Thursday, May 23, 2013
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, could appeal to both social and fiscal conservatives, making him a candidate to "fear" in the Iowa Caucuses, progressives warn.
Amid growing speculation that Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is testing GOP presidential waters in Iowa and elsewhere, progressive activists warned Thursday at a rally in West Des Moines that a Walker presidency would be “terrifying" and disastrous to middle class families. The controversial Wisconsin governor hasn’t said he’s a candidate, but his appearance Thursday at a Republican fundraiser in Iowa’s largest county, as well as a handful of appearances in the Northeast and before powerful conservative groups, suggest that he’s at least considering a 2016 run for the Republican presidential nomination. The “Scott Walker Truth Squad,” as activists from Progress Iowa and One Wisconsin Now call themselves, told reporters at a news conference …
1989 Ames High School graduate Patrick Marley will read from his book, “More Than They Bargained For” Saturday at Books-A-Million.
Sign up for Ames Patch's free newsletter | Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter Anti-Union Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will appear alongside Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad tonight for the 4th Annual Robb Kelley Spring Dinner, a Polk County Republican fundraiser, at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel. And obviously, Progress Iowa and One Wisconsin Now plan to protest the appearance and Walker's “anti-middle class agenda.” Those among the politically clueless who don't know why some liberal groups are riled by the visit could learn all that and more 1 p.m. Saturday when Ames native and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Reporter Patrick Marley stops at Books-A-Million, 1200 S. Duff Ave. Marley plans to read from a book he co-wrote with Jason Stein…
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
“Truth Squad” plans to rally ahead of Wisconsin governor’s appearance before Polk County Republican activists in West Des Moines Thursday.
Advocacy groups for progressives in Iowa and Wisconsin are holding “Scott Walker Truth Squad” in advance of the Wisconsin governor’s appearance Thursday at a Polk County Republican Fundraiser, one of several of appearances before GOP activists that point to a possible presidential run in 2016. Advisers to Walker say he’s returning a favor to Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who hosted a fundraiser in Dubuque, Iowa, for the embattled Wisconsin governor during his 2012 recall election, the Washington Post reported. Even if Walker’s advisers are telling it like it is, and that Walker’s appearance with Branstad is just a little quid pro quo among political friends, the pre-banquet rally by Progress Iowa and One Wisconsin Now is expected to add to the…
Friday, May 10, 2013
Steve Gaer, whose city has seen robust growth during a crippling recession, is considering a U.S. Senate bid, but says uniting Republicans in a primary would be a hurdle.
The mayor of one of Iowa’s most successful cities says he’ll decide early next week whether to seek the Republican nomination for U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin’s seat. Harkin, a popular Democrat, announced earlier this year he will not seek a sixth term. It’s a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, said West Des Moines Mayor Steve Gaer, who was approached about six weeks ago by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which works to recruit and elect Republicans to the U.S. Senate, about seeking the nomination. Gaer said the NRSC credited him with bringing people together to reach consensus, something leaders see as lacking in Congress, and also noted West Des Moines' robust growth during the recent recession. As most of the nation continues …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Iowa had one of the highest voter participation rates among eligible voters in the country, according to new information released by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Iowa often gets questions about why the presidential election process should start here with the first in the nation Iowa Caucus. One reason could be that Iowans are among the most active voters in the country. A new report by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that 69.4 percent of eligible Iowans voted in the 2012 election, in which Barack Obama earned a second term in the White House. That percentage was one of the highest in the nation, according to new information released by the U.S. Census Bureau on Wednesday. Only eligible voters in Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Mississippi and Massachusetts had higher participation. Mississippi had the highest voter turnout at 74.5 percent, and West Virginia the lowest at 47.8 percent. A key point of…
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker, a Republican in the Rand Paul mold, said he plans to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Tom Harkin. State Sen. Joni Ernst and Ames lawyer Paul Lunde also are considering a bid.
With top contenders passing on the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Tom Harkin, a few politicians are now saying they are interested. Former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker, a Republican in the mold of Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, said he will file paperwork to run on WHO Radio's Simon Conway show, according to The Iowa Republican. Whitaker, a managing partner at a law firm based in Des Moines, appears to be the first Republican candidate to announce the intention to run after several high profile options declined, including Congressman Tom Latham, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey and Congressman Steve King. Early polls had King as the favorite in the primary. A couple other Republicans …
Saturday, May 4, 2013
U.S. Rep Steve King said a campaign for the Senate would keep him from fighting battles in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Steve King, R-Kiron, who said on Wednesday that he was embarrassed he hadn't made a decision on whether to run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Tom Harkin, apparently made up his mind. King tweeted late Friday that he'd rather concentrate on battles in the House of Representatives than campaign. “I will not run for Senate in 2014. A Senate race takes me out of urgent battles in Congress that can't wait until 2015. Many thanks to all.” - @SteveKingIA King joins other Republicans like Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey, Rep. Tom Latham and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds who have also said they would not run for the seat, according to the Washington Post. Early polls showed King, a far right conservative and a Tea Party favorite, as …
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
King, R-Kiron, made a stop in Ames with Americans For Prosperity Director Mark Lucas Wednesday afternoon, said he was embarrassed.
Congressman Steve King said during a visit to Ames Wednesday that he is still considering whether he should run for the US Senate seat being vacated by U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and is embarrased that he has no answer. King led early GOP polling for the seat, but has yet to announce his decision. The Des Moines Register tweeted Wednesday that King remains undecided and that he said he was "embarrassed" about it. Gov. Terry Branstad, who supported King during his bid for the newly created 4th District, said recently that “the last thing we need is another congressman in the United States Senate,” and some media outlets reported that it could be taken as a slight toward King, but the Des Moines Register said Branstad was actually talking about…
Monday, April 29, 2013
Congressman King plans to speak about spending cuts during an afternoon visit to Ames.
Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron; and Americans for Prosperity State Director Mark Lucas will discuss spending cuts during an appearance at Wallaby's Bar and Grille Wednesday. Both men plan to talk about how cutting spending and taxes could boost the US economy. The event is set to being at 2 p.m. Lucas is the Iowa State Director of Americans for Prosperity. King said recently that he will be on the 2014 ballot either as a candidate for the 4th District, a seat that he currently holds, or for U.S. Senator Tom Harkin's seat. Ames Newsletter/Ames Patch Facebook page/Twitter: @AmesPatch
Monday, April 22, 2013
Braley currently represents Iowa's first district in the House of Representatives. He is seeking the Senate seat that Harkin has held since 1984.
Sen. Tom Harkin has endorsed Bruce Braley to replace him in the 2014 election. Braley currently represents Iowa's first district in the House of Representatives. He is seeking the Senate seat that Harkin has held since 1984. “When I was campaigning for Bruce during his first run for Congress in 2006, I knew he was the real thing: a passionate progressive, a natural-born leader," Harkin said in a press release. "He is someone from humble roots, who in the time he has been in Congress, has fought for working people and the struggling middle class." Earlier this month, 71 Democratic members of the Iowa legislature formally endorsed Braley. In February, Rep. Dave Loebsack (IA-02) and former Rep. Leonard Boswell endorsed Braley for Senate…
Sam Adams
7:36 pm on Friday, May 24, 2013
rick if Walker or his spokesperson showed up at the event (they didn't) you might have a leg to stand on. as is, you're off base again. more ›