GENERAL:                                                                                                                   Saturday, April 5, 2003

Don’t forget to reset clocks – spring forward – tonight or risk missing first Harkin-sponsored candidate forum with Edwards tomorrow. Forum – and air time on C-SPAN – at 4 p.m. CDT. 

Kerry scheduled to do eastern Iowa swing tomorrow, but could be a tough trip given weather forecasts…

The Iowa Republican Party will hold a rally today at Kerry’s Iowa campaign headquarters (1500 Locust St.) in downtown DSM to support the president and U. S. troops – and protest against Kerry, who has been under increasing political fire for remarks he made about needing a “regime change” in Washington. The rally is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. (See more below on Kerry comments.)…

A most encouraging sign: Saddam International Airport becomes Baghdad International Airport – but Saddam probably hasn’t figured that out yet as he (or an imposter) walks the streets of Baghdad…

Roads from Dubuque north to MN border still “mostly covered” with snow this morning after early April storm swept across state yesterday making for slick driving conditions in several locations. Interstates and highways in northern and eastern sections still wet this morning, but rest of state “normal driving conditions.”...The National Weather Service in Des Moines this morning issued a winter storm watch for tomorrow. Watch says snow should be in SW IA by morning and spread across state – with heavy snow (in 5-9 inch range) possible northwest of a Corning-Des Moines-Tama line…

Most intriguing question for a weekend morning: Could Dem wannabe Kucinich become both a third-party presidential candidate – and a Fairfield icon -- at the same time? (See more below.)…

Iowa sentiments: Four of five respondents – 82% -- to WHO-TV online survey expect that worst fighting of Iraq war is “still to come.” From KMNS Radio (AM620) in Sioux City online question – “Overall, do you detect a bias in media reports on the war?” Responses: 78.57% believe that “Yes, it’s liberal” with about 14% indicating that “No, I see no bias” and another 7.14% indicating media coverage is “conservative.” …

Two central Iowa brothers have been arrested after allegedly attempting to derail a train on a high bridge over the Des Moines River west of Boone. Several news reports indicated that they were apprehended after Union Pacific employees found large metal bars on the Kate Shelley High Bridge about 4:50 p.m. Thursday. KCCI-TV (Des Moines) reported that Nathan W. Deizell, 23, of Indianola and Heath B. Deizell, 20, of Ames were charged with criminal trespassing and held in the Boone County Jail.

CANDIDATES/CAUCUSES:

 Although the Senate voted unanimously 93-0 for supplemental funding to support Iraq war and homeland security, Kerry and Lieberman were among the seven “not voting.”…

Des Moines Register reports this morning that musicians David Crosby and Graham Nash will join Dean for a Monday afternoon (2 p.m.) reception in Cedar Rapids. The aging duo – no word about what Dean’s evening plans are – will perform in Cedar Rapids Monday night. …

Former IA GOP Attorney General – and retired military reserve general – Evan (Curly) Hultman called Mickelson’s talk radio show on WHO (Des Moines) and WMT (Cedar Rapids) radio stations yesterday morning to condemn Kerry’s New Hampshire remarks about need for “regime change” in Washington. Hultman – a past-president of the Reserve Officers Assn. who remains active in other military organizations in Washington – said he saw Kerry (a Vietnam war vet) in DC on Tuesday, the day before the remarks were made. Hultman also took on those who “use the dodge” they support the troops, but not the commander-in-chief. Hultman: “How can you separate the commander-in-chief from the troops?” Mickelson added that Kerry’s remarks were “borderline treasonous.”…

More: Despite considerable GOP criticism, Kerry refused to back down from his New Hampshire comments. The Atlanta Constitution yesterday reported “Kerry said he had ‘the pleasure’ of being attacked by Republicans for ‘speaking out regarding the direction of our country.’” Kerry quoted as saying: “I don’t need any lessons in patriotism or in caring about America from the likes of the right wing and Tom DeLay and others.”…

Even more: Kerry told Associated Press yesterday: “The Republicans have tried to make a practice of attacking anybody who speaks out strongly by questioning their patriotism. I refuse to have my patriotism or right to speak out questioned. I fought for and earned the right to express my views in this country.” He added: “If they want to pick a fight, they’ve picked a fight with the wrong guy.”…

Dean also attended the Georgia Democratic Party Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner, but the Atlanta Constitution said “he offered no opinion about Kerry’s latest [New Hampshire] statement.” By yesterday afternoon, Dean told AP he had “not criticized Senator Kerry for that, nor am I going to.  It certainly would be unusual for me to line up with Tom DeLay, and I don’t intend to start now.”…

The Constitution reported that in his Georgia remarks Dean blamed the Bush administration for generating “the largest deficit in the history of this country only two years after we switched presidents.” He added: “We’re not going to beat George Bush by being Bush lite.” Dean also promised the GA Dems, “I’m going to campaign in Georgia until I drop. We’re going to win the primary and carry the state in the fall.” … 

The Politics1.com reports Kucinich could be considering a third-party run for president. The report noted that 2000 Green Party presidential candidate Nader has “openly praised” the Ohio Dem Congressman, opening the prospect Kucinich could become the party’s 2004 standard-bearer  -- but that “most likely…Kucinich would end up as the nominee of the Natural Law Party.” That’s the party with considerable support in the Fairfield area – home of the Maharishi University of Management and John Hagelin, the 2000 NLP presidential candidate. In fact, on the party’s official website Hagelin embraces Kucinich’s candidacy and encourages contributions to the Kucinich campaign. Hagelin, in a message on the website, says he and Kucinich have “worked very closely together on many important initiatives during the last few years” – including legislation to create a Cabinet-level U. S. Department of Peace. Hagelin: “I strongly support Rep. Kucinich in his bid for the presidency.”…

From Jennifer Harper’s “Inside Politics” column in yesterday’s Washington Times under the headline, “A professional’s touch” – “Presidential hopeful Gary Hart recently met with 35 supporters in a New Hampshire restaurant, and is due to return later this month, according to the Manchester Union Leader. A few have broached the touchy subject of Mr. Hart’s affair with Donna Rice, which effectively removed him from the 1988 presidential race. Will the indiscretion matter this time around? It won’t be a serious issue, says local Democratic heavyweight Dan Calegari. ‘After all, Bill Clinton made him look like an amateur,’ he said.” …

When the House rejected an amendment by CA GOP Congressman – and Vietnam war vet – Duke Cunningham to slash $1 billion in aid for Turkey from the Iraq war-homeland security supplemental bill, Kucinich supported the cut while Gephardt continued his string of missed votes. The Iowa delegation was split – Nussle supported Cunningham’s amendment while King, Latham, Leach and Boswell voted “no.” The amendment lost 315-110…

A headline the Lieberman campaign apparently likes – and probably needs to attract some liberal Dem base support, which is featured as the top “latest news” item on the campaign website: “Lieberman Moves to Gain Support from Liberals.” The “latest news” is a 4/1 account by Ronald Brownstein of the L. A. Times of Lieberman remarks in which he committed to expand benefits for partners of gay federal employees. Lieberman excerpt: “When gay and lesbian Americans choose a partner, they deserve the respect of the law.” One more thing – the full headline on the Brownstein column (vs. the main head featured on the Lieberman website): “Lieberman Moves to Gain Support from Liberals…Democratic presidential hopeful, who has been criticized over some views, endorses gay rights, affirmative action and other goals.” 

IOWA POLITICS:

 IA GOP Congressman King called from DC to be guest on Salier talk radio show on KWKY (Des Moines).

MORNING SUMMARY: 

Morning headlines – All headlines dedicated to continuing march on Baghdad. Examples – 

Des Moines Register top front page headline: “U. S. lays siege to Baghdad”  

QCTimes.com (Quad-City Times) top online story: “Iraqi resistance stiffens as units surround capital” 

Sioux City Journal online: “Troops fight off attacks at airport”…

Iowa wildlife: Two students at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids reported they saw a mountain lion while riding horses in a wooded area. Brandy Craig said she and Kerri Lillard were close enough that it was obvious what they saw was a mountain lion.  Kirkwood horticulture instructor Gene Challenger checked out the area and found several paw prints…

WAR/TERRORISM: 

Overnight: The body of Army Spc. James Kiehl – whose wife Jill has been staying with her parents in Des Moines – was among those found outside an Iraqi hospital. He was with 507^th Maintenance Co. team that made a wrong turn and was ambushed in southern Iraq on 3/23 – the same group that included Pfc. Jessica Lynch, who was rescued earlier this week. Jill Kiehl is eight months pregnant… 

Two Iowa National Guard units should be in the Iraq war zone within a few days. The 109th Medical Battalion’s Headquarters and Support Co. of Iowa City with 148 soldiers left late last week and the 186^th MP Co. of Johnston, with 124 troops, was scheduled to leave Fort McCoy, Wis., yesterday…

Overnight: Japan – concerned about North Korea’s weapons program – reasserts its right to launch an attack on any aggressor if an attack on Japan appears likely. Japan adopting emergency military guidelines and devising plans to defend itself ...Two nations that sought to block the U. S. military operations against Iraq – China and Russia – don’t want to be left out of the post-war reconstruction of Iraq. 

VOANews (Voice of America) headline: “China, Russia Discuss Post-War Reconstruction of Iraq” Jim Randle report from Beijing says Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov wants U. N. – not the U. S. -- to oversee post-war Iraq and that “Moscow and Beijing will work together to protect their economic interests in Iraq.” An excerpt: “Russia is keenly interested in Iraqi reconstruction, because Russian companies have about $1 billion invested in Iraqi oil concerns. In addition, Iraq owes Moscow billions of dollars in Soviet-era debt.”

STATE ISSUES: 

WHO Radio (Des Moines) talk show host Mickelson yesterday cited double standard – and mocked – state gambling crackdown that resulted in 11 being arrested this week. He says that when Iowa has “state-sponsored” gambling it is absurd that authorities are so vigorous in spending state dollars to find gamblers. Mickelson: “When they [those arrested] do it it’s immoral, but when we [the state] do it it’s a virtue… When we do it, it’s for the children.” He added “it is a civic duty when people gamble at a state facility…Are we going to chase people down when they are gambling outside the lines?”

OPINION: 

Des Moines Register editorial: “Iowa budget desperation: It’s getting ‘idiotic’…Consultants can’t really ‘save’ the state money by collecting fees from public universities.” Editorial says the “entire proposal” by Public Strategies Group consulting firm is “vague.”…

Headline on Charles Krauthammer column: “Ignore critics: War plan works”

SPORTS: 

The nation’s premier female pole vaulter – Stacy Dragila – will participate in the Drake Relays in Des Moines later this month. Dragila holds the world outdoor record at 15 feet 9¼ inches. The 4/26 appearance at Drake will be her first outdoor meet of the season…

From this morning’s Sioux City Journal: Jeremy Millikan of Hull recorded a knockout over Bob Ballard of Hawarden during light heavyweight action on the first night – last night – of Toughman competition in Sioux City…

Register sports columnist Sean Keeler in New Orleans for NCAA Final Four to cover Kansas stars – and Iowans – Nick Collison and Kirk Hinrich. The Jayhawks face Marquette this evening for berth in national championship game Monday night…

Register reports that Iowa defensive end Matt Roth has been arrested in Iowa City for public intox and possession of a fake driver’s license. Coach Ferentz says Roth will be disciplined internally.

WEATHER:  

Winter storm watch issued for tomorrow and tomorrow night. DSM 5 a.m. 27, overcast, wind chill 16…Overnight temps in the 30s western Iowa to 40s in eastern IA…

High today 40, scattered flurries. Low tonight 28, cloudy. High Sunday 35, heavy snow. Sunday night 28, heavy snow. Snow remains in forecast through Monday.

IOWAISMS: 

A series of lectures and forums are scheduled during April in several IA communities – as part of an on-going project – to discuss the Iowa-German relationships during and since WWII. Focus on interaction between the U. S. state and Germans, especially Iowans held as POWs in Germany and the 20,000 German POWs confined in Algona and Clarinda camps – as well as “branch camps” in other IA communities. Presentations will be made over coming weeks in Newton, Pella, Marshalltown, Greenfield and Mason City. 

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