Friday, February 28, 2003

GENERAL: Wackiest idea of the morning: DMR columnist Rekha Basu writes that GWB should debate Saddam. More ideas like this and she will – like Hillary, Harkin and Vilsack -- qualify for Associate Wabbit status…WHO Radio reported yesterday that Fort Dodge has the highest gas prices in the state at $1.74 per gallon, says that all-time high price in Iowa was $1.77…Former President Bush was witty and packed the house for a speech at Coe College (Cedar Rapids) last night. Said the possible war with Iraq is not about oil, but the future security of the United States.

CANDIDATES/CAUCUS: No candidate activity in Iowa, but three – Lieberman, Dean, and Sharpton -- were allegedly sighted at the Democrat Club 100 event in N. H. last night. News reports indicate Edwards had planned to attend, but skipped out due to Senate business. Isn’t Lieberman still in the Senate, too? …Vilsack was apparently filling in with anti-GWB rhetoric yesterday until Wabbits return. The IA gov criticized Bush for committing several billion dollars to Turkey for possible war effort, but not funding education. Vilsack made the remarks during a national conference call with reporters…From the eastern political front: American Research Group poll shows Kerry slipping in New Hampshire while Gephardt gains. Kerry still enjoys good lead, but dropped four points since January while Gephardt picked up 10…Kerry returns to the campaign trail – and misses N. H. event since he’s scheduled on West Coast for fundraisers and to keynote Idaho Democratic event in Boise on Saturday. Next scheduled Iowa appearance: Week from tomorrow – Saturday, March 8 – for speech at Drake University’s annual Supreme Court Day activities in Des Moines… Speaking of candidates who have been sidelined, newscasts indicate Graham filed papers yesterday to launch his presidential candidacy, but still must await medical clearances before traveling to Iowa and elsewhere…Well, there goes the neighborhood. The Dean campaign plans to open an Iowa headquarters at 1408 Locust St. in downtown Des Moines while just down the street – 1500 Locust St. – the Kerry campaign has opened an IA HQ. Both locations are just blocks from a couple of the main “watering holes” for the caucus contingent – the Hotel Fort Des Moines and the 801Grand chop & steak house. Meanwhile, the Gephardt campaign is locating out in West Des Moines, meaning they will be close to another popular caucus hangout – Jimmy’s American Café. (DSM restaurateur Jimmy Lynch wins – and is a certain caucus winner every four years – because he operates both 801 Grand and Jimmy’s.)

IOWA POLITICS: Iowa GOP state chair (and state Sen.) Chuck Larson of Cedar Rapids said yesterday he will not pursue appointment as U. S. attorney for the state’s Southern District…House Democrat leader Dick Myers of Iowa City criticizes the GOP majority for getting bogged down with low priority proposals – such as a bill banning gay adoptions – rather than economic development efforts.

MORNING SUMMARY: Top headline on QCTimes.com (The Quad-City Times site): “U. S. troops in Gulf pass 200K mark”...Top headline in Omaha World-Herald online edition: “Russian warns veto of U. S. resolution is possible” (The W-H serves portions of southwest and western Iowa)…DMR top front page headline about state issue: “Buyout ends hog-site battle” Report says plans for a hog confinement in Dickinson County (Spirit Lake) near the Iowa Great Lakes (Lake Okoboji) resolved as county and private players agree to pay $52,500 to the confinement developers… Students in the West Des Moines school district yesterday staged a protest against the possibility of teacher layoffs due to budget cuts.

WAR/TERRORISM: Speculation about war planning and timing increases after GWB advisor Karl Rove reportedly cancels a scheduled 3/12 speech at the Merrimack County Lincoln Day Dinner in New Hampshire.

FEDERAL ISSUES: Top headline on DMR Metro & Iowa section: “Medicare lull angers Grassley…Tired of waiting for Bush, Iowa senator says he will push own reform plan” Report by Jane Norman of Register Washington Bureau…Harkin says high fuel prices are due to pure speculation based on the war possibilities and that oil companies are taking advantage of consumers – and “making a bundle” off the current situation. Gas prices in central Iowa have jumped 10 to 15 cents over the past couple days. 

STATE ISSUES: In this morning’s Quad-City Times, Charlotte Eby reports that Vilsack defends state collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME, saying it could cost much more to go to arbitration. Republicans released a study showing Iowa’s state employees average $13K more annually than private sector workers…Legislative action completed yesterday on bill increasing school per-student funding, raising the allocation by 2% -- or by $93 per student. Bill goes to governor next.

OPINION:  Basu column: “Show Saddam how democracy works: Debate him” She says Bush should accept Saddam’s invitation to debate via satellite, noting it would be “the last word in reality TV.”…DMR editorials – “Bush’s justification du jour…The vision of a democratic Iraq doesn’t tip the scales for war” and “Hurtful to people – and Iowa…The bill to ban adoption by gays sends a terrible message.”…In DMR letters to editor: Larry Myers of Maquoketa writes, “Bush is the most principled, devout president this country has experienced in decades.”

SPORTS: State high school wrestling tournament in third day in DSM…In women’s basketball last night, Hawkeyes (14-12) lose 68-58 to Michigan State while both of Iowa’s Missouri Valley Conference teams win and are now both 14-10 on the season – Drake 65-46 over Illinois State and Northern Iowa win 72-66 against Evansville. Drake and UNI share third place in the MVC standings.

WEATHER: Temperatures this morning range from 13 in Spencer in NW Iowa to 28 in Clarinda, SW Iowa…5 a.m. DSM: 19 degrees and calm…High today 35, Low tonight 22 with chance of snow, High tomorrow 35…Cold weekend ahead with low of 8 degrees Sunday night. Chance of snow early next week …State climatologic says that cooler weather could extend into early to mid-May this year…Ed Wilson of WHO-TV reports: “It seems much of the rest of the country is roiling in the snow…and we are on the low side. The reason is the southern Jet Stream…it is streaming all the moisture to the east coast…and we are cut off from the moisture. Little change through next week.” …Forecasts this morning say D. C. could get 10” of snow.

IOWAISMS: Sign of times in DSM: Front page photo in today’s DMR shows downtown traffic accident with headline, “Tournament brings crowds, crashes” DSM police handle 14 accidents in three hours yesterday morning as wrestling fans arrive. Annual outbreak of bad driving begins with state high school wrestling tournament in DSM, with girls and boys basketball tournaments still to come. Wabbits – and Wabbit Watchers (visiting journalists) – should be cautious driving around city... And in closing, a real Iowa down-home story from Matt Kelley of Radio Iowa: A juvenile suspect has been identified – with no charges filed – in the weekend arson fire in western Iowa that wiped out more than three dozen porta-potties. Terry Moores of Moores’ Pumping and Portable Toilets in the Harrison County community of Woodbine says he lost 37 toilets, two trailers and a pickup truck in the fire.

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