Monthly Archives: October 2004

Connie Wilson: Edwards Rally in Iowa City

Posted on October 22, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Edwards Rally in Iowa City

By Connie Wilson

[A big THANK YOU to Connie Wilson for her intrepid reporting as she has covered the political scene for Blog for Iowa!]

Thursday, October 21, 2004

In the field across from the Iowa Memorial Union at Madison and Jefferson streets in Iowa City, on Thursday, October 21st, the movie star of the campaign came to town and showed us the future of the Democratic party.

Whatever happens, John Edwards is here to stay, politically, on the national scene. Not since JFK have women voters swooned like this over a 51-year-old heart-throb, who, in this case, is running for Vice President on the Democratic ticket. Of course, the student introducing Edwards, Karen Emerson, President of the University Young Democrats, accidentally introduced John Edwards as “the next President of the United States,” which may have been wishful thinking on her part.


John Edwards in Iowa City yesterday.


Before Edwards spoke, the usual array of hopeful local candidates had their say. Jim Larew, an attorney and a Johnson County Democrat talked about John Edwards’ integrity and the fact that “his feet touched the ground.” He described “stalking” him during the caucuses.

Dave Franker, candidate for Congress in Iowa District 2, noted that we “only have 12 more days to go,” and added, “If you want change, you have to vote for change.” Since Franker is running neck and neck against the vulnerable Republican Jim Leach, he took the opportunity to point out that Leach would be backing Dick Cheney. The contrast between Cheney and Edwards could hardly be more pronounced. Which one of these guys do we want a heartbeat away from the Presidency? Especially since they may have to use the paddles on Cheney at any minute!
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Connie Wilson: Kerry Speaks at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo, Iowa

Posted on October 21, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Kerry Speaks at Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo, Iowa

By Connie Wilson

[To see Connie's photo of John Kerry, click on “more >>” at the bottom of the main page excerpt of this article.]

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

John Kerry brought a strong military-influenced message to Iowa, under the slogan “A Fresh Start: Succeeding in Iraq and Winning Against Terrorism” on Wednesday, October 20, 2004, at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in downtown Waterloo, Iowa. About 1,000 listeners heard retired Admiral Stansfield Turner, (former head of the CIA from 1977 to 1981), list the reasons why he and many other military men feel that Kerry will make the better President this election year.

Said Turner: “John Kerry will make us safer and more respected around the world. The country cannot afford four more years of George W. Bush. He dragged us into Iraq unnecessarily and now there are 87 attacks a day on U.S. troops. All of us believe that John Kerry will make a far better Commander-in-Chief than George W. Bush.”

 The military experts on the platform (the “all of us” referenced), included Lieutenant General Edward D. Baca, retired head of the National Guard; Lieutenant General Claudia J. Kennedy, (who appeared with Edwards at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds earlier), the nation’s highest-ranking female officer until her retirement; Major General Melvyn S. Montana of the National Guard and Turner, himself. Kerry noted that he also has the support of two former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Presidents Reagan and Clinton, Admiral William Crowe and General John Shalikashvili.

Turner was a very effective, forceful and plain-spoken speaker for Kerry. First, there are Turner’s own impeccable credentials: Commander of the US Second Fleet and NATO Striking Fleet; Atlantic Commander-in-Chief of NATO’s Southern Flank; an expert on foreign policy, arms control, nuclear weapons and terrorism, who is currently serving as a Senior Research Scholar at the Center for International and Security Studies at Maryland, former head of the CIA (1977-1981).

Turner spoke clearly and forcefully. He noted that there were many other military experts who also hold the opinion that Kerry would be the better peace-time or war-time leader. He cited George W. Bush’s sending troops into battle without sending sufficient numbers of them, without sufficient equipment for them, and without sufficient planning for their exit from the country. “He dragged us into Iraq unnecessarily.”

Internationally, said Turner, “In four years as pResident, he (“W”) has not learned about the world”. Turner noted that Bush came to office not knowing much about international affairs and did not even have enough interest in the wider world to travel widely.
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Schulte: King AWOL From Campaign

Posted on October 21, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Schulte: King AWOL From Campaign A Message to Blog for Iowa from Joyce Schulte, Democratic Candidate for Congress, District 5 Greetings to you…. In all the months that I have been running for Congress, seeing my opponent has been minimal. … Continue reading →

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Trouble Brewing for Sioux City Judge Who Granted Lesbian Civil Union Dissolution

Posted on October 21, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Trouble Brewing for Sioux City Judge Who Granted Lesbian Civil Union Dissolution Sharon Malheiro writes: Below is an article that appeared in yesterday's Des Moines Register about the fight that is going on in Sioux City regardng Judge Jeffrey Neary. … Continue reading →

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Bush Fails American Public on Flu Vaccine While Lawmakers Shoot Up

Posted on October 20, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Bush Fails American Public on Flu Vaccine While Lawmakers Shoot Up American Progress For years, the Bush administration – at the behest of the pharmaceutical industry – has been blocking access to cheaper FDA-approved prescription drugs imported from Canada because … Continue reading →

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Connie Wilson: Michael Moore’s 2004 Slacker Tour Visits Ames

Posted on October 20, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Michael Moore’s 2004 Slacker Tour Visits Ames

By Connie Wilson

Sunday, October 17, 2004

Michael Moore had some difficulty getting to Iowa State University in Ames on Sunday, October 17, to continue his Slacker Tour 2004. His plane was delayed in Wisconsin; then, the airport in Ames wouldn’t let the plane land (he had to drive in from Des Moines). Once inside Hilton Coliseum, Moore hit the ground running and kicked b-tt…two things that are hard to do simultaneously.


Michael Moore in Ames


Some of the gathered faithful (estimates range from 7,000 to 12,000, depending on your source) left, due to the 90 minute wait. Those of us who had arrived late, anyway, were gratified to arrive in time for the entire event. Doors were to have opened at 4:30 p.m.; the speech was scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The speech didn’t get underway until closer to 9:00 p.m.
The faithful stayed and were not disappointed. All floor seats were filled and the entire lower bowl was full. Because of a large video screen, no seating behind the screen (and Moore, onstage) was possible. Upper bowl seats were empty, but, with a capacity of 14,178, I would estimate that 12,000 were present. Republicans said 5,000. (You decide whom you want to trust on these numbers: a Democratic County Treasurer’s daughter…me… or the President of the Young Republicans.)
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Democrats Win Partial Victory as Sinclair Retreats on Airing Anti-Kerry Film

Posted on October 20, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Democrats Win Partial Victory as Sinclair Retreats on Airing Anti-Kerry Film Seattle Times Under mounting political, legal and financial pressure, Sinclair Broadcast Group yesterday backed away from its plan to carry a film attacking Sen. John Kerry's Vietnam record, saying … Continue reading →

Posted in GOP, Main Page, Media Bias, National News | 1 Comment

Connie Wilson: Al Franken Keynote Speaker at JJ Dinner

Posted on October 19, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Al Franken Keynote Speaker at JJ Dinner

by Connie Wilson

Saturday, October 16, 2004

The annual Jefferson/Jackson Democratic dinner at Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines, Iowa, was held on Saturday, October 16th, with a large crowd of enthusiastic Democrats in attendance.

Prior to Al Franken’s keynote speech, the Maple Street Missionary Baptist Church Choir and numerous Democratic candidates performed and a number of Democrats for various offices spoke, including a long speech by Governor Tom Vilsack and a longer one by Iowa Senator Tom Harkin (previous Howard Dean supporter).

The Lt. Governor of Iowa, Sally Pederson, noted, in her opening remarks, that in Dubuque, during the filming of “Field of Dreams”, there were more people hired to film that movie than “W” has created jobs for during his four years as pResident.

Leonard Boswell, Iowa’s lone Democratic Congressman (from District 3), made his entrance on a motorcycle. Gerald McEntee of the AFSCME International Union bellowed mightily as “host” of the event, but the acoustics were so bad that it was difficult to understand him.

Sharon Stone no-showed, but Vanessa Kerry (Future First Daughter) was smart, poised and savvy in black stiletto pumps. Her intelligent remarks and articulate presence (no bellowing) made her a crowd favorite, as we all waited for the star of the evening, Al Franken, to take the stage.

What follows are some of Franken’s best lines.

First, Al noted, “If Iowa goes for Kerry, you’re all gonna be nuked,” citing Vice pResident Dick Cheney’s recent speech in Des Moines as the source for this outrageous remark. He also noted that Bush would have us all become hunter/gatherers and that he (Franken) would be “fighting over a root….to the death” with the man in the front row. (Much laughter at this.)

Franken comments on the debate: “Language has never been his (“W’s”) strong suit.” (Much laughter). “The Republicans like to use ‘evil-doers’ a lot. Cheney works evil-doers in because everybody on the Republican side has to.” (This is followed by a parody of Cheney’s head and neck posturing, while saying, “Evil doers.”) Al is good. Read his last book.
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Advertisers, Stockholders Leaving Sinclair

Posted on October 19, 2004 by bfialindathieman

Advertisers, Stockholders Leaving Sinclair by Bill Carter, New York Times As “Media” Company Stubbornly Continues Political Crusade, Advertisers and Stockholders Leave; Media Watchdogs Mobilize Sinclair – the nation's largest owner of television stations, many of them in electoral swing states … Continue reading →

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DNC Chair McAuliffe in Mason City Tuesday; Bush Protest in Mason City Wednesday

Posted on October 19, 2004 by bfialindathieman

DNC Chair McAuliffe in Mason City Tuesday; Anti-Bush Protest in Mason City Wednesday DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe is making a last-minute trip to Mason City today, Tuesday, October 19.  He'll be at the Country Kitchen in Mason City at 2pm. … Continue reading →

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