Wednesday, March 12, 2003

GENERAL:  An anniversary – Chicago Tribune reports it was six months ago President Bush presented case about Iraq situation before the United Nations… Fog blankets large section of IA this morning, Corning and Prescott schools – both in Adams County in SW IA -- delay for two hours…Sen. Grassley says he has feeling an Iraq invasion “isn’t far off.” The state’s senior senator says he doesn’t have any inside information about war prospects or planning, but he believes it could begin within a week (Overnight development: Some in U. N. want 45-day delay on Iraq deadline, but U. S. says it will only agree to a week or so)…Congressman Leach told Radio Iowa it’s not enough for opponents to the U. N. Iraq resolution – such as Germany, France and Russia – to be critics of the U. S. “without proactively presenting the alternative to war of offering asylum to Saddam Hussein.” (More Leach comments below)…The Iowa Good News story of the day: The world’s largest Cheeto is secure in Algona bank safe deposit box today, where it will remain until public ceremonies tomorrow night to, in effect, officially welcome it to town. A Navy petty officer stationed in Hawaii – Mike Evans – sought to sell it on the Internet. Then, KLGA-FM (Algona) disc jockey Bryce Wilson launched a fund-raising drive to bring the oversized, five-inch-long Cheeto to Algona – and Evans decided to donate it to the community as a tourist attraction, with the money raised going to the Kossuth County Food Pantry. Tomorrow night’s ceremony will include a sheriff’s escort, band and proclamation by the mayor… So, what should Des Moines be named next? Some DSM residents with obviously nothing better to do are suggesting a name change for Des Moines – as a protest against France’s opposition to U. N. Iraq resolution. In an unrelated – very unrelated – development yesterday U. S. House cafeterias started serving “freedom fries” and put “freedom toast” on the breakfast menu.

CANDIDATES/CAUCUS: Headline in today’s Des Moines Register: “Graham vows competitive caucus effort” Thomas Beaumont reports Graham, in a telephone interview from Florida, plans to compete in the Iowa caucuses, but timetable will be affected by Iraq situation and his recovery from heart surgery …In this week’s U. S. News & World Report, Paul Bedard reports in “Washington Whispers” column Sharpton’s strong showing in polls is scaring Dems to the point that the draft Hillary movement may pick up steam. Bedard reports Sharpton “could actually score big in, of all places, the South.” He adds: “If a favorite other than Sharpton doesn’t become obvious by late fall, look for a strong effort to draft Sen. Hillary Clinton. The Iowa Democratic Party is already thinking that. We hear it wants Clinton as the featured speaker at an annual fall dinner – an invite that’s irked Sen. John Kerry.” …Several media outlets report Dem presidential aspirants are dropping off the partisan political radar as prospects for Iraq confrontation increase. Candidates dropping plans for major announcements – and don’t want to get caught in front of TV cameras in Waterloo or Des Moines if (and when) war starts. The apparent low-key approach during the interlude for most includes fundamental, internal campaign ops – focusing on fundraising, organization, scheduling, planning, etc. Associated Press reports several Dem candidates plan to attend the party’s California state convention in Sacramento this weekend…Headline from Denver Post online edition: “Hart: Still time to decide” Hart, in an AP interview, reaffirms comments made on CNN earlier in the week – indicating he will go into basic exploratory mode and delay any formal decision (or announcement) for several weeks. Hart tells AP he will “just play it by ear” – probably suggesting the Hart timetable will depend on the Iraq war timetable.

IOWA POLITICS: Following CA Dem Rep. Lois Capps’ announcement this week she will, despite signing a term-limit pledge, run for reelection in 2004, the name of Iowa Dem Congressman Leonard Boswell surfaced on a list of others planning to run again – and violate the six-year term-limit commitment. U. S. Term Limits secured the three-term pledge from Boswell when he first ran for Congress in 1996, but he was included on an Associated Press list yesterday of the House members who will be “seeking re-election” in 2004. Boswell is in his first term in a new, reapportioned district after moving from his southern Iowa home to Des Moines last year in order to run again. (Iowa Press Watch Note: Maybe Leonard didn’t understand the term-limit pledge? The agreement limited him to three House terms, not that he gets to start counting terms all over again because he moved into another district for his personal political health and welfare.)

MORNING SUMMARY: Morning headlines – Chicago Tribune online top headline: “U. N. Debate on Iraq Hits Six-Month Mark” – GWB spoke at U. N. exactly six months ago…Quad-City Times online, “Britain, U. S. open to extension” – but 45-day delay proposed by six swing nations appeared to be out of the question…Des Moines Register top headline: “U. S. weighs compromise...Britain, Canada try to break deadlock.”…Omaha World-Herald online top national headline: “U. S. rejects a month more inspections” – but top site headline goes to proposal by University of Nebraska faculty proposing a 25% tuition increase… On WHO Radio talk show yesterday, host Jan Mickelson criticizes anti-war activists – “the peace lobby that is threatening to bring the war home here to Iowa” when Iraq invasion begins, saying most of their protests “based on partisanship” since anti-war leaders don’t like GWB: “They hate George Bush more than they hate Saddam Hussein.” He noted there was “not a peep” from them when Clinton – without even seeking U. N. authorization – launched bombing attacks on Bosnia. Mickelson said threats the protestors will attempt to block intersections creates “a moral dilemma” for him – “What gear do you use to plow through the intersection?” -- adding he would treat them like “road bumps.” His final word on efforts to block intersections – “This stuff might have worked 20 years ago, but they don’t understand the concept of road rage.” Mickelson said he agrees with “two-thirds of the President’s case, but questions “if we are any good at nation-building.” (A caller checked in and said he is going to file a civil complaint against Mickelson and WHO Radio for “going over the line” and inciting violence, but Mickelson said “if you were one of the feeble-minded individuals” who believed he was encouraging Iowans to drive over protesters, he would “officially withdraw” permission for his listeners to drive over anti-war activists.) Mickelson probably would have been even more agitated if he’d heard about the anti-war protesters vandalizing a 9/11 memorial along Whittier Blvd. in La Habra, CA., over the weekend…Midwest authorities continue search this morning for a couple involved in more than $100,000 in jewelry thefts from six Wal-Mart stores -- along a path from Kansas City area to DSM – in Kansas, Missouri and Iowa last weekend… Top headline in Register’s Business section this morning: “Maytag stock takes a beating…Bleak first-quarter earnings forecast drops shares 16%” Stock down $3.57 to a $18.87 close.

WAR/TERRORISM: Des Moines Register reports most Iowa National Guard units called up still remain statewide. Meanwhile, six communities – Chariton, Cedar Rapids, Clinton, Knoxville, Marshalltown, Oskaloosa – planning send-off ceremonies for more Guard members next weekend…Vilsack says $7.6M the feds are sending Iowa for homeland security is inadequate. Radio Iowa’s Darwin Danielson reports Vilsack indicated state officials have calculated $42 million would be needed and the federal dollars come “with so many strings attached it’s difficult to funnel the money to the proper places.”… WHO Radio reports that IA GOP Congressman Leach says without U.N. involvement in an Iraq “post-war scenario becomes substantially more difficult.” WHO quotes Leach as saying without other nations involved the U. S. will be “viewed more as an occupying force than a liberating force.” Leach says if it looks like the U.S. is using too much force it could be detrimental to relationships with the Arabs – but if too little force is used it could raise concern among American citizens…Polls show solid support for GWB on Iraq war initiatives. Two-thirds in ABC News poll support military action against Iraq. More than half of respondents – 55% -- to CBS-New York Times survey said Saddam threats demand action now, even without U. N. action. In an Ipsos-Reid poll for the Cook Political Report, 39% indicated they would definitely vote to re-elect Bush, while 34% said they would definitely support someone else …U. S. News’ Paul Bedard, in “Washington Whispers” column, reports White House tours – which were cutback and restricted after 9/11 – also have ended for lawmakers, schools and veterans as “the president prepares for war.” In Iowa, a possible April visit to White House by WHO Radio (Des Moines) morning team “Van & Bonnie” – Van Harden and Bonnie Lucas – jeopardized by Iraq war prospects. Still hope to go with Iowa Egg Council for Easter egg decorating contest featuring entries from Iowa and other states on 4/14, but White House has not confirmed final plans…VOANews (Voice of America) report: “North Korea is warning that unless the United States agrees to direct talks on the North’s nuclear program, a clash between the two nations could be unavoidable” (Overnight development: Washington Times’ Bill Gertz reporting this morning North Korea is preparing for test that would break moratorium on long-range ballistic missile flights.)…North Korea is accusing the United States of evading responsibility for the mounting nuclear crisis on the Korean Peninsula and says this could lead to conflict.” (U. S. Air Force officials yesterday announced – emphasizing it was part of a routine joint training exercise – that at least six stealth fighters will be deployed to South Korea. They said the exercises are not related to the current North Korea situation.)…And, Iran too. VOANews also reports the U. S. has expressed concern “about Iran’s self-described ‘peaceful’ nuclear program, which it (the U.S.) said is not needed by such an energy-rich country and appears to cover for an effort to acquire nuclear weapons.”

FEDERAL ISSUES: WHO Radio reports Grassley introduced legislation yesterday to put a “hard cap” of $275,000 on federal payments for each farming operation, saying the payments “traditionally have been targeted” to help smaller farmers. He warns if limits aren’t imposed urban support for rural needs, especially the next farm bill, will slip…The Sierra Club has filed in federal court challenging a Bush administration proposal environmentalists claim would legally allow hog lots and other animal confinements to pollute streams and rivers. Radio Iowa quotes Iowa Sierra Club director Erin Jordahl as saying the proposed administration rules would weaken anti-pollution safeguards and shield corporations from responsibility for environmental damage.

STATE ISSUES: The $35 million referendum necessary to build a new $65M high school in West Des Moines failed yesterday. Only about 41% supported proposal for a new Valley High School, which would have been financed with $35 million from bonds and $30M in local sales tax revenue. Opponents favored using the sales tax monies to renovate the current high school… Several broadcast reports: Cedar Rapids schools, in effort to slash budget by $3 million, consider eliminating 85 jobs, including 37 teachers…In Des Moines, KCCI-TV (Des Moines) reports DSM school board members have been “flooded with emails” over proposed cutbacks – 103 staff positions and combining some athletic teams – to eliminate $6.9M from the district’s proposed budget. DSM Register reports today the district may “shutter” some schools in future, closing elementary schools with low enrollments...Senate Commerce Committee approves legislation to impose an income tax on the state’s six biggest credit unions…Vilsack scheduled to discuss ways to resolve the state’s casino tax dispute today with representatives of Iowa gaming industry…House Transportation Committee has cleared a bill raising the speed limit on Iowa’s interstate highways from 65mph to 70mph. Proponents argue most interstate drivers in state are already exceeding the posted 65 mph limit – and traffic deaths have dropped over the past decade … Also from the governor, Vilsack has proposed a $50M renewable energy plan, including wind generation initiatives and encouraging biomass electrical systems. The $50 million would come from a $500M Iowa Values Fund Vilsack outlined earlier this year.

OPINION: Register columnist Rekha Basu headline: “Living sicker, dying sooner with no health plan.” Key quote: “There is a solution, but no political will for it: a nationalized health-care system like Canada’s which spends less per person and covers everyone.”

SPORTS: Winners (and advancing) in girls state tournament action yesterday: 4A – Defending state champ Ankeny and No. 5 Waterloo West. 4A field now set after Muscatine and West Des Moines Dowling won Monday night…3A – Norwalk, No. 2 (and last year’s runner-up) Cedar Rapids Xavier, No. 4 Pella, No. 3 Atlantic  …Kansas – a team the Iowa State women defeated twice during regular season – upset the Cyclones 63-60 yesterday in the opening round of the Big Twelve tournament in Dallas. Iowa State (12-16) – the first losing season for coach Bill Fennelly at ISU…Federal court date for former Iowa State basketball assistant Randy Brown delayed yesterday (he’s receiving medical treatment), but grand jury indicts him on two child porn charges – for receipt of child porn, for possessing child porn – which could result in 20-year prison sentence.  Initial hearing now set for 3/24…Iowa Vision Iowa Broad meets today, expected to finalize deal for construction of new soccer stadium in Urbandale.

WEATHER: DSM 5 a.m. 34 degrees with fog/mist, large area – from Atlantic to Amana Colonies – covered by fog. Dense fog advisory for SW Iowa through morning, some sleet possible in northern IA…Temps across Iowa in 20s and low 30s. Even wind chills warmer – 10 in Sheldon to 32 in Fairfield… High today 42 with foggy areas. Low tonight 29. High Thursday 55…No precipitation forecast until a chance of showers Sunday. Iowa farmers concerned about inadequate soil moisture, snow cover and precipitation as planting season nears. National Weather Service in DSM tells WHO Radio the dry period could last awhile.

IOWAISMS: When Mickelson wasn’t blasting anti-war protestors (see above) on his WHO Radio show yesterday, he was interviewing one of the “American Tenors” – Iowa native Nathan Granner, who has relatives from Cedar Rapids to Humboldt to Osceola. Granner will be in the studios of Iowa Public TV at 6:30 tonight during IPTV’s annual fundraising drive while the “American Tenors” program is aired…It’s the time of year when Iowa’s real priorities surface – Bill Salier’s talk radio show on KWKY (Des Moines) was bumped yesterday for the North Scott-Ankeny girls state tournament game and tomorrow Mickelson’s show on WHO Radio (Des Moines) and WMT Radio (Cedar Rapids) gets sliced in half for Iowa Hawkeyes first round coverage in the Big Ten basketball tournament.

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