Bayh in Iowa

Sen. Evan Bayh began a conversation with Iowans, "I am looking forward to beginning a conversation with the people of Iowa about the challenges that face our country, what together we can do to meet those challenges and, perhaps, what role I might play," he said.

Bayh spent much of his time with Rep. Leonard Boswell raising money and visiting the Iowa Democrat Party headquarters.

When Boswell was pressed about his support for Bayh he said, “It's premature. I am going to accommodate anyone who wants to come to our state and meet people."

As the only Democrat congressman in a tough race, Boswell is sure to have a number of Presidential wannabees helping out at fund-raisers.

Newt Gingrich is in town on Aug 13 to help out Boswell’s Republican opponent, current Iowa Senate President Jeff Lamberti.

Frist’s accomplishments

Sen. Majority Leader Bill Frist frequently sends out e-mails to Republicans. So far, he has not sent an e-mail that explains his change on stem cell research. However, he did send out an e-mail that covers his record of accomplishments leading the Senate:

When I took to the Senate floor on January 4th -- in the opening days of the 109th Congress -- I talked about our goal -- our obligation, really -- of delivering meaningful solutions to the real challenges that confront our nation.

I talked about our broken judicial confirmation process; our out-of-control legal system; our soaring energy costs; our highway infrastructure that was in desperate need of repair.

I talked about these challenges -- and many more.

I talked about leading on principle; about securing an America that is freer, safer, stronger, healthier and more prosperous.

Well, as we embark on this August recess, I leave town absolutely confident that we have made substantial progress toward that end.

Like Teddy Roosevelt said:

"In life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is ... hit the line hard."

That's exactly what we've done thus far in the 109th Congress.

***

We had a judicial confirmation process that was broken. A minority of Democrats were unjustly using the filibuster to block the President's nominees. These nominees were subjected to routine character assassination; their reputations smeared. Many simply withdrew their nominations rather than continue on. Indeed, we were on the verge of a judicial crisis.

We took action. We vowed -- via the Constitutional Option -- to end the Democrats' obstruction and restore the 214-year tradition of fair up-or-down votes for judicial nominees.

By holding firm to the principle of fair up-or-down votes, we were able to confirm SIX of the President's nominees ... each of whom had been filibustered -- or threatened with the filibuster -- in the last Congress. We began to restore dignity, fairness and respect to the confirmation process -- a trend that is continuing in our deliberations on the nomination of Judge Roberts to the Supreme Court.

***

We have had a tort system that is broken. Class-action lawsuits were bankrupting small businesses, punishing consumers and increasing the cost of doing business in America.

We took action. We passed a comprehensive class action reform bill.

This legislation -- brazenly blocked by Democrats just last year -- ensures that these class action lawsuits can no longer be shopped around to "lawsuit-friendly" counties. In addition, it established a cap on the fees paid to opportunistic lawyers at the expense of innocent victims.

***

We had a tort system in which too many Americans came to look at bankruptcy as a first stop, not the last resort that it was intended to be. They were going out and buying expensive homes, cars and other items that they KNEW they couldn't afford; bankruptcy was their fallback. Consequently, every bill that you and I pay includes a hidden "bankruptcy tax." The FBI estimated that 10% of all filings in America were fraudulent.

We took action. We passed a comprehensive bankruptcy reform bill.

This legislation puts an END to the abuse. It holds that those who have the means should repay their debts. Period. Honest and hard-working Americans should not have to do it for them.

***

We had a tort system in which greedy trial lawyers were unjustly targeting the gun industry with their frivolous lawsuits. These lawsuits -- almost ALWAYS found to be without merit and dismissed -- had already cost local U.S. firearm manufacturers $200 million in legal fees. These frivolous lawsuits were putting the jobs of hard-working Americans at risk.

We took action. We passed sweeping gun liability reform.

This legislation protects gun manufacturers when a 3rd party uses a firearm negligently or in a criminal act. It shields them from frivolous lawsuits stemming from actions entirely out of their control. Indeed, it recognizes that we can't solve crime in America by unjustly targeting the gun industry; we do it by targeting unjust criminals.

***

On other fronts ...

We have had a broken infrastructure system. Highways and ports were falling into disrepair. America's roads were choked with traffic. Fatal accidents were on the rise.

We took action. We passed a long overdue highway bill.

This legislation, enacted with overwhelming bipartisan support, provides communities across America with the funds they need to improve their roads and ports.

***

We had been without a comprehensive national energy policy for ten years. We watched as our dangerous dependence on foreign sources of oil grew to 56%; we watched as energy prices soared; we watched as the economy suffered.

We took action. We passed a comprehensive energy bill -- the first we've had in a decade.

Everything is on the table ... from increasing conservation to enhancing efficiency. As a nation, we are simply too dependent on foreign sources of oil. We decided the time had come to do something about it.

***

The list goes on and on ...

·      We passed the 5th fastest budget in history -- one that advances us down the path to prosperity;

·      We passed a Homeland Security bill -- one that strengthens our borders, ports and transit system;

·      We passed an emergency defense bill -- one that provides $75.9 billion to give our soldiers the support they need to win the War on Terror;

·      We passed the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) -- a trade and jobs bill that will eliminate barriers and open the doors to 44 million new consumers of American goods;

·      We passed a Tsunami Relief Act -- legislation that provided hundreds of millions of dollars in aid and humanitarian relief to those in South East Asia affected by the devastating tsunami;

·      And, just a few weeks ago, we passed Patient Safety Legislation -- a bill that provides incentives to encourage doctors and nurses to report errors so that we can take the appropriate steps to avoid the same mistakes in the future.

Leading on principle ...

We are facing our challenges; we are taking action.

Indeed, Senate Republicans are governing with meaningful solutions for the American people.

And we will continue to do so in the days ahead.

We WILL remain vigilant in the War on Terror; we WILL work to protect our borders; we WILL fight to make sure the Death Tax stays DEAD; and, mark my words, we WILL confirm Judge Roberts to the Supreme Court.

My friends, with your steadfast support, we are making a difference.

***

That's all for now. Karyn and I are heading off with the boys for vacation. Looking forward to a little rest and relaxation.

I hope that your final weeks of summer are filled with family, friends and happiness.

I'll be in touch soon ...

Bill Frist, M.D.

Senate Majority Leader

Frist not invited

Family Research Council president Tony Perkins announced on the group’s website that Sen. Bill Frist's recently announced stem cell stance "reflects an unwise and unnecessary choice both for public policy and for respecting the dignity of human life."

Perkins had Frist speak at the first Justice Sunday broadcast to Evangelical churches. Since then, Perkins has been upset by Frist’s allowing a compromise on the nuclear option to prohibit filibusters of President Bush’s judicial nominees. Add the stem cell change of stance, and the situation worsens.

Hence, Perkins has not invited Frist to participate in a gathering on Aug. 14, entitled "Justice Sunday II: God Save the United States and this Honorable Court!" However, Perkins left open the possibility that Frist could be invited to future events.

Red Meat

Red meat is the reference given to the applause line in a speech to the party faithful that excites their passion of hatred for the opposition.

Such a line was issued by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin and quoted by the Brookings Institute in their report titled, "an Escalation of the Rhetoric Between Left and Right”:

Last month, Sen. Tom Harkin, (D-Iowa) said Christian broadcasters are "sort of our own homegrown Taliban ... if you don't tune into their line, then you're obviously on Satan's line."

CNS News reports on the thoughts of several incidents of red meat as well as the fact that there is a group that is trying to curtail the hot rhetoric:

Fidelis, a Catholic-based advocacy group, began an Internet advertising campaign Friday, aimed at keeping personal attacks out of the confirmation process for U.S. Supreme Court nominee John Roberts.

"By shining a bright light on these outrageously intolerant remarks, particularly those of Sen. Harkin, we hope to put an end to them or at least deter others from embracing them during the confirmation hearing of Judge John Roberts," said Joseph Cella, president of Fidelis.

Vilsack’s $635,000 in five weeks

Governor Tom Vilsack raised $635,000 in five weeks for his Heartland PAC. The PAC is to help him elect Democrat governors and offer a way to run for president.

Unions played a major part in Vilsack’s early money gathering. Service Employees International Union, or SEIU, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, or AFSCME, both donated $100,000. The National Education Association gave $50,000. The International Association of Fire Fighters and the International Union of Painters Allied Trades gave $25,000.

MidAmerican Energy made a $100,000 contribution, and the McAninch Corporation, an earthmoving and utility construction company in West Des Moines, contributed $25,000.