Sunday, March 2, 2003

GENERAL: Typical slow, quiet – cold and windy – March Sunday in Iowa, but the BBC disrupts the calm by reporting Turkey parliament failed to approve resolution authorizing U. S. to launch possible military action against Iraq. The BBC reports another parliament vote is scheduled Monday while ships laden with tanks wait offshore. U. S. wants to deploy 62K troops and 250-plus planes in Turkey.

CANDIDATE/CAUCUS: Headline on Thomas Beaumont coverage in Des Moines Sunday Register, “Dean’s anti-war stance targets rivals…But the Democratic candidates aren’t that far apart on Iraq issue, a professor says.” Summary of Dem candidate positions with U of I poly sci prof Peverill Squire quoted as saying the candidates are “not really that far apart.”…Sidebar quotes Graham aide saying he needs medical clearance before coming to Iowa, “probably three to four weeks away.”…On CNN’s Capital Gang last night, the “gang” agreed Graham is serious candidate in the Dem sweepstakes -- Margaret Carlson: “He is a very serious candidate by any measure…” Al Hunt: Called Graham “a real political heavyweight…The question is not, ‘Is he serious?’ The question is if he’s viable?” Robert Novak: Graham is “a lot more serious than a lot of the other people running…he’s no Dennis Kucinich,” noting Gore would be president today if he’d chosen Graham as his running mate. Kate O’Beirne suggested he’s positioning for VP slot.

DEMS DEBATE: The Des Moines Register will sponsor a debate, which will be broadcast statewide on Iowa Public Television (IPTV), for the Democratic candidates at 2 p.m. 1/4/04. It will be held in the Maytag Auditorium at the IPTV facilities in Johnston, northwest of DSM. Candidates who have visited Iowa and filed with the FEC have been invited.

IOWA POLITICS: Headline on Jane Norman’s “Potomac Fever” column in the Sunday Register, “Dr. Ganske picks up where he left off eight years ago” by returning to medical practice. Reports that, “Unlike some of Harkin’s former competitors…Ganske doesn’t seem bitter and even said the campaign was a good experience.”…Norman, of the Washington Bureau, also reported: “When Mr. Vilsack goes to Washington these days, it’s just a lovefest with the press. In this town, everybody loves a wonk…Something seems to be going on here in terms of establishing a national profile, and it’s not clear what or where it’s going, but it’s really interesting.”

MORNING SUMMARY: Top headlines in online editions of Sioux City Journal, Chicago Tribune and Omaha World-Herald all highlight same topic: Arrest of alleged mastermind of 9/11 attacks. QCTimes.com (Quad-City Times) top story, “Iraq begins destroying its missiles” Gazette (Cedar Rapids Gazette) top online headline, “Families Prepare To See Guard Unit Go To Duty” Reports on departure of Company A, 109^th Medical Battalion, Iowa City…Top front page headline, Des Moines Sunday Register: “Iowans answer nation’s call again…From Mexican to Gulf wars, residents have fought, died.”… In Iowa City, David Skorton yesterday became the 19^th president of the University of Iowa…Thomas Geyer of the Quad-City Times writes, “April showers bring May flowers – and sometimes tornadoes.” Reports peak months for severe weather in area are April, May and June…Gazette online also reports more jobs in works for Cedar Rapids as Nordstorm plans expansion of its direct fulfillment center.

WAR/TERRORISM: As indicated by the headlines above, the top stories deal with apprehending al-Qaida lieutenant Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Turkey parliament vote to deny use of territory for possible Iraq war effort and destruction of Iraq missiles.

STATE ISSUES: Top story in Sunday Register’s Metro & Iowa section: “Polluted Waters…Experts praise Vilsack’s goal to clean up Iowa’s lakes and rivers, but warn it’s probably unattainable”…Legislative issue, Sunday Register headline: “Cohabitation proposal angers some…Dangerous people, not boyfriends, a threat to children, opponent days”

OPINION: Cal Thomas column headline, “Bush bashing is based on feelings, not facts”…Yepsen writes about need for Legislature to pass appropriate bills, including funding proposal, to comply with the new Help America Vote Act. Says Iowa has a “tradition of honest elections” and state legislators should act to keep it that way…Basu writes about poor women and Bush welfare reform initiative…Sunday Register editorial headline: “Let Iowans sue those who cheat them…Iowa should be embarrassed to be the only state denying its people personal recourse.”…In the Sunday Register’s “Roses & Thistles” column, a “special thistle to Senator Mary Kramer for referencing Sept. 11 in making an argument for war with Iraq…Did Kramer forget none of the hijackers was from Iraq?” (Kramer is a Polk County Republican and President of the Iowa Senate.)…In letters to the editor, several letters under the headline, “A fight for rights…Is homosexuality incompatible with parenting?”

SPORTS: Lloyd Ward’s resignation yesterday as CEO of the U. S. Olympic Committee probably was of special interest to Newton area residents and Maytag employees. Ward, a former Maytag CEO, stepped down from the job he’s held since October 2001 after three months of turmoil at USOC (AP coverage of Ward resignation makes front page of Des Moines Sunday Register)…Basketball scores: Women sweep – ISU 62-57 over Nebraska, Drake 79-72 vs. Indiana St., UNI beats Southern Illinois 74-69. In men’s games – Hawks lose 91-88 in overtime at Indiana, Iowa State fails 69-63 at Nebraska, Northern Iowa tops Drake 59-48 in Cedar Falls. Game today: Iowa women host Purdue…Teams from Oskaloosa, Emmetsburg-Armstrong-Ringsted, Hudson capture class championships at state high school wrestling tournament…The Des Moines Sunday Register sports section has been named one of the top 10 in the nation by the Associated Press Sports Editors organization.

WEATHER: Alberta Clipper moves in…5 a.m. temperatures in northern Iowa in single digits with subzero wind chills hitting –27 in Spencer and Estherville. More moderate in southeast Iowa with temps in the mid-20s to low 30s and wind chills in the teens…DSM 5 a.m. 10 degrees, cloudy with wind chill –9, wind NW 21 mph…High today 20, Low tonight 15, High Monday 38…Forecast low Tuesday night 8, but then warming to 42 degrees Thursday. Snow likely Tuesday with snow or rain possible Friday.

IOWAISMS: The top assistant in the Johnson County (Iowa City) auditor’s office and his wife have been charged with cocaine possession and child endangerment. Charges filed against John and Laura Deeth after their 22-year-old daughter called authorities last month to report illegal drug use by her mother and, according to a search warrant, the mother was not properly supervising a younger sister’s medication…High school wrestling fans are returning home across the state, but the tournament that concluded last night will be captured in a future Sports Illustrated. An SI crew has been in Des Moines covering the four-day tournament, which will be part of the magazine’s 50^th anniversary project of reporting on a signature sport in each state. SI’s writer, Kelli Anderson – who also wrote about former ISU wrestling star Cael Sanderson in a recent (2/24) Sports Illustrated -- said the “amazing thing to me is how big a deal wrestling is here.” Publication is expected in early 2004 as a lead-in to next year’s Iowa tournament.

ANSWERS: No, Omaha isn’t in Iowa yet but sometimes it is worth monitoring the Omaha media – or even the Chicago Tribune – to see news stories and editorials influencing Iowa caucus-goers. The Des Moines Register and WHO Radio (AM1040) are considered “statewide” news outlets in Iowa, but the DMR’s coverage usually focuses on Des Moines and central Iowa. The Quad-City Times (Davenport) has strong coverage in eastern Iowa and the Omaha World-Herald (as well as Omaha broadcast media) has a solid presence in southwest and west central Iowa. Even the Chicago Tribune has had good readership – and can be bought in coin boxes – in eastern Iowa. In analyzing the media messages Iowans receive on a daily basis, it’s important to note that many of the state’s cities are near the borders – Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Mason City, Davenport, Clinton, Dubuque, Ottumwa, Fort Madison, etc. The result: It is not uncommon for Iowans, on a daily basis, to be influenced by news, editorials and information from media outlets located in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska or South Dakota – from Omaha NE, Sioux Falls SD, Austin MN, La Crosse WI, Rock Island IL, Quincy IL, or Kirksville MO. In fact, many Iowans live closer (or almost as close) to regional metro centers – Chicago, Omaha, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Kansas City – than Des Moines. From Dubuque to Chicago is 176 miles while it’s 203 miles between Dubuque and DSM. The distance between Omaha and Council Bluffs is just the width of the Missouri River while it is 128 miles from Bluffs to DSM.

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