Friday, March 14, 2003

GENERAL: The message – and mission – couldn’t be clearer: “I think at the end of the day whoever emerges from the Democratic process for selecting a candidate for president will be strong. Nine times out of 10, the process of selecting the presidential candidate strengthens the eventual nominee, not weakens him.” Those are the words of Karl Rove from an interview with Donald Lambro in yesterday’s The Washington Times. (See more below.) Iowa Presidential Watch agrees with the Rove assessment and is committed to monitor the Dem candidates, keep them accountable and refute their misleading, false contentions through the Iowa caucuses. Keeping a bright spotlight on the Dem wannabes is one of the best ways to help assure Dem candidates don’t become any stronger or more viable -- especially among independent, no-party voters -- during the early campaign stages. See Iowa Presidential Watch mission statement elsewhere on website…Overnight: Several newscasts and reports indicate vote on a new U. N. Iraq resolution – despite possible vote today – may be delayed until next week, probably Monday or Tuesday…Overnight headlines highlight challenges: From England’s Independent News (news.independent.co.uk), “US preparing to abandon UN and launch war within a week” and “North Korea stepping up nuclear plan, US warns” – report says senior U. S. official warns that North Korea could have two separate methods in place within months for production of nuclear weapons...Meanwhile, the Omaha World-Herald reports about 700 attended rally in Omaha last night to support troops in Iraq. The OW-H headline: “Prayer and patriotism at rally for troops”…Good news: Iowa’s Amber Alert system is up and running as of this morning...More good news: Water line break last night in Pleasant Hill – just east of DSM – is repaired and should be back to normal in a few hours…Bad news (for Powerball ticket-holder): Winning $52 million Powerball ticket in the multi-state lottery sold in Indianapolis six months ago goes unclaimed, but individual states benefit. Iowa to get more than $1 million.

CANDIDATES.CAUCUSES:  Under the headline “Kerry is the Granite in New Hampshire Democratic Primary Poll,” a Suffolk University news release reports the Mass. Sen “holds a commanding lead.” A survey of 496 likely Dem voters – in an exclusive 7NEWS-Suffolk University poll – gave Kerry 32% with Lieberman 17 %.  Dean, the former VT gov earlier assumed to be a regional favorite, had 10%, followed by Gephardt 6% and Edwards 2%. Three others each got 1%. That leaves 30% undecided…Also from the 7NEWS-Suffolk poll, about one-third (32%) of the likely Dem voters expect GWB to win a second term, 45% are undecided. (Yes, the poll identifies these folks as “likely Democratic voters.) Eleven percent expect Kerry to be the next president, while Dean and Lieberman each register 3% support when it comes to naming the ultimate 2004 winner…BUT, Kerry’s “granite” showing in New Hampshire is wimpish when matched against Graham’s stronghold on Florida. The Orlando Sentinel reports a poll by Lauderdale-based Florida Voter indicates Graham is favored by 45% of the state’s likely Dem voters. Lieberman, who’s continued to campaign in FL since being Gore’s 2000 running mate, gets 10% while “several other contenders are sharing single-digit ratings,” according to the Sentinel report. On issues, 60% oppose Iraq war (29% support one) and more than half (54%) expect nation’s economy will “worsen.” …Only two announced Dem presidential candidates – Lieberman and Graham, who just returned to the Senate on Wednesday after surgery – showed for the Senate partial-birth abortion final vote. They, along with Hillary, joined 30 others in opposing the partial-birth ban. With a 64-33 (64 supporters included 48 GOPs, 16 Dems) vote, only three senators AWOL – Biden, Edwards, Kerry. Harkin voted “nay,” too – with Grassley “yea.”…The Washington Times, in the interview featuring the above interview with Karl Rove, reports: “Mr. Rove met privately yesterday for lunch with Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez to discuss a campaign against Sen. Bob Graham, Florida Democrat…” Graham has filed papers to enter the Dem presidential fray, but has not actively campaigned yet while recovering from heart surgery...From “Inside the Beltway” in yesterday’s Washington Times: “President Bush has ‘quietly started his re-election campaign,’ which has Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe asking Democrats to open their wallets. Mr. Bush, warns the DNC head in a memo, has already raised ‘tens of millions of dollars’ for the Republican Party in advance of the 2004 elections.”…Kerry scheduled to be in California today on another fund-raising expedition. Boston Globe reporter Glen Johnson wrote in yesterday’s editions Kerry is “pushing a financial vacuum cleaner across the country this week, collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars for his presidential campaign at major fund-raisers in New York, San Francisco and Boston. A fund-raiser [Wednesday] night at the Sheraton Boston Hotel grossed more than $2 million, according to organizers, which the campaign said was a record amount raised in a single night from donations by individuals.”  More than 650 attended a New York event Tuesday night and today a San Francisco fundraiser is planned…At the Boston event, the Globe’s Johnson quoted Kerry as saying: “This campaign is about which party has the ideas to make America safer, stronger and more secure in the 21^st century. And if that is the test, then back up the U-Haul, because George Bush is moving out. Just because the Supreme Court of the United States made the wrong decision in 2000 doesn’t mean we have to live with it for another six years, my friends.” Kerry also called the Bush administration’s handling of Iraq the “weakest diplomacy in our history.”

IOWA POLITICS: Iowa Congressman Nussle, chairman of the House Budget Committee, attracting considerable political heat this morning for federal spending plan, especially cuts in agriculture and Medicare. American Farm Bureau and Farmers Union are already criticizing cutbacks in food stamp and farm payment programs. Harkin calls it “a totally irresponsible budget.”…Western IA Congressman Steve King making more headlines – gets mention in yesterday’s “Inside the Beltway” column in The Washington Times: “When it comes to speaking English, Steve King has made his mark in Iowa. Now, the Republican freshman is wasting little time making his mark in the 108^th Congress. Sworn into office only weeks ago, Mr. King has already authored two bills, the latest to declare English the official language of the United States.” “Inside the Beltway” columnist John McCaslin adds, “In fact, it was Mr. King – as an Iowa state senator before coming to Capitol Hill – who led his state’s effort to pass English-language unity legislation. The bill was signed into law in 2002.”

MORNING SUMMARY: Elizabeth Smart return, local stories taking top headlines away from Iraq-U. N. situation, but Omaha World-Herald and Chicago Tribune still feature pre-war debate. World-Herald top online head: “U. N. vote reportedly off until next week” Chicago Tribune’s top two online headlines: “U. S. Wavers on U. N. Iraq War Resolution” and “Security Council Members Say No to War” Daily Iowan (University of Iowa) top national headline on questions about Smart return, but has two headlines re war situation: “U. S. proposal on Iraq is DOA, countries say” and “Iraqis hunker down” Quad-Cities Times top online headline about a local homicide; Des Moines Register devotes top front page headline to arrest of four family members – including DMACC president – on drug charges. (Register also editorializes on the arrests)…. Washington newspaper – The Hill – quotes Grassley, head of Senate Finance Committee, as saying he “believes the outcome of the likely war with Iraq will be ‘ten times more important than the president’s plan’ in resuscitating the faltering economy. The Finance Committee chairman’s emphasis on Iraq, while not directly out of sync with the White House’s position, reveals a difference in priorities between a key Senate Republican leader and the administration.” …Top front page Des Moines Register headline: “College chief’s kin face pot charges, too” Not only is DMACC president facing marijuana-related charges, but his wife Donna – along with 22-year-old daughter Jessica, an ISU senior, and 16-year-old son David, a junior at Johnston High School – also arrested. WHO Radio reports Dr. David England, who has been suspended with pay from his job as president of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), has been cited for six drug-related charges – including five felonies – after authorities found marijuana growing in basement of his Johnston home. England, arrested Wednesday afternoon, made his initial court appearance yesterday. He will be arraigned on 4/24. Register columnist Rob Borsellino writes about mood on DMACC campus, headline: “Under jokes at DMACC is sadness.”… Funeral services yesterday in Cedar Rapids for Baptist missionary William Hyde, a Cedar Rapids native and University of Iowa graduate killed in bomb blast in Philippines 10 days ago…KCCI-TV (Des Moines) reports nearly 100 jobs will be lost when one of Pocahontas County’s largest employers – Hydraulic Technologies – closes at end of month…Iowa farmers, already facing increased fuel costs and drought possibilities, are now concerned about an anticipated hike in fertilizer costs. Reports of escalating natural gas prices – resulting in higher costs for anhydrous ammonia – could boost production outlays by as much as $6 an acre. Among the factors, according to WHO Radio, influencing the anhydrous prices – several domestic production plants shutting down because of foreign competition. (That may not be the worst news, however. The Drudge Report indicates some in Congress are considering a proposal to push federal gas tax up by as much as 20-cents-a-gallon over the next six years.)

WAR/TERRORISM: WHO Radio reports dozens of Iowans “from Sioux City to Decorah and in between” are boarding busses this morning heading to anti-war rallies in D. C. this weekend. Also reports a candlelight rally will be held in downtown Des Moines tomorrow night…Overnight: Several news outlets, including ABC News and Fox News, report Iraqi troops and Scud surface-to-surface missiles (especially located to strike Israel) are on the move – called “significant movement” – that could foretell a preemptive strike against American and other allied troops in the region. Reports this morning: U. S. may consider counterstrikes against Iraqi forward positions and Scud sites even before major war maneuvers begin. Meanwhile, U. S. Navy moving about a dozen more warships within striking range of Iraq …Fox News: Ridge says attacks similar to what Americans have seen in Israel may be inevitable on U. S. soil… VOANews (Voice of America) reports U. S. is “restarting reconnaissance flights off the North Korean coast.” VOA’s Amy Bickers reports from Tokyo the flights will be the first since 3/2, when four North Korean fighter jets intercepted a U. S. plane over the Sea of Japan, and “the announcement comes amid Japanese media reports that the North could soon test fire a ballistic missile.”

FEDERAL ISSUES: Partial-birth abortion legislation is on its way to the House – where it is expected to pass easily -- after lopsided 2-to-1 vote in the Senate yesterday. President Bush has indicated he will sign it – unlike previous attempts to ban the partial-birth procedure that were vetoed by Hillary’s husband. President Bush praised the Senate vote: “Today’s action is an important step toward building a culture of life in America,” he said in a prepared statement…Following the partial-birth Senate vote yesterday, KWKY Radio (Des Moines) talk show host Bill Salier criticized Harkin for pretending to be pro-life during last year’s campaign. Salier said: “You lied. You are not pro-life. You are a liar, sir.”…Also on Salier program concerns expressed that cuts in fed discretionary funding will result in reduction of services and benefits to Iowa veterans, including the three VA hospitals in state …Medical insurance coverage: WHO-TV reports 100,000 Iowans could see higher premiums. The report says Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield says it will no longer cover medical care provided by Iowa Health Services.

STATE ISSUES:  Legislative deadlines hit, Democrats lament lawmakers won’t consider minimum wage increase this year…WHO Radio reports Vilsack awaiting list of state-owned properties that could be sold – including some buildings in commercial and entertainment districts – that could be sold to help resolve state’s budget problems.

OPINION: Des Moines Register editorials – “Don’t bet on gambling…Expansion may be fine, but don’t count winnings until they’re in the bank” re plans to expand gaming options at current casinos and license three more casinos…Also, “Shocking, bizarre, tragic…What an embarrassment for DMACC” re arrest of community college president and family on marijuana charges. (See more above.)

SPORTS: Major men’s teams split in conference tournament action yesterday -- Iowa loses to Ohio State 66-64 in Big Ten opener in Chicago, but Iowa State whips Texas A&M 97-70 in Big 12 tourney in Dallas and moves on to face top-seeded Kansas at noon today …Winners in 4-A semifinals yesterday -- and playing for championship tonight: Unranked Muscatine topped No. 1 West Des Moines Dowling 41-37 in overtime, defending champion Ankeny over Waterloo West 49-39. Winners in 3-A semifinals -- and playing in Saturday championship game: No. 2 Cedar Rapids Xavier defeats Norwalk 51-43, No. 3 Atlantic over Pella 40-39…Class 1-A championship game tonight – No. 1 Rock Valley vs. No. 6 Rockwell City-Lytton…From the Missouri Valley women’s conference tournament in Des Moines: Drake ousted 61-59 by SW Missouri State, Northern Iowa continues on 72-62 over Bradley. UNI meets Indiana State tonight in semifinals… Three Iowans – Kansas seniors Kirk Hinrich of Sioux City, Nick Collison of Iowa Falls and Kyle Korver of Pella – continue racking collegiate basketball honors. Hinrich and Collison named to United States Basketball Writers Assn. first team while Korver was a second-team selection…The Vision Iowa Board has given Urbandale officials a 90-day extension to further work toward construction of a pro-level soccer complex.

WEATHER: 5 a.m. 30 fog and mist. Temps across Iowa mostly in upper 20s and 30s, already 41 in LeMars … High today 60, partly cloudy. Tonight low 45. High Saturday 72, partly sunny...Chance T-storms Sunday through Monday with chance of rain Tuesday and Wednesday.

IOWAISMS: An Iowa soybean and corn farmer has been elected president of a coalition of alternative farm groups. Radio Iowa reports that George Naylor, who farms near Churdan in Greene County, said increasing the money farmers make is the top priority of the National Family Farm Coalition. Naylor’s participation in Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) led to his election as president of the NFCC. (For more on CCI – and the group’s possible impact on the Dem caucuses – see the “rural issues/interests” section of The Iowa Scene.)

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