Since it’s Friday I didn’t check my email until just now. I see that I missed a note asking me to elaborate on the RPI ED thing by creating some sort of pop quiz for Mr. Anderson. Since I didn’t really have the time, I thought [...]
Odd: The handful of people who criticized me for my article about Jim Anderson yesterday.
Here is what I don’t understand. People are demanding transparency from their government, but when I shed a little light on what’s going on over at the Republican Party of Iowa, some people [...]
A lot of political pundits in Washington were quick to write off Iowa’s third congressional district as a safe district for Democrats since Congressman Leonard Boswell didn’t have a tough challenger. As quick as the Iowa weather can change, so too can the direction of the [...]
Gibbons to Boswell: It’s time to get to work
Working only 17 days the first two months of 2010 does not represent Iowa values.
Des Moines, Iowa – Yesterday, the House released their calendar for the upcoming 2010 session. As it currently stands, the House will be voting only 17 days the [...]
Former Congressman and Presidential candidate Duncan Hunter will be in Iowa tomorrow to help raise funds for Christopher Reed’s campaign for Congress in Iowa’s 2nd District.
The details of the event are as follows:
With Special Guest Congressman Duncan Hunter
Saturday, December 5, 2009
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Iowa [...]
Politics is a small, strange world. Politics is also a relationship business. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Sure, there are other professions in which that is the case, but politics is the ultimate networking game.
How else can you explain that the guy rumored [...]
When Christian Fong suspended his campaign for governor, the Republican primary field shrunk to a four man contest. Yes, five candidates still remain, but State Senator Jerry Behn isn’t a serious candidate like the other four are. Behn has only attended a handful of events in [...]
By: Ed Failor, Jr., President of Iowans for Tax Relief
Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Iowa taxpayers were dealt another crushing blow last week when the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Services Division announced the state is facing a budget gap totaling more than one billion dollars. This number [...]
Today’s portrait comes from my friend 2LT Scott Hendrickson, who I met during the Basic Officer Leader Course (II) in April of this year. Scott and I were in the same 9-man squad all the way from BOLC II to IBOLC, almost 5 full months of training time together. Scott [...]
As a hard working klown trying to make an honest living making spoiled kids laugh over a Casey’s pizza party, I know a good joke when I see one. This one is a doozey.
We have all heard by now about the “Purity Test” that has [...]
Despite the reality of the world around him, Governor Chet Culver always seems to find a way to be optimistic when talking about the condition of the state or his campaign. When the state ended the FY 2009 budget year with a $161 million deficit, Culver remained [...]
Forwarding Mike Huckabee’s response:
‘I Take Full Responsibility’ for Granting Alleged Cop Killer Clemency – by Mike HuckabeeThe nation was stunned by the senseless and savage cold-blooded murders of 4 young police officers in Lakewood, Washington. Whenever a police officer or soldier is killed, I [...]
The past two years perhaps no Republican politician in America has had more of an impact on the political landscape than former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.
John McCain may have won the nomination, Mitt Romney may have the money, and Sarah Palin has the star [...]
Breaking News: The following is a press release from Fong’s campaign.
Christian Fong, Republican gubernatorial candidate announced that effective today he will suspend his campaign for Governor.
“Today, I announce the suspension of my campaign. From this time forward, we will not be actively campaigning for [...]
By Emily Geiger
In case you didn’t know, today is actually an election day. That’s right, there are several municipal run-off elections taking place today, including one that could potentially unseat a living legend of the Des Moines City Council, Tom Vlassis.
And by “living legend,” I mean living [...]
Story County Treasurer David Jamison is announcing his campaign for State Treasurer today. Jamison, a long-time GOP activist, has served as the Story County Treasurer for 15 years, but now, he has his sights set on becoming the Treasurer of the State of Iowa. To do [...]
President Obama
Has there ever been a bigger media whore as President of the United States? Obama puts Clinton to shame. It seems like every time I can turn off politics for a few hours and enjoy some football or something, President Obama finds a way to ruin [...]
Jim Gibbons has launched a website for his congressional campaign. The Gibbons for Congress website is located at www.GibbonsforCongress.com. Gibbons also announced that Allison Kleis will serve as his campaign treasurer. Kleis previously served as Administrative Assistant for former Speaker of the Iowa House, Christopher Rants. [...]
In 2008, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks turned a lot of heads when she defeated a well-known Cedar Rapids businessman to win the Republican nomination in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District. However, she was unsuccessful in limiting Congressman Dave Loebsack to just one term. Loebsack defeated Miller-Meeks by more than [...]
The Iowa Progress Project will begin airing a new television ad beginning tomorrow, TheIowaRepublican.com has learned. The ad titled “Sacrifice,” highlights Governor Culver’s cuts to K-12 education, college funding and massive unemployment.
A press release from the Iowa Progress Project states, “Last week, the bi-partisan Legislative Services Agency (LSA) released [...]
White House Party Crashers Met President, May Face Criminal Charges
The White House released a picture today of Michaele Salahi shaking hands with the president despite earlier reports that the couple who allegedly crashed the state dinner never came in contact with Obama.
This revelation comes [...]
It seems to me that Republicans are beginning to get a little carried away with the whole nostalgia thing. It’s one thing to bring back a former Governor who left on his own terms in Branstad, or even Paul Pate, who left his post as Secretary of [...]
Due to the reckless and irresponsible governance of the Culver Administration Iowans now face a billion dollar deficit and massive, massive, debilitating, immenent property tax hikes.
In his letter to author and historian, Samuel Kercheval, Thomas Jefferson wrote:
I am not among those who fear the people.
They, [...]
Mr. Bob Vander Plaats:
I saw your attack on former Governor Branstad in yesterday’s Des Moines Register and was extremely disappointed. Is this going to be the essence of your campaign?
When we met November 9th, you stated you wanted to run a campaign of substance and ideas. [...]
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to [...]
Chris and I would like to wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving from our entire family.
As you retreat to your meals, fellowship and togetherness, it is a wonderful time to focus on what makes Iowa such a great place to live, work and raise [...]
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats released the following Thanksgiving holiday message:
Thanksgiving is always a time of reflection and togetherness. Whether we travel all the way across the state or just down the street to a family member’s house, tomorrow is a holiday where we [...]
Enjoy this T.H.A.N.K.S.G.I.V.I.N.G. acronym, then add your own Thanksgiving Day comments…
Troops - Thought I would say Turkey didn’t you. I am thankful for our troops across the globe. I thank God for them, their sacrifice and for the sacrifice their families give. Thank [...]
Below is a press release from Brad Zaun about his potential campaign for Congress. Zaun has also reworked his website.
Today, Brad Zaun moved one step closer to making a Congressional bid official by filing the necessary paperwork with the Federal Election Commission.
“The support I’ve received from [...]
GOP Gubernatorial candidate Chris Rants is worried that the Republican primary for governor is simply going to be a name ID and popularity contest, not a vigorous debate about the issues facing the state. In an effort to get people to focus on various [...]
One of the chief issues in the 2010 gubernatorial election will be job creation. The unemployment rate in Iowa is now 6.7%, and over 112,000 Iowans are currently out of work. To make matters worse, many Iowa businesses are now deciding whether to leave the state, as [...]
With all these new congressional districts the Obama administration is coming up with who will lead? Phantom congressional districts deserve great phantom congressional leaders like Bosse in New Hampshire. How will Iowans respond to build their districts? This video is well worth watching…
[There is a video that [...]
Earlier today, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn joined Rep. Chris Hagenow and Rep. Matt Windschitl to announce The Liberty Agenda. The Liberty Agenda consists of three elements.
Allow Iowans to vote of the definition of marriage.
Restore the number of State Troopers to the pre-1998 [...]
Is it just me, or has Lt. Governor Patty Judge been acting weird lately? On November 4th, Judge told the Omaha World Herald, “I am assuming he [Culver] will run. I think everyone in Iowa would be surprised if he doesn’t run.” At the time that [...]
By Emily Geiger
You know all of those people who are totally fine with pulling the plug on people in “vegetative states?”
Remember how the pro-life groups who oppose pulling the plug in such cases are always accused of being a bunch of Bible thumping, scientifically stupid, flat-earth imbeciles?
What [...]
A dangerous illusion is that Iowa’s economy is healthy. Over the long-term, our jobs are being lost as businesses move jobs to lower-cost states. Wage growth, relative to the rest of the nation, has stagnated even as living costs rise – an economic situation known as [...]
I don’t have a lot of idiots this week. Maybe it’s because I’m more focused on turkey and football rather than politics. Here is what I’ve got. Please feel free to add your own in the comment section.
Erin Seidler and Troy Price
Seidler and Price are Governor [...]
For months, Democrats nationwide have criticized Republicans for being the party of “no.” In his speech in Des Moines on Saturday night, Vice President Joe Biden continued that line of attack when he said, “I know what Republicans are against, but I honestly don’t know what they [...]
Iowa taxpayers, along with local and state governments, are facing the perfect storm of lack of business development, an escalating tax burden, and a school funding crisis brought on by years of neglect and bad fiscal discipline in Terrace Hill. Where do those three storm [...]
Ever have a bad 80’s tune stay stuck in your head that you cannot get rid of? I still have the Terry Branstad staggering sound bite playing in my head from the RPI event…
Quick! Somebody else say something silly or stupid just so I can think of [...]
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 [...]
Senator Chuck Grassley issued the following comment about his opposition to the motion to proceed to H.R. 3590, the legislative vehicle for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009. The text of Senator Grassley’s floor speech is below the comment.
“This proposal is another big government [...]
Imagine hundreds of shoppers on black Friday, but instead of paying cash or credit its a free for all. No its not a nightmare for workers, but a privilege to serve. This dream is real and an answer to prayer.
Add [...]
Our Declaration of Independence states simply yet powerfully: “that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” To my knowledge, no other nation on this planet uses these words as the foundation [...]
TheIowaRepublican.com will Cover Vice President Joe Biden visit to Iowa LIVE
While the political divide that exists between Republicans and Democrats is wide, the political community in Iowa is still rather small. When the Iowa Democratic Party announced that Vice President Joe Biden would be headlining their [...]
By Emily Geiger
Terry, Terry, Terry… how many chances are you going to need before you finally get it right?
I’m glad to hear (again) that you signed Iowa’s defense of marriage law and that you would support an amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and [...]
The month of November has been incredibly busy. With countless big news stories and major events taking place all over the state, it has been difficult to cover everything that has gone on. There have been a number of stories that need to be written. Some of [...]
It is rare for a Hollywood celebrity to get involved in a political contest in Iowa, but Chuck Norris did just that when he endorsed Vander Plaats’ campaign this past June.
In his June column entitled, “3 Amigos Who Fight for America,” Norris wrote, “I encourage [...]
With yet another dose of dismal polling numbers indicating that he is now trailing Gov. Branstad by a whopping 24 points, it is no wonder the Big Lug found the time to get the hell out of Dodge and do what we all know he as a true passion [...]
By Emily Geiger
So, I really wasn’t planning on writing about Sarah Palin again, but, after seeing some of the news coverage of the last 24 hours, I have to.
I pointed out yesterday what a hypocritical jacka$$ former top McCain aide Steve Schmidt is. I mean, it takes [...]
Former Iowa State wrestling Coach Jim Gibbons wants to be the third district’s next member of Congress. Gibbons brings the unique perspective of an athlete, coach, father, husband, and financial advisor to his congressional campaign. However, after talking with him for a couple of hours yesterday afternoon, [...]
It’s official the Liberty Morning event was a smash hit! If you were there you know what I mean. Congrads to Kent Sorenson, who is off to a great start at defeating democrat Staci Appel.
Click this line for Dave Davidson’s Artjournalism image gallery of the [...]
By Emily Geiger
I saw Sarah Palin’s interview with Oprah, and I thought she went a long way towards answering some questions people still have about her.
For example, I thought she answered the questions about the widely-panned Katie Couric interview very well. She basically said that [...]
In most cases, it’s impossible to accurately predict how political candidates stack up against each other in a primary or general election.
For example, even though both Bob Vander Plaats and former Governor Terry Branstad have run for statewide office numerous times, it’s nearly impossible to predict [...]
By Ed Failor, Jr.
Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal ran an article with the optimistic headline of “GM Plans to Repay U.S. Loan.”[i] My initial reaction was quite surprised; General Motors (GM) is already in the position to repay American taxpayers? Sounds like an amazing feat for [...]
Earlier today Des Moines Register reporter Jason Clayworth wrote a blog post that has been removed from the Register’s website. My trustworthy staff of researches saved me a copy of what he wrote so I can share it with you.
Here is what Clayworth wrote:
Pictures of a shirtless Chet Culver?
Pictures of [...]
I’m sure that after Culver ran his triathlon he needed a shower, but what the hell does the word “Showa” mean?
As I said countless times, this election will be about competence. Mistakes like this don’t help the perception that Culver is a dumbass.
Update:
It took team [...]
Governor Culver has completed his first triathlon. Culver, who spent nine weeks training for the event, finished the triathlon in just over three hours. I applaud Culver’s accomplishment, I really do. I just question his motives. It should not surprise you that, with a year [...]
For almost ten years, a brand new, state of the art, maximum security prison located between Thomson and Savannah, Illinois has remained largely empty. The state of Illinois built the facility to replace one of its aging maximum security prisons. After its construction, the state lacked [...]
1. Why do you fight?
I fight for one reason: To serve this great nation and pay back my personal debt to those before me. I have tremendous respect for those that came before me in a long history of service. Less than one percent of United States [...]
Chet Culver
I find it interesting that Chet Culver began to run a series of TV ads just a couple of weeks before the Des Moines Register polled. Culver spent $250k on the ads and still tanked in the polls. So we are left with just [...]
RPI Chair Strawn Calls on Braley to Reverse Support for Housing Guantanamo Detainees along Iowa Border.
Amid weekend reports that a prison complex mere miles from Iowa is emerging as the leading contender to house Guantanamo Bay terrorist detainees, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn called on [...]
When Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie won gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey earlier this month, Republicans nationwide became optimistic about their chances to make huge gains in the 2010 elections. It’s easy to understand their excitement. The last time Republicans won both the [...]
State Representative Chris Rants accused former Governor Terry Branstad of wanting to raise the state’s gas tax Saturday night. Rants made the accusation at a Dubuque County Republican Party event.
Rants began his five minute speech by saying that he had had a difficult day. Rants [...]
Congressman Ron Paul spoke to 1,100 enthusiastic constitution loving college students in Ames Friday night. (An early number did not account for the packed overflow room.) His speaking themes included reducing the troops in war, reducing the role of government in health care and reducing [...]
Winston Churchill once said, “All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.”Those same simple words are deeply rooted in our hearts as we pause to honor our military personnel this coming [...]
If the sun was out, I would probably skip writing today. Since its overcast, I’ll let you know what’s on my mind. I don’t really understand how on earth the Branstad campaign could mess up this whole gay marriage thing. Let me explain what I mean by [...]
Up and down the ballot, Republicans have favorable matchups in next fall’s general elections. The top of Republican ballot will feature U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley and a gubernatorial candidate who will emerge from a hard fought primary to face the unpopular and weak incumbent governor, Chet Culver.
While [...]
You know those type of friends who feel they have to forward half the internet onto everyone in their address box… Well this is a friendly forward, but one of those good ones, the type that should get passed around. After photographing a Veteran’s [...]
The Branstad 2010 campaign has issued a statement to TheIowaRepublican.com earlier today to clarify his position on same-sex marriage. Branstad’s position on the issue has become an issue after the Des Moines Register reported that Joy Corning, Branstad’s former Lt. Governor, has recorded an automated [...]
The DNC is targeting 32 House Republicans in districts which President Barack Obama carried in 2008 with a “multi-media campaign” of press releases, Op-Eds and letters to the editor, emails and local events challenging the incumbents. Tom Latham – Iowa 4 is one of the targets [...]
By Emily Geiger
I don’t have a lot of time to write today, so I’ll just mention a quick article I saw recently about a new health study.
The headline read, “Men more likely to leave spouse who has cancer.”
Apparently, the overall divorce rate for couples with one [...]
Former Iowa Lt. Governor Joy Corning has inserted herself right into the middle of the Republican primary for governor. Corning served as Iowa’s Lt. Governor under Terry Branstad during the final two terms of his administration. Corning, a supporter of abortion rights and homosexual marriage, recently recorded an auto-call for [...]
By Emily Geiger
I wrote a few days ago about a former Texas Planned Parenthood director who had a “pro-life conversion.” As I was researching that story, I came across a YouTube video that I included at the conclusion of that post.
The video is an astounding expose` [...]
The Scott County GOP held its first annual Ronald Reagan dinner in Bettendorf last night. More than 300 people were in attendance for the inaugural event, which featured former New York governor George Pataki and four Republican gubernatorial hopefuls who were looking for support in advance of [...]
TheIowaRepublican.com is at the First Annual Scott County Ronald Reagan Dinner. The room is packed. Nearly 350 people are expected to attend. Former New York Governor George Pataki is the keynote speaker. Christian Fong, Chris Rants, Rod Roberts and Bob Vander Plaats are in attendance and will [...]
Sarah Palin is actually headed to Iowa. Palin will be in Sioux City on December 6th at the Barnes and Noble book store to promote her new book Going Rogue.
Palin’s Iowa stop will garner a ton of attention, but she will not have the type [...]
Saturday’s Republican Party of Iowa fall fundraiser provided the first opportunity to see all six Republican gubernatorial candidates share the same stage and make their case to the assembled audience. While former governor Terry Branstad has been in the race for almost a month now, this [...]
By Emily Geiger
Roxanne the Rape Enabler Makes it Official
Sen. Chuck Grassley officially has another opponent. That makes three democrats who want to challenge Iowa’s senior Senator.
But only one is a multi-millionaire trial lawyer, tax evader, drunk driver, and rape enabler.
I’ll give you one guess [...]
By Dave Funk, Candidate, Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District.
Having just read Rep. Leonard Boswells blog in The Hill newspaper’s online edition about executive pay; and his admission to being a member of a mostly far left caucus, I have to wonder? Is he really a Blue Dog [...]
What do you get with a Tea Party Convention, an RPI Leadership event focusing on Gubernatiorial candidates and a Huckabee book signing all in Des Moines in one weekend? Answer: Lots of “Here In Iowa” photos.
If you would like to see [...]
I feel the need to substitute the word incompetent for the word idiot today. It just works a little better and since it’s a Krusty world and you guys just live in it, I figure I can do whatever the heck I want.
Let’s get started.
Governor Chet Culver
[...]
Roxanne Conlin has released a web video that announces her candidacy for the United State Senate. Conlin is a liberal, millionaire, trial attorney from Des Moines.
[...]
For a November afternoon in Iowa, the weather was perfect. It was a sunny, seventy degrees, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The weekend weather was probably the best Iowans have experienced in months. For one Iowa couple, this perfect November day also just [...]
Each candidate was given ten minutes to address the crowd.
Jerry Behn kicked things off.
7:17 – Jerry Behn takes stage
VA and NJ proves that GOP ideas are alive and well.
The only way dems get elected with when the co-opt GOP ideas, but they don’t follow through in [...]
Governor Tim Pawlenty did a great job of introducing himself to Iowa Republicans tonight. Pawlenty was more than comfortable in talking to Iowans tonight. His speech was full of humor, the serious issues that are facing our nation, and lots of references to the heartland. Below are [...]
Watch the live feed of the event by clicking here.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is the featured speaker for tonight’s Republican Party of Iowa fall fundraiser. Pawlenty will share the stage with six Republican gubernatorial hopefuls, including former governor Terry Branstad, who will share the stage [...]
The United State House of Representatives will vote on the controversial health care bill tonight at sundown. You can watch the floor debate on CSPAN live by clicking here.
[...]
Let me tell you the secret to mathematics… Do you know those numerals 0,1,2,3 all the way through 9? The are always coming up again and again in different sequences when you account for them one way or another. The secret to math is [...]
Governor Culver gave labor unions until Friday November, 6th (That’s Today) to renegotiate. Its 6:22 p.m. Governor, I’m sure there are a lot of state workers wondering if you were successful in negotiating with the unions so they can keep their jobs.
[...]
McKinley Withdraws From Gubernatorial Race, Remains Focused on Winning Back Iowa Senate Majority
2010 elections provide tremendous opportunities for Republicans up and down the ballot
Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley (R-Chariton) today announced he is withdrawing his candidacy to be the next governor of Iowa and will continue [...]
By Emily Geiger
I sincerely hope Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives are not going to try to sneak a vote on her proposed healthcare plan while the country is distracted by the tragedy at Ft. Hood.
But as of right now, it looks [...]
My good friend Kathie Obradovich recently wrote an article in which she calls on Terry Branstad to apologize for comments he made about blind people. Her article was spawned by the Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Mike Kiernan’s press release asking Branstad to apologize. In a private meeting [...]
In 2008, Christopher Reed entered the race for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate just months before the primary. Reed surprised many when he defeated Cedar Rapids businessman Steve Rathje and former state legislator George Eichhorn in the GOP primary. Reed wasn’t as fortunate [...]
If you thought that Governor Culver was clueless, wait till you read what Lt. Governor Patty Judge told the Omaha World Herald.
No timetable has been established for when — or if — Iowa Gov. Chet Culver announces a re-election campaign, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge said Wednesday.
By Emily Geiger
I’ve always said that, the more people know about abortion, the worse it will be for abortion proponents.
And that is exactly why Planned Parenthood in Texas has filed a restraining order to try to keep a former abortion clinic director from speaking about her experiences [...]
About a week ago, CQ Politics downgraded its rating for Iowa’s third congressional district race from Likely Democratic to Safe Democratic. The reason for the switch in the rating is because CQ Politics believes Iowa Republicans have failed to put forth a strong opponent against Democrat incumbent [...]
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty participated in a conference call with Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn this morning. Governor Pawlenty serves as vice chairman of the Republican Governors Association and talked about the Republican victories in New Jersey and Virginia last night.
Pawlenty, who many believe is preparing for [...]
Craig Robinson, The Iowa Republican, Battleground Iowa, Krusty Konservative, Steve Deace, TEApublican, Our Army Life, Polly Twocents
