Essential Estrogen

Well-known conservative talk-show host Laura Ingraham has been announced by the Iowa GOP as Master of Ceremony for the Ames Straw Poll on Aug. 11.

"The Laura Ingraham Show" was placed in national syndication in 2001 and is now available on 340 radio stations. After graduating from Dartmouth College, Ingraham worked as a speechwriter in the Reagan administration, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Education. She went on to graduate from the University of Virginia Law School, where she was Notes Editor of the Law Review. She served as law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Ralph K. Winter on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. After clerking, she worked as a criminal defense attorney for Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. In the 1990s, she became a CBS commentaor and hosted a short-lived MSNBC program called "Watch It!"

In addition to hosting a radio program, Ingraham is an author, columnist and frequent guest of and contributor to Fox News.

Most recently, Ingraham created controversy on election day -- Nov. 6, 2006 -- by encouraging her listeners to launch en mass class to a toll-free Democratic Party hotline intended for reports of voting problems. At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Nov. 16, Sen. Patrick Leahy asked Wan Kim, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, to investigate Ingraham for voter fraud. Kim acknowledged Ingraham's actions were questionable, but indicated an investigation was not within the jurisdiction of his division. No legal action was taken.

In order to cast a ballot in the Ames Straw Poll, Republican residents must attend the event and either purchase a ballot for $35 or have their chosen candidate purchase a ballot on their behalf. The day will begin at 9 a.m. with a Fair Tax Rally in Stephens Auditorium featuring Neal Boortz. Voting begins at 10 a.m. and the National Rifle Association Rally and "American Solutions" workshops kick off at 11 a.m.

The official welcome address will begin at noon and is quickly followed by candidate speeches and additional official program highlights. Voting ends at 6 p.m. with official results announced at roughly 7 p.m.

Iowa and the other three states set to lead the 2008 presidential nomination process are not represented on a list of national finance chairs and co-chairs recently announced by former Gov. Mitt Romney's campaign.

The men and women on the list represent 21 states -- New York, Tennessee, Illinois, Massachusetts, Florida, Kansas, Utah, Washington, Michigan, California, Colorado, Missouri, Texas, Virginia, Arizona, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Connecticut, Georgia and Idaho. According to a press release on Wednesday, the individuals will "offer valuable support and counsel to Gov. Romney as he travels the country communicating his vision of bringing conservative change to Washington."

The individuals have been leading efforts over the past few months to build the resources for Romney's campaign. The chairs serve as regional leaders of the committee while co-chairs are primarily responsible for raising funds in their respective states.

Those serving as chairs are:

• Mark Guzzetta, president of Gemstone Development Corp., Florida
• John Miller, CEO and founding member of the National Beef Packing Co., LLC, Kansas/Utah
• Vicki Miller, wife to John Miller, Kansas/Utah
• David Nierenberg, president and general partner of the D3 Family Funds, Washington
• Patricia Nierenberg, wife to David Nierenberg, Washington
• John Rakolta, Jr., chairman and CEO of Walbridge Aldinger, Michigan
• Terry Rakolta, wife of John Rakolta, Michigan
• Ambassador Mel Sembler, former United States Ambassador to Italy, Australia, and Nauru and chairman of the board of The Sembler Company, Florida
• Thomas R. Tellefsen, principal of Tellefsen Investments, Inc., California
• Stephanie Spencer, wife of Tom Tellefsen, California
• Meg Whitman, president and CEO of eBay, California
• Griff Harsh, professor of Neurosurgery at Stanford University, California

Co-Chairs include Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt and JP Morgan Chase Chairman of the Board Bill Harrison.

This isn't your typical focus group. From time to time a participant erupts in a fit of giggles and runs away to a nearby splash pad for a refreshing romp through the water jets. The youngest members often refuse to answer, preferring instead to peek from behind a parent's leg. Regardless, our nation is at a crossroads and these participants may represent the only chance our society has at a completely non-partisan, objective view of the presidential candidates' outward appearance, grooming and style.

Participants vary from age 3 to 8. They have no prior knowledge of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's cleavage, former Sen. John Edward's salon bills, or Gov. Mitt Romney's make-up expenses. Questions about their racial backgrounds and socio-economic status were met with eye-rolling, blank stares and more than one request for pre-payment of promised lollipops. Their legal agents have all consented to allow participation so long as no photographs are taken and names are changed to protect the innocent.

Without benefit of party affiliation, statements on issues or even names, participants were shown photographs of the 2008 presidential candidates taken from either official websites or campaign literature and asked to share their thoughts on the person in the photo.

Six-year-old Tim rubbed his nose as he looked at the photograph of Republican hopeful Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas. He looked and rubbed for several seconds before saying, "When my tie is too tight for church, my head turns red like that."

"I don't think his head is red," said Bobby, age 8, looking over Tim's shoulder at the photo. "I think he's mad at somebody."

Two more children -- Audrey, age 7, and Carl, age 5 -- rejoined our group after a quick shower in the splash pad when the photo of Illinois' Democratic Sen. Barack Obama was placed on the table.

Carl's hand shot up and he waited until called before quietly expressing his dismay, "His Momma should have told him to wear sunscreen!" The four nodded solemnly in agreement at this remark that is, no doubt, more of a comment on their predominantly Caucasian surroundings than on Momma Obama's possible neglect.

Beth, age 8, took only a brief glance at the photo of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton before lamenting the Democratic hopeful's color choices. "When I grow up, I'm going to wear pink all the time," she said. "And, if you are going to dress up, you should always wear earrings. Do you think she's wearing high heels?"

"Papa!" said Jeremy, age 3, when showed a photo of Arizona Sen. John McCain.

Another Republican hopeful, Gov. Mitt Romney, should invest in a little hair color according to Emily, age 8, who said, "He looks like my first grade teacher. I didn't like him because the white hairs always made him look like we woke him up."

Her hair advice extended to Democratic Sen. Chris Dodd who she called "shocking" before staring even more closely at the photo. "I think he's wearing a wig," she said. "The hair on his head and the hair by his eyes are different colors."

Tim, however, pulled the photos of Dodd, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, former Sen. John Edwards, Congressman Ron Paul and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in front of him and smiled. "They have sexy dimples -- just like me," he told the group.

Participants unanimously agreed that Sen. Joe Biden's photo was "scary."

"He looks like the principal at school when the lunchroom is too loud," said Annie, age 7.

Tina, age 6, said she liked the look of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. "He looks like Santa -- with a big tan," she said.

After another short discussion on the benefits of sunscreen, a photo of former New York Gov. Rudy Giuliani was pushed to the top of the pile.

"Oh my word!" exclaimed Audrey. "Harry Potter glasses!"

Excitement remained high until a detailed inspection of Giuliani's photo produced no lightning bolt scar.

Notice was taken of Congressman Tom Tancredo's eyes and participants decided he "needed an earlier bedtime."

"My mom has lotion for her eyes," noted Bobby. "It stinks, but she likes it."

Although photos remained to be viewed, participants had begun to lose interest. With lollipop payment in hand, all but one ran off to swing sets, water fun, Iowa sunshine and carefree living.

Beth watched closely as the photos were neatly stacked and placed back into the bag. When her attention was mistaken for hope of additional payment she responded, "No, it isn't that. Why was there only one girl?"

Sometimes all it takes is one thoughtful question to cut through all the nonsense.

Those who read will know live blogging isn't necessarily my forte. Still, this meeting might warrant one because West Liberty, a town of roughly 4,500 people, is about 40 percent Latino.

I hear that Gov. Bill Richardson is on site, but he has not yet entered the room. The room is at capacity and there is ongoing debate about opening up partitions to an additional section. My guess would be that there are 200 or more people gathered at the West Liberty Community Center.

The show is getting started and I've claimed a piece of carpet off to the right side of the room. There are several small children present and parents are trying to get them settled into seats as Don Paulson does a quick introduction.

The governor begins his talk by recognizing the elected officials in the room.

"I'm a little bit late and I'm sorry about that," he says. "I want to abbreviate my stump speech which is usually an hour and half." He gets a chuckle from the audience on that... and possibly a sigh of relief.

He first goes into the outlining what will happen his first six days once elected president. This is a speech most Iowans are familiar with and most can recite by heart.

Day one: A plan to get troops out of Iraq. "I believe you talk and you negotiate." Important that we re-focus the money we are spending in Iraq.

Day two: I will present a plan for energy independence. "It will involve everyone and it will involve sacrifice."

Day three: Announce a plan to revitalize American education. Lots of applause for that one. We need preschool, he says, need to revitalize high school curriculum, need to raise teacher salaries. "The way you get our kids to open their minds to science and math is to generate a national program for arts in the schools." Lots more applause in response to that comment. Now he's hitting vocational training and community colleges -- "we need to come back and find ways for a national scholarship. I believe education is for everyone between 3 and 99."

Day four: health care. "I would say as a principle that no matter who you are in this country that every American has the right to the best possible health care. It's a right -- a human right." He says we need to improve the existing system and laments the fact that 31 percent of what's spent now goes to administrative issues. "We've got to focus on something we rarely talk about -- our veterans. Our VA system is good, but it is understaffed." Now he outlines his belief that veterans can go anywhere they want for health care. He receives big applause for that too.

Day five: the economy. "We've got a deficit of trillions of dollars and you see all these young people here... " While looking around the room, he spots a teenage girl dozing and gets another laugh when he asks her to stay awake. "We need a policy that does not ship jobs overseas." More applause follows his pro-union remarks. "We need a tax system that is fair." He talks about what he's been able to do in New Mexico in relation to taxes that have helped the economy there. "The way we've been approaching the economy is not a pro-growth way."

Day six: reflect on an America that used to be. "What do I mean by that? As your president I will follow the Constitution. My vice-president will be a part of the executive branch. I will protect a woman's right to choose while urging education, adoption and more. America will no longer use torture as a form of foreign policy... we will be an America that will bring back habeas corpus."

We're about 20 minutes in and Richardson is saying he is about to close. The children are running about and getting a little restless. I don't see any other members of the press in the room.

He says the YouTube debate was good because the questions came from ordinary people... "except for that goofy snowman."

"I'm not the richest and I don't have the best pedigree... I think this race should be about the future and this country. It should be about who has the most foreign policy experience. Who's the person who has negotiated with bad guys. Clinton and Obama during that debate had a little spat about if we should talk to bad guys... I've already talked to them!"

Now we are moving into a question-and-answer period... boy, girl, boy, girl says Richardson.

First question is about Palestine and the Middle East. She wants to know if he would talk to Hamas.

"What I would do is want information from Hamas saying they would stop attacking Isreal. I'd talk with Isreal too, Iran, Iraq..."

There's a follow-up question, but I can't hear it. "We can't just meet with someone and say I'm meeting with you. There has to be a give and take. I also believe in the Middle East we've stopped talking to a lot of people we should be talking to."

Wake-Up Wal-Mart is in the audience and asked about holding corporations accountable as good citizens. Richardson says he would and points to the fact that he joined Wake Up Wal-Mart several months ago in Iowa at an event. (Which I believe was in Des Moines.)

Next is AIDS research and international funding. Richardson says we need to know what's going on here at home and doing more education here at home.

Question: immigration strategies that will unite instead of divide.

"We have the president and vice-president doing what they usually do -- nothing. I'm a border governor and two years ago I had to declare a border emergency because of problems. First, we need to have more border security, technology and patrols. I worry about nuclear material crossing the border. I am not for this wall, because it won't work. It's a 12-foot wall... and now there's going to be a lot of 13-foot ladders built."

"What do you do with those employers that violate the law? They should be punished. Third thing is foreign policy."

He has pulled a young woman from the audience and proclaimed her president of Mexico. The audience is enjoying it very much. You have to speak frankly with friends, he says, so now he is talking to the young woman as his friend. She gets a big round of applause for playing along.

"Now, here's the part where I lose votes. We can leave it alone and do nothing because it is tough vote. The second option is what the House passed two years ago: deport them all, including their children who were born here. The third option make sense to me... sponsored by two senators, Kennedy and McCain... McCain did the right thing and it's costing him in his own party. They said we're going to take the 12 million and we're not going to do citizenship or amensty, but we are going to set up conditions where they can stay."

Conditions -- speak English, pay back taxes, pay a fine for coming here illegally, pass a background check, embrace American values. Those who are applying legally go first -- that is, these who have been here illegally go to the end of the line.

"Is this messy? Yes. It is perfect? No. Is it a pain? Yes. I think it is realistic and a way to deal with those who are here."

Next question is from a mom who's son is leaving for another tour in Iraq. She wants to know that, since her son is in charge of reconstruction, how Richardson plans to bring him home and also rebuild Iraq.

"Do you know how many contractors we have in Iraq? 180,000 I believe the Iraq people should be rebuilding their nation. Until our kids leave, we can't start the peacekeeping -- reconciling the three groups that hate each other."

A woman asks how he plans to pay for his initiatives.

"I think we need a Constitutional amendment for a balanced budget. You have to balance yours. In New Mexico we have balanced our budget. Why shouldn't our government have to balance theirs? Trillions of dollars? They are worse than a bunch of drunken sailors!"

Next question from a man -- right to work.

"I would get rid of right to work. I would have binding arbitration. You know who would be my Secretary of Labor? A union member." Big applause followed that remark.

A young girl dressed all in pink, tossed her head back on her father's chest and sighed loudly. Obviously the kiddos are getting restless. My clock says just over 50 minutes so far.

Richardson is now talking about how he would not hesitate to defend our nation with military force, but how he would work with other nations to ensure security for us here. We need to shift our foreign aid programs to human needs.

Next question -- firefighters, what will you do for them as pres? Most important asset as first responders -- would allow them to organize and notes they can do so in Iowa. This moves into a discussion of Minnesota's recent problems and the nation's infrastructure.

Tom Reynolds is signaling that he needs to wrap up.

Woman's question -- nuclear weapons, how can we judge others when we have so much ourselves?

"I'd talk to the Russians and work out an arms control agreement. How about if you reduce half and we reduce half? That doesn't mean the world is safe, but we've got to find ways to defend our country -- we don't spend enough on our ports, Amtrak, highways. I believe Homeland Security should be passed out on the basis of risk and not on the basis of proportionality."

Signaling two more questions...

Question: Immigration issue, what will he do about the economic policies that are governing what we are doing in relation to immigration. (NAFTA and sister policies world-wide.)

Next questioner wants to know if he can say it in Spanish. "You say it however you want it and I'll translate it."

Question: What do Latinos gain if you become President? What assurances do we have?

"I've never said I'm running because I'm hispanic -- I'm running, I want to be president and I am hispanic. There is a difference." (Paraphrasing there...)

"I will not just be a hispanic president... I will be a president for everyone. I want to find out why one of every two black kids don't graduate from high school. I believe that we are all members of the same world community. I believe the American dream should be open for all, but that we should be fair and also obey the law. I promise you that I will, with pride, talk about my heritage."

Question -- Baby boomers, entitlement spending. Interesting, you don't often hear the phrase "entitlement spending" at a Democratic event.

"Take three issues and say we are taking the politics out of it. One is getting out of Iraq. Second is the deficit. The third is social security. I would say let's take a year to resolve it. We need to stop raiding the Social Security trust fund. We are going to stop talking about privatizing social security. We need to tie it to the budget."

Communications Director Tom Reynolds has moved to the back of the room in an attempt to get this wrapped up. Richardson is still talking... no one seems to notice that he didn't answer that last immigration question. He said he was going to take the last three questions and then answer them all at once. After the second question, however, he jumped in to answer and then moved to question three, which he continues to expand upon.

"We've got to offer incentives to businesses that allow their employees opportunities to be healthy. We should have national policies... why aren't we curing cancer?"

"I know we got a lot of candidates. I'd love your support. I''m going to hustle and I'm going to out-work everyone. I'm going town-to-town. I'll make mistakes, but I'm electable."

And he's working the handshake line now. People are getting up and stretching. I'm out of here -- still hoping to eat with the family tonight. For those wondering, I'll work this into a regular new post for later, cross-posted on Iowa Independent.

Although I missed the show (and, in the interest of full disclosure, I'd rather pull out my toe nails than watch Bill O'Reilly), I still have to send my major thanks to Sen. Chris Dodd for his attempt to hold the Fox Channel talk show host accountable for partial truths, homophobia and fearmongering.

At roughly 1:10, O'Reilly says that a photoshopped image of Sen. Joe Lieberman kneeling before Pres. George W. Bush while Karl Rove cozies up to the President's behind is "the worst stuff on the internet -- there isn't anything worse than this." Who is he kidding? Quite frankly, if we are going to stay in the category of juvenile sexual stupidity, I personally found the text of the sexual harassment suit filed against O'Reilly to be much more over-the-top than anything I've seen on DU, Kos or (Lord, help me...) even Free Republic.

Fast forward to roughly 2:30 in the vid... this is where Sen. Dodd calls out the pandering pundit on his own vile statements in relation to allowing Americans to die in the aftermath of another terrorist attack. O'Reilly flatly denies the point and tells Sen. Dodd that he has no idea what he's talking about. Are you sure of that, Bill? Let's revisit your exact phrase:

"And if Al Qaeda comes in here and blows you up, we're not going to do anything about it. We're going to say, look, every other place in America is off limits to you, except San Francisco. You want to blow up the Coit Tower? Go ahead."

When it comes to vile... well, that ranks right up there in the top 10.

Now that I've offered my thanks, Sen. Dodd, I've got a piece of advice. It was originally given to me by my mother. She said, "Never enter a wrestling match with a pig. You'll both get dirty and the pig likes it."

While the residents of West Liberty often have their thumbs in the political pie, their town hasn't always been a traditional stop on the road to the White House. This cycle, however, things appear to be changing.

"It just feels so good to have candidates come here," said resident Dave Bradley, who made phone calls to drum up attendance for the Bill Richardson event roughly 200 attended. "It is great when you don't have to drive 30 miles down the road."

The New Mexico governor's visit on Thursday evening marked the second time this year the town has been visited by a Democratic presidential hopeful. The other candidate to visit was Sen. Chris Dodd of Connecticut. It is no coincidence that the two visiting candidates are both fluent in Spanish.

While Latinos and Hispanics constitute roughly 4 percent of Iowa's population overall, they comprise more than 40 percent of West Liberty's residents. The local newspaper, the West Liberty Index, prints in both Spanish and English, and there is a small radio station that broadcasts primarily in Spanish. Roughly one-half of grade-school students are Hispanic. The only city in Iowa that has Latinos as a larger percentage of the population is Conesville, a town less than 20 miles away.

It came as little surprise then, when a middle-aged Hispanic man stood and said he could ask his question more easily in Spanish.

"You say it any way you want to," Richardson said. "I'll translate it if you want to say it in Spanish."

Once the question was asked, Richardson told the audience the man wanted to know "what Latinos gain" and what "assurances" the Hispanic community had if he became president.

"I never have run and said, 'Hey, I'm Bill Richardson and I'm a Hispanic candidate.' I'm an American and very proud to be so," he said.

Richardson then shared a humorous story about his 93-year-old Mexican mother. During a weekly Sunday phone call, she asked if he was still governor. He reassured her that he was and reminded her that four months earlier he had announced he'd was running for president. She then asked, "President of what?"

"I tell that story because I feel I have a very similar background as many of the Hispanics here," he said. "I will not just be a Hispanic president. I will be a president for everybody. We are who we are, and I'm not going to try and pretend to be something I'm not. I am going to find ways to deal with the fact that one out of two black and Hispanic kids don't graduate from high school."

Richardson reminded the audience of his earlier remarks on immigration and his belief that neither deporting 12 million undocumented workers nor providing them immediate amnesty was the answer.

"I believe we are all members of the same world community," he said. "I believe the American dream should be open to all, but that there should be fairness. I promise you that I will with pride talk about my heritage. I am American -- I always have been."

Local residents Dave and Carol Bradley are pictured with Richardson in the above photo.

Iowa Sen. Nancy Boettger, R-Harlan, has announced her endorsement of Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback. It's a decision, she says, based on the senator's religious values.

"As a former educator, I know the importance of Sunday school values in our children's lives," Boettger said in a statement released this morning. "Sen. Brownback proudly invites God back into our schools and public square, and he knows we must get the basics right to secure a prosperous future for our children and our grandchildren."

Boettger is a 13-year veteran of the legislature and joins fellow Sen. Mark Zierman, R-Postville, in the Brownback camp.

"As a farmer, I know that Sen. Brownback understands the economic issues and social values of the agricultural community," she added. "Sen. Brownback grew up on a farm in Kansas, was the youngest state secretary of agriculture in Kansas history, and learned from a young age the Midwestern values he shares with Iowa."

Because a document signed Thursday by the Iowa Chief Justice Marsha Ternus, some individuals accused of wrongdoing will save a few bucks.

The Uniform Bond Schedule allows an arrested person to be released pending an initial appearance before the court and sets bond fees associated with such a release. The fee schedule can be used if the person in question was not arrested on a forcible felony and if Iowa courts are not in session. The schedule is developed by the Judicial Council, a body made up of chief judges from Iowa's eight judicial districts, the chief judge from the Court of Appeals and Ternus.

The updates on Thursday were the first in nearly nine years and, as such, reflect a few changes made to the Iowa Code during that time. Exempt offenses are any forcible felonies (as defined in code section 702.11), felonies related to the manufacture, delivery/intent to deliver or distribution of methamphetamine, and cases involving domestic abuse and stalking laws. Such offenses are not eligible for release without an appearance before the court.

The new schedule drastically reduces all bonding levels. Previously an individual arrested for selling or attempting to sell more than 500 grams of cocaine would be required to post $130,000 bond. Under the new schedule that same individual would post a $100,000 bond.

Lesser offenses -- such as class D felonies and simple misdemeanors -- also saw reduced bonds.

The reductions, says Rebecca Colton, assistant to the Chief Justice, are a reflection of the courts' desire to reduce strain on jail facilities.

When court is in session, judges can exercise discretion when setting bond amounts. Persons arrested on multiple charges who are eligible for release while court is not in session will need to post bond for the highest offense, regardless of the number of equal or lesser charges.

The new schedule will take effect on Aug. 15.

One of the newest Iowa faces in the beltway, Rep. Dave Loebsack, says the work done last November to elect Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress was "a down payment."

"You all know it is going to take an increase of the majority in the House and Senate and a new president to put this country on the right track," Loebsack said during remarks at the 2nd Congressional District Democratic Workshop in North Liberty. "We are now and will continue to do all we can between now and January of 2009, but we are going to have to have a new president."

The former Cornell College professor told the 70 or so Democrats gathered that media reports of a "do-nothing Congress" are gravely mistaken.

"You hear a lot in the media about how this Congress is like the last one -- that it's a do-nothing Congress," he said. "We've done a lot more than the media are telling you, especially in the House of Representatives."

While outlining the accomplishments made by the House within the first 100 hours of the last session, Loebsack was also quick to admit the progress he and other Democratic lawmakers made was in vain.

"I can't control George Bush, unfortunately," he said. "I can't control what happens in the Senate and Tom Harkin can't control what happens in the Senate. That's because we've got [Minority Leader] Mitch McConnell acting as the biggest road block this side of George Bush to what we're trying to do in this country."

McConnell, R-Kentucky, remains one of the strongest supporters of the war in Iraq, which he considers an integral part of the war on terrorism. In June, however, he told a contingent of troops in Kentucky at Fort Campbell when they were about to ship out on a 15-month deployment to Iraq, "The majority of the public has decided the Iraq effort is not worth it. That puts a lot of pressure on Congress to act because public opinion in a democracy is not irrelevant."

Loebsack says that "Iraq is the most contentious issue in America."

"I said while I was campaigning and I continue to say that Iraq was a war that never should have happened," he said. "Now that we are there, we've got to figure out what we're going to do. As far as I'm concerned we've got to begin to remove our troops tomorrow. I certainly don't want to see them there any longer than a year if that's at all possible. We're not getting that done because George Bush is stopping us. My view, for what it is worth, is that George Bush is going to try to stop everything we do."

Despite the obstacles, he says the slim Democratic majority in Congress will continue to work and do "whatever it can" to make changes.

"We are trying to take a number of steps [between now and January 2009]," he said. "We are trying to bring to the floor of the House a number of measures that aren't going to satisfy everybody -- they don't satisfy me by any means. They fall far short of what I think everyone in this room would like to see us do, but with them we can continue to build some type of political momentum."

Like January 2009, Loebsack believes September is too far away.

"I've spoken with some Republicans on the other side of the aisle -- people like Walter Jones who, two years ago, came over to our side on this," he said. "We are trying to get more Republicans on board and not wait until Sept. 15 for this to happen. We have to keep pushing because it is time we get our troops out of the middle of a civil war that cannot be won."

Most of all, Loebsack stressed that he and his colleagues in the House were not going to just roll over and hope for reinforcements after the next general election.

"Even when George Bush vetoes something, we're going to keep pushing it," he said. "We're not giving up. He's going to be gone in January of 2009 and we're not going to just sit back and do nothing in the meantime.

"When we talk about moving this country in a different direction, we are talking about the minimum wage, helping workers organize better, universal health care, getting out of Iraq, higher education, and having more funds and resources available for students to go to college at all levels. We are talking about the things we talked about in the campaign and we are working to make them realities."

A Cedar Rapids veteran was the first person in Eastern Iowa to place a "Support the Troops, End the War" yard sign as a part of the "Iraq Summer" campaign sponsored by Americans Against Escalation in Iraq.

"The message is a good and positive one," said Gulf War veteran Joe Stutler. "I'm an Operation Desert Storm vet and these guys are really pounding the same sand. To me they are pounding the wrong sand. In my personal opinion, we're supposed to be going after the original Al Qeada -- the folks that attacked us on 9/11. They are in Afghanistan and there's a big difference between Afghanistan and Iraq."

Stutler says, as a veteran, he would never agree to be a part of any push or organization that did not support our military men and women.

"These guys are my brothers in arms," he said. "I don't know of any veteran that's really served and that really believes in America and veterans issues that wouldn't immediately and willingly go pick up ruck and gun and go serve alongside these guys. That's what we are about."

He also feels that it is a part of his duty to speak out against a war which he feels is "the wrong mission."

"Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11," he said. "If there are some of those folks there now, it's because we opened the door and let them in. ... I'm still wondering where Osama bin Laden is.

"One of the things I hope to bring about by having this yard sign is to have people stop, think and really look into the things going on. People need to question everything. Question their message... question my message. There is no problem with all of these messages being out there. Listen to them all and make an informed decision."

Stutler, a former Republican, is now an active member of the Veterans Caucus of the Iowa Democratic Party.

Many additional signs were placed in the Cedar Rapids area today as part of an ongoing effort to convince Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Tom Latham to change course and vote for the safe and responsible redeployment of U.S. troops in Iraq. AAEI expects to place more than 6,000 yard signs in the next few days.

The drive was officially launched in Altoona last week with the first sign in Iowa planted in the yard of Dr. Larry Koenig, a lifelong Republican who served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and whose daughter and son joined the United States Army. His son is currently on active duty.

"I think [the war] is politicized now," Stutler said. "I don't think it has to be. I think both sides are trying to play this game and, when you get down to it, it is not a game for those of us who have been there."

“Iraq Summer” is a nationwide, 10-week long campaign with nearly 100 organizers in 15 states and 40 congressional districts to turn up the heat on members of Congress who have opposed setting a time line to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq. The effort will culminate with a national “Take a Stand” day on August 28th, when members of Congress will have the opportunity to explain their stance on the war to their constituents in a town hall setting.

Fergie -- Big Girls Don't Cry

Avril Lavigne -- Keep Holding On

The WaPo is reporting Iowa Repubicans aren't liking their choices. All of this courtesy of a new poll.

M.R. Field talks about building win-win partnerships with her Leading Voices: Iowa publication.

I'm wondering if desmoinesdem at Bleeding Heartland may have wandered into one of the big three parenting debates on non-political blogs. She has a write-up about how she's discovered non-political blogs can be more sensitive and tend to censor comments. Those big three issues, at least in my experience, tend to be to snip or not to snip (circumcision), religion/religious tolerance, and the blame-the-parent game. The idea of a lot of non-political blogs isn't to begin a conversation, but to state a point. There is also a very real feeling of ownership of the space (i.e., don't try to tell me your opinion on my dime).

The worst online dispute I was ever involved in was on a predominantly parenting site. But that's too long of a story to get into today.

If you missed the report by Douglas Burns about brown being the new pink then you should click now and have a read. It's well worth your time.

Iowa Voters takes a swipe at the GOP folks who believe that just because there has been cheating at their fundraiser, that there's been cheating at real voting locations.

Ann at Feministing takes on a Marie Claire article: Fembots: The New Breed of Women.

Vocino takes offense at George and Laura Bush posing for photos near the bridge collapse in Minnesota while Louisiana is still suffering. Amen.

If you are looking for solid, first-hand reporting about the collapse and aftermath, visit Minnesota Monitor.

There's been an elephant in the room with former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards as he has traveled first to western and now to eastern Iowan to unveil his plan for trade policies and labor. And this time, the elephant doesn't represent anyone from the Republican Party.

Yesterday, while Edwards stood with striking Teamsters at Standard Ready Mix Concrete Co. in Sioux City, an attempt was made to disrupt the rally. Mark Jensen, vice president of the company, drove a truck close to the event, left it running and unveiled a "Hillary for President" sign. Jensen also came equipped with a camera and began charging fees to rally attendees who parked on property he owned. The fees and tension led to a scuffle between him and union member Andrew Garlinghouse, and that led to a police report. If anything, however, the executive's actions stood as testimony to Edwards' own views on a trade policy set by "corporate and Washington insiders."

Edwards' own "smart and safe" plan was on the table today in Cedar Rapids at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers No. 405 Union Hall. No signs for Democratic rivals were unfurled at this event; however, few were left wondering exactly who was on the other end of the senator's remarks. While neither former President Bill nor current rival Hillary Rodham Clinton were mentioned by name, most of the labor-savvy crowd had little difficultly following Edwards' thinking -- especially when he began a more than 40-minute pummeling of the 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement.

"For years now Washington has been passing trade deal after trade deal that works great for these big multi-national corporations, but they're not great for America," he said to the 300 people gathered at the IBEW this morning. "For example -- here's one you know about -- NAFTA.

"NAFTA and the [World Trade Organization] provide extraordinary and unique rights for foreign companies whose profits are allegedly being hurt by environmental and health regulations. These companies have actually used them to demand compensation for laws against toxins, mad cow disease and gambling. They even sued the Canadian postal service for being a monopoly. Domestic companies would get laughed out of court if they tried to bring these types of cases. But they have private courts and we have -- in our trade deals -- created these rights for foreign companies."

Edwards pointed a finger at the Bush administration, but just as quickly removed it and picked up a broader brush.

"The trade policies of President Bush have devastated towns and communities across our country," he said. "But we need to be clear and honest about something: This is not just his doing. Like in a lot of things, he's made it a lot worse, but for too long presidents from both parties have entered into trade agreements like NAFTA, promising they'd create millions of new jobs and enrich communities. Instead too many of these agreements have cost jobs and devastated communities."

He went on to add that NAFTA, a program begun by then-President George H.W. Bush and eventually pushed through by President Bill Clinton, was a policy written by government and corporate insiders in Mexico, the United States and Canada.

"[The trade agreement] served their interests," he said. "It did not serve the interests of regular workers. It included unprecedented rights for corporate investors, but no labor or environmental protections in the core text. Over the past 15 years we have seen the growing inequality in the United States, in Mexico and in Canada."

Edwards' speech, coming just a day before he and other Democratic hopefuls present their plans at an AFL-CIO forum in Chicago, is calculated. While most pundits agree the AFL-CIO executive committee will not come together on Wednesday and make an endorsement at this time, the individual unions -- such as IBEW 405 in Cedar Rapids -- are a different story and are being courted heavily by all the potential nominees.

More information on Edwards' "Smart and Safe" trade policy can be found by visiting his website. An audio clip from the event today can be accessed below:

Iowa's 2nd District Congressman Dave Loebsack will host a series of meetings beginning tomorrow and continuing through Friday.

"During this tour I will be able to meet individually with community members in all 15 counties of the second district to discuss your concerns regarding educating your children, health care, ethics reform, economic development, renewable energy, security, agriculture and other issues important to Iowa," Loebsack said in a prepared statement.

• Tuesday, Aug. 7:
• Linn County -- 9 a.m.
  Cedar Rapids Public Library, Study Room D
  500 1st Street SE, Cedar Rapids
• Cedar County -- 11 a.m.
  Tipton Public Library, Story Time Room
  206 Cedar St., Tipton
• Muscatine County -- 2 p.m.
  Muscatine City Council Chambers
  215 Sycamore St., Muscatine
• Louisa County -- 3:45 p.m.
  state Bank of Wapello, Meeting Room
  306 North 2nd St., Wapello
• Des Moines County -- 5:30 p.m.
  Burlington Public Library, Small Group Room 2
  210 Court St., Burlington
• Wednesday, Aug. 8:
• Lee County -- 9 a.m.
  Fort Madison City Hall, Council Chambers
  811 Avenue E, Fort Madison
• Lee County -- 10:30 a.m.
  Keokuk City Hall, Council Chambers
  415 Blondeau St., Keokuk
• Henry County -- 1:30 p.m.
  Mount Pleasant City Hall, Council Chambers
  200 Monroe St., Mount Pleasant
• Jefferson County -- 3 p.m.
  Fairfield Public Library
  104 W. Adams St., Fairfield
• Van Buren County -- 4:30 p.m.
  Van Buren County Hospital, Conference Room B
  304 Franklin St., Keosauqua
• Thursday, Aug. 9:
• Davis County -- 9 a.m.
  Bloomfield Courthouse, Magistrate Courtroom
  100 Courthouse Square, Bloomfield
• Appanoose County -- 10:45 a.m.
  Drake Public Library
  115 Drake Ave., Centerville
• Wayne County -- 1:30 p.m.
  Wayne County Court House, Basement Conference Room
  101 N. Franklin St., Corydon
• Wapello County -- 4:30 p.m.
  Ottumwa City Hall
  105 E. Third St., Ottumwa
• Friday, Aug. 10:
• Washington County -- 9 a.m.
  Washington Public Library
  120 East Main St., Washington
• Johnson County -- 11 a.m.
  Iowa City Public LIbrary, Room E
  123 S. Linn St., Iowa City

Residents unable to attend one of the above meetings, but who would like to voice a concern or need to Rep. Loebsack, are encouraged to call his district office toll-free at 1-866-914-4692 or visit his website.

While minor scuffles between the Democratic presidential hopefuls have been big news over the past few days, the American public has been mostly insulated from the near brawls between the Republican hopefuls. Sunday's ABC Presidential Forum in Des Moines, however, has begun to drag some of the GOP carnage into the spotlight.

"Virtually nothing in that ad is true," said former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney when confronted with the text of an automated attack phone call concerning the issue of abortion paid for by Brownback for President, highlighting what appear to be inconsistencies with the politician's stance. "The single word I'd use would be 'desperate' or perhaps 'negative.'"

Text of Automated Phone Call

"Hello, this is an urgent alert for pro-life Iowa Republican voters. The Straw Poll is coming up in a few weeks and Mitt Romney is telling Iowans he's firmly pro-life. Nothing could be further from the truth. As late as 2005, Mitt Romney pledged to support and uphold pro-abortion policies and passed taxpayer funding of abortions in Massachusetts. His wife Ann has contributed money to Planned Parenthood. Mitt told the National Abortion Rights Action League that 'you need someone like me in Washington.' Romney still supports life-destructive embryonic stem cell research and he still opposes the Human Life Amendment which is part of the Republican Party's platform. Stand up for life and say no to Romney. This call has been paid for by Brownback for President."

ABC's George Stephanopoulos pressed Romney to specifically state what in the ad was untrue. In response, Romney stated, "I am pro-life. That's the truth." He went on to add that "the best way to learn about someone is not by asking their opponent, but ask them."

During the forum Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback said he stands by the text of the automated call.

"That's a truthful ad," said Brownback. "That's what campaigns are about -- getting the truth out, expressing the differences between the candidates."

Before the discussion had ended, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Sen. John McCain and former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson had their say as well.

"I believe the best way we can have common ground in this debate that you're hearing is if we put our emphasis on reducing abortions and increasing the number of adoptions, which is something I did as mayor of New York City," Giuliani said. "But I think, ultimately, that decision that has to be made is one government shouldn't make. Ultimately, the woman should make that with her conscience and with her doctor."

The former mayor received a limited round of applause for his views on the subject.

"Every year the Republican Party both at the state level in Iowa and nationally comes out very avidly and passionately on being pro-life," said Thompson. "I think any candidate that is pro-choice is going to have difficulty with the party faithful and those individuals who have come to the district, state and national meetings and have avowed time and time again that this party, the Republican Party, is a party of pro-life."

Thompson went on to say that being so "tied up in one issue" is preventing a national discussion on larger issues that affect all Americans such as health care.

In contrast, however, McCain, when asked by Stephanopoulos if focusing on one thing was distracting from issues of national security, said he would not agree that discussions on abortion are distracting from other needed conversations.

"I think the respect and commitment to the rights of the unborn is something I fought for and it has a lot to do with national security," McCain said. "It says very much what kind of a country we are and our respect for human life whether it be here in the United States or in China or Bangladesh or the Congo or any place else in the world. So I think it is connected."

On Monday the Brownback team continued to pound Romney on the abortion issue. A press release arrived at roughly 4 p.m. containing a link to the Brownback blog and another link to a newly created video on YouTube. The video features Brownback as a talking head, voicing his displeasure not only with Romney refusing to own up to the assertions in the original robo-call, but also with "name calling."

"You can call somebody a name, but facts are more stubborn," says Brownback in the video.

So, what are the facts? According to Tahman Bradley of the ABC News fact check, there was more than one step outside the lines of "truthiness" during the forum. Bradley says that Giuliani may have crossed the line when highlighting his accomplishments in increasing adoptions.

A review of an official New York City document conducted by Factcheck.org looking at adoptions over a ten-year span shows that although Giuliani increased adoptions at a rate higher than his predecessor David Dinkins, adoptions under Giuliani declined five out of the last six years he was in office. Perhaps the former mayor is overstating his accomplishments just a bit. Depends on how you look at it.

Romney also appears to have veered left during his assertion that he has not been in favor of taxpayer funded abortion.

But according to an article published by the Boston Globe dated March 25, 2005, a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood indicates that Romney said he "professed support for state funding of abortion services for low-income women" when answering a Planned Parenthood questionnaire.

Five days remain for things to heat up for the Iowa Republican Party fund-raiser known as the Ames Straw Poll. If we all sit quietly, we'll probably be able to hear the Bic lighters flicking.

Just a quick note that there's a couchblog (hat tip to Deeth for that great name) going on at Iowa Independent. Chase is driving tonight and myself and others will be adding thoughts via the comments section.

Hop over for all the latest coverage.