsibility throughout state government, as well as in communities statewide.

Last week marked another important step in this process. On Friday, the Revenue Estimating Conference lowered revenue projections for both fiscal years 2009 and 2010.

At that time I indicated I would take action to cut spending in the current 2009 budget by an additional $60 million. I was advised then that this amount would be an appropriate, measured response to the REC action. It would allow my office, state budget planners, the respective state departments and the legislature to begin focusing on the task ahead of putting together a 2010 budget.

However, after further review of our revenue projections and budget commitments along with several meetings of my budget team, I am convinced that $60 million in additional adjustments to the current budget is not enough to prepare us for the challenges before us.

The REC indicates that revenue estimates for both 2009 and 2010 may be reduced even more in April. My Council of Economic Advisors predicts that the bottom of this economic downturn has not yet reached Iowa. And economic trends, both nationally and internationally, continue to bear bad news.

As Governor, I hear these warnings. I will protect our State’s fiscal position, and I will do so without raising taxes on Iowans.

Therefore, over the next few weeks, I am going to take the following steps:

First, I am directing the Department of Management to immediately revise its projected balance sheet for the General Fund in order to adjust for the recent REC action and make other adjustments based upon DOM’s best projections of income and expenditures. This means the State will have a projected negative ending balance on June 30, the end of our current fiscal year.

Therefore, next week I will make across-the-board reductions in General Fund expenditures to assure there will be no State budget deficit at the end of fiscal year 2009. I will sign an Executive Order to implement an across-the-board cut of 1.5% to the general fund, or $91.4 million.

I will ask for one exception to this across-the-board cut: the Correction Officers and Troopers who are on the frontlines and are essential to our public safety. I will ask the legislature to “backfill” an appropriate amount of funding to make sure essential positions are not cut.

In addition, I will ask the legislature to approve transferring approximately $10 million to the General Fund from accounts and funds in state government that have balances that exceed the amount needed for the current fiscal year.

These actions are in addition to $77 million in reduced spending that I announced on December 9. Together, these cuts represent nearly $180 million. This will have an impact on programs that the State provides.

As you can imagine, this is not what I want to do, but as Governor I believe that this is what must be done.

Nonetheless, we are in a better position than most states. We have more than $620 million in cash reserves that will help us through this situation. We have a AAA bond rating that allow us to do some things that other states cannot.

And I am confident that, in January, President-elect Obama and Congress will immediately go to work on an economic stimulus package that will make a difference to critical financial issues facing all States, such as funding for Medicaid, improving our infrastructure, creating new jobs, and rebuilding our economy.

We did not cause this economic crisis. But the responsibility falls to us to respond to it. We have endured challenges in the past, and we have succeeded. Our long history of fiscal responsibility, coupled with the actions I have taken, gives me optimism and confidence about what the future holds for our state. Our Iowa values of resilience, strength, and common-sense will sustain us through this, and any, challenge.

Finally, as this year comes to a close, I want to thank you for your service to our state. From floods and tornadoes, to the economic situation we now face, state employees have always risen to the occasion. So, even as we meet these unexpected challenges, on behalf of the First Lady, and the Lt. Governor, I want to wish you and your families a safe holiday season, and best wishes in the New Year.

Sincerely,

Chester J. Culver
Governor of Iowa

The Battle of the J-School Giants

Missouri vs. Northwestern. Two of the best journalism programs in the country. Of course, as a proud grad, I think Mizzou's j-school is in a league of its own. As far as the football game, it wasn't pretty...but...


M-I-Z Z-O-U!

More Vilsack for Secretary

Check out what Senator Chuck Grassley's office had to say about Tom Vilsack's appointment for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Can we call this a subtle swipe at the man some speculated might run against Grassley for his senate seat?

“This comes as a surprise since about three weeks ago Governor Vilsack stated that he was not in contention for the job, but it sure isn’t a surprise because of his qualifications. As Governor of Iowa he has a firsthand look at the role of agriculture in our global economy,” Grassley said. “I’m happy for him, happy for Iowa and this is welcome news for agriculture.”

The comments, I assume refer to this Des Moines Register article that claims Vilsack says he will NOT become Ag Secretary.

Vilsack for Agriculture Secretary

Tom Vilsack's run for president lasted shorter than Britney Spears first marriage. Almost. Jay Leno made fun of him on national tv. But, perhaps, Tom Vilsack will get the last laugh in Washington, after all. Barack Obama wants him to become the country's next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

It seems like quite a comeback for Vilsack. He talked up Hillary Clinton every chance he could after he dropped out of the presidential race. But after she quit her run, Vilsack traveled all over the place on Obama's behalf. It seems like I saw him on the national cable networks every other day pushing Obama's candidacy.

You'll remember last week Iowa's U.S. Senator Tom Harkin complained Obama's peeps weren't consulting enough with the senate about his appointments, particularly the Ag Sec job. I wonder if that helped Vilsack's case.

Throw a Shoe

I've heard of a horse throwing a shoe. I didn't realize tv reporters did it, too. Who deserves your shoe? I think a lot of Iowa State Cyclones' fans would say Gene Chizik right now. I'm voting for the guys who are hammering on those new houses next to mine at 7am on my day off. Actually maybe their bosses deserve my shoe. Both shoes! Who deserves your shoe?

Fans Boo Auburn

I'm really hoping today is better than yesterday. I got into work and Hillary Clinton was causing us problems. O.K., not really. But our problems started outside her former campaign office across the street from our building in downtown Des Moines. A power line fell and knocked out our telephone service. I don't understand the technology of it all. But I know we lost phone, email, fax and internet. Not good timing on the day Iowa State's head football coach Gene Chizik bailed on his own words to commit to the Cyclones and instead headed to Auburn. Not a good day for that. It wasn't an easy day.

Auburn's hardly full of praise for this move. I used to work near Auburn before I moved to Des Moines. Football is everything there. EVERYTHING. I realize the Iowa-Iowa State rivalry is big here. But Auburn-Alabama is waaaaay bigger. College football season doesn't just last through the fall. It's a year-round sport there. It's a big day for a guy to ask a girl to go to an Auburn football game. They get dressed up. It's like a formal. I think that's why fans are so stunned their beloved team has hired Chizik. Chizik had success there earlier this decade as the team's defensive coordinator. But even Iowa State's most devoted followers have a tough time arguing he's had much success here. So it's hard for those Tigers' fans to understand how they could hire this guy. Check out the reaction with Auburn's athletic director lands back in Alabama after working on the deal with Chizik. It ain't pretty.



And how much free time does the person who did this have?!

CIETC

It seems like it's been forever since Iowans first started talking about how corrupt the leaders of CIETC were. Iowa State Auditor Dave Vaudt released his report about this on April 1, 2006. Court testimony showed CIETC'ers and board members were giving themselves bonuses with an actual rubber stamp, sleeping with each other, gambling on company time...you know, just like your office is, right?

Monday, the leader of this taxpayer screw-job is scheduled to find out how much time she gets in the slammer. Ramona Cunningham worked her way up (insert your own joke here) through the system from secretary to CEO.

Tuesday, it's the woman who said she had nothing to do with this scandal. She previously testified she used to come to work early to make coffee for everyone and ate soup at her desk for lunch. Karen Tesdell, CIETC's former chief accountant learns her fate.

Any chance taxpayers will ever get back the money the execs stole from them?

Rod Blagojevich's hair

Celebrity Look-a-Like...what do you think? Polk County Attorney John Sarcone and disgraced Illinois Governor Rod "F-in" Blagojevich. Drop all the f-bombs and the criminal indictments and give Sarcone a haircut...or better yet give Blago the haircut. BTW, will they have all the "product" for his 'do for him in prison?

KCCI Layoffs

Layoffs. Firings. Reductions. Who cares what word you use? They all suck. It's a scary time for a lot of people right now, those with jobs and those without. We in the media, it seems, report on layoffs most every night now. Insurance companies, auto dealerships, financial institutions...and now those layoffs have hit one of our competitors. KCCI TV in Des Moines laid off four employees. Two workers took early retirement. And one person went from full-time to part-time. Don't get me wrong, I want us to beat Channel 8 in the ratings. It's been a long time. But you never want to see this happen. They're our competitors. But they're also our friends.

I don't know reporter Ryan Luby very well. But he's a fellow University of Missouri grad. So a hearty M-I-Z-Z-O-U to him. I've known meteorologist Jason Parkin for more than seven years now. He used to work at our station before he went to KCCI. He's a great guy. A really great guy. This television market and central Iowans will miss him terribly. I wish them all the best of luck. They deserve it.

Principal Financial Job Cuts

The newscasts tonight will need a lot more than a half hour to cover everything today. So many developments...

The Principal Financial Group is laying off 550 employees, 300 from the metro. It was just a few weeks ago that Senior. V.P. Mary O'Keefe was telling us repeatedly how healthy the company was, that was despite the fact Principal had requested up to $2 billion in the government and that the stock price is worth a small fraction of what it once was. Apparently, a lot has changed in a few weeks.

Gov Chet Culver is cutting $77 million (if you count money that was already approved by the state legislature for that new state office building) from state spending. Repubs must be licking their chops politically. They said last year until they were blue in the face that the dems were spending way too much money. Does this help State Auditor Dave Vaudt (who was among the loudest spending critics) as he decides whether to run for governor against Culver?

Here are the highlights from a release from the gov's office:

Freeze personnel vacancies and new temporary positions, unless approved by Department of Management (DOM), and reduce the amount of overtime.
SAVINGS: $12.6 million

Freeze out-of-state travel, unless approved by DOM, and reduce in-state travel.
SAVINGS: $1.5 million

Reduce equipment purchases, service contracts and office supplies.
SAVINGS: $5.0 million

Cuts in spending by the Regents Institutions, Judicial Branch, and Legislature.
SAVINGS: $8.9 million

Transfers made to General Fund since the last Revenue Estimating Conference meeting.
SAVINGS: $12.0 million

Request the legislature to de-appropriate funding for a new state office building.
SAVINGS: $37 million

TOTAL: $77.0 million

Plus, did you watch any of the arguments in the Iowa Supreme Court over the same sex marriage case? No decision's expected for months, at least. Will the dems at the statehouse decide to take this up beforehand? Or will they keep avoiding the issue and wait for the Court?

Wine Country and Jay's Staying

I've been blog-less for a week. I'm long overdue for a post. But we took an amazing trip to wine country in California in between. We started in Napa, then went to Sonoma and ended in San Fran. All three places were great (I think Hess was our favorite. Maybe it had something to do with the former Holstein, Iowa woman who served us our wine tasting tour). Going in the off-season paid off, I think. We didn't have to wait in lines. We got great service and access everywhere. Awesome. And while we were waiting to get on a cable car, I ran into a woman with whom I graduated from high school in southern Illinois. Unbelievable!

One quick observation...Iowa is nowhere near as green as San Fran. The recycling efforts there seem to dwarf ours here. We stopped by a restaurant on a pier. They had three containers for waste...trash, compost and recyclables. Very impressive.

Tuesday looks to be a big news day around here. A big winter storm may come our way. The Iowa Supreme Court takes up gay marriage (no decision expected for months). And Governor Chet Culver will finally tell Iowans how state departments will cut $40 mil from their budgets. The Des Moines Register has been trying for a while now to get those cuts. Culver's office had failed to turn that info over. I guess Tuesday we'll all finally get to see what these cuts are and what they will mean for everyone in the state.

I haven't understood what NBC has been doing for the past few years. It seems the network gives up on prime time shows pretty soon. Didn't "Friends", "Seinfeld" and "The Office" all struggle at first? And CBS and ABC have zoomed past the peacock in the ratings. Here's an interesting move though. It looks like the network will announce Tuesday Jay Leno will host an hour-long prime time show at 9m central time Monday through Friday. No network has ever tried something like this. NBC decided a few years back Leno would leave "The Tonight Show" so that Conan O'Brien could take over. Now it looks like we can watch both guys five nights a week. Now that's entertainment.

Kevin McCarthy, Young Gun

Emilio Estevez, Kiefer Sutherland, Lou Diamond Phillips, Charlie Sheen and Kevin McCarthy. Yep, McCarthy's been called the newest member of "The Young Guns". Actually, it's CALIFORNIA's Kevin McCarthy. Not IOWA's democratic house majority leader. First Shonn Greene, left out of the Heisman talk. Now Kevin McCarthy. No love for the Hawkeye State.

California's version.

The Iowan.

Obama and Clinton; Rosie's Gone Again

Think back two years ago... did you really imagine Barack Obama as the country's next president and Hillary Clinton in his cabinet??? Seriously, who wouldathunkit? Will No Drama Obama be able to keep it no drama? Will Bill Clinton be able to stay out of the headlines during all of this? Were you surprised Hillary even wanted this? Will this end any presidential aspirations or will she try running eight years from now? So many questions to think about on a Sunday night.

We had a quite a road trip. We went to my parents in southern Illinois for the Thanksgiving holiday. I think it snowed virtually the entire drive back. But the great news...thanks to those work crews for getting expansions on Highway 63 (actually, thanks to my tax dollars, too, I suppose). But we could now bypass both Ottumwa and Fairfield. I think I saved at least a half hour of driving. Priceless.

And, who saw this coming...it looks like NBC already canned Rosie ODonnell's new show...after ONE episode! The promos about her show seemed to make fun of it before the show even started. They hardly made the show look like a winner. I have no idea why I just wrote about this. But, seriously, after ONE episode? Not that I saw it.

Tom Miller Staying in Iowa

Another Iowan isn't apparently loading up the U-Haul. Attorney General Tom Miller told the Des Moines Register he wants to stay here. Former Gov Tom Vilsack said a few days ago he wasn't moving east anytime soon. The announcements all come as Barack Obama's administration has been announcing who did get the jobs that will put them in his administration.

Did you see this out of Minnesota? And I thought it was only Senator Larry Craig who made bathroom news up there. Apparently, some Iowa Hawkeye fans got a little too fired up at the game last weekend. A security guard says he busted a man and a woman going at it in a stall in one of the bathrooms during the game. And supposedly a group of spectators were checking out the activity. But here's the best part... after their arrests, the man and woman were released...the man to his girlfriend, the woman to her husband. Those must have been some awkward conversations!

Barack Obama Economic Plan; Ties

Does anyone remember a president-elect getting so much attention and looking like he's planning on doing so much work BEFORE he takes office as Barack Obama? Is it just because of the mess this country is in right now? Is something just different this time around? Is it a combination of both? He wants Congress to have a stimulus package on his desk by the time he gets inaugurated. That would seem to put the pressure on everyone to make sure that happens. Perhaps, a recession does that.

We get hundreds of emails a day at our station. Hell, I get hundreds and not just about helping my "love skills". BTW, they don't need help. So quit sending them. Anyway...I thought you might want to see some of these from time to time (about other topics, I mean). Is the email that came today about a story we did? No. Is it about a vital issue affecting our community? No. It's about wardrobes. "Rowland B" sent this in today:

I DON'T LIKE THE WAY YOUR TIES LOOK.I RECOMMEND A HALF WINDSOR.MAYBE I'M OLD FASHIONED.THIS IS ONLY SUGGESTION.

I'm pretty sure I do a half windsor. Fortunately, You Tube can help us all. Tie one on...

Vilsack NOT U.S. Agriculture Secretary

Apparently, former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack will not become the U.S. Ag Secretary. At least that's what he told the Des Moines Register. He told the paper Barack Obama's people never even talked to him about the job. Vilsack's name has been mentioned as a possibility for this post for weeks now. What made him come out now to say he was never a possibility? I'd ask him. But he never returned my message last week.

Speaking of messages, a friend sent this one (btw, I cleaned up a few letters). I thought it's fitting since we received our first snow...

A winter statistic

98% OF AMERICANS SAY 'OH S*#T' BEFORE GOING IN THE DITCH ON A SLIPPERY ROAD.

THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM IOWA AND THEY SAY, 'HOLD MY BEER AND WATCH THIS.' Another reason I love my native state ....

Smoking First Lady, The Young Governor, Money Problems and The Infinite Mind

Some quick thoughts before I head home for the night...

First, a reporter busts Iowa First Lady Mari Culver breaking the law and puffing away in the state-owned SUV the troopers use to drive her family. She doesn't get a ticket. A day later, she requests the ticket. She gets a ticket. Can you imagine the position the trooper has been in (providing this wasn't the First Lady's first offense)? You would assume he knew she was breaking the law. But how does he write the boss's wife a ticket?

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal makes his Iowa tour, first Cedar Rapids, then West Des Moines. He says he didn't come here for a "political speech". He probably isn't thinking about running for president either, right? He's only 37. I didn't realize he was that young.

Des Moines city leaders are considering laying off about 90 people. Their budget is short somewhere between $6 and $9 million for next year. Doesn't it seem like this happens every year? Why does the city always seem to need to make cuts and Polk County doesn't?

Have you heard this story about Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley calling out a popular public radio talk show host? Apparently, the concern is this host's infinite mind may not be thinking straight.

Budget Problems

Remember when Republican State Auditor Dave Vaudt kept warning state democratic leaders they were spending too much on this year's budget? There's word today Governor Chet Culver is asking department heads to help him come up with $40 million worth of cuts. But will those be enough?

Apparently, Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley's not a big fan of the way another congressman does business. Real Clear Politics says Braley gave an impassioned speech to help oust Michigan Rep. John Dingell from his House Energy and Transportation Committee post.

And Congress may come back early from vacation to work on the economy. Most people believe we're in a recession, the auto industry's out of gas, the stock market's tanked, there are layoffs everywhere. Wow. What a sacrifice for Congress to come back early. It will be interesting to see the public's view of Congress' democratic leadership. Much like they do in Iowa, Democrats have the triple play, both chambers of the legislative branch and the executive branch. What will Iowans/Americans think if these party leaders can't start to make lives better?

Jackie Norris, Michelle Obama's Chief of Staff

It looks like winning Iowa pays. The Washington Post reports Barack Obama's Iowa State Director Jackie Norris is headed to Washington to become Michelle Obama's chief of staff. Jackie had been a civics teacher at Johnston High School She's also held some influential positions in Iowa campaigns recently. She served as Al Gore's Iowa Political Director in 2000. Her husband, John, ran for Congress against Tom Latham in 2002. He's currently the director of the Iowa Utilities Board. I remember Jackie telling me about the immediate bond she felt with Barack, but especially with Michelle. Looks like that bond will only grow. Once again, Iowa shows just how important it is.

Automakers' Bailout

I asked Iowa's congressional delegation its feelings on the automaker bailout. Here are the responses, well, at least the candidates who gave me a response.

Dave Loebsack:
“The failure of the American automobile industry could jeopardize millions of jobs here at home and have a devastating impact on our already struggling economy. I support efforts to provide immediate, targeted assistance to prevent job loss, secure the pensions of long time workers, and require a restructuring of automobile companies. As global demand for more fuel efficient vehicles continues to grow, it is critical automobile manufacturers also use this opportunity to become the leaders in the development and production of these vehicles so we can create green manufacturing jobs here at home.”

Leonard Boswell:
“The failure of the auto industry in the country would have a tremendous ripple effect throughout the economy. There’s no question that reforms need to occur in the industry. However, with the unemployment rate now hovering around 6.5%, I don’t think we want to idly sit by. If the bailout allows for restructuring, reform and transparency, I would give it serious consideration.”

Bruce Braley:
Congressman Braley is open to an auto loan plan, provided the legislation contains strict oversight provisions to ensure that taxpayer money is being spent wisely. As you saw in his letter to leadership yesterday, Rep. Braley wants to make sure that oversight written into the last bailout package is followed through with. Likewise on an auto package.

Tom Latham:
Congressman Latham is reserving judgment until there is actual legislation to review.

Steve King:
“We need to stop spending billions upon billions in taxpayer money to bail out those who’ve made poor business decisions. As if the $700 billion bailout for the financial industry wasn’t bad enough, now Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid are going to completely disregard what few restrictions were placed upon the use of that money, bow to the demands of the auto unions, and send a big fat check to Detroit. We have several other automakers that have set up production lines here in the US. Automakers outside the Big Three make money at their US plants because they will not agree under threat of strike to gold plated benefits packages that would be destined to break their company. In the end, this bailout will only lead us down the path of having to entertain an endless number of requests from major players in every other sector of the American economy for similar aid.”

Tom Miller for Attorney General

I guess we can officially say the title before Tom Miller's name isn't about to get a location change. Some "insiders" were saying the Iowa Attorney General's early support for Barack Obama might get Obama to pick him for U.S. Attorney General. Not so much, as it turns out.

Talk continues to be strong, however, that former Iowa Gov Tom Vilsack could become the Secretary of Ag in Obama's administration. Sources with whom I've spoken say nothing is final yet. I think that means, at the very least, Obama hasn't offered the position to him. But who knows?

Republicans Fire Wieck, Bring in McKinley

No surprise here...but the party purge continues for Iowa republicans. Today, they voted out Ron Wieck as their leader in the senate. Paul McKinley takes over. McKinley said democrats took republicans' ideas in the last election and that's why they won. He said voters couldn't tell from tv commercials whether democrats running for office were democrats or republicans. He claims they ran on lowering taxes, reducing property taxes and "standard republican issues."

I asked why then did voters decide democrats would be better to carry out republicans' ideas than republicans. McKinley said republicans now just need to "enunciate clearly" on their message that appeals to Iowa voters.

He also pointed out that he feels senate republicans "did quite well given the circumstances" on election night. Repubs lost two seats overall in the senate. They now have just 18 out of 50. I believe that's the fewest ever.

Urbandale Leader Offered Job in Kansas

(Photo courtesy: Wichita Eagle)

Urbandale's City Manager Robert Layton looks like he's about to take on ten times the work. I wonder if he'll get ten times the pay. O.K., probably not. The Wichita Eagle newspaper says the city council there approved Layton to become that city's new city manager. Layton would oversee about ten times as many city employees and be responsible for about ten times the budget. Here's the story.

Braley Impatient with Pelosi?

Are Democrats getting a little impatient with Democrats right now on Capitol Hill? I just received a news release from Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley's office. Looks like he'd like his House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to get moving on the oversight part of that bailout, oh, I mean, rescue plan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2008

Braley Urges House Leadership to Finish Naming Members of Bailout Oversight Board
Board Established by Emergency Economic Stabilization Act in October

Washington, DC – Today Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) sent a letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House leaders urging them to finish naming members of a congressional oversight panel charged with overseeing the implementation of the $700 billion bailout package.

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA), which became law in October, established a five-member panel with oversight authority over the $700 billion package. As of today, this panel has not met and some members have yet to be named.

A copy of Braley’s letter is attached to this message. The text of the letter is below:

--

November 18, 2008

Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Office of the Speaker
H-232, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
Office of the Majority Leader
H-107, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

Minority Leader John Boehner
Office of the Minority Leader
H-204, U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515


Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer, and Minority Leader Boehner,

Thank you for your leadership throughout the 110th Congress. As you know, we are facing an economic crisis as serious as any our nation has faced during my lifetime. While this crisis started on Wall Street, it now affects Iowans and Americans from all walks of life. We are all hopeful that the recently enacted Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) will have a significant impact on the recovery of financial markets.

Just last week, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson announced a change in course on how taxpayer funds from the EESA will be used to stabilize the economy. He stated that instead of buying troubled assets, Treasury would use the funds to invest in nonbank financial companies, and to promote consumer borrowing through credit cards, car loans, and student loans. As reported in the Washington Post on November 13, 2008, the Bush Administration has already committed $290 billion of the $700 billion rescue package.
With all that is going on, I am concerned that all of the members have not yet been nominated to the five-member Congressional Oversight panel, as designated by Section 125 of the EESA. As you know, the EESA included language that required the release of a detailed report from the congressional panel 30 days after the bailout program began. This deadline for this initial report has since passed. Additionally, the congressional oversight panel is supposed to issue a report on January 20, 2009, giving an update on the financial regulatory process. Since a congressional panel is not yet finalized, it is unclear as to whether this deadline can be met.

I strongly believe that the American people have a right to know how their taxpayer funds are being used by the Treasury, especially in light of the recent change in course on how to revitalize the economy. It is essential that Congress conduct vigorous oversight during this process. That is why I urge you to make it a top priority to complete the assembly of a Congressional Oversight Panel as soon as possible.

Thank you again for your leadership, and thank you for your attention to this issue. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

/s/Bruce Braley
Member of Congress

Things That Make You Go Hmmm...

As I'm finishing off my leftover pot roast (thanks, honey!), I'm just chewing on a few goings-on (is that a word?).

Why can my former state of Missouri still not determine which presidential candidate won that state?

If Rudy Giuliani decides to run for president again, will he skip Iowa completely?

Mike Huckabee makes his return to Iowa this week. Will he really give up the lucrative world of writing books, giving speeches and hosting his own television show to run for president again?

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal makes his first Iowa voyage this week. Is there any chance he WON'T run for president?

A strange thing happened in the Des Moines tv world this week. Both main anchors went down. John Bachman and Kevin Cooney both stayed home sick the same night.

My mother-in-law won a 42 inch flat screen tv at the Tampa Bay Bucs game today. Does anyone have video of the dance she did after they posted her name on the stadium scoreboard? I'd pay big money!

Brownell for Congress

Do you think Polk County Supervisor Bob Brownell has higher aspirations? I didn't get a chance to post this before the election, but his website is still worth checking out. It looks like someone spent a lot of time and effort to put together a site for Brownell's re-election efforts for the November election. It shows "interviews" with Brownell talking about different subjects. Why do I bring this up? Brownell didn't have an opponent in the last election. Hmmm....

Here's the link:

Oops

This is my face, or at least it should be. Some pretty reliable (usually) tipsters told me about a new job for Barack Obama's former Iowa Communications Director Brad Anderson. There was an email that said he was headed to work for Carnival Cruises. I blogged about it earlier.

Kathie Lee Gifford, don't quit your day job. It turns out that email was a joke someone sent from Brad's Obama email account. Brad isn't leaving to go work on the high seas. Oops. He's returned to work at Link Strategies in Des Moines. My bad, Brad.

Palin to Iowa, Obama Aide to the High Seas

When can we expect to see Sarah Palin in Iowa? I mean, she's talking to everyone else, it seems. What network hasn't she been on this week to say...she loves John McCain, those expensive clothes weren't her idea, she can make Moose stew, etc. So when is our turn? If she wants to become President of the United States one day, she had better start paying attention to Iowa. Just ask Barack Obama. Better yet, ask Hillary Clinton. Maybe we'll ask Mike Huckabee and Bobby Jindal when they're here next week.

Speaking of Obama, his former Iowa Communications Director looks to be sailing off to a new adventure. Brad Anderson has told former co-workers he's going to work as a spokesman for Carnival Cruise Lines. I'd call him tonight to get his take on it, but it's late. And I don't want to be to blame for waking up the little ones:) Bon voyage, Brad.

Perhaps, he'll find this gig is available when he gets there.

Change at the Statehouse, Rants Out; Paulsen In

You can't quite call this a shocker. But Christopher Rants is no longer top dog for Iowa House Republicans. The former number two "R" in the house, Kraig Paulsen, beat out Rants to lead the party caucus today. It sounded like this was in the works for a while. And last Tuesday's election made three straight elections where Repubs lost strength in the house. That surely couldn't help Rants' cause. But did this really hurt Rants? As one Repub told me, "This gives Christopher more time to work on his campaign for governor." And Rants won't be saddled with the responsibility and potential blame from time to time of being in leadership. The next question is will Ron Wieck hold onto his position as the Repubs' leader in the senate? Or will Repubs decide the senate needs a swift kick of change, too? Conservative change.

Speaking of change... Barack Obama tapped into a network of donors this country's never seen before...make that, the WORLD has never seen before. Now the dems need you to pay the bills for going blue. And you can get a t-shirt!

Chicago, Obamatown, Oprah Dude

We spent the weekend (well, MY weekend, that is) in Chicago. No doubt that town has Obamamania. It's non-stop on the local news and in the papers. I couldn't tell you how many people I passed on the streets with Obama buttons or hats. The place is going crazy. But that's not the highlight of the trip. Check this out... Do you recognize him?

(Emily, Oprah Dude, me, My Mother-in-Law Bonnie)

It's the Oprah Dude. Sam Perry is his name, I believe. He's the California guy who volunteered for Obama and then during Obama's victory speech, he found himself as Oprah's leaning post. We ran into him at the Hilton Hotel where Obama held his first news conference after the election. Oprah Dude (He's "Mr. Man" to Oprah) was sitting at the hotel bar with a woman. She apparently wasn't his wife...we made that mistake.

In case you care about his fifteen minutes of fame... He said he was standing in the crowd and a bunch of people let Oprah move her way up to the front to hear Obama's speech Tuesday night. Oprah Dude said he offered to let her move ahead of him, but she declined. Instead, she started crying and leaned on him. Then, he got to be on her show the next day. It's a rough life to be Oprah Dude.

Election Night

They were drinking the Kool-Aid big time at the Hotel Ft. Des Moines. The Democrats knew it was going to be a good night. They knew it was going to be a great night. But in the end, it may be that the Kool-Aid was flowing a little too much. They knew Barack Obama would win and win comfortably. He did. They knew Tom Harkin would win big. He did. Same with Leonard Boswell. No surprise. But Dems kept saying they thought Becky Greenwald would push Tom Latham in the 4th District. Not hardly. You have to wonder in this huge Democratic year, and they still didn't even come close to Latham? When would be the year, if this wasn't it?

As I write this at 12:17am, the Statehouse still isn't decided. But it definitely won't be what Governor Culver told us earlier in the evening. He predicted the Dems would pick up 5 in the house and 5 in the senate. Nope. There was concern for a while the house would go 50-50. That doesn't look like it will happen. But it appears as I write this, the Dems will be lucky to hold their margin in the house.

The Dems still had a really big night overall. But Iowa Republicans will be able to keep their chins up a bit. A bit. But the Kool-Aid sure tasted good.

Culver Predicts Gains

California has the terminator. Iowa has the predictor. Governor Chet Culver is working the room here at the Iowa Democratic Party's victory party headquarters (and, yes, I'd say it's fitting to use the word "party" twice in the same sentence) at the Hotel Ft. Des Moines. Here's his prediction:

Current Iowa House: Dems 53 Repubs 47
Governor's Election Night Prediction: Dems 58 Repubs 42

Current Iowa Senate: Dems 30 Repubs 20
Governor's Election Night Prediction: Dems 35 Repubs 15

Culver doesn't sound like he will be here for the duration of the night. He said he got an invite to Obama's huge party in Chicago. The Gov said he heard there may be a million people at that party. A MILLION!

Voting Lines

I meant to add this in a previous post, but it's probably worth doing separately. How long did it take you to vote today? I figure it took me about ten minutes. Not bad at all. It just doesn't seem like Iowa ever has these huge problems other states have or these huge lines other states have right now. I wonder why. Write a few words about your election day experience. Why did you vote today? Why not vote early? What was the mood like at your site? Mine, it seemed everyone was happy. Everyone.

Last Night's Leftovers

I spent last night at the Iowa Democrats' rally at Barack Obama's Iowa Campaign Headquarters. I'm covering the D's tonight, so I thought it would be good to be there. The Dems kept cautioning against getting too cocky. But Tom Harkin did seem to walk that cocky line, a bit. He said something like John McCain isn't quite burnt toast but he is an extra toasted English muffin. Now, that's a soundbite.

Timing was a bit of a problem last night. The rally started at 9pm and was set up to be the backdrop for television stations' 10pm live shots. The speakers went short though. Governor Chet Culver spoke only about five minutes. Who expected that? Tom Harkin spoke last. Staffers kept getting him to stretch his words, so the event wouldn't end early. It almost worked. He quit a few minutes before ten, leaving our backdrop a mostly quiet and empty stage. Supporters did try a few cheers and organizers cranked up the music. So all wasn't lost. Ah, timing:)

Election Day

Some of my colleagues don't work. In fact, one of my closest friends, who is a journalist, doesn't vote. She thinks it's easier to be an unbiased reporter if she doesn't vote. She figures that if she is trying to make up her mind as a voter as she meets and covers a candidate, it can distract her from her neutral reporting. I see her point. But I don't agree. I will say I don't vote in primaries. And I admit, that bugs me. But I don't want campaigns to find out how I voted in a primary and then wrongly assume something about me and possibly question my neutrality or lack thereof. I don't vote in general elections.

My wife and I voted at the church by our house around 10 this morning. It was comfortably crowded. We finished in less than ten minutes. I was voter number 453. A poll worker told us it's definitely been busy. No problems, from what I could tell. We'll have to see how the same day registration goes. At our place, they had a table set up at the left side of the room where the voting virgins could sign up.

Record Early Voters

Iowans keep adding to their early voting record. Here's the latest from the Iowa Secretary of State's office at about noon. For the traditionalists, maybe you won't have to wait in line as long Tuesday!


Absentee Ballots
Received: 502,964
Democrats - 234,387
Republicans - 145,118
No Party - 123,155
Other - 304

Absentee Ballots
Sent: 565,963
Democrats - 262,119
Republicans - 159,870
No Party - 143,627
Other - 347

Bill and Hillary Together Again

Billary hasn't been seen in Iowa since the caucuses. But you can see them together again in this video sent to Hillary's former Presidential supporters. They're standing side by side like Siamese twins. Watch their heads and their eyes. They look like they're watching a tennis match. Love.

McCain on Saturday Night Live

Did you stay up for Mac at midnight? John McCain hoped to change the polls selling jewelry last night on Saturday Night Live? Will it sell with voters?



In case you missed it:

Two More Days

In the words of Wilson Phillips, hold on for one more day (or 2, in this case). I don't know anybody who isn't paying attention to this Presidential election. And it seems everyone wants to talk about it. At church this morning, it started after the service with the older couple behind us. Then a middle-aged couple stopped us after the service. Even the minister talked politics on our way out the door.

Are there still really some people out there who won't bother to vote? Seriously, what more do they need to get engaged? A bad economy? A war? A horribly unpopular President? An even more unpopular Congress? Oh, wait.