IOWA MORNING REPORT Holding
Democrats accountable today">
IOWA
MORNING REPORT Holding
Democrats accountable today, tomorrow...forever.
Friday,
March 28, 2003 GENERAL:
Repeat after GWB one more
time: During the Camp David news conference
yesterday with Tony Blair, the President strongly
reaffirmed that coalition forces will be in Iraq
“However long it takes to win. However long it
takes to achieve our objective. However long it
takes,” adding, “It is not a matter of
timetable, it’s a matter of victory.”…Best
headline of morning from Omaha World-Herald online:
“Allied thunder reclaims the skies” as
sandstorms, rain subside… Video this morning of British
relief ship Sir Galahad moving toward port with
200 tons of humanitarian aid… Stateside remote
control commanders cheer opening of “Bush
International Airport” to help expedite supplies
to troops and Iraq war operations. The first
C-130 transport landed on Tallil runway yesterday,
opening a key re-supply base for Coalition units operating
along the Kuwait-Baghdad corridor. U. S. troops
apparently erected the sign declaring the facility
– with a 12,000-foot runway
able to accommodate both
military transports and civilian
jumbo jets – “Bush International
Airport.”…Remote control commanders feel ever
better with announcement 100K (or possibly,
according to some reports, 120K) U. S. troops
headed to Iraq during the next month…It’s
not a scientific poll, but latest KMNS Radio (Sioux
City) online survey probably pretty close to
reflecting Iowa war attitudes: The question
about how “is the war going?” – 54.55% say
“US-led troops are winning easily”
36.36% believe “US-led troops slowly
winning” and
9.09% say “There are no winners in war”
Two other responses – “Iraqis are holding their
own” and “It’s too early to tell” – get
0.00% responses…Worthy observations
– From John McCaslin’s “Inside the Beltway”
column in the Washington Times yesterday: “The
Bush White House suddenly finds itself fighting two
wars in Iraq – military and political – and
if the latter is lost, then the Evil Empire will
continue unabated down its deadly path of
producing weapons of mass destruction.
‘Militarily, things are going well,’
International Relations Committee member Rep. Nick
Smith, Michigan Republican, told Inside the Beltway
yesterday. ‘But if we lose the political end of
the war, if [certain countries and so-called
peace groups] continue to condemn the United
States and the [allied] coalition, it reduces
the likelihood we are going anywhere else. What
happens to Iraq sets the course of our future
dealing with North Korea and Iran.’ Not that
the risks to mankind would stop there, the six-term
congressman said. ‘There is a greater
likelihood that other tyrants, other rogue nations, might
feel it to their advantage to develop a strong
military with weapons of mass destruction that could
very well be to their advantage,’ he
says.”…Windy morning, gusting to 35 mph,
across Iowa with snow flurries reported
in some area. CANDIDATES/CAUCUSES:
Dem state chair Fischer says in this
morning’s Des Moines Register he doesn’t
expect to change date of IA caucuses, but they
will start a half-hour earlier in response to
suggestions by media and caucus-goers. The Dem
caucuses will be 1/19/04 at 6:30 p.m.…Dean
opens two-day Sioux City visit by saying Kerry
continues to “wobble around” on his Iraq war
position. Dean quote: “To this day, I don’t
know what John Kerry’s position is. It’s
still hard to figure out, reading his statements,
which way he’s going to come down on it, and I
think you all ought to ask
him.” Dean made his comments before
a couple dozen activists – the Truman Club.
(See below for Kerry’s “no response
to Howard Dean” comment.)
…Wall Street Journal’s Al Hunt – in
“Politics & People” column yesterday –
indicates “party insiders see four candidates
with a realistic shot to win” the Dem
nomination: Gephardt, Lieberman, Edwards and
Kerry. Hunt notes the four all supported Iraq
authorizing resolution last fall and weighs their
respective strengths based on “the three
critical Cs:” Credentials, Cash and Calendar.
On credentials, Hunt writes the “two most
conformable here are Sens. Lieberman and Kerry.”
On cash, he says Kerry “remains ahead
of the pack” with Gephardt
and Edwards “closely competing” for
second in early fundraising. On calendar, he says
– despite other states trying to move up on
nominating schedule – “the initial test
almost surely will remain the Hawkeye and Granite
States.” Key excerpt: “any candidate who
doesn’t finish first or second in one of those
states is dead. In the modern nominating system,
the only candidate to substantially jumpstart a
primary campaign was Ronald Reagan in 1976 against
President Ford; that was a two-way race and
ideologically driven. So forget all the scenarios
of John Edwards scoring his first big triumph
in South Carolina or Joe Lieberman in
Arizona. If they don’t win or place in New
Hampshire or Iowa, they’re done. Conversely,
the two favorites in those states, Dick Gephardt
in Iowa and John Kerry in New Hampshire, would be
dealt a lethal blow if they failed to meet those
expectations.”…Kucinich took time
yesterday to voice a standard theme on
Capitol Hill: His topic – the Iraq war
with Kucinich saying, “We should get out. End
it now.” …Gephardt continues missing
votes in Congress – including
yesterday’s House approval of a resolution
urging Iraq to abide by international laws for POW
treatment and the House version of “Amber
Alert” child crimes legislation.
Kucinich and all five IA Congressmen
supported both proposals. The Iraq POW resolution
was adopted 419-0 and the House “Amber Alert”
legislation – which includes several judicial
crackdown initiatives against offenders – was
approved 410-14…From the “boys will be
boys” file: Dean has sent a handwritten
letter to Edwards apologizing for a statement
he made charging Edwards has been avoiding
discussion of his support for the Iraq invasion
when appearing before anti-war audiences. Dean
told delegates at the CA Dem state convention
earlier this month that Edwards and Kerry –
both supporters of the Senate Iraq resolution last
fall – were not standing by their votes for the
resolution. Edwards, however, reaffirmed
his support for military action – and was
booed by delegates – during his convention
remarks. Meanwhile, Kerry told reporters he
had been “100 percent consistent” in his
position that Saddam must be disarmed, adding: “I
have no response to Howard Dean.” …During Dean’s
Sioux City visit yesterday, he also said
Democrats must draw distinctions with GWB. Dean:
“If you disagree with the war, then say so. If
you don’t agree with the war, then say so, but
don’t try to wobble around in between.” KMEG-TV
(Sioux City) also reported that
Woodbury County Dem chairman Al Sturgeon “likes
Dean’s chances in the Iowa caucuses.” Before
beginning his comments to the local Truman Club, Dean
asked for a moment of silence for Marine Sgt.
Bradley Korthaus – a Davenport native who
was first Iowan to die during the Iraq confrontation
…When Kerry wasn’t consumed repelling
Dean’s criticisms yesterday, he apparently was
busy assuring Southern Democrats he plans to
mount serious campaign efforts in their states.
Several media outlets indicate Kerry
has been distributing the text of remarks he made in
CA earlier in March about his determination
to
compete
in
the
South.
His
actions were probably prompted by a headline – “Kerry
might have written off the South”
– in The State newspaper in Columbia, S. C.,
earlier this week. Kerry
quote:
“I intend to campaign and talk to folks and think
that we can win a number of states there,
Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas and a
number of others.”
… From yesterday: Chuck Muth’s News &
Views – “Leading Senate Democrats from Hillary
Clinton to John Edwards to Joe Lieberman have been
squealing like stuck hogs that the president
hasn’t been providing enough money to the
nation’s first responders. For example, a Clinton
flak charged that when it comes to money for
first-responders, ‘the money’s not there, and
it’s not flowing.’ But as you know, facts
can be rather inconvenient things. The Hill
reported on Wednesday that ‘state and localities
have failed to spend nearly
two-thirds of the federal money
available to them.’ Go figure. For example, Hillary’s
New York ‘has received almost $26 million in
first-responder grants but spent none of
the money’ in 2002. Edwards’ North
Carolina was allocated $12.3 million, but only
spent $2 million of it. And Joey Lieberman’s
Connecticut only cashed in $2.2 million of the
$7 million it was awarded. Why does anybody
believe anything that any Democrat ever says on
any issue any longer?” IOWA
POLITICS: Odd Couple – Edwards &
Boswell – update. Dem wannabe Edwards
and Iowa’s only Dem Congressman – Boswell
– have teamed up on legislation that would send
$431 million (that’s right -- $431
million) to Iowa. The Edwards-Boswell
proposal would provide money to states to cover
some homeland security measures
and pay for federal mandates, such as
disability access to federal buildings, education
reform and special education. Edwards said
the Iowa funding, which is part of a $50
billion package he introduced
with Boswell, was intended to help
cash-strapped states, adding that “the states
are facing the worst fiscal crisis they’ve
seen since World War II.” In a joint conference
call yesterday, Edwards and Boswell
said 20% of the $50B would go to state and
local homeland security (including
Iowa), 20% would be used to bail out
sagging Medicaid programs (like
Iowa’s) and the balance would be for block
grants to help states (like
Iowa) through tough budget periods. Radio
Iowa reports that when they were asked about how the
proposal would survive the current war priorities Edwards
responded that “people are worried
about the soldiers in the
war and also worried about what
they see happening to the
economy.” (Iowa Pres Watch Note: These guys
are good. They probably outlined their
proposal – which has as much chance of
going anywhere as a blizzard during the Iowa State
Fair in August – with straight faces.
How gullible do they think
Iowans are – but we at least know
Edwards has figured out which state has the first
caucuses in the country. The real question: What
is Boswell’s excuse for this kind of political
craziness? The Edwards-Boswell proposal gets
more coverage than it deserves in this morning’s
Des Moines Register.)…Iowa GOP State Chairman –
and State Sen. – Chuck Larson of Cedar Rapids
has been appointed to the national Advisory
Commission on Drug-Free Communities, which
advises the president on activities implemented
under the Drug-Free Communities Support Program…Vilsack
plans to lead a delegation of Iowans to Europe next
week to host a seminar for companies that may want
to locate in Iowa. MORNING
SUMMARY: Morning headlines – Des Moines
Register: “Iraq’s resolve misjudged…Leaders
display strong stomach for war”
QCTimes.com (Quad-City Times): “Airstrikes
rattle Baghdad; Saddam’s palace hit”
Chicago Tribune online headline: “British:
Iraqis Fire on Basra Civilians” & “Biggest
Bombs of War Dropped on Baghdad”
Sioux City Journal top story:
“Coalition forces strike throughout Iraq, target
Saddam’s command structure”…Iowa agribusiness
interests and western IA residents receiving
word Omaha-based ConAgra Foods – the nation’s
second biggest food company – reported that
its third quarter earnings fell 5.8%. Reasons given:
Sale of its fresh beef and pork business,
lower foodservice sales to fast-food restaurants and
lower margins on spice sales. … Budget woes
continue to impact state’s major school districts:
The Cedar Rapids school board has adopted a budget
for next year that will require cutting about
90 employees, including both teachers
and staff members. Des Moines and Sioux
City school districts also facing significant
teacher-staff reductions …The Mississippi Valley
Regional Blood Bank in Davenport broke ground
yesterday for a new headquarters facility. WAR/TERRORISM:
Harkin says Bush request for war and
homeland security priorities is inadequate. WHO
Radio reported Harkin as saying the $4 billion Bush
request is “not enough to protect our borders.”
The Dem sen says he will work to increase the amount
to $10 billion…Yard sign “war” breaks out in
some sections of IA, especially the Des Moines
area. Anti-war types posting signs “Say NO to
war with Iraq,” while Polk County (Des Moines)
Republicans have responded by distributing at
least 2,000 signs supporting President Bush and
American troops.... An Iowa Senate committee has
approved legislation providing a state tax break
for troops called to wartime duty during current
Iraq operations. National Guard and Reserve members
activated would pay no state taxes on their
military pay, which sponsors say would provide
$1.52 million in tax relief…From VOANews (Voice of
America) re the Korean situation: “The U. S.
–led United Nations Command has expressed
regret that North Korea has pulled out of
regular military talks. Pyongyang withdrew from the
discussions to underscore its opposition to
military drills being held by the United States
and South Korea. The United Nations Command, which
monitors the Demilitarized Zone between North and
South Korea, confirmed Thursday that the North
Korean military has decided to cut off contact.
The talks are one of the North’s few regular
conduits with the outside world.”…And, don’t
forget about – or ignore – these guys: VOANews
also reports “India has accused Pakistan of
being involved in recent attacks in Indian Kashmir,
including the killings of 24 Hindus
earlier this week. New Delhi said it will use strength
and resolve in dealing with
Islamabad…There has been a surge of
violence in the region in recent weeks, several
people have died in at least three other militant
attacks. India’s foreign ministry says the
infrastructure, support and sponsorship of
cross-border terrorism that exists in the
country’s neighborhood must be dismantled.” FEDERAL
ISSUES:
The Senate and House yesterday
both approved war-related
resolutions. On a 97-0 vote, the Senate
approved legislation to ease the tax
burdens on military personnel and their families
– including provisions exempting military death
benefits from taxable income and allowing reservists
and National Guard members to deduct travel
expenses. Senate Finance Committee chairman Grassley
said the military tax relief legislation presented
an opportunity “to show support for our men and
women in uniform in faraway places like Iraq.”
In the House, a resolution demanding Iraq
abides by the Geneva Conventions for treatment
of POWS was approved on a 419-0 vote.
…With the Dems filibuster of the Miguel
Estrada judicial nomination in its 51st
day (yesterday), the Senate Judiciary Committee
– on a 10-9 party-line vote – approved the
nomination of Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla
Owen to a New Orleans federal appeals court
seat. The committee – then controlled by majority
Democrats – voted down her nomination
last year. Ted Kennedy said yesterday
it “continues to be clear that Justice Owen
is one of the most frequent dissenters on her court
in Texas in cases involving workers, consumers
and victims of discrimination.”
The main Dem objection, however, is their contention
Owen is an anti-abortion activist whose personal
beliefs are reflected in her judicial rulings
and opinions. STATE
ISSUES:
Legislation to raise the
speed limit on Iowa’s Interstate
highways is dead for this year. The bill would have
increased limits from 65 mph to 70 mph, but
proponents said the proposal did not have enough
support to warrant further
consideration…Legislative Democrats warn that layoffs
could occur as early as next week –
April 1 -- if an on-going tax dispute between
Iowa’s racetrack casinos and state not resolved in
immediate future. The revenues from the
casinos support several state
environmental programs. State
officials sent out letters indicating watershed
and forestry projects will have to be delayed or
discontinued because of fund shortage Senate GOP
Leader Stewart Iverson has set 5 p.m. Monday
deadline for racetracks to
agree to a 30% tax
cap …The Iowa House will consider a bill
that could lead to local option taxes benefiting
schools statewide. The proposal is a response to
arguments that rural schools
lose money because schools in urban
areas – which already have the one-cent local
option tax – reap benefits of having bigger
shopping centers…Partisan
differences continue to emerge over an election
reform proposal approved by the Iowa House this
week, but the one person with a veto – Guv
Vilsack – says he would oppose any effort to
restrict voter access. The House-approved (and
GOP-backed) version toughens absentee voter
requirements and closes polls an
hour earlier – to 8 p.m. from current 9 p.m.
closing time. OPINION:
Des Moines Register editorial this morning
– “Any tax cut is too much” Excerpt:
“$350 billion is $350 billion too much. Any tax
cut right now is too much. Lawmakers should
focus on generating revenue to pay for the war while
sustaining vital programs at home.” Other
editorials about state collective-bargaining law and
“SARS: The mystery killer”…Columnist Rekha
Basu, headline, “As U. S. again wages war, Iowan
still trying to wage peace” Writes about
Maggie Rawland of Urbandale, president of DSM
chapter of the Women’s International League for
Peace and Freedom
…Citizen comments from Sioux City Journal:
“To all war hawks: We’ve lost. Anytime
our brothers and sisters in arms are sent away from
home, we’ve lost. But don’t worry,
everyone is pulling for them to return home safely no
matter how we feel about the war.” – Coleman
Barker, Sioux City. SPORTS:
Speculation continues that Drake women’s
basketball coach Lisa Stone
is on the short list of candidates for a similar
position at the University of Wisconsin
in Madison. No concern about
ISU coach Bill Fennelly
competing with her for the Wisconsin job. Fennelly
says he has “visited a little bit” about the
Wisconsin opening, but “Iowa State is
the place where I want
to be.”…Media reports:
Former Iowa State – and Chicago Bulls –
basketball coach Tim Floyd has interviewed for
open coaching jobs at Clemson and Penn State.
Floyd also may be a candidate for the Georgia
opening created yesterday when Jim Harrick resigned. WEATHER:
DSM 5 a.m. 34, wind chill 24, overcast and
windy…Temps across IA from mid-30s to mid-40s –
32 in Spencer (with 35 mph wind gusts) to 47 Burlington… Falling
temperatures falling during day, wind advisories for
west central and southwest Iowa today…High today
38, chance showers, 30% chance of snow. Low tonight
28, cloudy. High Saturday 38, scattered flurries. Winter
storm watch posted yesterday morning for northwest
IA was cancelled at mid-day yesterday. Forecasters
said they don’t expect the high winds that caused
them to issue the storm watch. From WHO-TV’s Ed
Wilson: “Highs will only be in the 40 degree range
through the weekend… but then spring returns with
highs in the 60s all of next week.”
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