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 51^st 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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