GENERAL NEWS:                                                                                 Saturday, April 12, 2003

…Iraqi operations going well, but GWB numbers looking just as solid – or better – against the infamous generic 2004 Democrat opponent. Fox News polling has George W. beating Dean-Edwards-Gephardt-Hillary-Kerry-Lieberman by 2-1 margin (51-26) if national polling places opened this morning.

…Gephardt intensifies rhetoric and anti-Bush rhetoric during Ames visit – says he and Dems “got suckered” into supporting No Child Left Behind, also criticizes AG (and fellow Missourian) Ashcroft. (More below.)

...Iowa headlines report Lieberman cuts IA visit short as Grassley drops bombshell he would settle for $350 billion tax cut as Congress tries to get out of DC for Easter recess. Lieberman’s vote apparently needed to create 50-50 tie on budget resolution, forcing VP Cheney to cast deciding vote – which he did. When will politicos learn to listen to Grassley – especially when he told IA reporters some 70 hours ago that getting the budget done (with the $350 billion tax cut or whatever) was an acceptable trade-off to move $2.27 trillion budget ahead? 

…Fox News reports Iraqi “chatter” indicates Saddam is toast, but maybe budget-tax cut advocates should start listening to Grassley “chatter” – or at least Iowa radio stations. (More below.)

…Big day for Grassley, who also won approval of long-sought goal – limiting class-action lawsuits – by Senate Judiciary Committee. (More below.)

…The House yesterday on a 247-175 vote approved priority energy legislation –including provisions that would double the use of ethanol to 5 billion gallons a year by 2015. The House version also contains language that would allow oil drilling in an Alaska wildlife refuge – similar to a proposal earlier defeated by Senate, although the House measure limits the acreage (to attract moderate support) available for drilling. Kucinich – along with IA Dem Boswell and IA GOP Leach – voted against the bill. Republican Reps. King, Latham and Nussle voted for it, and Gephardt was campaigning for the Dem presidential nomination in northern Iowa. (More on energy bill votes and Gephardt campaign travels below.)

…Harkin gets extensive – and controversial – coverage yesterday on state’s biggest radio station – WHO (Des Moines). Harkin’s comment about Iraq being a “paper tiger” was only topic on Mickelson talk show and Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) giving Harkin the April “Porker of the Month” award – for including $98 million for Ames national animal disease labs in supplemental appropriations bill – was featured story on midday farm program

…IA GOP Congressman Latham criticizes BOTH Harkin and Grassley in this morning’s Register for turning Ames animal disease issue into a “poster child for pork” in Washington

…Iowa Events of the Day: Don’t miss the VEISHEA parade on the Iowa State University campus at 10:30 this morning and, also this morning, the Mayor’s Annual Bike Ride in Des Moines

…It appears most Iowans wouldn’t be too surprised if Saddam shows at either VEISHEA or the bike ride. In response to WOI-TV (Des Moines) online survey asking, “Do you think Saddam Hussein is dead?” – Yes 28%-No 72%

…And speaking of Saddam, newscasts this morning report Saddam and family have probably had plastic surgery

…Just what Iowa needs on a super spring weekend – another bobcat sighting. Several media outlets reported a bobcat has been seen in the west-central Iowa area around Breda – near the Carroll-Sac County line – during past couple weeks. A bobcat was reported in eastern Iowa two weeks ago and state DRN officials say it would not be unusual for bobcats to be in the western Iowa Loess Hills region or close to the Iowa-Missouri border.

CANDIDATES & CAUCUSES: 

…Three Dem wannabes in Iowa today – Dean in southeast IA: Muscatine (for Earth Day cleanup), Mount Pleasant, Burlington and Donnellson. Gephardt in Waverly, Waterloo, Marshalltown, Grinnell and Newton.

…Kucinich schedule confusing – as if anybody would notice – but he’s either/or going to be in Des Moines or keynote Muscatine County Dems Earth Day soup supper in Muscatine or both or neither…

As indicated above, Lieberman left Iowa early to return to Washington – but not before he met with Fort Dodge firefighters. (See below.)

…Gephardt in Ames: Excerpts from Ames Tribune coverage of Gephardt visit – “While local Democrats weren’t decided on a [Democratic] candidate, they had no love for George Bush…The war in Iraq was the first subject Gephardt approached – perhaps because his support for President Bush has driven many Ames Democrats toward anti-war candidates…Gephardt addressed the issue directly. ‘My feeling about it has been and always will be that our highest responsibility is to keep our public safe,’ Gephardt said. But Gephardt did criticize the Bush administration for not going through the United Nations inspections process earlier – and opposed the doctrine of ‘pre-emptive’ strikes against threatening countries.” In response to a question and criticism of the No Child Left Behind Act – the Tribune report said – “Gephardt, who voted for the measure, said it turned out to be “a phony gimmick. We were all suckered into it.” The David Grebe story added Gephardt “got most applause when he attacked a fellow Missourian – Attorney General John Ashcroft.” Tribune quoted Gephardt as adding Ashcroft is “the wrong guy at the wrong place at the wrong time.” And in Mason City yesterday, Gephardt visited the Rose Bowl (whatever it is?) to make commitment to double the tax credit employers are given to pay for employees’ health care. The Mason City Globe Gazette reports Gephardt said the Rose Bowl (whatever it is?) is “typical of small business all over America.”

…Dean in Iowa City yesterday continued with his antiwar campaign. From Quad-City Times coverage: “If the televised images of Iraqis celebrating their freedom this week gave Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean any second thoughts about his opposition to the war, it did not show Friday.” Dean quote: “I’m delighted Saddam Hussein is gone. What I’m not in favor of is creating an American empire in the 21sr century.”

…Edwards joined the chorus of Democrats raising questions about his postwar plans. On the Senate floor Thursday, Edwards said: “We must hold him [Bush] to those commitments [to rebuild Iraq]. Because in Afghanistan the president’s rhetoric about winning the peace looks more and more like an empty promise.”

…Leftover from Lieberman’s Thursday visit to Council Bluffs. From yesterday’s Omaha World-Herald  -- C. David Kotok reported that Lieberman “stuck to his guns” in defending the Iraq war as important to the nation’s security, but that to the crowd of nearly 120 Lieberman’s support for the war was “a strike against him.” Yesterday, the Connecticut Sen visited with firefighters in Fort Dodge and criticized Bush’s “inadequate funding” of homeland security. Lieberman called for a $16 billion increase in homeland security funds next year for firefighters and other first responders.

…Lieberman wasn’t the only candidate to leave the campaign trail yesterday – but Sharpton’s apparent disappearing act yesterday was a bit more confusing. Washington and NYC media report Sharpton was scheduled in DC to meet with media and minority students – but never showed. Official campaign explanation: Two NYC-DC shuttles cancelled or he missed them. Key question: Did anybody notice Sharpton was absent in DC?

…Another key question: Did anybody notice – or care – that Lieberman left Iowa early?

…Gephardt, campaigning in IA, obviously missed two key votes on amendments to omnibus energy bill. Kucinich was present and voting, however – supporting an amendment that would have prohibited oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and for a proposal requiring increased fuel efficiency for cars and SUVs by 2010. Three IA Congressmen – King, Latham and Nussle – opposed (and differed with Kucinich) on both measures.

IOWA POLITICS: 

…Callers to Mickelson talk show on WHO Radio (Des Moines) yesterday unanimous in believing Harkin comments that Iraq was a “paper tiger” were politically motivated. Mickelson says he understands that Dems and liberals are “a bit sheepish because of the rapid conduct” of the war and wonders why Harkin – after three terms in Senate – doesn’t have more defenders, especially since no avid Harkin fans surfaced during the two-hour discussion. The state’s junior senator told IA reporters on Thursday, “It looks like this was just a Third World country – there were people with tennis shoes on, on the Iraqi side.”…

KWKY Radio (Des Moines) talk show host Salier – who sought Harkin’s Senate seat last year – picked up the anti-Harkin attack where Mickelson & Co. left off

…Boswell-Cuba Watch continues: This probably doesn’t have much to do with the Presidential Watch – except that smart money should be on Boswell to endorse Gephardt – but Iowans wait to see if self-styled human rights activist Boswell will take planned trip to Cuba next month? The latest obstacle in Boswell’s way: Several news reports this morning indicate Cuba yesterday executed three men charged with terrorism for hijacking a passenger ferry last week. Another four men received life sentences. These are just the latest in a series of situations over recent weeks, including a Cuban crackdown on dissidents, airplane hijackings and increased tensions with the U. S. The countdown continues – or at least it should be – counting the minutes until Boswell cancels his Cuban trip.

MORNING SUMMARY:  

…Morning headlines –

…Des Moines Register: “Anarchy, turbulence engulf 3 Iraqi cities”

…Sioux City Journal: “Americans take control of Mosul”

…Quad-City Times: “Iraqi troops depart as throngs fill city streets”

…Chicago Tribune: “U. S. Steps Up Efforts to Curb Lawlessness”

…Des Moines Register reports this morning that head of group that oversees Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona – Jim Rasmussen – is among several people ordered to provide information about alleged multimillion-dollar gambling ring. State racing-gaming commission chair Mike Mahaffey says he’s aware Rasmussen has been “supplying information,” but there’s “no indication that he is going to be indicted.”

…Vilsack signs legislation clearing way for what could become the largest wind energy generation project in the world. Officials envision 180 to 200 wind turbines – probably in northwest or north-central Iowa – by 2006

…Sioux City Journal reports that hundreds of yellow ribbons adorn campus at local Mercy Medical Center to show support for troops. Medical center president and CEO Peter Makowski says although hospital is focused on local health care mission “we can’t help but think about all the men and women – including many from Siouxland – who have answered the call to military duty.”

WAR & TERRORISM: 

…Iraqi war fans in Iowa like new playing cards featuring Iraq’s most wanted, but still have questions – Why is Saddam the “ace of spades” card rather than the joker? When is “America’s Most Wanted” TV series going get rights for “Iraq’s Most Wanted” episodes – and how about an “Afghanistan’s Most Wanted?” summer replacement?

…Re postwar Iraq: VOANews reports that a “senior Kremlin official” says the three main European opponents to the Iraq war – Russia, France and Germany – have “already agreed that the post-war reconstruction process should be led by the United Nations.” The comments came as leaders of the three nations convened a two-day summit in St. Petersburg

…On the Korean front: Independent news reported  “North Korea signaled yesterday that it has no plans to back down in its confrontation with the United States over nuclear weapons. Pyongyang’s move came a day after talks at the United Nations Security Council failed to produce an agreed statement condemning North Korea for resuming its nuclear activity. Both Russia and China blocked American efforts to adopt a common statement.”

FEDERAL ISSUES: 

…Don’t play with Chuck Grassley. As Senate Finance Chairman, he carried a big club – and irritated House leaders and apparently the White House – yesterday by moving forward with reduced tax cuts. Grassley rose on the Senate floor yesterday to say, “As much as I wish it weren’t so…The reality is that the Republican caucus is split.” The result: Passage of legislation – on a 50-50 vote, with Cheney casting the deciding vote – of the $2.27 trillion budget resolution with promises the tax cut won’t exceed $350 million, less than half of the $726 cut advocated by GWB. In reality, the legislation – which approved by the House yesterday morning and the Senate last night – limits the tax cuts to $550 billion, but news reports indicate Grassley has assured moderate ME GOP Sen. Snowe (who voted earlier for smaller cuts) it won’t be above $350 billion. The irony: Iowans – as well as Iowa Pres Watch morning update readers – knew about Grassley’s thinking and approach two or three days ago when he told IA reporters completing the budget was more important than delaying to get a bigger tax cut. At that time, Grassley said he was prepared to settle for the $350 billion tax cut to move forward with the budget. (Iowa Press Watch Note: When Grassley speaks – as those who have watched him for past four decades know – somebody, like other Republicans, should listen or at least start lobbying him during championship games at Iowa Girls State Basketball Tournament.) 

…Although Harkin got most of the coverage in Iowa yesterday – especially for his “paper tiger” comments about the war, but also because of his “Porker of the Month” recognition – it was a bigger day for Grassley. He not only succeeded on tax cut and budget resolution, but his proposal to limit class-action lawsuits was advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee on an 11-7 vote. This has been a signature issue for Grassley that Judiciary Chair Hatch described as a “very fair effort to reform the abuses of the current [legal] system.”

IOWA ISSUES: 

…After years of being tucked away and virtually ignored up in Ames, the national animal disease research complex is attracting considerable – and presumably undesired – attention in Congress and on national media. The controversy stems from inclusion of $98 million for the Ames labs in the $80 billion supplemental appropriation to support Iraq war operations and homeland security. The Iowa expenditure – inserted in the Senate version of bill by Grassley and Harkin – was highlighted on a CNN report (as well as continuing Associated Press national coverage) about differences between the House and Senate over add-ons to the Bush proposal. AZ GOP Sen. McCain tried unsuccessfully to eliminate the animal disease lab appropriation during Senate debate -- and now House leaders are objecting to what they regard as pork barrel spending. Inclusion of the $98 million for renovations at the National Animal Disease complex also earned Harkin the “Porker of the Month” recognition from Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW)

…The Ames lab was also the main topic on the WHO Radio farm show yesterday – with David Williams of CAGW saying “it was a shame what he {Harkin] did” by seeking “money for his own parochial interests that we can’t afford at this time.” He said CAGW’s biggest complaint is that the USDA hasn’t requested the Ames lab funding, but that it was added in the Senate. The situation, Williams said, has become a “classic game of chicken” between the House – which has stripped away “pork barrel” amendments – and the Senate. (Iowa Pres Watch Note: Americans will see which one “blinks first” as Congress tries to wrap up legislation before heading home for Easter parades.)

OPINIONS:  

…Des Moines Register editorials: “Don’t call it pork…The animal disease center is vital to an industry and food security.” Editorial about – what else? – the Ames animal disease complex. & “His heart’s not in the job” Says Education Secretary Rod Paige should “seek employment administering a private school” if he can’t “wholeheartedly advocate for public schools.”…Grassley op-ed piece, headline: “No hocus-pocus promises: Fix Medicare system”

IOWA SPORTS: 

…Drake University officials today are looking for two coaches to head both the men’s and women’s basketball programs after yesterday’s resignation by Kurt Kanaskie – who finished his Drake tenure with a .313 (62-136) record. Women’s coach Lisa Stone left 3/31 for Wisconsin, and one of her most likely successors – former Drake star and Iowa assistant Jan Jensen – has withdrawn from consideration for the Bulldogs job.

Meanwhile, Kanaskie assistant Marty Bell was named Thursday as head coach at Quincy University

…The women Hawkeyes gymnastics team – which finished the regular season ranked 13th   in the nation – is in regional competition at the University of Missouri this weekend trying to qualify for the national tournament. If successful, it would become the first squad in Iowa history to reach the national competition.

…The sprint car season opens tonight at Oskaloosa with – get this –  “Don Long’s Searsboro Telephone Company NMRA 410 Winged Outlaw Sprint Car Spring Challenge.”

IOWA WEATHER: 

…5 a.m. 48, fair…All IA temps above freezing this morning – 34 in Sheldon and Spencer to 47 in Burlington

…High today 72, sunny. Low tonight 45, clear. High Sunday 80, mostly sunny.

IOWAISMS: 

…Quad-City Times headline: “Smog season has begun around Iowa” Report said 13 ozone monitors across state have been activated for the season – through 10/31. DNR air information specialist Brian Button said this is “the time of year when warm temperatures and strong sunlight can cook emissions from vehicles and factories and fumes from paints and chemicals to form ozone smog.” Button said Iowa air quality meets federal health standards for ozone, but some areas of state are approaching levels where additional regulations could be required.

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