GENERAL:                                                                                                                  Tuesday, April 1, 2003

April Fool’s Day – but Iowans will continue observance throughout April (and probably longer) as Dem wannabes keep returning to state. Veteran caucus watchers learned long ago that a political fool could surface anytime, anywhere in Iowa during caucus season…

In the Iraq front, some media reports surfacing U. S. aviators are “frustrated” by strict rules of engagement…

Polling analysis from CNN’s Bill Schneider: GWB now has a 15% lead – 51-36 – over generic Democratic presidential candidate, up from 45-42 margin just two weeks ago; Republicans getting stronger voter support while Dems slipping; and Daschle’s “favorable” rating drops while favorables for Lieberman – a Dem presidential candidate supporting the war – at least remain constant, probably offering other Dem wannabes something to consider as they ponder future war rhetoric and policies…

Arnett’s gone from both NBC and National Geographic, but where will Geraldo be broadcasting from next? Reports this morning that Geraldo is g-o-n-e – just a matter of whether the military kicks him out of Iraq or he gets to save some face by leaving voluntarily. The Geraldo episode at least provides a sideshow distraction from an otherwise serious situation, but most want to see if he’ll pull another “Capone exclusive” and show viewers what’s in Saddam’s basement vault if he ever gets to Baghdad? …

As an interesting sidebar, WHO-TV  (Des Moines) online poll shows NBC – by a 71% to 21% margin -- was right to dismiss Arnett. On the Geraldo situation, retired Col. David Hackworth last night recited a WWII slogan on CNN’s “Larry King Live” – “Lose lips sink ships.”…

Another sideshow – and although it’s April Fool’s Day the Des Moines Register is treating this as legitimate news – “Skating scandal has led to a Heartland Haymaker: Tonya Harding is scheduled to box at an Iowa casino.” The former figure skater turned boxer has a 5/9 bout set at the Lakeside Casino in Osceola. 

CANDIDATES/CAUCUSES: 

It’s been a tough couple of days for a couple of Dem candidates in the Manchester (N. H.) Union Leader editorial pages. Yesterday – under the headline “Bumbling Dems: Dean, Kerry make some goofy slips” – the Union Leader opened an editorial with this question: “Can’t the Democrats get better Presidential candidates than these?” Editorial says Dean was “embarrassed into sending a letter of apology” to Edwards for inaccurately criticizing Edwards for hiding his pro-war stance during CA Dem state convention address. Editorial also highlighted Kerry comments – also at the California convention – indicating the Dems could win presidency without Southern support, forcing Kerry to hand out notes to Southern Dem sens assuring them he plans to campaign in their states. The Union Leader editorial concluded: “In New Hampshire, Kerry and Dean are the leading candidates for the Democratic Presidential nomination. Their behavior so far has made them look less than worthy of front-of-the-pack positions.”…

The Union Leader was on a roll. In yesterday’s “Inside Politics” column in the Washington Times, Greg Pierce reported: “Politicians of every persuasion should just chill for while, a Manchester (N. H.) Union Leader editorial observed yesterday [Sunday], referring particularly to Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean of Vermont, who recently called the war in Iraq the ‘wrong war at the wrong time.’ The editorial stated, ‘One can only imagine how soldiers, marines and airmen being shot at must feel to hear Mr. Dean…who seems to be styling himself as the McCarthy-McGovern candidate of the day.’” The headline on the “Inside Politics” column item – “Eugene Dean.”…

Pierce also reports the DNC issued an urgent message to supporters over the weekend in a last-minute drive to beat yesterday’s first quarter FEC deadline. Pierce writes, “The DNC said its lawmakers foiled President Bush’s ‘tax scheme,’ ‘won the fight to stop the ultra-conservative Miguel Estrada’ and saved the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from ‘plunder by Bush’s powerful special interest friends.’”…

Speaking before the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Lieberman said yesterday he will support Senate legislation to extend benefits to partners of gay federal employees. The proposal is similar to legislation championed by late MN Dem Sen. Wellstone and Lieberman indicated he will pick up where Wellstone left off in promoting the domestic partners effort. AP’s Nedra Pickler quoted Lieberman as saying, “If it [the legislation] doesn’t get done in the next two years, I intend to introduce and sign it as president of the United States.” Among the co-sponsors of the domestic partners benefit proposal: Kerry. …

In his “Inside the Beltway” column in yesterday’s Washington Times, John McCaslin reports a bipartisan proposal is being considered to build a visitors center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. McCaslin says he’s “told” NE GOP Sen. Hagel will sponsor the legislation with Kerry and AZ GOP Sen. McCain as co-sponsors. The three sens are Vietnam combat vets. 

IOWA POLITICS: 

From David Yepsen’s political column in today’s Des Moines Register – under “GREAT MENTIONS AND TRIAL BALLOONS” – “Some Democrats are mentioning Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson as a U. S. Senate candidate against Republican Chuck Grassley next year.” Yepsen reports that “while Pederson wouldn’t defeat an icon like Grassley” a Senate run could elevate her status for a possible 2006 gubernatorial run. The downside: Yepsen says or she might come away looking “like a loser, which would be used against her in an ’06 gubernatorial primary.”

MORNING SUMMARY: 

Morning headlines: 

Des Moines Register front page headline: “Baghdad feels the heat…ROLLING: Army cracks advance Guard unit, targets whole division…WARNING: Casualty toll could be high; so be it, U. S. official says”  

Omaha World-Herald online top story: “Iraq forces ‘weakening’”  

Top headline, Daily Iowan (University of Iowa) online: “10 killed when U. S. troops hit SUV”  

Chicago Tribune online top headline: “U. S. Fights in Street; 7 Civilians Slain”  

Sioux City Journal top story: “Fierce street fights erupt near Baghdad”  

OCTimes.com…   (Quad-City Times) online headline: “Fierce street fighting approaches Baghdad”  …

More than 1,000 acres burned in major grass fire yesterday along Interstate 80 near Jasper-Poweshiek county line – between Newton and Grinnell…

While state legislators continue to battle over tax and budget issues, Vilsack is in Europe – leading a delegation of Iowans trying to encourage companies to locate plants and facilities in the Hawkeye State. Accompanying Vilsack: Economic development leaders from Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Des Moines. They were expecting representatives of 100 German companies to attend seminar…

The Des Moines Register reported that war-inspired tensions were high on the Simpson College campus (Indianola) over the weekend. Last Thursday, a group of students placed 150 white crosses in the middle of the campus – symbolizing the number of casualties reported in the war at that time – but overnight the crosses were torn down and rearranged to spell out, “God Bless America.” Simpson assistant English professor Dan Bauer said the “atmosphere on campus is just toxic.” …

Iowa State University records its fifth child pornography arrest of the year. Register reports ISU police yesterday charged a freshman computer science major – Nicholas Lahr of Monticello – with using the university’s computer network to view images of children as young as 14 having sex. Bond set at $30,000 and he’s being held in the Story County jail in Nevada. 

WAR/TERRORISM: 

Grassley said “it didn’t surprise me at all” when ex-correspondent Peter Arnett spouted off about his view of inept war planning by Americans and Coalition partners. In fact, Grassley indicated he was more surprised Arnett was working – and covering a war – again, but he added that being in middle of Baghdad was “a pretty normal place for a person like Peter Arnett to be.”… 

WHO Radio talk show host Mickelson said Arnett comments amounted to “giving aid and comfort” to the enemy, but noted others – especially American academics – have been making more indefensible, outrageous statements…

The war and related issues will be debated from an Arab perspective over coming days at Northwestern College in Orange City. Student teams will participate in the Great Plains Model Arab League program – which is patterned after the Model United Nations – with each team advocating and arguing positions of the respective Arab League nations (whether they personally agree with the policies or not). Ironically, this is an annual event – not in response to recent headlines and developments…

Although military science students at the University of Iowa in Iowa City were told last week they did not need to wear uniforms to class because of possible antiwar harassment, ROTC students at Iowa State University indicate they have not encountered any problems while wearing military uniforms on the Ames campus. Headline from the Iowa State Daily: “ROTC students at ISU getting positive feedback” Senior Justin Pedersen, an Air Force ROTC member, said: “I’ve walked past their [antiwar protestors] booths in uniform, [are they] continued what they were doing and didn’t pay attention.” …

Amiyna Farouque is a Drake University (Des Moines) freshman studying international relations and biochemistry, but she has some unique insights – and opinions – about the Iraq war. Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports that Farouque says it’s not “just” to get rid of one person like Saddam Hussein by bombing other people, but adds she is not getting any heat from her classmates about her antiwar position. She is the daughter of Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Iraq, who’s now in Jordan after leaving Baghdad two days before the war started. 

FEDERAL ISSUES: 

The executive director of the Pella Chamber of Commerce – David Vollmar – has been in DC lobbying congressman and federal leaders to develop a more direct route between Pella and Interstate 80.

STATE ISSUES: 

In today’s Sioux City Journal, Kathie Obradovich reports “Iowa’s racetracks said ‘no dice’ Monday to legislative leaders’ terms for settling the casinos’ lawsuit over taxes.” Legislators haven’t ruled out a possible compromise before case goes before the U. S. Supreme Court and will move forward – possibly a early as today – to take $16.5 million from state reserve fund to continue watershed, forestry and agricultural drainage projects. 

Iowa Ag Secretary Patty Judge said told WHO Radio yesterday her department is “dead in the water” when he comes to funding additional environmental and conservation programs until more money becomes available. Judge indicated that she was notified the money for such projects has run out because of the continuing tax dispute between the state and Iowa’s three racetrack casinos. Judge, a Democrat, urged the GOP-controlled legislature to seek prompt remedies to the problem – “I don’t care where they get the money – the general fund, Prairie Meadows or whatever.” – but that her department already has $9 million committed to spring conservation projects. 

OPINION:   

Des Moines Register editorial: “Mr. President: Level with us…Blaming the messenger doesn’t answer the difficult questions many Americans have.” Excerpt: “Rather than being irritated by journalists, the Bush administration should be focused on telling the American people the truth about the progress of the war, good or bad.” Editorial suggests it “may be time for President Bush to address the nation again about the war in Iraq. Since the war obviously is not going as smoothly as hoped, the public might want to hear our president’s thinking now.”…

From OpinionJournal.com (Wall Street Journal): Headline – “The Loyal Opposition Digs a Hole…Democrats are in trouble – and not only because of the war.” Excerpts from Wall Street Journal editor emeritus Robert L. Bartley commentary – “No one expects that politics will be completely suspended in wartime, but one of the big mysteries of the current scene is what’s going on in the minds of the loyal opposition. Prying away from the war news to take a look at the Senate, you get the feeling that the Democrats are still litigating in Florida. On the war itself, of course, Democrats have to adjust to polls showing more than 70% of respondents backing regime change. Potential presidential candidates are trimming their antiwar sails, with Joe Lieberman and Dick Gephardt braver than the rest…Incessant battlefield reports currently obscure Senate antics, but this will not last forever. My reading of history is that the public will turn against war only if leaders blink, which seems unlikely judging by President Bush’s performance so far and his comments with Tony Blair last week. When the dust settles, Senate Democrats are likely to find that their current obstructionism has put them on the wrong side of a defining event.” 

SPORTS: 

University of Iowa athletic officials report attendance at men’s basketball games this year – averaging 13,235 fans per game – was lowest in 20 years. Hawks drew 15,117 per game for Big Ten contests (fifth in the conference), but season-long attendance lowest since Carver-Hawkeye Arena opened …

Former Drake women’s basketball standpoint and assistant coach Jan Jensen appears to be early favorite to replace Lisa Stone, who Sunday announced decision to take coaching job at the University of Wisconsin. Jensen is an assistant coach at Iowa, where she joined former Bulldogs coach Lisa Bluder – the coach Stone replaced at Drake three years ago. Other likely possibilities: Cedar Rapids native Marsha Frese, an assistant at Maryland for her sister Brenda, and Nancy Fahey of Washington University in St. Louis, the top runner-up when Stone was hired for the Drake job.   

WEATHER: 

Several Iowa locations could see record high temperatures today.  DSM 5 a.m. 56, fair. Temperatures across IA this morning mostly in 40s and 50s – Spencer 39 to Fairfield 61. 

High today 82, partly sunny. Low tonight 52, partly cloudy. High Wednesday 82, partly sunny. From WHO-TV meteorologist Steve Templeton: “The next two days appear to be very warm, with 80s and upper 70s and dry weather. A cold front approaches this weekend, but temperatures remain nice with near normal readings in the 50s and 60s over the weekend. Thunderstorms will be possible this weekend as well…” 

IOWAISMS: 

Radio Iowa reports two Iowa companies – Principal Financial Group and Maytag – have made the Fortune 500 list. Principal, Des Moines, was ranked 210th while Newton-based Maytag was No. 344…

Drunk drivers beware – at least for the next three months in Iowa. Radio Iowa reports 18 state troopers have been assigned to special duty, starting today, to crackdown on alcohol-related driving violations. The troopers will work the 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. shift for the next three months concentrating on areas of the state with a history of accidents and arrests caused by drunk driving. Also targeted: Drivers 16-24 years old since they account for 16% of state’s drivers, but in 2001 were involved in 40% of alcohol-related accidents. Further complicating life for Iowa’s drunk drivers: 

The Iowa Senate is expected to consider – and pass – legislation lowering the blood-alcohol standard for drunk driving from 0.10 to .08. The state would lose about $45 million in fed funds if standard not lowered. The House approved the legislation in February…

The state fire marshal’s office has imposed open-burning bans on at least six Iowa counties due to extremely dry conditions that have resulted in grass fires across many areas of the state. The counties with current burning bans: Appanoose (Centerville), Benton (Vinton), Cass (Atlantic), Des Moines (Burlington), Mahaska (Oskaloosa) and Wapello (Ottumwa). Officials said an open burning ban may be placed on Scott County (Davenport) in the next few days. Radio Iowa reports this morning that firefighters in the Iowa City area are still having trouble “knocking down a fire” that’s been burning for six days in an old landfill. 

 click here  to read past Iowa Morning Reports