Author Archive

Supreme Potentate, Sen. Mike Gronstal, must have found a little time in the abbreviated legislative session to meet with his team of campaign advisors, or at least his direct mail vendor. It’s obvious that they told him that he’s screwed and doesn’t have any good legislation to run on. Why else would he revive the ... Full story

I’m keeping an eye on all the candidates who are submitting their nomination papers. The deadline to do so is this Friday. The most important stories that will come out of this process will have nothing to do with who submitted the most names, but who is retiring for the state legislature. We have ... Full story

If you have ever been around someone that’s in an abusive marriage, one of the saddest things to witness is a spouse that is either in disbelief or doesn’t want to accept the fact that the marriage is unhealthy and must end. I think that Iowans are in the same sort of boat. I think ... Full story

Senator Tom Harkin Senator Harkin told a crowd of Democrats in Davenport this week that Republicans are in for a surprise this November. Harking said, “This thing is going to turn, and it’s going to turn big. Once a healthcare bill gets passed, people will see the benefits.” Really Tom? Look, we all know you ... Full story

Earlier this week, former Governor Terry Branstad proposed changing the state’s budget process from the current annual process to biennial budgets.  Kathie Obradovich of the Des Moines Register says that both Rod Roberts and Bob Vander Plaats agree that it’s a good idea. For all those “Branstad is Evil” folks out there, I find ... Full story

As you all know, I’m not a big fan of endorsements. Sure there nice to receive, but at the end of the day that don’t account for much. In many instances, endorsements have greater consequences to those who actually make the endorsement than the candidate who receives them. I would point to Tom ... Full story

Ron Corbett When Ron Corbett was elected as Cedar Rapids Mayor, Republicans across Iowa celebrated. RPI Chairman Matt Strawn trumpeted Corbett’s victory as an indication that Republicans were on the move again. Some even speculated that Corbett’s return to politics might mean that he is looking at a run for Governor or the U.S. Senate ... Full story

In just a couple of days, Republican activists will gather at their county conventions to ratify a county platform and select delegates to the district and state conventions. While this is nothing new, there is a twist this year, the delegates will not know where the state convention is going to be held at until after ... Full story

Governor Culver has received a little heat about his recent trip to Iraq. Culver told Radio Iowa reporter Kay Henderson that the trip was absolutely justified and added. “I am the commander-in-chief of the Iowa National Guard and have a duty and an obligation to support our troops.” He forgot ... Full story

If you are a loyal Krustacean, you know that I’m not the biggest fan of Bob Vander Plaats being Iowa’s next governor. It’s not that he’s not a good guy. He just doesn’t float my boat. I also think it’s laughable when some of his most ardent supports rail on Branstad ... Full story