Tuesday, March 18, 2003

GENERAL: Nation’s Threat Level Raised to Orange…Three words – WAR, ultimatum and deadline – take over most morning newscasts and headlines following President’s remarks last night. Familiar words and phrases that crowded news reports over past several days – such as diplomacy, Security Council, resolution, extension, swing nations, veto, and even France – have virtually disappeared. Two other words – United Nations – fading too…From front page of today’s Des Moines Register, headline: “Iowa kin mourn peace activist” Reports Rachel Corrie, the American college student killed by Israeli bulldozer over weekend, has Iowa relatives. Her parents graduated from Drake University in late 1960s…Energy Information Administration reports gasoline prices jumped 1.6 cents this week to a national average of $1.728 a gallon – breaking record high set in May 2001…Newscasts this morning indicate “that mysterious pneumonia keeps spreading” – more cases reported, including one “suspected” in Los Angeles…The Iraq war may be just over horizon, but Iowa law authorities still issue annual anti-theft anhydrous ammonia warning – encouraging farmers to keep storage tanks locked and in secure locations. Anhydrous ammonia is abundant on state’s farmsteads during the planting season, and reports of thefts and attempted thefts by makers of the illegal drug methamphetamine across Iowa are numerous each year. Authorities in neighboring Missouri rural areas estimate they receive at least one report a night about anhydrous ammonia thefts…War-Iraq stories competing with coverage of significant Gateway Computer layoffs in Sioux City-Sioux Falls media. KMNS Radio (Sioux City) reports Gateway has cut 1,900 jobs – including 470 of 3,100 jobs at the North Sioux City, SD facility and 32 jobs in Sioux Falls. Gateway spokeswoman Lisa Emard says cuts come as the computer maker tries to trim overhead and regain profitability. Other cuts include about 850 workers at Gateway retail stores and others at company facilities in Denver, San Diego and Hampton, VA. Sioux City Journal this morning reports Gateway has suffered losses over four consecutive quarters.

CANDIDATES/CAUCUSES: Ballot question, if the election were held now, on CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll shows GWB (45%) vs. generic Democratic nominee (42%) -- only a couple points off from responses to similar generic question in February…Hillary continues to overshadow Dem field. CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll also shows she would get 28% if in the field – but without her Gephardt (20%) leads Kerry (16%) and Lieberman (15%). Call them the Big Three – or Big Four if Hillary’s included – because best any of the other Dem wannabes can do is 8%. (Iowa Pres Watch Note: That’s right, it’s early – veteran Iowa caucus watchers would suggest, however, that perceived early momentum begets more momentum and real live caucus-goers next January, and early poll numbers also beget bigger poll numbers later. And, after all, the challenge – and basic goal -- is to finish in top three in Iowa and pack for New Hampshire, South Carolina and other stops along the campaign trail.)…Lieberman – speaking almost five hours before GWB address to nation – one of first Dems to address president’s decision.  He said, “It’s time to come together and support our great American men and women in uniform and their commander-in-chief.” Lieberman added “the fault will clearly be Saddam Hussein’s” – but criticized “the Bush administration’s unilateral, divisive foreign policy, which has pushed a lot of the world away.”… A busy Day for Lieberman – commenting on GWB’s Iraq plans, picking up Dodd support (see below) and sucking up to International Assn. of Firefighters in D. C. by contending more money needed for equipment, training and personnel. Lieberman says Bush administration has not spent enough on their concerns – “That’s not fair, that’s not smart. That’s not good for the safety of the American people and that must end.”…From yesterday’s Boston Globe online – “Late arrival Kerry is star of show” – report: Kerry, after indicating he’d miss the annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast in South Boston on Sunday, made surprise appearance. Earlier reports indicated Kerry, who had been considered an Irish-American until it was discovered his grandfather was Jewish, would skip event, but he surfaced saying, “Who said I didn’t have the matzo balls to be here?” Kerry explained he had intended to rest up as part of recovery from surgery, but he made a brief appearance, shook some hands and left. Prior to Kerry’s arrival, others offered jokes – Gov. Mitt Romney, “I’m disappointed Senator Kerry is not here today. I wasn’t surprised he threw his yarmulke into the ring. If he were here he’d be eating his corned beef on a bagel.”…The real (non) surprise of the Dem nominating process so far: Former prospective candidate Dodd announces he’ll support fellow Connecticut Sen. Lieberman’s bid for the nomination. Dodd – CT’s senior senator – dropped out of consideration for a 2004 run two weeks ago.

IOWA WAR REACTION: Front page headline Des Moines Register: “In Iowa…Cheers, tears greet speech” In a statement, Vilsack expressed support for U. S. troops. Radio Iowa reports Vilsack indicated there might be additional security posted at state buildings once the U. S. begins war against Iraq – but he says main job for state officials is to conduct business as usual, “do as much as we can to maintain a sense of normalcy so that we can focus on what our job is.”… Iowa High School Athletic Association officials announce state basketball tournament – and planned TV coverage – will go on a planned. Des Moines Register’s Tom Witosky reports a moment of silence will be held to announce the beginning of the Iraq assault…Washington reaction: Jane Norman of Register’s Washington Bureau reports on delegation’s reaction -- Grassley: “I would urge everybody to pray for peace.” Harkin: Bush “has made only dismal attempts at diplomacy.” Freshman GOP Rep. King: “My suggestion is that he (Saddam) surrender to the nearest American embassy.”…State’s lone Dem Congressman Boswell, a Vietnam veteran who attended sendoff ceremonies for Knoxville Guard unit yesterday, told WHO-TV that GWB gets briefed daily and knows more about Iraqi-Saddam threats than he does “so you have to have a certain amount of faith” about the president’s decision…Early results of unscientific “listener poll” on KSCJ Radio (Sioux City) website: The question, “As you understand it, what is the main reason the U. S. plans to go to war with Iraq?” Responses: Protect U. S. from attack – 37%, Get rid of Hussein – 28%, Get rid of weapons of mass destruction – 26%, Bring democracy to the region – 9%, “I don’t know” – 0%…Also from Sioux City, KMNS Radio unscientific online survey: The question, “Do you think war with Iraq is inevitable at this point?” Responses: Yes, diplomacy has failed – 85.71%, No, there’s still time for negotiations – 7.14%, I’ve lost track of everything – 7.14%…Iowa Guard spokesman says they rank seventh in nation among state Guard units in overall preparedness – including several units with superior ratings -- which accounts for fairly high Iowa call-up rates – indicating regular Army units requesting Iowa Guard support…Early results on WHO-TV viewers poll asking if they agree with GWB’s handling of Iraq situation – 63%-37% support the president.

MORNING SUMMARY: Morning headlines – Omaha World-Herald online: ‘The tyrant will soon be gone,’ Bush says…Top front page headline Des Moines Register, “48 HOURS…Bush gives Saddam final deadline to flee Iraq or face war”…QCTimes.com online (Quad-City Times) top headline, “Bush ultimatum: Saddam leave now” Sioux City Journal online, “Bush gives Saddam 48 hours to get out” Chicago Tribune online, “Bush Tells Saddam to Go by Wednesday”…An Iowa City woman, Phyllis Nelson, was found guilty yesterday of voluntary manslaughter for stabbing and killing her husband – Dr. Richard Nelson, who was executive dean of the University of Iowa medical school – in his Cedar Rapids apartment over an affair with his former secretary.  She had been charged with first-degree murder in the December 2001 incident, but Judge Thomas Horan said evidence did not support first-degree conviction – although he also ruled she did not act in self defense as her attorney contended. Sentencing 4/21, facing minimum of five years…Leftover from yesterday: Des Moines Register headline, “Activists want priests’ names…Group seeks names of 19 accused in eastern Iowa” Religion writer Shirley Ragsdale reports although Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Dubuque are holding services to atone for priests who molested children and bishops who remained silent “activists are complaining that the archdiocese has not released names of 19 priests accused of abuse years ago.”

WAR/TERRORISM: On KWKY Radio (Des Moines) talk show yesterday, host Bill Salier said he would “attempt my first back flip in years” if the current Iraq situation results in demise of the United Nations. He added there are those who “coddle it and nurse it along.” Salier also added “communist China” is another threat, about on equal footing with Iraq…VOANews (Voice of America) headline from Moscow: “Putin: Iraq War is a ‘Mistake With Serious Consequences’” VOA’s Lisa McAdams reports Putin “has spoken out against war in Iraq, as a U. S. set deadline for the end of diplomatic action draws near. President Putin broke weeks of public silence on Iraq to say that war would be ‘a mistake with serious consequences.’ President Putin told reporters that Russia still hopes to see the stand-off over how best to disarm Iraq resolved through peaceful means.”…During yesterday’s farm market reports, WHO Radio’s Gary Wergin said of early lower commodity markets, “it looks like war jitters.”…BBC News reports Robin Cook – Leader of the House of Commons, one of the highest profile figures in the Labour Party – resigned from Tony Blair’s cabinet as the build-up to apparent war with Iraq. Also reported “there is speculation that International Development Secretary Clare Short, who has already threatened to resign, may follow Mr. Cook onto the back benches.”…BBC reports President Bush’s “road map” for Middle East peace – as outlined last week – may have suffered a setback with Palestinian parliament rejection of Yasser Arafat’s proposal to create post of prime minister. The parliament turned down an amendment that would allow Arafat to veto any cabinet formed by a prime minister. BBC reported: “The move may delay the installation of a new prime minister, a condition set by the United States for movement on an internationally-backed peace plan…President George W. Bush said last week the US would unveil the long-delayed road map for peace as soon as the Palestinian Authority appointed a prime minister ‘with real authority.’”…Re Arafat: Several news outlets indicate Arafat called parents of American college student and peace activist Rachel Corrie to express condolences after she was killed by Israeli bulldozer while protesting demolition of a Palestinian home in a Gaza refugee camp on Sunday (See Iowa ties report above)…From Chuck Muth’s News & Views – March 17, 2003, headline “Union Boss: Only Appeasers Need Apply” Report says, “Gerald McEntee, head pooh-bah of the government employees’ union and chairman of the AFL-CIO’s political committee, has warned Democrat candidates who support President Bush on the Iraq liberation and/or tax cuts shouldn’t expect to see the welcome mat from Big Labor in 2004…So, let’s be clear here: Big Mac is saying that Big Labor is against a strong American national defense and national security and will penalize any Democrat who isn’t squishy enough on those issues. And they wonder why union membership is at its lowest level ever?”

FEDERAL ISSUES: Senate opens debate on budget, including proposed tax cut.

STATE ISSUES: Radio Iowa reports House Republicans will release budget plans this week…Dem guv Vilsack and GOP Senate President Kramer join to outline a four-point bipartisan Medicaid package yesterday that Vilsack predicted would become “a model for Medicaid reform” nationwide.

OPINION: Des Moines Register editorial: “Support our troops, and rebuild Iraq…The fervent hope should be for a speedy victory with a minimum of bloodshed among both troops and civilians.”…Register reprints text of Bush address, ‘The tyrant will soon be gone’…Letter to editor in Register, headline: “George Bush isn’t a war criminal” Glen M. Brown, Des Moines, writes: “If Bush is a war criminal, then Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Harry Truman were also war criminals.”

SPORTS: Iowa Hawkeyes win in close contest 62-60 over Valparaiso last night in first round NIT basketball game. Hawks next play winner of ISU-Wichita State. Iowa State Cyclones open NIT play against Shockers in Ames 7 p.m. tomorrow night…. Boys state basketball tournament: Winning (and advancing) in Class 1-A: Top-ranked North Mahaska (New Sharon), Boyden-Hull, Newell-Fonda, Marquette Bellevue. All four winners move on to Thursday semifinals. In Class 2-A last night: Wapsie Valley (Fairbank), Grundy Center. Class 2-A & 3-A games continue today…Iowa wrestling mania returns this week as perennial power Iowa (7 qualifiers), Iowa State (6) and Northern Iowa (9) send contingents to NCAA Wrestling Championships, starting Thursday in Kansas City. Minnesota, coached by former Hawkeyes assistant J Robinson, is defending national champion. The Hawkeyes have won 20 NCAA team championships since 1975, but has not won since 2000.

WEATHER: With storms across southern U. S. and heavy snow in western states – including Wyoming blizzard warnings -- this morning mild conditions continue in Iowa. DSM 5 a.m. 51, overcast. Temps are mostly in 40s with some low 50s this morning – highest 55 in Lamoni.  High today 62 chance T-storms. Low tonight 45 chance T-storms. High Wednesday 52 rain. WHO-TV meteorologist Steve Templeton reports possible 1” to 2” of new rain by the end of the week.

IOWAISMS: Several Iowa communities holding special farm-city events this week. It’s National Agriculture Week…An Iowa firm – Bug-Out Outdoors of Centerville – has responded to a call for help in finding debris from the Columbia space shuttle by filling an order for more than 600 snake-proof chaps. The order, placed by the Texas Forest Service and Columbia Shuttle Recovery Mission, was to help in debris recovery efforts in snake-infested areas of Texas and Louisiana. The chaps are a tough nylon that can withstand poisonous snakebites and briar patches…Sioux City Journal reports Iowa DNR workers will soon begin collecting gamefish eggs for their hatchery operations – Northern pike netting begins soon after the ice goes off the Mississippi River near Guttenberg, then walleye netting begins in Clear Lake and Storm Lake, and then a few days later at Lake Okoboji, Spirit Lake and Rathbun. At Spirit Lake, muskies will be collected along with walleyes. More than 123 million walleyes, northern pike and muskies were stocked in public waters last year and DNR officials hope to duplicate that this year.

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