Friday, March 21, 2003

GENERAL: War continues, reports this morning: Marine first U. S. combat-related casualty. Sixteen others -- Americans and Brits – die in non-combat chopper crash…Breaking intelligence report indicates “eyewitnesses” saw Saddam taken from compound on stretcher. Meanwhile, morning newscasts report Saddam offering five-figure bounties for killing or capturing invading forces, paying more for capture than killing…Spring arrives, today first full day of spring…IA headline of morning – Iowa-Iowa State basketball game tonight, first-ever post-season meeting between the schools, already sold out. Tickets went – about 14,000 – in about two hours yesterday. (More below – but Dem candidates should have been here to get tickets and attend, most concentrated mob of Iowans until Iowa-ISU football game next fall.)…Patriotism outbreak in northeast Iowa – Reports yesterday that highway lined Decorah-Calmar-Fort Atkinson-Jackson Junction with flag-waving citizens, American Legion members in uniform as Army Reserve unit – 389^th Engineers -- departed for active duty at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO…More patriotism coming: Entertainer Lee Greenwood – of “God Bless the USA” fame – is scheduled to appear 5/3 at the legendary Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake …AND more patriotism overnight: Indiana GOP Congressman Steve Buyer didn’t vote when the House approved a resolution at 3:02 a.m. (EST) this morning supporting the president and troops. The reason: According to the House record, at 11:07 p.m. last night, Buyer was granted an “immediate indefinite leave of absence” because he was called to active duty in the U. S. Army…Skepticism continues over whether it was the real Saddam – or an imposter or body-double – appearing on Iraqi TV after initial attack? Some suggested the person on screen, especially with the oversized, pop-bottle eyeglasses while fumbling with his notes, looked more like Milton Berle doing an “Uncle Miltie” comedy routine. 

MORNING UPDATE: Several newscasts reporting Saddam may have been injured or killed during initial missile strikes of war. (Also, from Sioux City Journal online: intelligence officials believe Saddam was in compound when hit by missiles.) At very least, military/intelligence sources say there’s “no sign” Saddam – or anyone else – overseeing Iraq military operations…At a news conference yesterday in Des Moines, Vilsack said he has visited with federal homeland security officials and they indicated there are “no specific threats” against IA. He also expressed hope the state will receive additional funding for homeland security from the feds when Congress considers the next emergency appropriations bill. Federal funding for Iowa’s homeland defense is about $7 million, but Vilsack told the Iowa State Assn. of Counties this week the tab could run as much as $48 million …State homeland security and emergency management officials will probably remain on duty at the underground emergency facility in the STARC Armory, located at Camp Dodge northwest of DSM, to monitor events over the next several days…A rally to support troops was held in Sioux City yesterday. Another pro-troop rally planned in DSM tomorrow. (See below.) Meanwhile, Iowa anti-war protestors – looking like wimps compared with more violent, obnoxious counterparts in Frisco, Philadelphia, Portland (OR), Chicago, etc. – gathered yesterday in downtown DSM. Students staged walkouts in several IA locations, including Cornell College activists in Mount Vernon – gathering on an Orange (get it?) carpet at the campus commons.

CANDIDATES/CAUCUSES: Wishful thinking for Dean, Kucinich & Company: They salivate at the thought that every county in nation would be like the Democrat/liberal enclave of Johnson County (Iowa City), which might give them a chance at nomination before Hillary gets drafted as the 2004 Dem candidate. Online poll by Iowa City Press Citizen: Will the attack on Iraq make us safer from terrorist attacks in the United States? Early results: Yes 35.5%, No 64.6% (More online polls below)…Despite war, Gephardt and Dean scheduled into Iowa this weekend for UAW meeting in Des Moines. Several news reports indicate fewer candidate visits to IA during war engagement with less criticism of President. Dem State Chair Gordon Fisher says, however, rhetoric and GWB criticism will intensify when war ends…Where’s Dick? Gephardt’s string of missed votes got longer yesterday when the House approved legislation 400-7 (H. Res. 132) to condemn a federal appeals court ruling that reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools is unconstitutional. Gephardt was among 12 Congressman to miss the vote while another 15 voted present. Kucinich – and the five Iowa House members – supported the resolution …From yesterday’s Washington Post: Headline – “GOP to Hammer Democratic War Critics” Relevant Excerpt: “Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), who is running for president, has come under heavy criticism within his own party for backing Bush on war. This week, however, he sharply criticized the president’s diplomacy before the start of the war. “The administration’s handling of the run-up to war with Iraq could not possibly have been more inept or self-defeating,” Kerry said. His Democratic opponents privately accused him of trying to win support among the party’s antiwar base.” …From Greg Pierce’s “Inside Politics” column in yesterday’s Washington Times: Dean said “he planned to rein in his blunt critiques of President Bush while U. S. troops are fighting in Iraq. Mr. Dean, whose outspoken opposition to the war with Iraq has become a centerpiece of his campaign, said he would try to soften his approach and refrain from attacking Mr. Bush directly while the president is directing troops at war…Mr. Dean said he realized at a campaign event in New Hampshire on Tuesday he was not comfortable with his usual approach.”…Under the online headline of “Hart solicits funds online,” the Washington Times reported yesterday: “Former Colorado Sen. Gary Hart has begun asking for money as he continues exploring the idea of another run for president… Mr. Hart will begin taking money as early as this week …A biography posted on the site says that, “In an era of career politicians, Gary Hart has chosen a road less traveled, devoting himself first and foremost to public service and the good of his country.’ Left unmentioned is that Mr. Hart’s ‘less-traveled road’ included a photograph of him on the boat ‘Monkey Business’ with model Donna Rice seated on his lap.”

IOWA POLITICS: While some Republican senators have demanded Daschle apologize for remarks earlier this week criticizing President Bush, Grassley “stopped short of asking for an apology,” according to a report in the Mason City Globe Gazette. Reporter John Skipper reports Grassley, in a conference call with IA reporters, said: “This is so different than what he said last October when he voted to support the president’s position. Sen. Daschle voted for it. Sen. Harkin voted for it…It’s puzzling to me why Sen. Daschle thinks Saddam Hussein is less dangerous today than he was six months ago.”…GOP Congressman Steve King, who represents western third of Iowa, is expected to be among speakers at pro-America rally to support U. S. troops on west steps of Statehouse in DSM tomorrow afternoon. Rally sponsored by The Iowa Free Republic Network. Contact: . BUT, about the same time, anti-war types are planning a “direct action” protest – whatever that means? -- at Iowa Air Guard base in DSM with several expecting to be arrested…From yesterday’s “Inside Politics” column in the Washington Times: “A warning – Stephen Moore, president of the conservative Club for Growth, sent a letter to every Republican member of the House…urging them to support the budget resolution reported out of the Budget Committee by Chairman Jim Nussle, Iowa Republican, or the Republican Study Committee alternative by Rep. Paul Toomey of Pennsylvania. Mr. Moore said the Nussle budget resolution is acceptable because it makes room for President Bush’s tax cuts, although the Club for growth is ‘far more enthusiastic’ about the Toomey budget because it would cut taxes and spending even more.” Update: Last night, the House – on an overwhelming 342-80 margin – rejected the Toomey version that would have balanced the budget in four years and realized $512B in cuts over five years, primarily through reductions in federal programs.)…KWKY Radio (AM1150), Des Moines, talk show host Salier, who was defeated in last year’s GOP Senate primary, is getting married on Saturday and will be away from the microphone for the next two weeks. The prospect of marriage has not, however, mellowed Salier. Referring to peace protestors yesterday, he said: “They are not anti-war. They are anti-American. They are anti-defense of the nation.”

MORNING SUMMARY: Morning headlines – Des Moines Register front page headline, “Allied forces unleash assault on southern Iraq…The ground campaign is preceded by heavy artillery fire”…Omaha World-Herald online headline, “Ground forces push toward Basra”…Sioux City Journal online head, “Intelligence officials think Saddam was in compound when missiles struck” …Chicago Tribune online headlines: “U. S., British Troops Advance Through Southern Iraq” &  “Hundreds arrested in anti-war protests”…Debate continues on 2004 budget resolutions in Congress. Pushing to final work on the resolutions ASAP.

WAR/TERRORISM: From WHO-TV, Des Moines, online poll (www.whotv.com) – Question: “Do you think terrorist attacks are likely in U. S. now that was has begun?”  Responses: Yes – 87%, No-13%…Early returns from KMNS (AM620), Sioux City, online poll indicate 50% expect Iraq war to last a month, 25% believe it will be “several months” while other 25% split between a 48-hour or less engagement and a week-long war.

FEDERAL ISSUES: Grassley, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has told Iowa journalists the Iraq war operations should not affect the current debate over the 2004 resolution and extending tax cuts. Grassley quote: “The Democrats would have been against them [the tax cuts] anyway. The war just gives them a convenient excuse.” Grassley was right – because yesterday ND Dem Conrad, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, sought to delay, saying it was “inappropriate to continue with business as usual when war has begun.” In response, GOP Majority Leader Frist said it would be “irresponsible” to abandon the budget resolution and indicated he might keep the Senate in session on Saturday if necessary to wrap up work on the legislation…Report from Independent News re defeat of ANWR oil drilling provision on a 52-48 vote in the Senate on Wednesday: “The Senate, controlled by Republicans, dealt President Bush a huge blow…when it rejected oil drilling in Alaska’s arctic wildlife refuge. The vote probably kills the proposal for good….this rebuff was particularly stinging for the administration, which had argued it was essential on national security grounds, at a moment of impending war with Iraq.”

STATE ISSUES: State Auditor David Vaudt says budget plans submitted by Vilsack as well as GOP legislative leaders do not provide for repaying several state funds, such as the Senior Living Trust, that have been used – borrowed against – to balance the state budget. Vaudt, a Republican, says state law requires at least 40% of the $1 billion -- $375 million – be repaid. He wants the legislature to develop a repayment plan before proceeding with consideration to borrow millions more for economic development.

OPINION:  Des Moines Register editorials: “We wait, uncertain, but with pride.” Register expresses “Uncertainly over how long the war against Iraq will last. Uncertainty over how it will affect life in this country. Uncertainty over the role of the United States in the world after Saddam Hussein is unseated…It will be days, weeks, months, even years, in some respects, before the uncertainty is removed.”…Another Register editorial: “How you can help: Pay for the war” Quote: “The cost of the Iraq war will eventually have a huge impact on the economy. We may be able to put off thinking about that for a while, but like any other bill, it will eventually arrive in the mail. We better have the budget in shape to pay for it.”…From North Iowa Opinion in the Mason City Globe Gazette – Headline: “U. S. targets tyranny, not Iraqi citizens” Excerpt: “If there were any lingering doubts about America’s primary targets in the attack on Iraq, those misgivings were put to rest with the surgical strikes of skypower that smashed into the outskirts of Baghdad at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Central Standard Time. Just 90 minutes after Saddam Hussein defied a final warning from President George W. Bush, allowing Hussein 48 hours to flee Iraq. Missiles and bombs were directed at what was obliquely described as a ‘target of opportunity.’ That target of opportunity was Hussein, his sons and other key leaders…We’re encouraged by this early action, but it would be a mistake to think this battle will be brief and painless…This battle in Iraq will not be our last, barring a miraculous worldwide change of heart that spans cultures. Other despots will arise. Terrorists will target our nation. And continual vigilance always will be the price of freedom.”

SPORTS:  Iowa, Iowa State men’s basketball teams meet in Ames tonight (7 p.m.) for NIT matchup. Game sold out and – as of this morning – no TV coverage planned.  Cyclones won 73-69 in December game in Iowa City…Iowa teams split in opening round of Women’s NIT – Iowa beats St. Louis 93-64, but Northern Iowa women lost in close 58-56. Hawkeyes meet Marquette in the next round Sunday afternoon in Iowa City…Yesterday’s winners (and advancing) in the boys state basketball tournament in Des Moines – Class 3-A semifinals: Harlan (67-66 over Davenport Assumption), Pella (58-42 beats Mount Vernon). Class 2-A semifinals: Wapsie Valley – Fairbank (72-40 over Grundy Center), Sioux Center (60-52 win over Council Bluffs St. Albert). Class 1-A semifinals: Boyden-Hull (60-58 over North Mahaska), Newell-Fonda (63-50 over Bellevue-Marquette). Class 2-A & 1-A finals tonight. Class 4-A & 3-A finals tomorrow night. Class 4-A semis this afternoon…NCAA wrestling team standings after first day – 1. Oklahoma State 2. Lehigh 3 Oklahoma 4. Minnesota 5. (tie) Iowa, Illinois.

WEATHER: DSM 5 a. m. 30, fair…An irony: All temps in state in a seven-degree range in low to mid-30s. Warmest locations: Vinton and Davenport at 37 degrees…  High today 50, partly sunny. Low tonight 30. High Saturday 58, mostly sunny. WHO-TV meteorologist Ed Wilson reports, “The first weekend of spring will be much warmer. Highs in the 50s and 60s.”

IOWAISMS: Former Cleveland Indians pitcher and Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Feller will appear at the Bob Feller Hometown Exhibit Museum in Van Meter (his hometown) on 4/6 from 1-5 p.m. Autographs $25 with proceeds going to the museum…Radio Iowa, noting this is National Agriculture Week, cites figures that nearly one-fourth of Iowa jobs are directly or indirectly related to agriculture. Matt Kelly reports that, according to the Iowa Farm Bureau, that almost 13% of Iowa’s workforce has a job in or because of ag production, but when ag-related jobs are included it’s more like 23%.

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