Essential Estrogen

You may have caught Sen. Joe Biden on Fox News Sunday today. At nearly the end of the show (which deals mostly with AG scandal and sworn testimony) Biden informs host Chris Wallace that his campaign has raised roughly $3 million in this cycle.

BIDEN: Well, I think we're going to talk about somewhere around $3 million for this quarter. I think we're on track to be able to raise what we need, which we think is $20 million to $25 million to compete.

But, Chris, if this gets down to just straight money, then there's only going to be one, maybe two candidates in the race. But I don't believe that.

I believe as long as Iraq and foreign policy and these big issues are in play, that my having enough money to compete in Iowa will allow me to win the nomination.

I don't think it's going to be won by money.

Biden makes the best point for Iowa and New Hampshire remaining first in the nation as well as them holding their contests at least one full month ahead of any others: even those without money can play here. Wallace, of course, doesn't get it.

WALLACE: But, Senator, I mean, let's be realistic here. The estimates are that when the numbers do come out the next few days, that Senator Clinton may raise north of $25 million, maybe even north of $30 million. Obama north of $20 million.

Can you really honestly -- I mean, you're a realistic man. Can you compete at $3 million?

I think someone should have told Wallace that it is difficult to step on Biden's toes. After all, he's been around the block a few times and knows how to make a point.

BIDEN: ... I read Broder's article (note: subscription required) today, you probably saw it, saying that 90-plus percent of the punditry talk about the status of affairs for presidential campaigns at this stage is worthless.

This is worthless. If people think we're going to pick a nominee based on how much money they have rather than based on their ideas, I think they vastly underestimate the Democratic electorate in these primaries.

From there Wallace moved on and allowed Sen. Mitch McConnell to answer an ad by Americans United for Change without having an opposing viewpoint available.

Securing America is announcing today a "massive,half-million dollar ad blitz, featuring - for the first time on the paid airwaves - George Bush's former commanders on the ground in Iraq" developed by VoteVets.org.

Take a look at the first in a series of three:

This ad features VoteVets.org Advisory Board Member Maj. Gen. (ret.) John Batiste, who was commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division from Aug. 2002 to June 2005. During that time, he conducted combat operations in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Batiste twice voted for Pres. Bush and is a lifelong Republican, according to Jon Soltz, Iraq War Veteran and Chairman of VoteVets.org.

Next week the group plans to announce an ad with Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton and finish with an ad featuring Gen. Wesley Clark.

Soltz is seeking donations from individuals interested in helping air the ads nationally.

Author's Note: This morning Media Matters for America announced the results of a gender and ethnic diversity study focusing on the Sunday morning talk shows. The breakdown of guests who appeared on the shows in 2005 and 2006 shows that men outnumber women by a 4-to-1 ratio.

For at least this moment in time, television news in Iowa is a man's game.

Overall, the employees who produce Iowa's televised newscasts are divided 58 percent male and 42 percent female. Of a total of 219 persons (news, weather and sports) throughout the state, 126 are male while 93 are female.

Of the 219 total, there are 63 individuals serving as primaries or anchors throughout the state. When we look at these individuals the gender gap widens to 70 percent male and 30 percent female.

The picture looks more balanced in the lower levels of the newsroom where 53 percent of workers are male and 47 percent are female.

At the various networks, most females work in the news department: 87 percent at ABC; 90 percent at CBS; 82 percent at FOX; and 77 percent at NBC. Overall, only 15 percent of women who work for television news organization do not work in the general news department. Further, only two percent statewide work in the sports department as compared to 25 percent of males in the field.

Libby Allison of Davenport's KLJB FOX affiliate and Heidi Soliday of Des Moines' KCCI CBS affiliate are the only two primary sports anchors/directors who are female in the state of Iowa. No female chief meteorologists could be found in Iowa.

Of the 16 television stations across the state examined for these statistics, most had primary anchor crews of one female and three males or two females and three males. Only one station featured a single-sex anchor team. The KWWL, Waterloo's NBC affiliate, has a team of three men - News Anchor Ron Steele, Meteorologist Jeff Kennedy and Sports Anchor Rick Coleman. This team also holds the distinction of being the only anchor desk in the state of Iowa that includes a person of color. Coleman, a black man, more or less grew up both watching and working for KWWL, beginning his career there while still in high school.

Looking at the big three of ABC, CBS and NBC, the prize for lowest gender gap goes to the state's ABC affiliates which have 45 percent women in their news crews. CBS and NBC tie with 41 percent. FOX has a gender gap of 44 percent; however, many of these stations "borrow" staff from others in the area.

Statistical data gathered from information on station web sites. Gender and ethnic backgrounds determined solely by sight. Stations examined were KCAU, KCCI, KCRG, KDSM, KFXA, KGAN, KIMT, KLJB, KMEG, KPTH, KTIV, WHO, WOI, KWQC, KWWL and PBS (state-created news content only).

The last of VoteVets.org's trilogy of ads has been released today.

This ad features retired Gen. Wes Clark and Army artillery officer Mike Breen and highlights the Bush administration's failed foreign policy.

"The helicopters, the equipment and the troops are stuck fighting George Bush's war in Iraq," said Gen. Clark in a prepared statement. "As I said before the invasion, military action against Iraq would distract us from fighting those who attacked us on 9/11: Al Qaeda. George Bush and Dick Cheney constantly trumpet their capture of Saddam Hussein, but where is Osama bin Laden?

"The President did not listen when I went before House Armed Services Committee in 2002, discouraging an invasion of Iraq. The President did not listen to General Batiste and General Eaton, as they called for a new strategy in Iraq. And the President is still not listening."

As referenced by Clark above, Maj. Gen. John Batiste and Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton were featured in the first and second VoteVets.org 'Generals' ads, respectively.

Here is the Eaton ad:

And here is the Batiste ad:

This Sunday, the CBS news program 60 Minutes will dedicate its entire one-hour show to Iowa National Guard soldiers and their families.

The program, "Fathers, Sons, and Brothers" will air at 6 p.m. (Iowa time) on CBS affiliates. The Iowa Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry (The Ironman Battalion) -- the unit that includes Iowa state Rep. Ray Zirkelbach -- and their families here in Iowa are followed from initial alert to the present, nearly 24 total months.

The relationship between the TV news program and the Iowa Guard was formed, according to Lt. Col. Greg Hapgood, in summer 2004 when 60 Minutes did a report on three of the nation's fallen, who included Iowa National Guard member Bruce Smith. The helicopter pilot and instructor had lost his life the previous November when his Chinook, which carried roughly 40 soldiers, was hit by enemy fire. In the subsequent crash-landing, 16 soldiers lost their lives, but 20 survived.

"We worked with them as they put together the piece with Bruce Smith and had a good relationship," Hapgood said. "We were pleased with how the final piece came out, feeling it was very balanced, and that paved the way for us to be more comfortable about this more long-term piece."

CBS, knowing it wanted to follow a battalion-sized unit and family back home, approached the National Guard in several states to see what might be available and who might be willing.

"It was approximately two years ago when they first came to us to see if we had units of a certain size and if we could work together on something like this," Hapgood said. "After learning of the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry they met with a number of soldiers and families to make a rough decision as to which story lines would be followed."

Given the title of the piece, the focus isn't difficult to figure out.

"There are probably 18 different families that have multiple family members serving," he explained. "You have lots of relationships there -- fathers and sons, brothers, nephews, cousins. We also have the very unusual circumstance of having one husband-and-wife couple serving."

In general, it is unusual to have women serving in the infantry since federal law and internal policies limit the roles women can play in combat situations.

The unit was alerted in July 2005 to serve as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the global war on terrorism. They reported to Camp Shelby, Miss., in September 2005 before leaving for Iraq the following April. In January 2007, the Department of Defense extended their deployment for up to 125 days, or through August 2007.

There have been two major items of note about the unit in the local press: Zirkelbach's service and two fallen soldiers. While Hapgood admits he has not seen the final product, he says, because of the focus of the piece and based on questions asked of him, he does not believe either will be a big presence in the news report.

Because of the deployment and extension of duty, Zirkelbach - who was first elected in 2004 and won re-election in 2006 (unopposed) - has missed the 2006 and 2007 legislative sessions. He was the ranking member of the Veterans Affairs Committee from 2004 to 2006. He is the only state representative deployed to Iraq. A corrections officer at Anamosa State Penitentiary and a member of AFSCME Local 2994, he represents Jones County and a portion of Dubuque County.

In September 2006, two members of the group - Staff Sgt. Scott E. Nisely, 48, of Marshalltown and Spc. Kampha B. Sourivong, 20, of Iowa City - lost their lives during combat operations near Al Asad, Iraq.

"We were honored by 60 Minutes - one of the preeminent news organizations in the world - wanting to follow our Iowa National Guard soldiers," said Hapgood. "We hope it will help provide an understanding of how deployment affects our soldiers and their families and even our communities. We hope that will lead to greater support for our military and their families."

The 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry includes units located in Waterloo (Headquarters and Headquarters Company as well as Detachment 1 of Company B), Dubuque (Companies A and D), Oelwein (Company B), Iowa Falls (Company C), and Charles City (Detachment 1 of Headquarters and Headquarters Company). Approximately 560 soldiers from 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry are on this deployment, with an additional 130 soldiers from Company E, 334th Brigade Support Battalion (Waterloo and Dubuque) providing logistical support.

The Ironmen Battalion's core mission is to conduct close combat with enemy forces and provide security of key terrain, facilities and installations.

Don't have a ticket for the big Democratic dinner in Cedar Rapids tonight? No problem.

C-SPAN coverage of the Iowa Democratic Party's Hall of Fame dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. (Iowa time). The first speaker out of the gate is our own U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin.

Others expected to provide remarks are Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Chris Dodd, John Edwards and Bill Richardson.

The event is being held at the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons in downtown.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd (from Connecticut) have agreed to participate in a presidential debate conducted in Spanish.

The debate is scheduled for Sept. 9 at the University of Miami and will be hosted by Univision Communications, Inc., the nation's largest Spanish-language broadcaster. The network's programming is available in most Iowa markets via cable and satellite television.

Univision press statements indicate this is the first presidential debate conducted in Spanish. Simultaneous translation, however, would be provided to candidates and viewers.

News of the debate comes just weeks after Univision's highly successful citizenship drive was scheduled to move from a pilot program in Los Angeles to a national campaign. During the program in Los Angeles, citizenship applications jumped 123 percent compared with the same period in the previous year. Meanwhile, applications increased 59 percent in areas not targeted by the campaign. A large surge in the Hispanic voting bloc could sway not only the 2008 elections but also the upcoming presidential preference primaries and caucuses. Consider that these new citizens often favor Democratic candidates by a 2-to-1 margin, and that President George W. Bush claimed narrow victories in heavily Latino states in 2004.

In 2003, the U.S. Census reported the Hispanic population had become the largest minority in the nation, and it projected Latinos will make up 25 percent of the U.S. population by 2050.

As Alexander Bolton aptly points out, this places many of the hopefuls -- especially the 'front-runners' -- in a bind. Candidates fluent in Spanish would speak directly to the audience in that language. Non-speakers would have their responses translated. Further, the debate is being hosted live in Florida, a key primary state in 2008, where Hispanics or Latinos make up nearly 20 percent of the population.

In contrast, the U.S. Census estimates there are roughly 120,000 individuals in Iowa who are of Hispanic or Latino origin. This constitutes nearly 4 percent of the state's population. That figure, however, is expected to nearly triple by 2030. The Pew Hispanic Center reported in October 2006 that only one-third of Iowa's existing Hispanic population were at least age 18 and a U.S. citizen eligible to vote.

Richardson, who is fluent in Spanish, is the nation's only Hispanic governor. He was born in California, but spent his early childhood in Mexico City.

Dodd, although not Hispanic, is also fluent in Spanish. While serving in the Peace Corps, he lived in the Dominican Republic.

The company has invited Republican presidential candidates to a debate — also in Spanish — on Sept. 16. There is no word yet on which candidates, if any, will appear.

The two new ads released today by Sen. Chris Dodd's campaign feature both his public and private experience.

The first ad, titled "Amazing Grace," is narrated by him and highlights his oldest daughter, Grace. Have a look:

The second, titled "Split," is a quick but good representation of his work both as a legislator and as a member of the global community. His commitment to public service is highlighted, beginning when he was 22 and joined the Peace Corps and continuing through the present day. Here's the ad:

Of the serious ads floating around Iowa, these are some of the best. While the second one could be construed as an attack ad, it's 95 percent Dodd's resume. And, since his resume is one of his biggest assets, why not run with it and ask the public to compare it with the others?

The first ad... wow... that first ad touched me. Generally, it would be difficult to watch that ad without finding some type of personal connection. All the key themes which pull midwestern heart strings are there. For me personally, however, there were many connectors.

I'm one of those people who have had the pleasure of growing up with older parents. When I was born, my mother was 43 and my father was 53. While I was not their first, I was told from the day I was born (at least it seems) that I'm what kept them young and focused on the future. My father and mother remained active in our community, school and church for years because it was important for them to make their children's futures the best possible.

On Sept. 13, 1998 I gave birth to our son Spencer. He was just over seven pounds and beautiful... sadly, he was also stillborn. One might think it would be difficult to know that such very sad date in our household is a very happy date in another. That isn't the case at all. To know that Dodd's daughter was born on Sept. 13 three years later brings joy to my heart.

I'm not sure if I can explain this properly, but the loss of a child is like massive black hole and for a very long time I was afraid that black hole of our sadness and emptiness would consume everything. Basically, you wonder not only if you'll ever be happy again but if there will ever be happiness in the world again. The joy of baby Grace being born on Sept. 13 is reassurance of hope.

The ads have already begun running in Iowa and New Hampshire. It will be interesting to see public reaction.

Don't like political advertising? Better find and hide under a very big rock. With its first-in-the-nation status, Iowa stands on the front lines in a national debate over campaign finance reform.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in a 5-4 decision that, by passing the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (also known as "McCain-Feingold" for its sponsors), Congress overstepped its authority to regulate political speech. The case, Federal Elections Commission v. Wisconsin Right to Life, focused on the portion of the law that prohibits organizations such as WRTL from using corporate funds to broadcast advertisements targeted at a specific candidate within 60 days of a general election and within 30 days of a primary or caucus.

Readers should not be distracted by WRTL being a party in the suit. The issue of free speech was being pressed from both sides of the political spectrum. Organizations and agencies supporting WRTL in this effort included the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Rifle Association, the American Federation of Labor and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, among others.

The AFL-CIO filed a brief supporting the challenge in this case, according to the organization's President John Sweeney. Five years ago the group was a plaintiff in the "McConnell" litigation, opposing the "electioneering communications' ban.

"[The ban] criminalized an important and effective means of our public communications and silenced the collective voices of working people to a degree almost without historical precedent," he said. "We look forward to the occasion when the last vestige of this unjustified prohibition is invalidated or repealed."

For better or worse, Iowa broadcasters, viewers and advertisers will soon feel the brunt of the landmark decision.

"The influx of political advertising can definitely cause customer service issues for us," said Steve Lake, national sales manager for Iowa-based ABC affiliate KCRG-TV. "While no two stations plan out their advertising schedule in the same way, we all only have a certain amount of time to sell. That is, the amount of advertising I have available on the evening news -- the spot most political advertisers want -- doesn't change."

Despite the court's decision, there are still differences between issue advertisers and political advertisers, says Lake. Political advertisements are created by candidates and have certain protections under the law. Issue advertisements are created by groups and are not afforded such protections.

"Broadcasters don't have a choice when it comes to political ads," Lake said. "We are required by federal law to run them and to offer our lowest possible rate. Issue ads are a different story. We can charge higher rates and we are not legally required to accept them."

That last sentence is good news for Iowa viewers and advertisers.

"I doubt we'd bump any local advertisers," Lake said. "But those who buy in at the lowest rate do so with the risk of getting replaced with premium rate advertisers. The worst part is that we rarely know when an order for political or issue advertising is going to come."

Political campaigns and issue groups often make ad buys in advance that vary in duration and size. Key ad placement -- during the coveted evening newscasts, for example -- can be purchased for a price.

"We know who has bought ad time, but we don't know when an ad is going to come in at the last minute and need to be run the next day," he said. "When that happens -- and considering our limited ad time each day -- another advertiser has to be pulled from the schedule."

In general, political advertising isn't the economic boom some viewers may view it to be.

"Are we going to make money?" Lake asked. "Sure. At the end of the day, when you take a political ad at the lowest rate and mix in an issue ad at the higher rate, it's just a wash."

One thing is for sure, with their muscles restored to the strength of years past, organizations are going to be flexing in the weeks prior to the Iowa caucus.

"We welcome the Supreme Court decision upholding the rights of unions and other groups to broadcast messages that influence public debate and legislative decisions, even though these messages might also influence voters' choices in an upcoming election," Sweeney said. "A majority of the court has finally and emphatically embraced the simple truth that the First Amendment abides no law that suppresses independent speech about legislators and candidates, at least absent an explicit call for their election or defeat."

Later today, the presidential campaign for former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards will hit the Iowa airwaves with their first major television advertisement.

The ad, entitled "Heroes," comes on the heels of the Edwards campaign being the first to visit each of Iowa's 99 counties.

"In the ad, John reaffirms his commitment to honoring and fighting for America's true heroes -- the working men and women of our country," Iowa State Director Jennifer O'Malley Dillon said in an email to supporters. "It's a powerful piece that remind me of why I'm so proud to support John."

Four Iowans are featured in the ad:

• Newton resident Leslie Gilbert is a mother of four who works two jobs to help provide for her family. Her husband, Shane, works as an insulator and they recently purchased their first home. Leslie is going back to school to earn a degree in business.
• Doug Smith works as a bead builder at the Firestone plant in Des Moines. He is a member of United Steelworkers Local 310.
• Bill and Helen Barrett have three children and nine grandchildren. For more than 20 years they owned and operated a farm in Seymour. Since 2000 they have lived in Des Moines. Bill drove school buses in the Des Moines area until he retired in 2004.

The ad is being aired in conjunction a seven-day campaign promotion dubbed "American Heroes Week." During the next seven days, Edwards will visit South Carolina and Louisiana before heading back into eastern Iowa. On Sunday, Nov. 4, Edwards will host a series of town hall meetings to highlight the service of America's teachers. The following day he will focus on the heroism of America's soldiers during a foreign policy speech in Iowa City. The candidate will then travel to New Hampshire for events focusing on veterans and first responders.

Today, the campaign for former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards launched its second major television ad buy in Iowa -- just 13 days following its first.

The new ad, which will run throughout the state, highlights the candidate's plan to hold Congress accountable for passing universal health care within six months of his potential presidential inauguration.

“We all want universal health care – but just having a plan is not enough,” Edwards said in a prepared statement. “We've seen plans fail before in Congress, and they will again unless we have a new approach. We have to be willing to take on the drug companies, insurance companies, and their Washington lobbyists who killed reform last time. But if you're defending the system, taking money from their lobbyists and giving them a seat at the table, reform is just not going to happen.”

On the first day of Edwards’ administration, he said he will submit legislation that ends health care coverage for the president, all members of Congress, and all senior political appointees in the legislative and executive branches of government on July 20th, 2009 -- unless Congress has enacted universal health care reform.

Edwards added that he will require Congress to pass universal health insurance that meets four principles:

1. It must be truly universal
2. Anyone who has health care must be able to keep it and pay less for it
3. Anyone who doesn’t have health care must get it, with help if they can’t afford it
4. Doctors and patients, not insurance companies and HMOs, must have control of health care decisions