GENERAL NEWS:                                                                            Monday, April 28, 2003

… Among the offerings in this morning’s update: Iowa/New Hampshire first-in-nation status apparently safe for 2004 – but others, especially Michigan Dems, taking aim on 2008 …Kerry named among Catholic politicians feeling heat on abortion issue …Graham apparently taking fairly low-key – and low-visibility -- approach during first IA visit …Congress returns to work this week – and Grassley remains in center of tax cut controversy …Edwards, in New Hampshire, says Bush administration a bunch of business “insiders” committed to big business …Lieberman seeks investigation on allegations of Chinese influence on U. S. elections …Dean: Failure to find Iraq weapons will haunt Dem rivals ...Des Moines Register editorial this morning says Gephardt health care proposal sets agenda for the presidential campaign. All these stories below and more.

… Online poll from Sioux City Journal: Should Congressman Steve King return the $2,500 campaign contribution from WorldCom/MCI?” Former WorldCom employees have launched an effort, including a full-page Journal ad last week, aimed at forcing King to return a campaign contribution he received last fall. He has refused. The poll results based on first 160 responses: Yes – 64.4%, No-35.6%.  

CANDIDATES & CAUCUSES: 

… Graham expected in Des Moines today to meet privately with state Dem party leaders. Meetings scheduled tomorrow with Vilsack and Dem legislative leaders. Leaves Wednesday.

… Before embarking on his initial IA campaign adventure, Graham stopped by ABC’s “This Week” to opine that the U.S. has virtually abandoned Afghanistan and the war on terrorism. Graham, who contended that the Bush administration has allowed al-Qaida terrorists to regroup while engaging in the Iraq war, said: “I don’t think that’s a very impressive national security record.” As president, Graham said he would emphasize efforts to crackdown on al-Qaida and other groups – including Hezbollah and Hamas – that primarily target Israel.  

… Michigan Presidential Watch 2008? Michigan Democrats over the weekend backed away from efforts to challenge New Hampshire’s first-in-the nation presidential primary next year. They settled on 2/7/04 to hold the Dem Michigan caucuses – ending efforts by some, including Sen. Carl Levin, to move them to the same day (1/27/04) as the New Hampshire primary. The Chicago Tribune reports the 2/7 date was selected after a compromise was worked out between DNC and state party leaders to appoint a commission to recommend changes in the presidential nominating schedule – with special emphasis on the current “Iowa-New Hampshire first” system. The commission will be directed to consider whether the same states always should be first. Current Dem party rules prohibit other states from holding caucuses or primaries before 2/3. Levin and Dem national committeewoman Debbie Dingell argue that a state with more diverse population should play an early role in the nominating process – presumably a state like Michigan. The DNC commission is scheduled to issue its report on future caucuses and primaries by 12/31/05. 

… Headline from yesterday’s Sunday New Hampshire News: “Edwards says Bush administration is a group of ‘insiders’” AP coverage of Edwards remarks to a “gathering” in Henniker – “Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards said Saturday that President Bush’s administration is run by the business elite for big business, not working people. ‘There is a small group of people running our country,’ the senator from North Carolina told a gathering at New England College …Edwards emphasized his commitment to working class Americans and said companies must stop paying corporate chief executives excessive salaries. The senator said he wants to stop salaries of top executives from increasing at a greater rate than middle class wages. ‘We need a law that says CEOs can’t protect their pensions while monkeying around with working people’s pensions and benefits,’ he said.”

… Also on Edwards: Associated Press report out of Dover in New Hampshire papers this morning indicates Edwards “realizes it will take more time than money to succeed in New Hampshire.”  

… Chicago Tribune weekend article – under the headline “Catholic politicians feel church heat on abortion” – includes Kerry along with CA Gov. Davis and Sen Dem Leader Daschle as those getting church pressure for their pro-abortion positions. The report by Washington Bureau’s Mike Dorning says, “With several recent messages taking to task prominent politicians, Catholic Church leaders are showing signs of more aggressively challenging Catholic officeholders who support abortion rights.” And excerpt: “Despite decades of exhortations from church leaders, polling data consistently show that Americans who identify themselves as Catholics are not significantly more likely to oppose abortion rights than the public at large. Many of the Democratic Party’s leaders offer highly visible examples of church members’ resistance to Catholic teachings on abortion law. Along with Daschle, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is a Catholic who supports abortion rights. So is Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), a presidential candidate. And Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.), also an abortion rights supporter, represents a family dynasty that for many still symbolizes the political success of Catholics in America.” The Tribune coverage also mentions the “Deadly Dozen” – 12 members of Congress identified by the American Life League as Catholics who support abortion rights, including Kerry and IA Sen Harkin. (For more on the Deadly Dozen, see the issues section “abortion” on the Iowa Pres Watch website.)  

… From yesterday’s Los Angeles Times, headline – “Probe of Possible Chinese Influence on Elections Sought …Lieberman asks for an inquiry in connection with spying allegations against Katrina Leung.” Greg Kirkorian reports, “Citing concern that an alleged spy case may also have tainted the nation’s political system, U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.) has asked federal authorities to investigate whether suspected double agent Katrina M. Leung illegally funneled money into campaigns at the direction of China.” Lieberman – in letters to U.S. AG Ashcroft and FBI Director Mueller – noted that “the lengthy 1997 congressional investigation into the 1996 federal elections – and, particularly, the Democratic campaign of then-President Bill Clinton – was based largely on information provided by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. ‘I am asking that you investigate whether firm evidence has now arisen’ that Chinese officials influenced U.S. elections through campaign contributions, Lieberman wrote.” 

… In Fairfield during second day of weekend IA visit, Dean told DSM Register’s Thomas Beaumont he will retain the support of anti-war Dems who rallied to his campaign. In weekend coverage – headline: “Dean: Lack of found weapons will haunt rivals” – he said congressional wannabes “who backed a resolution giving President Bush war-making power will lose credibility if the postwar cleanup in Iraq fails to uncover weapons of mass destruction.” A Dean quote from Beaumont’s coverage – “If they don’t find them [weapons], I think this administration’s credibility will be – not to mention the people running against me – will be severely undermined.” Another excerpt: “I’m willing to give them some more time to find the weapons. They (the administration) sure did claim they had them before.” And another Beaumont paragraph – “Dean has attracted attention among anti-war Democrats in Iowa, but supporters who came to hear him Saturday said their support extends beyond any single issue. Whether Dean broadens his support will be key to his Iowa caucus bid.” 

… New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said yesterday he won’t accept the Democratic vice presidential nomination in 2004. 

IOWA POLITICS: 

… Two headlines this morning from Des Moines Register: “Grassley is target of House GOPs wrath …Rift caused by limit on proposed tax cut” Washington’s Jane Norman reports in front-page story that Grassley is “confounded by accusations over the past two weeks, many from House leaders in his own party.” Grassley: “They hurt, and the reason they hurt is because I’ve never said anything like that about them.” & “Grassley says tax cut has room to grow” Norman report in Metro & Iowa section indicates Grassley said the Senate might accept a $450 billion tax cut. (More on Grassley and tax cut proposal below.)

MORNING SUMMARY:    

 … Morning headlines:

Des Moines Register top front-page headline: “U. S. in dilemma over N. Korea …Why attack Iraq? Saddam’s failure to cooperate regarding alleged weapons …Why not Pyongyang? Retaliation could devastate American troops, Seoul” Analysis of North Korea situation from Associated Press. 

Quad-City Times main national online head: “Nuke claim puts U.S. in tough position” Same AP analysis as on front page of DSM Register.  

Daily Iowan (University of Iowa) online, top national headline: “200 jubilant POWs released” Iraqi prisoners of war released yesterday. 

Today’s main online headline, Sioux City Journal: “SARS scare: Rumors alone enough to scar Asian community in Los Angeles area”

Chicago Tribune online headline: “Iraqi Delegates Gather for Gov’t Talks” & “Kurds turn tables, kick out Arabs” 

… Newscasts this morning report a popular student – 18-year-old Keely Lyons, a senior at North Tama High School (Traer) – was killed in a prom-night accident that also caused injuries to three other students in Waterloo. The four were reportedly heading to a post-prom breakfast in Waterloo – about 25 miles from the prom – when their vehicle was struck by one driven by Damir Mekic of Robinsdale, MN. North Tama school officials yesterday called teachers and all 51 members of the senior class to notify them of Lyons’ death.   

… In weekend coverage – under the headline “IAAP health screening shows illness” – the Burlington Hawk Eye reported that 80 workers at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middleton need “care for job-related illnesses.” The Hawk Eye report said a team of University of Iowa investigators determined 10 of the 80 suffer from chronic beryllium disease and 20 tested positive for sensitivity to beryllium exposure. The Hawk Eye coverage said: “As many as 4,000 people assembled and test-fired nuclear weapons components at the plant from the late 1940s until the mid-1970s in an area known as Lane 1 or Division B at the Middleton plant. Investigators from [the University of] Iowa’s College of Public Health have conducted about 500 medical screenings as part of the assessment program, said Lar Fuortes, principal investigator on the project. Investigators still hope to reach another 800 people.”  

… Headline from yesterday’s Sioux City Journal: “Bishop Hanson: Sexuality must not split Lutherans” Coverage of comments by Bishop Mark Hanson at Yankton, SD conference for ELCA pastors – “We are a church of 5.1 million people who are now going to try to do something that virtually none of us have learned in our families of origin to do: talk openly with one another, to disagree with one another about human sexuality and more particularly the place of gay and lesbian people in our congregations and ministry.” 

WAR & TERRORISM: 

… From the Korean front: BBC News – under the headline “S. Korea cautions ‘atomic’ North” – reports that South Korea has “urged the North to give up its nuclear programme, after US officials said Pyongyang had admitted having atomic bombs. South Korea’s delegation at high-level talks in Pyongyang said the North’s possession of nuclear weapons would violate a bilateral agreement on a nuclear-free Korean peninsula. The South Koreans say they pressed North Korean officials to confirm their alleged admission – reportedly made during talks with U.S. officials in Beijing last week. But the North Koreans declined to say whether they had nuclear weapons.” Meanwhile, VOANews (Voice of America) also reported that South Korea Unification Minister Jeong Se-hyun said before departing for Pyongyang the “situation has become more complicated since U.S. and North Korean officials met a few days ago in Beijing.” 

… Also from VOANews – headline: “Russia to Boost Troop Presence in Tajikistan” The report: “President Vladimir Putin says Russia will increase its troop presence in Tajikistan to counter what he claims are re-emerging threats from Taliban and al-Qaida terrorist networks in neighboring Afghanistan. Mr. Putin announced the plans while addressing military commanders in Tajikistan, Moscow’s key ally in the region.”

… Headline from VOANews: “Bomb Explosion Injuries 11 at Jakarta Airport” Report says “so far authorities have not said who they think is responsible for the attack.” 

FEDERAL ISSUES:  

… The Los Angeles Times – mentioning IA Sen Grassley a couple times – reported that the “fighting is over in Iraq. Congress is returning from a two-week break. And it’s make or break time for President Bush’s domestic policy agenda.” Under the headline “GOP Domestic Dispute Is On …With an intraparty split on tax cuts and the 2004 elections on the horizon, the pressure is on Bush to get his House and Senate in order.” The Times coverage highlights Grassley’s decision to settle for a $350 billion tax cut package – less that half of GWB’s request – and notes: “That blindsided and infuriated House GOP leaders; they angrily denounced Grassley and other Senate Republicans and warned that the surprise deal endangered intraparty relations. The fur has continued to fly even while lawmakers have been home over the last two weeks. The Club for Growth, a political group that promotes tax cuts, ran ads attacking [Maine GOP Sen] Snowe and [Ohio GOP Sen] Voinovich in their home states. Grassley, in a column written to his constituents, said House leaders’ fury at him ‘proved tantrums aren’t restricted to the two years and younger crowd.’”

IOWA ISSUES: 

… From this morning’s Sioux City Journal – under the headline, “Curtain set to drop on 2003 legislative session” – report by Todd Dorman, “Iowa lawmakers are poised to drop the curtain on the 2003 legislative session this week, but only after they decide whether to salvage or scrap their most ambitious proposals. For Gov. Tom Vilsack, a Democrat who is pressing Republican leaders to approve an $810 million Iowa Values Fund, there is only one choice remaining. ‘I can tell you there are some in the Legislature who believe that simply passing a budget is all they need to do to get their work done,” Vilsack said. “They may be very disappointed with my reaction. I’m not going to accept that.” 

OPINIONS:  

This morning’s Des Moines Register editorial: “Budget cut = tuition hike …An Iowa university education won’t be accessible if this rate of increase continues.” “Choose: Health care or tax cuts …Gephardt’s bold challenge sets the agenda for the presidential campaign.” “Something worse than taxes? …The burden of health costs should change the equation.”   

… From yesterday’s letters to the editor, Des Moines Register – under the headline, “Bush lied” The letter – “Congress spent several million dollars on President Clinton’s impeachment for lying about a personal indiscretion. When will Congress bring impeachment proceedings against President Bush for lying about ‘weapons of mass destruction’ and spending $100 billion attempting to justify his lie?” – D. R. Hemerson, Sheldon

IOWA SPORTS:  

… Seneca to Seattle. Former Iowa State quarterback Seneca Wallace – an early-season candidate for the Heisman Trophy, before the Cyclones experienced a late-season slide – was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round yesterday as the 110th selection in the NFL draft. Two former Iowa Hawkeyes chosen in the fifth round – safety Derek Pagel to the N. Y. Jets and offensive guard Ben Sobieski to Buffalo.  

… With the completion of the Drake Relays in Des Moines this weekend, the university’s athletic director – Dave Blank – revised figures for renovation of the 78-year-old, 18,000-seat Drake Stadium. Instead of $21 million for the project, he said it will now cost $22 million for improvements. One of the main reasons for the renovation: Reconfiguring the stadium to attract major track and field competitions – such as the NCAA championships and Olympic caliber meets before the 2008 Olympics.

… Baseball Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers will sign autographs at the Bob Feller Museum in Van Meter on Saturday 5/10. Fingers, who was inducted into baseball’s hall in 1992, was a Cy Young Award winner in 1981. He is one of several baseball legends appearing this summer to raise money for the museum.  

IOWA WEATHER: 

DSM 5 a.m. 62 overcast, radar shows showers just west of metro area. Temps across Iowa this morning primarily in the 50s – 48 in Spencer to 62 in Des Moines. Today’s high 70, scattered showers this morning. Tonight’s low 52, partly cloudy. Tuesday’s high 68, chance T-storms. From WHO-TV’s Brandon Thomas: “Partly sunny on Tuesday, with a good chance of t’storms late. Highs will be in the upper sixties. Showers and t’storms are likely on Wednesday, with highs in the mid sixties. Cooler on Thursday, with light rain in the morning, highs in the upper fifties to low sixties.” 

IOWAISMS: 

… Four Iowans who recently returned from a trade mission to promote beef in Japan report consumption there is recovering from a drop suffered after “Mad Cow Disease” was found in Japanese cattle in the fall of 2001. The IA delegation reported that Japanese beef demand – which slid by 50% -- is now back to pre-Mad Cow levels. They also reported that unique opportunities exist to expand the market by producing beef especially for the Japanese diet. 

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