GENERAL NEWS:                                                                               Wednesday, April 16, 2003

… Most overnight and morning news reports suggest the Iraq war winding down, but the most telling indicator is that news channels are slowing conceding not all news happens in Iraq – although talking-head experts still dominating TV screens as rhetoric replaces rifles in war coverage. On the other hand, Geraldo would look fairly ridiculous out diagramming battle plans in sand with a deserted desert behind him. 

… The even greater concern is how Americans will react once they put down their remotes – and media starts covering other stories. Most probably will be surprised – and even startled – by what’s happened while they were away in their family rooms watching the war. One update for the war addicted: George W. Bush is still president, but his tax cut package got slashed in half and Dem presidential wannabe Kerry – who called for a U. S. “regime change” during the war – remains vague (or possibly confused) about whether he supports the war or not.

… Yesterday’s Iowa irony – while the president was calling for at least $550 billion in tax cuts over the next decade, IA GOP Congressman – and House Budget Committee Chairman -- Nussle was on Mickelson radio talk show (WHO, Des Moines/WMT, Cedar Rapids) discussing need to stimulate the economy. GWB originally requested $726 billion, but (despite House intentions to compromise at around $550 billion) the Senate approved a $350 billion version. Bush said: “In this debate, the goal is not to set arbitrary numbers for the package. The goal is to determine what our economy needs – what small businesses need, what workers need – and then take actions necessary to meet those needs.” (See below for Nussle comments.) 

… Morning newscasts report the Maytag Corp. will cut 500 salaried employees company-wide over the next three months. The reduction represents 8% of Maytag’s salaried positions.    

… Update from Sioux City Journal online poll – “Should the United Nations play a role in the reconstruction of Iraq?” Yes 74.7%  No 45.3%

… No Dem candidates in Iowa today – and none expected until Edwards’ scheduled return tomorrow for a one-day swing through northeast/eastern IA – but that doesn’t stop Iowa Pres Watch from tracking them down in California (Graham) or New Hampshire (Gephardt) or elsewhere. (More coverage – now that war and Congress not taking up as much copy space – below.) For late-risers who won’t see tomorrow’s morning update until afternoon, Edwards is scheduled to be in Waterloo, Dubuque, Clinton, Davenport, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and points in between tomorrow.  

CANDIDATES & CAUCUSES: 

… Under headline “Graham courts power brokers on West Coast,” the Orlando Sentinel reports from Beverly Hills that “Graham, making his first West Coast campaign trip this week, spoke of a ‘passion’ inspiring him to seek the presidency. But in their first exposure to Florida’s senior senator and former governor, some of California’s wealthiest political activists saw more moderation than passion. In methodical and measured tones, Graham displayed more of a smoldering dissatisfaction with the direction of the country than any room-lighting fire for the office he seeks.”  Also from the report by Sentinel staff writer Mark Silva: “Some already say Graham may be better-suited as a running mate than ticket-leader. Yet some suggest Graham’s non-threatening manner may appeal to the most practical Democrats who understand that primary elections are a partisan better but that the 2004 presidential campaign will be waged in the middle of the road.” The report added: “The idea that Graham can carry Florida is highly attractive to Democrats he is courting here.” On another matter, Graham – who voted against the Iraq resolution – told the Sentinel military action against Syria might be necessary. He said: ‘We threw a few cruise missiles into the terrorist training camps in Afghanistan … that’s what we may have to do in Syria.” 

… Headline from yesterday’s online report on The State (Columbia) website: “Kerry tries to motivate S. C. Democratic party” Story says Kerry “attempted Monday to light a fire under a lethargic Democratic Party that he said had gotten lazy the past few years.” He said: “We’ve got to get tough. We’ve got to get out there.” More from The State report by Lee Bandy: “The senator talked a lot about where the party has been. He cited its fight for civil rights, clean water and clean air, early childhood education, minimum wage, and quality health care. But cynicism and distrust of elected leaders exists and is reflected in voter attitudes, he said. Kerry mentioned a recent poll showing that 60 percent of Americans say they don’t know whether they’ll vote next year. He called it a serious problem. ‘We’ve got to start organizing,’ he urged.” Meanwhile, the Florence Morning News reported that South Carolina House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Harrison – a Columbia Republican and Gulf War veteran – called on Kerry to apologize to President Bush for his “regime change” remarks and Iraq war criticisms. Harrison said in a release: “First John Kerry called for a regime change and now he wants to question the president’s character in a time of war.”  

… Lieberman – quoted in the Florence (SC) Morning News – told a Sunday meeting in Bennettsville: “I know that one person and a lot of others can change the course of our history. I have a dream and I know that we can go from Bennettsville to the Oval Office together.” The report also said Lieberman said “he was in favor of affirmative action because it is an important tool to create equal opportunity…he would ensure that [No Child Left Behind] remains fully funded along with the Special Education Act…one of his goals is for every American to have access to health care. He said such action won’t be possible without federal subsidies…the United States needs to take a leading role in trying to reconcile the roiling [Middle East] issue. He said a possible solution might be to form separate Israeli and Palestinian states.” 

… Scanning through just a few FEC reports reveals a fundamental political truth: Many Congressional incumbents were more successful at generating money for their political war chests than Kucinich was in raising money for his presidential aspirations. Greg Pierce’s “Inside Politics” column in the Washington Times this morning says Kucinich raised $173,080 for his campaign during the first quarter of the year – about $1,925 a day or approximately $7.22 million less than Edwards reported for the same period. The Kucinich campaign indicated it had just over $50,000 on hand at the start of April. (Iowa Pres Watch Note: For comparison purposes, liberal NY Dem Sen. – and conservative nemesis – Schumer raised $1.36 million during the three-month period, leaving him with $14.8 million, more than any senator expected to seek reelection in 2004.)

… During remarks at a New Hampshire campaign appearance Gephardt – according to report yesterday on the Nashua Telegraph online – called “Bush’s No Child Left Behind program a ‘fraud.’ ‘It is another unfounded mandate,’ he told the crowd.” He also criticized the Bush tax cuts and said the “economy is a mess.” A Gephardt quote: “I think Americans are beginning to understand even in the difficult foreign policy and other situations that we are in, that we are not being led in the right direction. This president is not doing the right thing, not giving us the right initiatives and that we can do much better than this.” The Laconia Citizen reported yesterday that Gephardt told employees at GT Equipment Technologies in Merrimack said if elected he would “eliminate President Bush’s tax cut and expand health insurance for workers.” 

… Leftover from a Dean campaign weekend in IA. Fort Madison Daily Democrat online – reporting in Monday edition about Dean’s Saturday night visit to Lee County reported that he “said a better trade policy would bolster national defense. ‘We ought to be involved in nation building. Middle class countries don’t harbor groups like al-Qaeda.’ A Dean quote: “I don’t support the president in his war in Iraq, but that does not mean that I do not believe that the full force of our military should not be used when necessary. I think we need clear priorities when it comes to foreign policy.”

… Confusion, confusion and more confusion yesterday about Hart’s plans after AP reported the prospective wannabe’s supporters sent out an e-mail seeking college interns to work on his campaign this summer. The e-mail – apparently sent to poly sci students at the conservative bastion known as the University of California at Berkley – sought workers for two months this summer. But a Hart lieutenant said his guy is not a candidate. (Iowa Pres Watch Note: It’s really a great career opportunity – spending the summer in Iowa learning the correct pronunciation of places like Madrid and Nevada or rivers like Nishnabotna and Wapsipinicon.)

… From this week’s “Washington Whispers” column by Paul Bedard in U. S. News & World Report, “Maybe this is why Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards has vacuumed up more money this year than any other competitor. The word ‘contribute’ was imposed over the American flag on the top of his campaign Web page. ‘It’s tacky,’ says a Democratic foe.” 

… Kerry continues to gather South Carolina support. After announcing over weekend that former College of Charleston president Alex Sanders – the Dem candidate in last fall’s U. S. Senate campaign – had signed on the alleged Kerry bandwagon, the Mass Sen also has been endorsed by State Sen. John Matthews, as 28-year legislative veteran, and Columbia attorney Steve Benjamin, who lost a bid last year for attorney. (Iowa Pres Watch Note: Looks like Kerry attracting endorsements from more losers than winners in South Carolina.)  

… Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Gordon Fischer quoted as telling AP Dean should not be pigeonholed the anti-war candidate. ‘That does him a disservice,’ Fischer said. ‘I think Governor Dean’s candidacy is about much more than the war. I think there is a feeling among Democrats who are most active that in the last election the Democrats suffered by not having more of a voice, not sticking up for their beliefs, and I think Governor Dean speaks to that.” The Associated Press story datelined Montpelier, VT by Christopher Graff – headline: “Dean’s Anti-War Talk Pleases Progressives” – said Dean “made significant gains among rank-and-file Democrats with his strong anti-war stance. Now comes the hard part: persuading the party faithful that his appeal does not end with the toppling of Saddam Hussein’s regime.”

IOWA POLITICS: 

… Iowa GOP Congressman Nussle said on WHO Radio (Des Moines) Mickelson talk show yesterday that a “flat tax or sales tax would be an improvement over what we have now.” He said there would be “some regression” with those taxes, but that would be better that the current system – which was “set up to redistribute income, not to pay the [government’s] bills.” Nussle said he “never singled Sen. Grassley out” for the Senate’s decision to reduce GWB’s tax cut proposal, saying that three opponents were used as a foil to cut the request from $726 billion to $350 billion. He said, however, that – despite the lower tax cut – Congress “still has to find a way to stimulate the economy.” On IA’s Medicare reimbursement situation – where it is ranked last in the nation – Nussle said reports that part of the problem stems from Iowans getting health care in other states is “like comparing apples and pears.” He noted that Iowans getting treatment in Omaha and other neighboring health facilities or “snowbirds” receiving treatment in the South distorts the IA figures, but the real concern is ensuring Medicare reimbursement levels necessary to attract physicians and medical professionals to the state. Nussle, chairman of the House Budget Committee, said he expects to begin moving legislation to address the Medicare issue after the Easter recess – with a goal of completing action on the bill by the “end of May.” 

… Harkin’s “paper tiger” remark – extensively covered in recent Iowa Pres Watch reports – received eight paragraphs and second-item status in “Inside Politics” column in yesterday’s Washington Times. 

… Although it’s not an Iowa political story – except that Iowans can see Illinois across the Mississippi River – Chicago Tribune reports this morning former Gov. Jim Edgar is GOP’s top choice to seek seat being vacated by Sen. Fitzgerald. Trib says Edgar – after visiting with Karl Rove – will give a Senate run serious consideration due to GWB’s encouragement.

MORNING SUMMARY:  

…Morning headlines…

Des Moines Register front page story:  “Iraqis begin halting talks on rule…The first postwar negotiations were marred by boycotts, infighting and protests.” The top headline – “JOURNEY TO WAR…Good food means get ready to fight” More on “An Iowa Marine’s Diary” – Marine Sgt, Jess Horsley’s diary from the front lines.

Main Omaha World-Herald online headline: “Iraqi factions begin talks”

QCTimes.com (Quad-City Times) top online story: “Iowa closer to .08 law” Iowa Senate passes lower drunk driving standard, sends it to Vilsack – who’s expected to sign it. 

Main national online story, Daily Iowan (University of Iowa): “U. S. holds meeting as Shiites cry foul”

Chicago Tribune online main national news head: “The job ahead: Rebuild a nation”

… A three-year-old Louisa County (Columbus Junction) boy who was found inside a washing machine over the weekend has died at University Hospitals in Iowa City.  Columbus Junction police were notified late Sunday morning when young Andrew Alcaron was missing.  A search discovered he was inside the top-loaded washing machine – which was not running at the time, but was still in the regular wash cycle. 

Authorities believe the boy climbed on to a nearby dryer and fell into the washing machine – apparently trying to get his shoes, which were being washed.  

… Register reports this morning that longtime Iowa State Fair secretary Kenny Fulk died Monday at his California home. Fulk – a one-time GOP Congressional candidate (in ’78 vs. Harkin) – managed the state fair for 14 years. He was 85.

… Federal judge in Cedar Rapids rules the court does not have jurisdiction intervene in power struggle over Meskwaki tribe’s officers and Tama casino operations.    

… Two convicts who escaped from Oakdale corrections facility near Iowa City still at large this morning – still considered armed and dangerous. 

WAR & TERRORISM: 

… Although antiwar protests (and support-the-troops rallies) have been fading from television screens and city streets, the Daily Iowan yesterday reported that “supporters of the war in Iraq erected their own came on the Pentacrest Monday and rallied at noon in one of the most visible local shows of approval of the Bush administration’s action. ‘We’re at war, our country is at war, and we are here to support it,’ said UI senior John Thompson, who took part in the so-called Coalition Camp. The camp made a one-day appearance in opposition to the cluster of demonstrators who have called the Peace Camp home since its inception on the Pentacrest three weeks ago. The dueling neighbors stood their ground just yards apart…and fiercely debated issues of terrorism and anti-Americanism.”

… Two headlines from BBC – “Syria denounces US ‘lies’” Report says “Syria has refuted US allegations that it is developing chemical weapons, saying such claims are designed to further the interests of Israel. A statement released by the Syrian Government condemned US ‘threats and falsifications,’ saying that the “escalated language of threats and accusations by some American officials against Syria’ was aimed at ‘damaging its steadfastness.’” & “US warned over Syria stance” Report says “Arab countries have joined Russia and the European union in criticizing the United States for making threats against Syria over the war in Iraq. The Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Musa, said he was astounded by the threats and an Egyptian spokesman warned against what he called the targeting of Arab countries one by one.” 

OPINIONS:  

… Des Moines Register editorials: “By any measure, Iowa is cheated…More fairness in reimbursements should be the top Medicare priority.” 

… Register columnist Rekha Basu, headline: “War at the dinner table or elephant in the living room?” Writes about dinner talk discussion of war. Also, headline on syndicated column – Orlando Sentinel’s Peter A. Brown: “Victory is victory – don’t be misled…The United States had the guts to confront a brutal dictator”   

… Citizen commentary on Sioux City online: “President Bush’s proof of Iraq armaments appears to be as nebulous as Clinton’s sex denials.” – Dave Brienzo, Sioux City. 

IOWA SPORTS: 

…  Former United States Olympic Committee president – and prominent Des Moines attorney -- Robert Helmick died in a DSM hospital yesterday. Helmick, who was USOC pres from 1985 to 1991, was 66. 

… Drake Relays favorite Suzy Favor Hamilton will not compete this year, but will still come to Des Moines to make public appearances and visit with fans. The 34-year-old distance runner will miss Relays competition because of changes in her training schedule as she attempts to make the U. S. Olympic team in 2004 for a fourth time. 

… The Iowa Hawkeyes basketball team will participate in a five-game tour in Australia this summer. Listed on the 10-player roster for the August trip: Pierre Pierce, who was suspended from the team this past season after facing sexual assault charges last fall. Speaking of Pierce, a Daily Iowan editorial yesterday said the University of Iowa “must implement changes” in handling disciplinary actions against student-athletes. 

… Plans for a major motorsports/entertainment complex near Interstate 80 in Newton are in limbo this morning. Although the Newton City Council voted 5-1 to participate in the project, the complex developers wanted unanimous public support for the 25,000-seat, $30 million project. They say the track will be build somewhere in IA, but they’re reviewing whether to proceed in Newton.

IOWA WEATHER: 

5 a.m. DSM 63 overcast. Temps across IA in 50s and 60s – from 51 in Dubuque to 65 in Davenport. High today 68, Showers, T-storms. Low tonight 45, Showers, T-storms.  High Thursday 55, partly sunny. 

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