Iowa Blog Roundup (and other things also)
By Sam Garchik
It's been a very hectic week with the convention and all, but I wanted to bring you up to speed on a bunch of different issues and happenings.
Courtesy of The Left Coast of Iowa Blog, I posted Joyce Schulte's response to King's comments on Thomas. I encourage you all to read what she said, as she speaks for all of us.
Also, Chris at Political Forecast is doing a great job of keeping tabs on what's going on in this state. He pointed two things out to me that I want to pass on to you. The Eminem Domain issue keeps popping up, and it has the gov in a bind.
Wait, sorry. That's State 29.
Seriously, Chris linked to this article in City Pages which tries to sum up all the arguments made by which rich and famous Iowans about eminent domain. I still can't figure out why the Johnson County state reps voted against the bill, which isn't to say I am accusing them of something. It's just to say I'm looking to find out why. Chris also covered the Iowans for Sensible Priorities bloggers press conference. They had a good showing at the state convention as well, so look for them to get more traction in Iowa.
On the Trail of the Contender
Villsack was written up in the American Prospect, who teases the interview here. I got to hear the old guv talk 3 times in one day at the convention. I don't want to comment any further, and I still don't know if I am going to caucus for him, but $600,000 for Culver buys him some good will in this state.
We are starting to get a lot of event notices. It's hard to keep them all straight, and this is a statewide blog, so I'll mention these, and then encourage you all to check out our calendar:
District 1
Bill Gluba endorsed Braley, saying, “the fundamental principles and positions we share are more numerous than the few issues on which we disagree.” Also, DFQC is planning an Iraq War Forum on Tuesday, June 27. You can join the group and RSVP at DFA-Link.
District 2
The Johnson County Democrats will have their grand opening this Saturday in Iowa City. Ag. Secretary Judge will be there representing the Culver-Judge ticket. That's at 535 E. College, June 24, from 1 – 3 PM.
Sunday, June 25th, from 1 – 3 PM, Dave Loebsack is having a yard sign party across the district. They are serving food, and you can find one near you:
Iowa City – City Park
Burlington – Perkins Park
Ottumwa – Central Park (between City Hall and the Library)
Cedar Rapids – Ellis Park – Harborview Pavilion
Dave Bradley got us Air America, and I'm loving every second of it. Dave reminds us that we should “follow up with KXIC and ClearChannel with positive notes on the addition of AirAmerica programming. And remember since this is a business decision for ClearChannel, they need to know that we will support advertisers of Air America programming. We will get a list of advertisers out after a couple of weeks. And it would really help to stop by the business and say “Thanks” directly to them. I am sure that Right Wingers will be vocal in their opposition. Don't let them intimidate advertisers.” You can email the folks at KXIC (I used to work there, in the interest of full disclosure, but didn't know any of these folks):
Contact:
joenugent@clearchannel.com (KXIC program manager)
cc to: johnlaton@clearchannel.com (regional GM)
telephone: 319-354-9500 (KXIC)
District 3
Time to get your walking shoes on. It's Polk County Fourth of July parade time!
Call Tamyra at 515-285-1800 to join a parade and get details*
Grimes Funtastic days – June 24th – 10 AM
Bondurant – June 27th – 6:00 PM
Urbandale – July 4th – 10:00 AM
West Des Moines – July 3rd – 6:30 PM
Windsor Heights – July 4th – 1:00 PM
Ankeny Summerfest – July 8th – 10:00 AM
District 4
Thanks to Christina of the Yahoo Group Democracy for Iowa, we now know of a big human rights showdown in Fort Dodge. If you live in Fort Dodge, make sure you let the council know that it should stand up to the right wing.
District 5
In-State, Out of State, and Out of Sight!
Did you wish you could go to Florida and recount hanging chads? Black Box Voting is giving you the chance to register for the National Hand County Registry. Have good eyes, will travel! Or not, as hand counts may come to an election near you.
Selden Spencer is in the running as a Map Changer on Warner's PAC, and Culver is up for some help from Feingold's PPF.
Finally, Lewis Lapham is coming to Des Moines for the ICCI State Convention. He's the long-time editor at Harper's Magazine, and his trip is sponsored by ICCI. He'll be at the Hotel Fort Des Moines on Friday, July 14 at 8:00 PM. He will also sign copies of his book, Gag
Order: on the Suppression of Dissent and the Stifling of Democracy. Tix are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. You can call ICCI at 515-282-0484 for more info.
Blog For Iowa 