Thursday, March 20, 2003

GENERAL: Iowans, like most – if not all – Americans consumed by start of military action to, as president said last night, “undermine Saddam Hussein’s ability to wage war.”…Every Dem presidential candidate could have been in Iowa yesterday – and every bank in the state robbed, too – but nobody would have noticed or cared. Headlines, newscasts and media websites this morning loaded with Iraq, homeland security and local war-related stories…Minutes before war began, Davenport city council adopted resolution supporting the troops…Overnight: The anti-terrorism campaign this morning isn’t limited to Iraq. Newscasts report raids also underway in Afghanistan looking for Osama and his lieutenants. (Iowa Pres Watch Note: It isn’t exactly “Felix & Oscar” – but a few episodes of  “Osama & Saddam” in captivity would be welcome news to most Americans and the White House.) ...State homeland security and emergency management officials operating from the IA emergency response facility at Camp Dodge, northwest of Des Moines, to watch for terrorist, unusual activities…Dense fog, with light rain and drizzle, blankets most of state this morning. Schools delays include Fairfield, Marshalltown, Centerville, Ottumwa… Not all Iowans support the Iraq invasion – or GWB. From yesterday’s “Your 2-Cents Worth” column in the Des Moines Register: “I wonder what the president would think if Iraq sent 200,000 to 300,000 of their service men and women to Mexico and Canada because he (sic) thought the United States needs liberated from our current regime” – West Des Moines women…Morning newscasts: Anti-war groups calling for protests, walkouts today.

CANDIDATES/CAUCUSES: Dem candidates plan to continue with campaign schedules despite war. Headline on Thomas Beaumont story in Des Moines Register this morning, “Democrats won’t suspend their schedules” Gephardt, Dean due in DSM over weekend for UAW annual conference. Kerry in N. H., Lieberman in AZ this weekend…All four senator-candidates – Edwards, Graham, Kerry, Lieberman -- were on deck and voted against the latest cloture motion to end filibuster of the Estrada judicial nomination. Also opposing the effort to proceed with debate on nomination – potential presidential draftee Hillary and prospective candidate Biden. The motion was approved 55-45 – with four Dem sens joining GOP – but needed 60 to end filibuster. Grassley voted to end filibuster, Harkin opposed…The same Dem coalition – except Edwards, who was AWOL for the votes -- also held together on two efforts by ND Dem Conrad to dilute and delay tax cut provisions in the 2004 budget resolution, including one that would have the effect of preventing “further deficit increases…until the President submits to Congress a detailed estimate of the full cost of the conflict with Iraq.” Grassley, Harkin split again along party lines on vote – both defeated -- on the Conrad amendments…Speaking of Edwards missing votes, Gephardt was among 14 missing when the House passed – on a 419-1 vote – a resolution calling on “the government of North Korea to respect and protect the human rights of its citizens.” All Iowa’s representatives were present and voting for the resolution, which was co-sponsored by IA GOP Congressman Leach …Editors and news directors may soon start assigning health and medical reporters to the Dem campaign trail. Latest on health front – Kerry had minor surgery on Monday to remove a wart from his eyelid, which has left him with a black eye. Two wannabes – Kerry and Graham – along with prospective candidate Biden have had surgeries in recent weeks. All have returned to the Senate, but Graham awaiting medical clearance (and probably end of war) to begin active campaigning…Uncertain Dem presidential aspirant Hart (he’s formed an exploratory operation to further study the possibilities) said on CNN yesterday “this country is unacceptably vulnerable to continued attacks.” During an interview with Paula Zahn, the former CO sen said he doesn’t “think a lot of progress has been made since October” on homeland security, adding the nation is a “long way from where we should be in maximizing the domestic protection.” (More on Hart interview below)…The Senate rejected a proposal yesterday to allow drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), but prior to the vote Kerry – apparently never seeing an issue (or opportunity to disagree with the Bush administration) he could resist – described ANWR as “a national treasure.” Kerry said the refuge’s oil would only reduce imports by 2% -- “God only gave us 3% of the world’s oil. The Middle East has about 65%…the destruction of the wilderness does not solve America’s problem.” The amendment, sponsored by CA Dem Boxer, to prohibit drilling was approved 52-48 with eight GOPs voting with most Dems to oppose drilling, while five Dems supported drilling. Among co-sponsors on the Boxer amendment: Kerry, Lieberman, Edwards … Unannounced possible candidate Biden appeared on CNN’s “Inside Politics” yesterday to make an interesting point: “There’s a lot of us who voted for giving the president the authority to take down Saddam Hussein if he didn’t disarm. And there are still those who believe, at the end of the day, even though it wasn’t handled all that well, we still have to take him down.” Biden added: “I support the president. I support the troops. We should make no distinction. We should have one voice going out to the whole world that we’re together. There’s plenty to criticize this president for. Let’s get this war done.”…Recipient of “Gone But Never Forgotten Inventors Award in the 2004 Iowa Caucuses” – Gore, widely recognized as inventor of the Internet, passed on more trips to Iowa, but landed a plumb alternative assignment. He was elected yesterday to the board of Apple Computers.

WHAT’S HART SAYING NOW? There are times when it appears Hart is confused about his possible presidential plans, but there are other times – such as his interview with Paula Zahn yesterday on CNN – when he also appears to be confused about the issues, first saying the nation’s heartland is vulnerable to biological attacks and then indicating he hasn’t seen any evidence to support that contention. Here’s an excerpt from CNN’s rush transcript: 

ZAHN: What is your chief concern as we head into this countdown for this ultimatum for Iraq?

HART: I’m not an expert, but based on people that I’ve talked to, I would say biological attacks first, probably on multiple targets in the inner part of this country. Next, radiological…

ZAHN: Whoa, wait, wait. Wait a minute. You’re saying going to the nation’s heartland.

HART: Yes.

ZAHN: And what kind of attacks are you talking about possibly being unleashed?

HART: Oh, it could be botulism, any kind of highly communicable disease that could be spread fairly easily, I think.

ZAHN: Have you seen the evidence that would support that…

HART: No, no, no, no, no, no.

IOWA POLITICS:  Unified, anticipated reaction – Congressional delegation supports troops in war region. Harkin, a frequent critic of war and GWB despite supporting the Iraq resolution last fall: “The country may be divided on the need for this war in Iraq. Now we must support the men and women who are doing their duty following our commander in chief.”

MORNING SUMMARY: Dozens of headlines announcing war effort, monitoring reaction. Headline from inside the Des Moines Register: “Iowans watch war begin with fear, pride…Families express anxiety, but firmly support soldiers”… Morning farm news reports focusing on anti-terrorism efforts to protect nation’s food supplies… Headline from story on Cedar Rapids Gazette online. “Stakes high for Bush administration – politically and morally”…Morning headlines – Des Moines Register: “U. S. strikes Iraq…Saddam escapes missile attack…Forces poised at the border” Top Omaha World-Herald headline: “First strikes target Saddam, leadership” Chicago Tribune online headline: “War against Iraq begins”…Register columnist Marc Hansen visited yesterday with retired 4-star general Charles Horner – the architect of allied air attack in the Gulf War a decade ago and Iowa native (Davenport, Centerville, Urbandale, University of Iowa) – headline, “Retired general: Get ready for a long stay”…A Sioux City man, Rudy Salem, has created a group – TRIO, “The Rebellion Is On” – and launched a petition drive to change the city’s form of government. According to Sioux City Journal, the city has operated under a council-manager system since 1954 – but Salem’s goal is to generate support to return to a city government operated by five full-time commissioners.

WAR/TERRORISM: “Rally for America” to show support for U. S. troops will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday on west steps of the Iowa Capitol in Des Moines…WHO Radio talk show host Jan Mickelson went ballistic yesterday over reports U. N. will be given oversight of oil distribution and revenue in post-war Iraq. Referring to the U. N., Mickelson said he would “not let those clowns run a parking lot.” He called it “a colossal mistake,” especially since the U. N. didn’t even support military action against Iraq and there were no provisions “to reimburse [American] taxpayers” for costs and risking U. S lives. “What a bonehead thing to do.” Mickelson said the report has “shaken my confidence” in the Iraqi invasion – “my support for this was teetering at 51%, but now it’s dropped to 50.5%.” After a couple more minutes of assailing the U. N. involvement, he revised his support level – to “50.001%.”…Mickelson also launched a tirade on continuing with Oscars – “watching a bunch of bubbleheads in Hollywood reward themselves” – and basketball games…QCTimes.com (Quad-City Times) reports the Mississippi River Valley Regional Blood Center in Davenport has been designated as one of six “hub centers” to supplement the military’s supply if and when additional blood is needed. The center was notified of its selection last month and, if necessary, will be directed to ship blood to designated locations….BBC News reports Palestinian leader Arafat has asked his long-time deputy to become prime minister – a positive indicator for possible further progress on the “road map” for Middle East peace outlined by President Bush last week. The BBC said Mahmoud Abbas – also known as Abu Mazen – is “regarded as a moderate and has been outspoken in opposing recent Palestinian violence against Israelis.” He is to take over day-to-day running of the Palestinian Authority while Arafat retains command of the security forces and has the final say on peace talks with Israel. Bush announced the “road map” for peace last week, but said further negotiations would hinge on appointment of a prime minister with real authority.

FEDERAL ISSUES: Farmers – including IA Corngrowers and soybean producers – and ethanol proponents in Washington this week for a renewable fuels rally. Goal is to push for inclusion of a national renewable fuels standard in new energy legislation – which supporters say would lower gasoline prices and improve energy security. Expect biggest challenge in getting legislation through the House – which does not have the renewable fuel standard in its version of the bill -- urges grassroots effort to contact members of Congress. Rally participants report Harkin missed meeting with group due to Senate business on Tuesday – the day he took to the floor to unleash his latest attack on GWB, questioning whether the president even seriously intended to seek peaceful solution in Iraq.

OPINION: Des Moines Register editorial headlines: “On to Victory…President Bush set the course. Now the nation must see it through.” & ”War: Viewer discretion advised…You’ll see raw, unfiltered news in your living room.”…Columnist David Yepsen, headline, “Living on the edge: War almost a relief.” Yepsen writes: “And so it begins. Finally. After years of talk and delay, months of hemming and hawing and weeks of negotiation and appeasement, one of the great evil-doers of our time is about to meet his end…Finally. It all should have been done long ago.”…Headline on George Will column: “Daschle descends into absurdity…Senator backed policy, now blames Bush for failed diplomacy”

SPORTS: Iowa State recovers from slow start to beat Wichita State 76-65 before big crowd -- 13,955 -- in Ames to win opener in NIT tournament. ISU now hosts Iowa Hawkeyes in second round 7 p.m. Friday night. The two major state universities have played 55 times in basketball, but never in post-season play. ISU won earlier game in December by four points …In Women’s NIT, Iowa teams open play tonight – Saint Louis at Iowa in Iowa City, Northern Iowa at Baylor in Waco, TX…Winners yesterday (and advancing) in boys state basketball tournament: Class 3-A: Pella over Waverly-Shell Rock. Pella completes 3-A field with Harlan, Davenport Assumption, Mount Vernon. Class 4-A: Unranked Marshalltown upsets No. 1 Indianola, North Scott (Eldridge) over Cedar Rapids Washington, Des Moines Hoover tops Davenport North, Waterloo East beats Sioux City East. Winners move on to tomorrow’s semifinals. Games today: Class 1-A, 2-A and 3-A semis… NCAA wrestling tournament begins in Kansas City today with Hawkeyes, Cyclones and Panthers involved. Des Moines Register headline this morning, “Hawkeyes accept big challenge in bid for 21^st crown” …Northwestern College of Orange City has won its second NAIA Division II national basketball championship in three years…Drake has given Wisconsin permission to interview women’s basketball coach Lisa Stone, who has been at the Des Moines university since the spring of 2000, for the Badgers’ coaching vacancy.

WEATHER: DSM 5 a.m. 39 fog. Temps across Iowa in mid-30s to mid-40s, highest 47 in Burlington. Dense fog – one-eighth mile visibilities or lower – in several Iowa locations. High today 48, chance rain. Low tonight 35, chance rain. High Friday 48, partly sunny.

IOWAISMS: Reagan Remembered – Leftover from yesterday’s Des Moines Register “Living Here” column, a regular item about Des Moines history and happenings: “Wheaties helped sports announcers – Wheaties cereal, discovered by accident when someone at a Minneapolis health clinic spilled bran gruel onto a hot stove, later became the sponsor of popular baseball broadcasts in the 1930s. One of those broadcasts helped send Ronald Reagan to Hollywood. The future president was working for WHO Radio in Des Moines when he won a trip to Hollywood in a contest among Wheaties broadcasters.”

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