Price of Politics

• Iowa Efficienty Report

  Number of comments: 1
  Governor Chet Culver stood Tuesday before a crowd of people who probably don't normally approve of all of his money plans. He spoke at the luncheon of the Iowa Taxpayers Association at the group's meeting in West Des Moines. But Culver tried to assure the crowd he is working to' [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 6:10pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Baucus Girlfriend with Des Moines Ties

  Number of comments: 1
  (photo courtesy: billingsgazette.com)
  
  Montana Senator Max Baucus apparently dated his staffer and then recommended her for a post for U.S. attorney in his state. Baucus doesn't sound like he is denying the recommendation. The staffer/girlfriend has numerous Des Moines ties. Melodee Hanes' [...]
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  Posted: December 05, 2009, 9:46pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Trompeter's Boyfriend's Car Involved in Shooting

  Number of comments: 0
  There's a bizarre story coming out the Twin Cities. Friends were having a going away party for former Des Moines anchor Jeanette Trompeter last night (after getting laid off from her job, she took a job in California). Jeanette and her boyfriend were getting ready to go to the gathering. [...]
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  Posted: December 05, 2009, 5:37pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Republicans Pick New Executive Director

  Number of comments: 1
  The Republican Party of Iowa has a new executive director. He used to work for Ames native Gentry Collins (Political Director for the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C.) Here's the release from the party:
  
  
  Chairman Strawn Welcomes Executive Director Jim AndersonDes Moines, IA – Republican Party of [...]
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  Posted: December 05, 2009, 3:49pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Incumbents and Tiger Woods

  Number of comments: 4
  Chet Culver, Chuck Grassley, Leonard Boswell...what are you thinking? Any worries about next year now? Yes, the general election is 11 months away. But it sure was interesting to see what happened to incumbents this week. A 23 year old challenger upset a man more than three times his age, [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 10:33am EST
  by Dave Price

• Purple Matters

  Number of comments: 2
  Thanks for checking in on "Purple Matters" our internet radio show on Tuesdays at 8pm central on www.desmoineslocallive.com.
  
  Former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker talked about his old life and new life. Now that he has left his post, he talks about the behind-the-scenes decisions about that raid on a [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 9:47am EST
  by Dave Price

• Zaun to Announce for Congress Thursday

  Number of comments: 2
  Add another name to the race for Congress. Republican State Senator Brad Zaun will announce Thursday that he wants to take on 3rd District Democratic Congressman Leonard Boswell. Zaun told me last month he was thinking about running. Now, he's ready to say he's doing more than just thinking. He [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 2:10pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Fong Suspends Campaign

  Number of comments: 0
  And then there were five. Republican gubernatorial candidate Christian Fong is now "former" candidate, or so it appears. Fong's campaign sent out a release that he is suspending his campaign. I haven't talked to him yet, so I don't know much more than what's in this news release.
  
  There [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 10:20am EST
  by Dave Price

• AFSCME Members Vote Yes

  Number of comments: 0
  AFSCME members decided to give up some pay and benefits, so co-workers could save their jobs. Council 61 President Danny Homan announced the vote today. Members voted 59-41% on a agreement which takes away five days of pay and the state contribution toward their retirement through the end of June [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 11:54am EST
  by Dave Price

• Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays

  Number of comments: 8
  It 's a p.c. world. No, not personal computers. I mean a world of political correctness. But a new poll shows more Americans prefer using the greeting "Merry Christmas" over "Happy Holidays" compared to last year. The new Rasmussen report showed Merry Christmas was the preferred greeting by 72-22%. [...]
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  Posted: November 29, 2009, 5:50pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Thank You

  Number of comments: 0
  In the middle of this Great Recession, I feel special need to pause to say "thanks" for all of my blessings in life and all the other things that deserve my appreciation.
  
  So I'm thankful for:
  
  My mother-in-law's turkey, followed by pork loin, [...]
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  Posted: November 28, 2009, 9:45pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Iowa Senator Part of President's State Dinner

  Number of comments: 0
  
  Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Blair Underwood, Brian Williams, Katie Couric, Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Swati Dandekar. Yes, Iowa's Swati Dandekar, the Democratic senator from Marion.
  She was part of President Obama's first state dinner last night in Washington, D.C. Visiting [...]
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  Posted: November 25, 2009, 10:10am EST
  by Dave Price

• Purple Matters

  Number of comments: 0
  Here's the lineup for "Purple Matters" Tuesday night on [www.desmoineslocallive.com]
  
  Jonathan Narcisse started off coming after almost everyone. Narcisse, the controversial former Des Moines school board member, is traveling the state with Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Rants. It's a conversation, debate, whatever he prefers to call it. On [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 10:39pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Jefferson Jackson Dinner

  Number of comments: 1
  I'm a little late with my post from the Iowa Democratic Party's annual Jefferson Jackson dinner. But Joe Biden just finished shaking hands. I'm kidding. Sort of. Biden spoke for 40 minutes and shook hands for about an hour before leaving the floor. Looked like he was glad to be [...]
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  Posted: November 22, 2009, 4:18pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Boswell's Race Downgraded

  Number of comments: 6
  In yet another sign that some of the national observers think 2010 could be a tough one for incumbents, and specifically Democrats, Congressional Quarterly has knocked down Des Moines area Congressman Leonard Boswell a notch in his re-election efforts next year. Boswell is still favored, by the way. But [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 11:40am EST
  by Dave Price

• 1 on 1 with Terry Branstad

  Number of comments: 2
  Thursday, former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad starting making the media rounds as he tries to find his fifth way back into Terrace Hill. We've all been waiting for some time with him. My conversation with him coincided with the day of his first statewide of the state as a candidate,' [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 11:04am EST
  by Dave Price

• Frustration

  Number of comments: 0
  To continue our earlier conversation about frustration right now...here's another item. The University of Iowa just released its "Hawkeye Poll". It shows nearly half the country worries health care reform will do more harm than good and more than half the country now disapproves of the job President Barack Obama [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 1:01pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Purple Matters

  Number of comments: 0
  We had a fascinating, albeit sad, conversation on "Purple Matters" last night. Kathleen Nebel shared her story, which is almost too astonishing to believe. She said her ex-husband has been abusing her in one way or another for more than 25 years. She estimates they have been to court 800 [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 11:17am EST
  by Dave Price

• Frustrated Songs

  Number of comments: 1
  Monday, I did a tv story on Iowans' frustrations with incumbents in light of the economy, etc. I'm looking for songs that capture people's mood right now. Here's what we've come up with in the newsroom so far this morning. Can you send me your ideas?
  
  

  
  
  "We're" [...]

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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 9:44am EST
  by Dave Price

• Incumbents in Trouble

  Number of comments: 0
  Government spending is up. Unemployment is up. Bankruptcies are up. Foreclosures are up. Frustrations are up. You get the picture. Many Iowans may not like what they see. That has some experts predicting a tough 2010 for incumbents. The Des Moines Register's Iowa Poll shows Democratic Governor Chet Culver [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 10:17pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Culver Drops in Polls

  Number of comments: 2
  

  
  
  Iowa Governor Chet Culver has been falling and he can't get up. At least not yet. Culver's popularity, according to the Des Moines Register Iowa Poll ,has dropped 20 points during the year and 10 points just since September. It's doubtful the budget mess or filmgate has' [...]

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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 1:59pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Same-Sex Marriage Again

  Number of comments: 3
  Iowa Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Bob Vander Plaats is again making same-sex marriage a campaign issue. Earlier today, former Lt. Governor Joy Corning told the Des Moines Register she is lending her voice to a "robocall" effort to promote marriage equality in the state.
  
  Corning was lt. governor [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 5:09pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Trompeter back to California

  Number of comments: 0
  As you regular readers know, it's not ALL politics here. Just wanted to pass along that our old friend, Jeanette Trompeter, is headed back to California. Jeanette is going back to where it all started, her former station in San Luis Obispo. She will be the evening anchor there. Jeanette' [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 2:27pm EST
  by Dave Price

• AFSCME decision

  Number of comments: 5
  What should they do? About 9,000 AFSCME members need to make a huge decision in the next week or so... do they take off five days without pay before the end of June and give up the state match on their retirement? Or do they watch about 500 of their [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 11:11am EST
  by Dave Price

• Branstad's Debut

  Number of comments: 0
  The reviews haven't been exactly stellar for former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad's appearance at the "Leadership for Iowa" event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Saturday night.
  
  Radio Iowa's Kay Henderson calls it a "rocky performance" in her story this weekend.
  
  The Des Moines Register's Kathie Obradovich [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2009, 10:38pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Huckabee Book Tour

  Number of comments: 0
  
  (Photo courtesy: Iowans_Rock)
  
  I'm waiting to anchor the Channel 13 News at 9 on Fox 17 (yeah, that's a mouthful). So we had to send over another crew to cover former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee's book signing at Border's in West Des Moines. It's' [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2009, 8:46pm EST
  by Dave Price

• More Pawlenty for President

  Number of comments: 1
  Here's a roundup of the stories of Tim Pawlenty's first visit to Des Moines as a possible presidential contender for 2012:
  
  Jonathan Martin for Politico wrote about how T-Paw came after President Obama.
  
  Radio Iowa's O. Kay Henderson wrote about T-Paw borrowing (with a twist)' [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2009, 11:47am EST
  by Dave Price

• Pawlenty for President

  Number of comments: 0
  Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty had his "coming out" before more than 500 Iowa Republicans Saturday night at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. He has been here before, of course. But in 2008, he was here as John McCain's sidekick and cheerleader in McCain's ill-fated presidential run, both in [...]
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  Posted: November 08, 2009, 11:26am EST
  by Dave Price

• Union Deal?

  Number of comments: 0
  Last Wednesday, Governor Chet Culver said he "expected" to hear from state unions by today on whether they would agree to re-negotiate contracts to save jobs of state workers. This was his quote, “Unfortunately, we do not have an endless amount of time in which to reach an agreement and [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 3:54pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Purple Matters Tuesday night

  Number of comments: 1
  Here's what you need to know from my "Purple Matters" internet radio show Tuesday night.
  
  Pastor and host of the popular conservative Iowa blog, Caffeinated Thoughts, Shane Vander Hart, talked about his private meeting, along with about ten other Iowa religious leaders, that he had with former Governor Terry' [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 11:20pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Chet, Stronger Than Ever

  Number of comments: 0
  Governor Chet Culver's campaign is out with its second tv ad. One thing I noticed in this ad, which, much like the first ad, tauts Culver's decision-making during this time of nearly unprecedented crisis, is that it refers to him as "Chet". Will the "Big Lug" also make a return [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 1:42pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Changes

  Number of comments: 0
  Ch-ch-ch-changes. Cue David Bowie.
  
  Tim Albrecht, a.k.a, the Beanwalker, is trading beans for Branstad. Albrecht has begun as Terry Branstad's communications director. Gee, do you think this means Branstad will run for governor? Yes, that's sarcasm:) Here's the release from the Branstad, uhm, "campaign" (what exactly do we call' [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 5:34pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Steve King for President

  Number of comments: 5
  Fifth District Republican Congressman Steve King filled us with news this weekend. Two things headlined his chat with us: an almost tea party revolt and a run for president. King wants Americans to rush to Washington , D.C. to stop Congressional Democrats from passing a government-run public option in the [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 9:22pm EST
  by Dave Price

• Purple Matters

  Number of comments: 0
  "Purple Matters"...did you miss it this week? Here it is...two parts.
  
  Here's the rundown...
  
  Des Moines Senator Matt McCoy wants to get rid of a bunch of superintendents. He wants one per county. How would that work? Could it actually happen?
  
  Tom Shaw wants a job at' [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 1:22pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Huckabee Returns

  Number of comments: 1
  TPaw vs. Huck: It looks like the first weekend in November could give us a little preview of 2012. Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty headlines the "Leadership for Iowa" dinner at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, a big fundraiser for the Republican Party of Iowa on Saturday, November 7th. The following [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2009, 5:15pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Governor Culver Explains Hawkeye Comments

  Number of comments: 1
  Governor Chet Culver "is a huge Clones' fan". That's what he told reporters after the Golden Dome Awards, which honors top-performing state employees (They hope, I'm sure, they won't be among those state workers losing their jobs following the governor's 10% across-the-board cut).
  
  Late Saturday night, Culver's office put [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 7:38pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• No Christie Vilsack for Senate

  Number of comments: 2
  Man, that was quick. Less than two weeks ago, former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack told me she was thinking about running against Republican Senator Chuck Grassley. This morning, she had someone send out a statement that said she won't run. That was a quick decision process. The statement doesn't [...]
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  Posted: October 26, 2009, 1:18pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Challengers Beware: Predictions about Iowa Congressmen

  Number of comments: 2
  Much of the media's attention has been focused on the Iowa governor's race and the so-called "mystery candidate" to take on Republican Senator Chuck Grassley next year. But a report I saw this weekend has a bit of a warning for anyone thinking of challenging Iowa's congressional incumbents, at least' [...]
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  Posted: October 25, 2009, 4:39pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Culver Praises Hawkeyes; Doesn't Mention Cyclones

  Number of comments: 2
  Iowa Governor Chet Culver gave out some late-night love for the Iowa Hawkeyes, but not a mention for the Iowa State Cylcones. The Hawks had beaten Michigan State for their eighth straight win to start the college football season. They had never done that in their history. The Cylcones made [...]
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  Posted: October 25, 2009, 2:37pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Zaun for Congress

  Number of comments: 4
  It looks like Doug Gross may have known what he was talking about after all last weekend. Gross, the former GOP candidate for governor, said on Channel 13's "Insiders", that State Senator Brad Zaun was looking at running for the Republican nomination for Iowa's Third Congressional District. You will remember [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2009, 2:50pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• The Day Before...

  Number of comments: 2
  I'm sitting at my desk waiting on some callbacks from sources on a November "sweeps" story the boss gave me time to work on today. Tomorrow could be a fascinating day, and not necessarily fascinatingly (is that a word?) good for hundreds, if not thousands, of state employees.
  
  State' [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 2:15pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• 2 Mystery Candidates

  Number of comments: 2
  Last month on Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press", Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan said he had a mystery candidate to run against Republican Senator Chuck Grassley. Insiders speculated it was well-known Des Moines attorney, Roxanne Conlin. She hasn't returned my repeated calls for comment over the past month. But [...]
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  Posted: October 20, 2009, 10:38am EDT
  by Dave Price

• Tom Vilsack, Mystery Candidate

  Number of comments: 3
  Tom Vilsack, the mystery man. So says a report on the Republican blog, "Questions, Comments & Insults". It was also picked up the www.iowarepublican.com. The blog claims a source said Vilsack is looking at running against Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley next year.
  
  On Tuesday, Christie Vilsack told [...]
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  Posted: October 17, 2009, 5:04pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Branstad Announcement Friday

  Number of comments: 1
  Des Moines University has confirmed what we reported yesterday. Terry Branstad will give a private speech on campus Friday at noon. The release doesn't say it. But sources say he will resign his position as president, so he can seek his fifth term as Iowa's governor.
  
  Radio Iowa's' [...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 12:53pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Purple Matters

  Number of comments: 0
  With all my pursuit to find out what was going on with former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, I forgot to post this week's "Purple Matters" internet radio show. Oops. It's all things Kay in the first hour. Radio Iowa's O. Kay Henderson address the Branstad situation, Christie V, the mystery' [...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 12:14pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Branstad to Announce Plans for Governor

  Number of comments: 4
  Four-time Iowa Governor Terry Branstad wants a fifth term in office. Sources close to Branstad tell me he will announce his plans for the future during a speech at Des Moines University Friday at noon. The news comes hardly as a surprise as this week Iowa Republican Party Executive Director [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 10:54am EDT
  by Dave Price

• Christie Vilsack, Mystery Candidate?

  Number of comments: 0
  Tuesday morning former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack told reporters to ask his wife is she is running against Republican Senator Chuck Grassley. You will recall last month on Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press", Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan said he had a mystery candidate to run against Grassley and [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2009, 10:11pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Boeyink Leaves Party for Branstad

  Number of comments: 2
  In yet another sign Terry Branstad will run for Iowa's governor again, word's out today the Republican Party of Iowa Executive Director Jeff Boeyink quit his job. Is there any doubt Branstad wants a fifth term as governor now? Here's the release from the Branstad people...
  
  Richard Schwarm today [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2009, 11:55am EDT
  by Dave Price

• Purple Matters

  Number of comments: 3
  Here is this week's "Purple Matters" show.
  
  The highlights...
  One guest compares Governor Culver's office to Richard Nixon's
  Another guest gives a behind the camera insight into the state film fiasco
  And our final guest talks about how he's become a professional mountain climber...after getting his start in Des' [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 10:14pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Report Questions Culver's Secretary of State Office

  Number of comments: 3
  Channel 13 has obtained a report that charges improper spending, bookkeeping and paperwork problems in the Iowa Secretary of State's office. The report looks at the years between 2003 and 2008, but focuses on Chet Culver's final three years heading the office. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission requested the report [...]
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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 9:54pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Report on Film Tax Credit Progam

  Number of comments: 0
  The report is out on Iowa's controversial film tax credit program. I'm working on a story for tv later. But here's the report if you want to read it. The attorney general's office offered the first comments on it:
  
  Statement of the Attorney General’s Office
  
  Monday, October' [...]
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  Posted: October 05, 2009, 11:27am EDT
  by Dave Price

• Film Tax Credit Report Monday

  Number of comments: 0
  (Photo courtesy: www.ing.com)
  
  I checked with the spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Economic Development tonight. And she said, best she knows, the report will come out Monday on the state's film tax credit program. The interim director of the department, Fred Hubbell, also [...]
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  Posted: October 04, 2009, 7:09pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Interviewing Pervez Musharraf

  Number of comments: 2
  
  
  I wasn't born in Iowa. I grew up in the border state of Illinois. But one of the most incredible things about living in Iowa, professionally speaking, is the access I get to the country's leaders. I interviewed all the major political candidates the last two cycles (except [...]
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  Posted: October 04, 2009, 3:52pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Letterman Extortion, Obama Olympics, Gronstal Budget

  Number of comments: 0
  The fallout...
  
  I'm wondering about three things this afternoon as the wind howls outside our living room window at home, making me think way too much about the crummy winter that will soon be upon us. But I digress...
  
  Budget fallout--This past budget year, Iowa Democrats spent less' [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 3:18pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Des Moines Radio Legend Dies

  Number of comments: 0
  (image courtesy:www.krnt.com)
  
  Dic Youngs, arguably one of the most popular and well-known radio men in recent memory in central Iowa, passed away this morning at the age of 68. Star 102.5 offers this heart-felt tribute. Here's another story in the Des Moines [...]
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  Posted: October 01, 2009, 11:21am EDT
  by Dave Price

• 2 Iowans Help Pawlenty for President

  Number of comments: 0
  Jonathan Martin, who wore out who knows how many pairs of shows trudging around Iowa following the candidates, posted a piece on the The Politico that shows possible 2012 presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty could have an Iowa touch with his early efforts. Jonathan writes that Pawlenty has brought on [...]
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  Posted: October 01, 2009, 11:06am EDT
  by Dave Price

• Culver Talks with Tom Arnold About Film Mess

  Number of comments: 2
  (Photo courtesy: www.yss.ames.ia.us)
  
  Actor Tom Arnold (and Iowa native) told Channel 13 news he took part in a conference call Monday with Governor Chet Culver about the film tax credit fiasco. Arnold said he talked about the frustration of a couple "knuckleheads" from [...]
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  Posted: September 30, 2009, 6:25pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Where in the World is Chet Culver?

  Number of comments: 2
  There's been a bit of chatter this afternoon about the whereabouts of Iowa Governor Chet Culver. It seems like they originate with two main sourcees, at least from the folks I'm hearing.
  
  Perhaps, it began with an article from the Des Moines Register's Kathie Obradovich. She wrote about' [...]
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  Posted: September 30, 2009, 6:09pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Purple Matters Show 9/29/09

  Number of comments: 0
  [...]
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  Posted: September 29, 2009, 9:11pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Purple Matters Tuesday Night

  Number of comments: 0
  Purple Matters takes to the internet air waves Tuesday night at 8pm...
  
  Does Terry Branstad have an announcement coming soon? We'll chat with the woman leading efforts to draft him into service.
  We'll talk with an Iowa woman delivering a message to Congress Wednesday.
  And we'll hear from the' [...]
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  Posted: September 29, 2009, 7:51pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Roberts: "A Failure to Communicate"

  Number of comments: 0
  
  
  11 days after the Iowa movie mess broke, Republican candidate for governor Rod Roberts is out asking where Governor Chet Culver was during the scandal. Here's his release from Tuesday:
  
  

  Where was Governor Culver During Filmgate?
  
  Over the past week Iowans have discovered how some self-interested [...]

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  Posted: September 29, 2009, 10:21am EDT
  by Dave Price

• Biden to Headline Jefferson-Jackson

  Number of comments: 0
  Say it's so, Joe. The Iowa Democratic Party announced this morning Vice President Joe Biden will serve as the v.i.p. headliner for the annual Jefferson-Jackson dinner. This will be Biden's third appearance as the dinner speaker, according to the encyclopedia-like recall of Radio Iowa's O. Kay Henderson. That three-peat' [...]
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  Posted: September 29, 2009, 9:56am EDT
  by Dave Price

• Party at Branstads NOT for Terry; It's for Me

  Number of comments: 4
  Windsor Heights Republican Representative Chris Hagenow doesn't want you to think the wrong thing if you see an invite to a party for him at the home of the Branstads. Here's the invite I found on Facebook Monday:
  
  
  

  Rep. Chris Hagenow - One Year to Victory Celebration at' [...]

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  Posted: September 28, 2009, 6:50pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Kiernan Promises Mystery Candidate

  Number of comments: 2
  Some random thoughts before I head out to the 10pm news tonight...
  
  Did you see Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan on Iowa Public Television this weekend? I missed the original broadcast Friday night and had to watch the tape of it this morning. Two things that stuck [...]
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  Posted: September 26, 2009, 9:42pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Iowa Lawmaker Says Legislators Knew of Film Issues Early Summer

  Number of comments: 4
  As we continue to follow "who knew what, when" in the movie mess, film industry scandal, whatever the headline of the day is...I offer this, for what it's worth. On Tuesday, Governor Chet Culver in Cedar Rapids said at least three times he learned of the tax credit fiasco either [...]
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  Posted: September 24, 2009, 3:18pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Iowa Film Industry Criticizes Governor

  Number of comments: 0
  Iowa film industry workers are none too happy with Governor Chet Culver right now. They held a news conference at the Des Moines Social Club Monday afternoon to protest his decision to halt the tax credit program that lures out-of-state movie makers to Iowa. The gov's decision comes as part [...]
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  Posted: September 21, 2009, 10:28pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Govenor Asks for Help in Movie Money Scandal

  Number of comments: 2
  Monday morning, Governor Chet Culver's office sent out a release asking other agencies to help investigate allegations of misspent tax dollars in the program to lure more movie makers to Iowa. The release is below. The governor has not spoken publicly about the scandal. His office released a statement at [...]
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  Posted: September 21, 2009, 9:53am EDT
  by Dave Price

• DED Cancels Event for Tomorrow

  Number of comments: 0
  I just received this email from the Iowa Dept of Economic Development. It probably would have been pretty tough to hold this event, since the department no longer really has a leader. Director Mike Tramontina resigned Friday in the middle of the financial scandal that has plagued the Iowa Film [...]
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  Posted: September 20, 2009, 2:41pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Jewish Coalition Letter to Iowa Party Chairmen

  Number of comments: 0
  18 national Jewish organizations across the country let Iowa's two state party chairmen know they don't like the idea of holding caucuses on a Saturday next year. Here's a copy of the letter sent to the chairs:
  
  

  “Dear Mr. Kiernan and Mr. Strawn:
  
  “A central premise of American' [...]

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  Posted: September 19, 2009, 5:15pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Rep. King Defends Wilson on MSNBC

  Number of comments: 2
  Iowa Republican Congressman Steve King doesn't think South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson should apologize on the floor of the U.S. House for his "you lie" comment during President Obama's address to Congress. King talked about his letter he is circulating about the matter during a live interview with MSNBC Monday.[...]
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  Posted: September 14, 2009, 6:10pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Grassley and Boswell Honor Borlaug

  Number of comments: 0
  Two Iowa politicians publicly praised former Iowan, Dr. Norman Borlaug. Borlaug died late Saturday night in Dallas at the age of 95, after dedicating his life to using technology to increase grain production so starving people could eat.
  
  Democrat Rep. Leonard Boswell offered a resolution in his honor. Here's' [...]
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  Posted: September 14, 2009, 6:05pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Steve King Supports Joe Wilson

  Number of comments: 7
  Iowa Congressman Steve King is backing up the fellow Republican who has become famous or infamous for his shout, "you're a liar", to President Obama during his address to Congress last week. The Politico reports King is sending around a letter to gather supporters to back South Carolina Rep.' [...]
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  Posted: September 13, 2009, 10:09pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Remembering Dr. Norman Borlaug

  Number of comments: 3
  What word is strong enough to describe Dr. Norman Borlaug's contributions to the world? Heroic? Inspiring? Remarkable? Borlaug died late Saturday night from cancer at the age of 95. He grew up in rural Cresco, Iowa, on a small farm. He later dedicated his life to feeding the world's hungry. [...]
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  Posted: September 13, 2009, 9:46pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Grassley Running Again

  Number of comments: 1
  Iowa Senator Charles Grassley seemed surprised that some people wondered whether he was running...apparently, he still is in both ways...literally, on his feet running and also running for re-election next year. The only source to this "rumor" that he wasn't running, that I can find, comes from a Time' [...]
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  Posted: September 09, 2009, 5:34pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Kiernan Blasts Vander Plaats' Entrance into the Race

  Number of comments: 4
  If you are up for a little word-watching, you'll want to check these out. Bob Vander Plaats officially announced he is running for governor. There hadn't been much doubt that Team VP was "all in" for this one. But he made the official announcement in his hometown of Sheldon. He [...]
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  Posted: September 07, 2009, 3:43pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• President to Give Speech to Students

  Number of comments: 12
  On Tuesday, President Obama gives what has now become a controversial speech. He is scheduled to talk directly to students and encourage them to stay in school. But critics say it is just a way for the President to push his political views on a captive audience of students. Supports [...]
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  Posted: September 06, 2009, 4:38pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Atlantic High School Students Have to Undress for Search

  Number of comments: 7
  The Des Moines Register reports five female students in Atlantic had to strip off their clothes, so that school officials could try to find the $100 another student claimed to have lost. The girls' families are now considering a lawsuit. The school district maintains the search should be' [...]
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  Posted: September 05, 2009, 5:28pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• AARP Survey

  Number of comments: 3
  AARP released a survey today, saying older Iowans want major change. They want it this year. And they want it affordable for more people. The group surveyed 500 of its 400,000 Iowa members. It's pushing for a bi-partisan approach. But Iowa's congressional delegation, on the Republican side, seems to be [...]
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  Posted: September 01, 2009, 5:06pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Iowa Nielsen Market Rankings

  Number of comments: 1
  
  Iowans had better start having babies. Nielsen...you know, the ones who send you those letters to get you to keep track of what tv shows you watch...they just came out with their rankings of local tv stations across the country. There are 210 "market sizes" [...]
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  Posted: August 31, 2009, 11:45am EDT
  by Dave Price

• Iowans Want Health Care Focused on Lower Costs

  Number of comments: 0
  Now, I could say something about AARP stealing my corn idea at the Iowa State Fair. But I won't:)
  
  AARP had fair goers drop a kernel into jars to determine their top priority for health care reform. And it looks like the price is right...or the price isn't right [...]
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  Posted: August 29, 2009, 9:38pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• King Won't Run for Governor; Doesn't Want Primary for Grassley

  Number of comments: 2
  Iowa Congressman Steve King told me he heard from hundreds of Iowans who wanted him to run for governor and hundreds of others who wanted him to stay in the U.S. House of Representatives. King decided to stay in the house. King was my guest on my Internet radio show, [...]
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  Posted: August 27, 2009, 8:04pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Purple Matters

  Number of comments: 0
  My Purple Matters Internet radio show is on the air Thursday at 4pm central. Listen/watch at www.macsworldlive.com
  
  What do you think about the topics we discuss? Leave your comments here and I'll read them throughout the show. See you at 4pm!' [...]
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  Posted: August 27, 2009, 3:18pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Behn for Governor: What about Branstad for Governor?

  Number of comments: 0
  On the day Republican Jerry Behn, a state senator and farmer from Boone, announced he was running for governor, much of the talk still focused on the Republican who still hasn't announced his plans. Here's what Jerry Behn said when I asked how would it affect him if Terry Branstad' [...]
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  Posted: August 26, 2009, 11:00pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Behn for Governor

  Number of comments: 0
  Tuesday, Republican Jerry Behn, a four-term state senator and farmer from Boone, announced he was running for governor. Another candidate this cycle already chose the non-traditional route to announce. Christian Fong announced via Twitter. Tuesday, Behn skipped a press conference, too. Instead, he spent 1 on 1 time with Iowa [...]
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  Posted: August 25, 2009, 10:13pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Republican Party Wants Ethics Board to Check Out Anti-Branstad Fliers

  Number of comments: 5
  The Republican Party of Iowa Executive Director Jeff Boeyink told me that on Monday he plans to ask the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board to check out the mysterious group behind some fliers harshly criticizing former Governor Terry Branstad. Boeyink told me he has [...]
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  Posted: August 23, 2009, 8:04pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Dodd's Former Iowa Staffer Goes on Fox

  Number of comments: 0
  I'm curious what you think about this... Does the Democrat during this debate get double-teamed? I watched it on the Fox News Channel this afternoon because Taylor West has Des Moines connections. She served as Senator Chris Dodd's communications director for the 2008 caucuses. What do you think of the' [...]
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  Posted: August 22, 2009, 7:29pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Anti-Branstad Fliers Appear on Des Moines Cars

  Number of comments: 3
  So what person or what group is behind this? The line at the bottom says it's paid for by a group called "Iowans for Truth and Honest Government". I have yet to find anyone, Republican or Democrat, who has heard of this group. And I' [...]
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  Posted: August 22, 2009, 4:03pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Burt Avoids OWI Trial?

  Number of comments: 3
  It appears embattled State Rep. Kerry Burt has avoided his OWI trial that was supposed to start next Monday. (Update: Burt pleaded guilty) Iowa House Democrats released this statement on Burt's behalf. It mentions nothing of Burt's repeated comments about drinking with Governor Chet Culver that night.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: August 21, 2009, 12:19pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Culver Confused about Green Building

  Number of comments: 2
  Iowa Governor Chet Culver seemed to be confused about whose green paid for the new green building he helped unveil yesterday and Republicans are all over him about it. First, here's the story my colleague at Channel 13 Dan Winters did on the original incident. By the way, it was [...]
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  Posted: August 21, 2009, 11:37am EDT
  by Dave Price

• Mystery Candidate

  Number of comments: 3
  
  

  Some Iowa Democrats are whispering about a "mystery candidate" who will take on Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley next year. Two Democrats have already announced plans to do that: former legislators Bob Krause and Tom Fiegen. But some activists are talking about another candidate who [...]

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  Posted: August 20, 2009, 11:52pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Many questions...

  Number of comments: 1
  My wife and I are getting ready to head out Monday on my first-ever trip out of the country. We will fly to Paris for a few days, then take a train to Venice, where we'll spend about a week on a tour of Italy. Can't wait! So I doubt [...]
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  Posted: August 02, 2009, 9:43pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Dem Calls for Burt to Resign

  Number of comments: 3
  
  Today, Governor Chet Culver wouldn't say double-troubled Waterloo State Rep Kerry Burt should resign following his drunken driving arrest and tuition scandal criminal problem. The gov did say he had a glass of wine at the Feb. 10th event at the Embassy Suites in downtown' [...]
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  Posted: July 29, 2009, 1:44pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Burt Claims He Had Been at Drinking Party with Governor Before Drunk Driving Arrest

  Number of comments: 1
  Waterloo Representative Kerry Burt told Ankeny police that before they arrested him for drunk driving, he had been partying with the governor. Channel 13 obtained newly released reports from the Ankeny P.D. detailing Burt's claims, as well as video from the camera inside an Ankeny police car. My story that [...]
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  Posted: July 27, 2009, 10:53pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Sarah Palin

  Number of comments: 7
  
  Sarah Palin is quitting as Alaska's governor today. So, now what? Will she write a book, make a lot of money giving speeches and then run for president in 2012? Will one of the more than a dozen accusations of ethics violations finally do her' [...]
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  Posted: July 26, 2009, 4:07pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Rants Leaves Fund $200,000 in debt

  Number of comments: 3
  Chris (formerly Christopher) Rants has been an outspoken critic of Governor Chet (formerly Chester) Culver's spending of taxpayer dollars. The Des Moines Register's Jason Clayworth has a piece in the Sunday paper calling Rants' money management into question. Rants was the house Republicans' former majority leader and speaker and [...]
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  Posted: July 26, 2009, 2:49pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Purple Matters radio show

  Number of comments: 1
  My Internet radio show, Purple Matters, is now archived in case you missed it Thursday. Here's what you missed:
  
  health care debate--another side, a perspective from a Des Moines man in the insurance business
  
  the campaign of Rod Roberts--analysis from Doug Burns, a columnist who has interviewed him [...]
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  Posted: July 24, 2009, 5:01pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Obama Holds Health Rally in Des Moines

  Number of comments: 1
  President Barack Obama's Iowa campaign (I'm not really sure what else to call it) is planning a "town hall meeting" next Wednesday in Des Moines. An email message urges supporters to fill the room since the local media will be there.' [...]
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  Posted: July 24, 2009, 4:46pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Health Care Reform

  Number of comments: 5
  President Barack Obama gives a national address (you can watch it live on WHO-TV 13 at 7pm--thought the bosses would like that promotional pitch!) on health care reform. As Congress tries to figure out how to agree on overhauling the massive health care system, what do you want to see [...]
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  Posted: July 22, 2009, 5:07pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• Punish Public Servants

  Number of comments: 16
  Today, Governor Chet Culver spoke publicly for the first time about separate incidents involving the family of Supreme Court Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and Waterloo Democratic Representative Kerry Burt. Polk County deputies say they found an underage drinking party at the home of Justice Ternus and her husband, Dennis Drake, [...]
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  Posted: July 21, 2009, 4:16pm EDT
  by Dave Price

• David Gregory Getting Pretty

  Number of comments: 3
  Technical problems can't be avoided. Not on local tv. Not on national tv. If only, they could:) NBC's David Gregory got caught "getting pretty" when someone at NBC punched up the wrong studio and caught Gregory primping for his upcoming show. Roll the tape...
  
  
  [...]
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  Posted: July 20, 2009, 9:14pm EDT
  by Dave Price