IDP Jefferson Jackson Dinner Live Blog
- Saturday, November 21, 2009, 17:32
- Iowa, National, News Center, Presidential, Top Story
- 740 views
- 7 comments
Event set-up
The dinner is being held at Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The stage is located in the middle of the room which is set for 1400 guests. On the far wall behind the state a huge sign that reads “Iowa Democratic Party.” There is also a large American flag above where the Vice President will enter.
Roxanne Conlin Reception
US Senate Candidate Roxanne Conlin held a reception before the dinner. Des Moines businessman Jerry Crawford introduced Conlin and made sure that everyone knew that Senator Grassley has held elected office for over 50 years.
In Conlin’s speech, she noted that she will not take a dime of from political action committees or federal lobbyist. However, she did say she will take money for state lobbyists. Interesting. Conlin’s speech was scripted and she was heard to hear at time. She did say she wants to send Grassley “Back to the farm.”
I do have You Tube videos of Crawford and Conlin that I will post after they are finished processing.
Sorry for the quality, I’m a little shaky.
Obama Approval Under 50% in Iowa
The Des Moines Register just released the results of their Iowa Poll that shows President Obama’s approval rating at 49%.
49% disapprove of his handling of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
50% disapprove of his handling of health care.
61% disapprove of his handling of the budget deficit.
55% disapprove of his handling of the economy.
I wonder if they will talk about this tonight. 
The Bridges 2 Harmony Choir from Roosevelt High School rocked the National Anthem
IDP Party Chairman Michael Kiernan is giving his opening remarks.
These Democrats have broken a lot of dishes and glasses thus far. And they probably don’t know about President Obama’s approval numbers yet.
Congressman Bruce Braley is not taking the stage.
It’s great time to be a Democrat in Iowa. Now is not the time for doubt, now is not the time for fear. Brags about the Democrats edge in voter registration. Democrats from Iowa and across the nation have to speak truth to fear. Get back in the game and let your voice be heard. We will not be intimidate by a campaign of fear.
Braley invited everyone in the room to yell “Speak truth to fear” loud enough so Sarah Palin can hear it in Alaska.
Leonard Boswell is now taking the stage.
Hello Democrats.
Agrees with everything that Braley said. Talking about meeting with President Obama, was excited about Obama’s willingness to stop kicking the can down the road. Will do something about energy, health care and the economy. Loebsack is not here tonight he is on a mission outside the country. We’re combat ready, we’re ready to go.
Lt. Governor Patty Judge is now speaking.
This reminds me a lot of a great big family reunion. A lot has happened since a year ago. We were dumbfounded by John McCain’s choice in Sarah Palin to his VP running mate. Bragging about Biden. He’s a guy who is going to tell it to you straight.
Attacking Branstad: Tax cuts for the rich, tax increases for the rest of us.
Attacking Chris Rants: How to take a majority to a minority and then launch a gubernatorial campaign from the back bench.
Attacking Vander Plaats: He’s either has no respect for the law or he is just stupid.
Now bragging about the Culver/Judge administration.
Governor Culver now takes the stage.
He is the only candidate to use the podium. Has prepared remarks. He also might be using the teleprompter. A record setting night here at the JJ. We have delivered on our promises. Increased min wage, extended health care to children, helped Vets go to college, and started Iowa Power Fund.
Focus has been on flood recovery. Worked with 25 different agencies to secure the funds that will to rebuild cities. Major investment in infrastructure through I-Jobs. Created the 4th best state in which to do business. We did all of this without raising taxes. I’m proud of our record and look forward to running on it in 2010.
Iowans are at their best when their backs are against the wall. Iowa will weather this storm. Culver endorsed same-sex marriage in his remarks.
And yes, he is using the teleprompter.
Senator Harkin Video
I can’t see it. “Health Care bill will include a public option. This is a bill worth fighting for.” Under FDR we had a New Deal, under Truman we had a Fair Deal, and under President Obama we will get a Good Deal.
Kiernan announced that the Health Care bill was allowed to go forward with a 60 to 39 vote tonight. People went crazy.
Democrats now passing the money bucket.
Jokes Time
Gronstal: What is the difference between a Boy Scout Troop and the Iowa House? Adult Leadership.
McCarthy: What’s the difference between God and a State Senator? God doesn’t think he is a State Senator.
Giving away Terry Loves Taxes Shirts.
Gronstal is telling people that they can afford to put money in the bucket. Nothing new…
Culver takes the stage to introduce Vice President Joe Biden.
Strange – People with cameras walked up to the rope live and are standing upfront while he is giving his speech.
Culver inherited a difficult economy by no fault of his own.
Addressing the Tea Party movement – Progress has never been accomplished by simply yelling no.
Promises actual job growth after the first of the year.
Health Care = Reason for Hope
Biden was late because he was calling Senator to get the last vote.
We were told Health Care reform was dead, well its alive tonight.
We owe a gigantic debt to Ted Kennedy – He is the inspiration, he build the platform.
Expanding federal hate crimes legislation to include sexual preference.
I’m the most powerful VP since Cheney.
Don’t tell me we are not making progress.
We are not talking about incremental change. We are not talking about moving the margins. We are committed to substantial change. How could we do any less.
We must continue to invest in change.
I know what Republicans are against but I honestly don’t know what they are for.
What would they have done?
Either they want to return to the failed policies of Bush-Cheney or they believe they can only succeed by hoping we fail.
VP Biden’s speech is over.
Following the dinner, there is a after dinner party that will feature the US Senate Candidates. Roxanne Conlin’s campaign has dropped off here prepared remarks. Here is her attack on Senator Grassley.
We all applauded him when he blew the whistle on overpriced toilet seats at the Pentagon – but why is he not with the college grads saddled in debt?
Why is he not with the laid-off workers from principal and Electrolux?
Why did he oppose increasing minimum wage for low-wage workers?
Why did Chuck Grassley vote to cut taxes for the wealthy and not for the middle class?
Why did Chuck Grassley cut health care for seniors?
Why did he vote no on equal pay for women?
And why in the world would he join Sarah Palin in her chorus of death panels – fear mongering about pulling the plug on grandma?
About the Author
Craig Robinson has written 502 stories on this site.
Craig Robinson serves as the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheIowaRepublican.com. Prior to founding Iowa's largest conservative news site, Robinson served as the Political Director of the Republican Party of Iowa during the 2008 Iowa Caucuses. In that capacity, Robinson planned and organized the largest political event in 2007, the Iowa Straw Poll, in Ames, Iowa. Robinson also organized the 2008 Republican caucuses in Iowa, and was later dispatched to Nevada to help with the caucuses there. Robinson cut his teeth in Iowa politics during the 2000 caucus campaign of businessman Steve Forbes and has been involved with most major campaigns in the state since then. His extensive political background and rolodex give him a unique perspective from which to monitor the political pulse of Iowa.
7 Comments on “IDP Jefferson Jackson Dinner Live Blog”
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The man is a blooming idiot and all those following him are idiots, too. They’re lacking brain cells.
Hey DVF ol bud, looks like your saying more idiots than Real Americans voted in 2008?
Absolutely. There’s no such thing as an informed voter who votes Dimocrat.
However, it appears some people’s eyes are beginning to be opened. Stupid people. Better late than never I guess but I knew what these people were before I went into the voting booth.
Unfortunately for Mike Gronstal…a Boy Scout Troop has more integrity and responsibility than the majority leadership of Iowa House and Senate currently has.
Interesting that Culver now has done the complete 180 flip on gay marriage…from saying that he would do everything to “protect traditional marriage” to now endorsing gay marriage…that’s something that will come back to haunt him.
Thanks for the updates Craig. The Keokuk County Event was good…Fong, Vander Plaats, and Roberts were all there as well as Dave Funk. All of them did a good job speaking and was very refreshing to hear them rather than the Democrat garbage out there you listened to.
The Wall Street Journal, Careers, 12.19, With Fewer U.S. Opportunities, Home Looks Appealing to Expats, Dana Mattioli
Dr. Phillips, Responds
JOE, DOES ANYONE REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS? DOES ANYONE REALLY CARE, ABOUT TIME? A favorite musical group of mine Chicago and a most challenging lyric. Recently, December 5, 2009, I addressed a group of Iowans, in Manchester, Iowa and proposed an incentives economic program which focuses on job restoration for that state and the nation. This concept seeks to lower state and federal taxes on corporations that return jobs to the U.S. from overseas, or creates their numerical equivalents in new occupations for American workers. Currently, between Iowa’s corporate tax rate and that of the federal government, businesses must pay 41.6 percent to government, highest of any state. An excessive business taxation rate has given the U.S. a dubious distinction of being the world’s leader in corporate taxes. High corporate taxes are a “jobs killer” that must be dealt with by this administration to improve the competitiveness of American business. Although various members of Congress have suggested a five or ten percent reduction in federal taxes on companies, I feel those reductions are too small to create an incentive for companies to relocate and hire workers in America. I propose “to bring the jobs back for some 18 million jobless-underemployed workers, the U.S. combined corporate tax rate should be cut to 5 or 10 percent.” In the final analysis we need a new partnership between state and federal lawmakers to work toward the goal of significantly reducing the overall tax burden on companies in the U.S.
I understand expats wanting to leave this country for opportunities in their prior place of residence or nations like Singapore, Ireland, China, Japan, etc; Most Americans are bewildered and confused at the lack of real action to restore jobs by the Obama administration. In spite of their jobs summit, hiring census workers, and prolific rhetorical flourishes, it is obvious to most Americans that other programs (healthcare reform, cap and trade, climate matters) are occupying their 24/7 attention. This preoccupation with lesser issues is in vivid contrast to the nations of the world, like China, India, Singapore and others who are creating jobs quickly for the benefit of their people, These nations, like Ireland with a 12.5 percent tax levy on business, are creating jobs and advancement opportunities each day. Where is the attention and focus of Obama? The President’s Nobel Prize is certainly not an award for rebuilding an economic system in shambles that includes job creation. One must ask, where is this administration’s jobs program? It’s non existent! They simply have refused to place job creation/restoration at the top of their priority list, The administration could not possibly be pro business and give this lack of attention to a growing national disgrace, job losses, 17-18 percent un and underemployed Americans. Ultimately, this administration must be repudiated and rejected by the American people or the job losses will continue. Joe you might soon be out of work!
Dr. Alan Phillips
Bloomington, IL
JOE, CONSIDER MOTHER TERESA, HARRY REID AND ROD BLAGOJEVICH, This is a most unlikely trio, a bit of hyperbole, but definitely germane to this pathetic moment in American history for Democrats.
Mother Teresa was a giver, to the less fortunate, the unrepresented among the world’s poorest people. She gave without expecting anything in return. Unselfish to the point of not residing in the finest hotels or buildings while doing her noble work. She was a doulos, in the Greek language that means servant. she was not a deal maker, only an advocate who gave her life in service for the poorest among us, she will forever be fondly remembered.
Rod Blagojevich, an Illinois Governor, discredited for making deals to supposedly help his family and friends. In fact he is charged that he used his chance to fill the seat vacated by Barack Obama as one more money making plan–NY Times April 2, 2009. It seems his primary purpose was to execute and preserve power…for the financial and political benefit of his close friends. Definitely a deal maker often seeking to exchange his assets for others resources. Yet, in comparison to Harry Reid’s exchanges and deals, a small player. Probably pending legal matters against him should be dismissed, unless charges are forthcoming against Mr. Reid and the administration for corrupt deal making.
Harry Reid, the Senate Democratic leader, supposedly a religious man, was shown in this Senate healthcare matter–to be only a deal maker. For example in the article by David Espo, AP Senate correspondent appearing in Breitbart December 21st entitled, Health care Clears Senate Test, one has only to read the quote on Senator Ben Nelson, “Senator Ben Nelson’s announcement Saturday that he had decided to support the bill-in exchange for a variety of concessions”. Whether Louisiana’s receipt in the bill of a coming 300,000,000 concession or other Democratic perks and exchanges, Harry Reid is one of the greatest secretive dealmakers of all time. He has betrayed the trust of his nation, and the expressed disapproval of this bill by a majority of Americans, He made a simple decision for his self interest, to do the administration’s bidding. He and his colleagues have failed the nation by not representing the people. We must look, in future elections, to new candidates who are committed to being servants of the people, rather than corrupt deal makers. Those, like Reid who can’t distinguish between genuine compromise desired by the people and back room deal making, should not be re elected.
John Kennedy, writing Profiles in Courage, highlighted those Senators and historical figures who had made a difference, by representing Americans first and themselves last. Mother Teresa will be remembered fondly by the world’s citizens, even Rod Blagojevich might be forgiven and granted some slack, but Harry Reid, will be remembered in American history as a corrupt deal maker who failed to represent a majority of the American People. He is a failure in principle, ethics, integrity and the basic principle of right and wrong.
Dr. Phillips, Bloomington, IL