Daily Report: 2004 Presidential Watch: Republican conservative news on the Democrat caucus, primary candidates national campaigns.

THE CLINTON COMEDIES:

… “’Hill’s Angels’ being solicited – and urged – to help Hillary counterattack alleged right-wing personal attacks, gear up for 2006 reelection effort. The big question: Which state will be run in this time? Headline from CNN.com: “Hillary Rodham Clinton launches re-election Web site…Right-wing attacks cited” Excerpt: “With a slap at ‘right-wing’ personal attacks, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-New York, on Monday launched a Web site to promote her work in the Senate and help raise money for her 2006 re-election campaign. ‘I am very excited to launch this new Friends of Hillary Web site,’ Clinton, a freshman senator and former first lady, said in a written statement. ‘So many people have asked me where they can get more information about my work in the Senate, and about how to help out -- this site can answer those questions.’ The Web site includes an extensive photo gallery, flattering news about Clinton's work in the Senate and plenty of opportunities for people to contribute money to her 2006 re-election effort. Clinton has not made a formal announcement regarding running for a second term, but she has filed fund-raising papers with the Federal Election Commission. And the Web site leaves little doubt about her intentions. It invites Clinton's supporters to become one of ‘Hill's Angels,’ getting involved in the campaign by sending e-mails to friends or donating money. ‘While Hillary is fighting for the values and policies we care about, the right wing is waging a personal attack against her. They've already launched their campaign to defeat Hillary in 2006, using the same old politics of personal destruction, sending out hate-filled mail charging she is 'anti-woman, anti-child, anti-family,' the Web site says, adding that it's critical to ‘take action now.’ Clinton once blamed a ‘vast right-wing conspiracy’ for the scandal surrounding her husband's affair with onetime White House intern Monica Lewinsky, and, in her book, she also writes about attacks from conservative critics. Spokeswoman Patti Solis Doyle said the re-election campaign had raised only $386,000 as of June 30. A separate leadership political action committee, HilPac, has raised more than $3 million since she took office in 2001, Doyle said. Should Clinton follow through on her re-election intentions, the 2006 race promises to be a fierce fight as the former first lady elicits strong feelings on both ends of the political spectrum. She spent more than $41 million in her 2000 race. Clinton has ruled out a run for the White House in 2004 and has said she has no intention of launching a presidential campaign for 2008. Many Republicans, however, believe she is interested in running for president, and her political ambitions are the subject of much commentary. A popular and effective fund raiser for Democrats, Clinton also hawks her best-selling memoir on the site. More than 1.2 million copies of ‘Living History’ have been sold, according to publisher Simon & Schuster. Donors who contribute $150 will receive an autographed copy of ‘Living History.’ Those contributing $500 may receive a personally inscribed copy of the 528-page work, while $1,000 donors are promised a personally inscribed, limited edition, leather-bound volume.”

… With nine Dem wannabes wandering the state – and a couple wishful wannabes on the horizon – Harkin goes with former prez for his annual steak dinner: Bill Clinton. Could the September event be the kickoff for Bill’s bid to become the next (and first) First Gentleman? WHO-TV (Des Moines) online reported: “Former President Clinton will be the featured speaker at Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin's annual steak fry and fund-raiser, a traditional political gathering in the state with the leadoff caucuses. The visit Sept. 13 marks the first trip by the former president to Iowa since he left office. (Iowa Pres Watch Note: Actually, that’s wrong. Clinton spoke at the University of Iowa in Iowa City last spring.) Harkin hosts the annual event at the Warren County Fairgrounds, just outside Indianola and it draws prominent Democrats and party backers…Harkin aide Alison Dobson said organizers expect 5,000 party activists to show up for the event, making it the largest gathering of Democrats before the state's precinct caucuses in January.”

Des Moines Register, top front-page headline: “Tape allegedly from Saddam…Deposed leader’s two sons lauded as ‘martyrs’”

Quad-City Times online, featured stories: State – “Ex-president Clinton to headline Harkin fundraiser” & Nation/world – “Terror futures market idea dropped”

Main online reports, Sioux City Journal: “Tape attributed to Saddam acknowledges sons’ deaths” & “Sharon defends Israel-Palestinian fence criticized by Bush”

Nation/world heads, Omaha World-Herald online: “U. S. sees gains in war-after-the-war in Iraq” & “Hijack plots detailed; alert still yellow”

New York Times, featured online stories: “Sharon Tells Bush Israel Won’t Halt It’s Fence Project” & “Bush Refuses to Declassify Saudi Section of Report”

Chicago Tribune online, featured headlines: “Iraqi council elects 9-member presidency” & Illinois – “Governor holds up Death Row reform bill”

Daily Iowan (University of Iowa) online, top nation/world stories: “Despite Saudi wishes, report stays classified” & “Outcry kills U. S. plan for terrorism betting”

Steve Korthaus – father of first Iowan killed in Iraq – dies at age 54. The Quad-City Times reported yesterday that Korthaus died “unexpectedly” four months after his son’s death, although the father has battled health problems, including diabetes, for years. Marine Sgt. Bradley Korthaus drowned while trying to swim across the Saddam Canal early in the Iraq military action

The weekly crop report from the Iowa ag dept. says the average height of corn across the state was 79 inches – with the tallest corn height at 90 inches. The report said 85% of the corn has tasseled, behind last year’s 93% and the 91% five-year average. The soybean acreage blooming – at 81% -- also was behind last year and the five-year averages.

… “US Senator’s Push for Reform Stirs Controversy in Cambodia” – Headline from VOANews (Voice of America). Excerpt from Phnom Penh report by VOA’s Gary Thomas: “A U.S. senator is seeking to apply economic and political pressure on Cambodia's long-time prime minister to resign or reform - just as the country conducted peaceful elections. U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell's proposals have set off a deep controversy in Cambodia, right in the middle of an election campaign. Mr. McConnell, a Republican, is close to Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy. He is also a sharp critic of Prime Minister Hun Sen, blaming him and his party for voter intimidation and repression of dissidents. Mr. McConnell recently called Cambodia ‘the Zimbabwe of Southeast Asia.’ In a commentary published in the Boston Globe Saturday and reprinted in Cambodia, Mr. McConnell called Hun Sen and his ruling party ‘a major impediment to sustainable development in Cambodia and to prospects for free and fair elections.’ He has introduced a bill in the Senate that would make U.S. aid levels contingent on Hun Sen's departure.”

… On the Korean Front: VOANews also reported that a high-ranking is in South Korean to discuss the North’s nuclear threats. An excerpt from the Voice of America report: “U.S. Undersecretary of State John Bolton is in South Korea for talks on North Korea's nuclear ambitions. During his three-day visit, Mr. Bolton will meet with Foreign Minister Yoon Young-kwan and other South Korean officials to discuss ways to induce the North to end its suspected nuclear weapons development program. Mr. Bolton arrived Tuesday from Beijing, where he discussed the possibility of persuading Pyongyang to participate in multilateral talks. At a news conference in Beijing Monday, Mr. Bolton said China has economic options it can use to help restart talks with North Korea, even if it has done everything it can do through diplomatic channels. The senior U.S. diplomat also reiterated Washington's call for U.N. Security Council action on North Korea's alleged violations of international treaties against the spread of nuclear weapons. He said the United Nations failed to act after North Korea's decision late last year to expel U.N. inspectors who were monitoring its treaty compliance.”

… Washington Times report says completion of work on energy bill “imperiled” by Dem amendments. Excerpt from coverage yesterday by the Times’ James G. Lakely: “Republicans' desire to pass a comprehensive energy bill in the Senate by the end of the week is imperiled by as many as 100 amendments offered by Democrats, the stickiest of which tighten fuel-efficiency requirements for automobiles and address global warming…The energy bill technically has 392 slots for proposed amendments. If Democrats are determined to delay passage until September, they can use every one available. ‘If they fill all those slots, they're not serious about getting a bill finished,’ said Bob Stevenson, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Tennessee Republican. He said Republicans have worked to whittle down their own list of amendments. ‘If they're not going to cut back, then it's a filibuster by another name.’ Sen. Don Nickles, Oklahoma Republican, said the prospect of debating hundreds of Democratic amendments is ‘ridiculous.’…’We've been around the track many times,’ Mr. Nickles said. ‘There is no reason why we can't complete the bill [this] week.’ Bill Wicker, spokesman for Democrats on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said ‘between 70 and 100 amendments’ are expected to be offered, most of them from Democrats. He said they have little choice but to take their concerns to the Senate floor. ‘If some of this were dealt with in the committee process, there wouldn't be quite as many amendments,’ Mr. Wicker said. ‘There is a long list of senators who have legitimate concerns that ought to be given a debate.’”

… “New Meth Ingredient Dangerous, Spreading …Red Phosphorous Easy to Find” Excerpts from report on KCCI-TV (Des Moines) online: “Iowa drug agents said Monday they're seeing a dangerous new trend in methamphetamine. Agents said a new ingredient for manufacturing meth is making it more difficult for law enforcement to track down meth labs. The ingredient is red phosphorous. ‘We just noticed it not even a month ago,’ Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force Lt. Vic Munoz said. Agents said the new type of meth lab first appeared in Polk County in an empty farmhouse east of Ankeny. Agents said it was like nothing they've dealt with before. ‘It's really not like the anhydrous or the ether. You really don't smell it,’ Munoz said. Undercover drug agents told NewsChannel 8's Emily Givens that this type of meth is even easier to make. Unlike anhydrous ammonia or ether, almost every Iowan already has red phosphorous in their home; it's the substance on the strike plate of matchbooks. Agents said red phosphorous is extremely explosive and when it's inhaled, it can be lethal. Iowa law enforcement agencies said they've seen a 1,000-percent increase in the number of grams of meth seized in just the past 10 years. Agents with the Mid-Iowa Drug Task Force said red phosphorous is more prevalent in the eastern part of the state right now, but they're expecting it to quickly spread across the state. Iowa ranks sixth in the nation for meth use.”

… Today’s editorials, Des Moines Register: Local – “Make D. M. pedestrian-friendly…Sidewalks along Fleur Drive would provide key links for walkers, cyclists.” & Federal – “A message on drug prices…Americans are tired of being gouged.” Editorial says although House-passed bill “faces a fight in the Senate and would most likely not be signed by the president,” it still has “value” by sending a message about drug costs to the pharmaceutical industry. & “Bob Hope: A real trouper”

… KCCI-TV (Des Moines) reports that football fans hoping to see the Iowa-Iowa State game in Ames will have to buy an ISU season ticket to get in. The single-game tickets for the 9/13 contest are sold out – leaving fewer than 500 season tickets available to the general public…The Daily Iowan (University of Iowa) reported that Ankeny football prospect Grant McCracken has made an oral commitment to play for the Hawkeyes. McCracken – a 6-3, 215-pound defensive end – chose Iowa over Iowa State, Kansas State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Pittsburgh. He was the seventh high school player to make an oral commitment to Iowa’s incoming 2004 class.

… DSM 7 a.m. 68, cloudy. Temperatures at 7 a. m. were mostly in the 60s – from 61 in Mount Pleasant, Sioux City and Independence to 70 in Oelwein and Atlantic. Today’s high 84, chance T-storms. Tonight’s low 62, chance T-storms. Thursday’s high 86, chance T-storms. Thursday night’s low 64, mostly cloudy. From WHO-TV’s Brandon Thomas: “Partly cloudy on Thursday, with isolated t’storms possible in the afternoon. Highs will be in the low/mid eighties. T-storms are still possible early on Friday, with highs in the mid-upper eighties. The weekend looks dry with plenty of sunshine. Highs will be in the mid/upper eighties.”

… In Iowa City, jaywalking is an acceptable violation of the ordinance. Excerpt from the Daily Iowan (University of Iowa): “Iowa City is known as a haven for pedestrians, but many may be surprised to learn that crossing the street anywhere but in a crosswalk can be a crime - albeit one that is usually not enforced. Although sections of the Iowa City Code and the Iowa Code state that pedestrians must follow signals and stay in crosswalks when available, Iowa City police Sgt. Brian Krei said he cannot remember the last time the police wrote out a jaywalking ticket ($15 plus fees). ‘Drivers in the downtown area are very cognizant of jaywalkers,’ he said. ‘Most of the downtown drivers are pretty cautious.’ City Councilor Connie Champion agreed, adding that several laws and ordinances are not routinely enforced, including jaywalking. ‘We all do it,’ she said. ‘I probably did it three times this morning.’”