Radio Iowa

Fong is in

Apparently Christian Fong of Cedar Rapids intends to run for governor.  He talked to James Q. Lynch of The Cedar Rapids Gazette.  He has not contacted Radio Iowa.

Fong has been chairman of the "Next Generation Commission" in Cedar Rapids and serves as leader of the "Generation Iowa Commission," a statewide group created in 2007.  According to a 2007 news release from Governor Culver's office (Culver appoints members of the commission), Fong "works as Head of Real Estate Capital Markets for AEGON USA Realty Advisors. After graduating valedictorian and as a National Merit Scholar from Underwood High School in 1999, Christian earned his B.S. in Statistics from Creighton University and his MBA with high distinctions from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth in 2005."

I've heard Fong speak in public once. It was at the now-infamous public hearing at the statehouse about a tax plan Democrats proposed but while faltered and failed to pass during the '09 session. Spectators booed Fong at the beginning of his remarks when he offered a polite greeting to both Republicans and Democrats in the room.  Here's a section of a Radio Iowa story from April:

At first, they booed Christian Fong of Cedar Rapids, president of a non-profit group that's working on flood recovery projects, but then switched to applause after Fong said this.

"I'm not a partisan. I deal with facts. The fact is this plan will raise taxes. It would raise taxes on Iowans already hurting in disaster areas and already hurting in a recession," Fong said.

UPDATE: Here is the MP3 of Fong's speech on March 31.  You will hear the end of remarks from Iowans for Tax Relief's Ed Failor, Junior. followed by Fong.  Rep. Paul Shomshor, the other voice on the recording, briefly shut off the microphone Fong was speaking into, banged the gavel at those who booed Fong, and then switched on his own microphone.  Fong's mic was switched back on and he continued his remarks. 

New "open government" laws in SD, IL, but not in IA

As you may recall, Iowa legislaors tried but failed to enact any open government reform in 2009. 

According to (House Democratic Leader Kevin) McCarthy, he's heard more from the press than the public on this issue. "The press is probably the number one constituency for it. I, generally, to be very frank with you -- in fact, I've never been lobbied by a citizen on the issue," McCarthy says, "but I have been lobbied by members of the media."

A new law goes into effect tomorrow in South Dakota that essentially says all state and local government documents are public records unless the government can prove they should be kept secret.

Last month, the Illinois legislature passed significant revisions to that state's Freedom of Information Act, as detailed in the analysis below from the Citizens Advocacy Center in Chicago.  (It should be noted that open government was a good issue for Governor Quinn and other Illinois politicians to embrace after the Blagojevich scandal.)

McCoy has a new job

A state senator once on the list of Des Moines Democrats who wanted to run for congress issued a news release today. State Senator Matt McCoy, Iowa's only opening gay legislator, received national attention when he released this video the day the Iowa Supreme Court legalized gay marriage. McCoy was also acquitted of extortion in a 2007 jury trial.  Read McCoy's news release below:

McCoy Launches New Firm

Des Moines, Iowa (June 30, 2009) -- Matt McCoy announced today that he will leave his position with the Downtown Community Alliance effective July 1, 2009. McCoy joined the Alliance in 2003 and served as Vice-President of Community Development.

The measuring contest

It was an interesting moment this past Saturday.  Bob Vander Plaats, the 2002 & 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidate who is gearing up for a run in 2010 in hopes of facing off against Governor Chet Culver, made this declaration:

"I hold more degrees than he does and I have a license to evaluate him as a teacher and I plan on doing that in the 2010 general election," Vander Plaats said.

For those who know both of these men, you know Culver and Vander Plaats are both former teachers and coaches. (If this trivia has escaped your notice, you haven't been paying as close attention as the statehouse press corps, since both men mention their former lives as teachers and coaches often.) Culver got a master's degree in education from Drake University in 1994.  Vander Plaats says he has a master's from Drake, too, as well as what he described as a "specialist's degree."  During an interview on Saturday, Vander Plaats described it as an A.B.D. -- "all but dissertation."  Vander Plaats said he had taken doctoral level classes, but still had a bit of coursework and that dissertation to write before he could earn his doctorate. 

Iowa First?

The Democratic National Committee's "Change Commission" met Saturday.  David Chalian from ABC has a brief about the meeting.  Dan Balz of the Washington Post wrote a Sunday piece.  If you don't have time to read the entire Balz piece, here's the "Iowa First?" part:

The role of Iowa and New Hampshire at the front of the nominating calendar remains controversial but appears less likely to dominate the latest calendar debate. The GOP already has exempted New Hampshire and South Carolina (Iowa doesn't need one, because its GOP caucuses are technically nonbinding). In 2008, Democrats added Nevada and South Carolina to the list of states authorized to hold early contests in a bid to bring more regional balance and demographic diversity.

Democrats in some big states still aren't happy with this system, but the likelihood of major change is limited. The question will be how to reward states who go later to give their voters added weight in the process. The first order of business will be overall timing, rather than who goes first.

Andrew Malcolm blogged on the LA Times website about the Change Commission. The Hill wrote a preview.  Iowa City blogger John Deeth posted this on Sunday.

Iowa's representative on the commission is Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller.  Miller, along with State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, publicly endorsed Barack Obama during his first rally in Iowa back in February of 2007.

Republican "possibles" at Sac County GOP gathering

UPDATE:  Read the first Radio Iowa story about the event.  Or, listen to all the speeches.

The time is 8:28 a.m.  I am sitting in a lovely building on the Sac County Fairgrounds, an original  "Chautauqua" building that was constructed in the early 1900s.  This is the site of a Sac County GOP gathering that will feature four men who are considering the idea of running for governor.

Two of them are farther along in the process.  Both Bob Vander Plaats and Christopher Rants, both of Sioux City, have formed "exploratory committees."  Representative Rod Roberts of Carroll and Senator Jerry Behn (pronounced "BAYN") are in the contemplative phase.  Vander Plaats and Rants were first on the scene here, followed by Roberts and Behn,  They've been chatting individually with the folks who have been paying $10 per ticket to attend this breakfast event. 

At 8:33 a.m., a prayer was offered and immediately following the prayer folks started lining up for breakfast. The building is huge, with rows of painted benches as well as picnic tables.  "The media" is stationed at a picnic table near the middle of the hall, near an electrical outlet. In about 20 minutes -- at 9 o'clock -- each of the four potential candidates will be given a chance to speak (individually) to the crowd.  This is the first time all four have appeared, together.

According to Senator Steve Kettering, a Republican from nearby Lake View, Sac County is a "Republican county."  He says the Sac County GOP had a "pretty good hook" in pledging to share proceeds from the event if one of the four would "formally announce" they're running for governor at this event. 

Kettering, though, considers the 2010 race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination wide open at this point, with "a couple of hands full" of other candidates considering jumping into the race.  "In my judgment, the gubernatorial race has not started," Kettering said moments ago.  "...It's way too early.  Obviously, there are still a couple of hands full of people still talking about it."

There are over 60 people seated now at picnic tables covered by red and blue tablecloths.  They're enjoying a breakfast of egg casserole, fruit and cinnamon rolls. Senator Kettering just showcased his own plate of food for the reporters here, pointing out the cinnamon roll as the "little bit of fun" on his plate.

At 9:07 a.m. the Pledge is recited by the crowd, followed by introduction of county elected officials in the audience as well as GOP precinct chairs.  The emcee is Brian Krause, pastor of the Faith Bible Church in Sac City.  According to Krause, there are about 12,000 residents in Sac County and both Krause and Kettering estimate Republicans comprise about 60 percent of registered voters, with about 40 percent registered as Democrats. 

Krause, by the way, assured the crowd he is not related to Bob Krause, the Democrat who has emerged to challenge Republican US Senator Chuck Grassley's reelection.  "There is nobody in my gene pool who is challenging Chuck Grassley," Brian Krause said.

Senator Behn is first and, after starting a stop watch to adhere to the 15 minute time limit each candidate has been given, he beings with a pledge: "I would spend your money carefully, just like I'll spend your time carefully."

The Iowa delegation & the Energy Bill

The U.S. House passed an "Energy Bill" today on a 219-212 vote. Five congressmen represent Iowa in the House and the delegation voted along party lines.  Congressmen Bruce Braley of Waterloo, Dave Loebsack of Mt. Vernon and Leonard Boswell of Des Moines voted "yes."  All three are Democrats.  Congressmen Tom Latham of Ames and Steve King of Kiron voted "no."  Both are Republicans. 

During floor remarks, Latham used a "visual aid" to make his main point about the bill.  No, trivia buffs, it was not a paper bag with holes cut out for his eyes (that's a reference to former Congressman Jim Nussle and his House speech in which he asked to "unmask" the members of the House who had bounced checks at the House bank). Latham pulled a hat out of a box. Lest you worry, Latham did not don the hat.  Watch the video.

King also spoke during today's debate.  Find a link below, as the statements from four of the five Iowa congressmen released this evening are posted below.

The burglars stole my homework

The children of former Iowa House Speaker Ron Corbett, a candidate for mayor in Cedar Rapids, would have had a good excuse for their teachers.  It seems burglars broke into the Corbett home this week and ransacked the place.  They used the kids' backpacks to cart some of the loot out of the house.  Read The Cedar Rapids Gazette story about the burglary. 

Barbour's thoughts on Sanford

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour arrived in Iowa mid-afternoon.  He's the guest on this weekend's edition of Iowa Press on IPTV and the show was taped shortly after his plane touched down.  The first series of questions were about South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford.  Barbour also stiff-armed questions about whether he would run for president in 2012.

Barbour: "In my career, I've made it a point that I don't talk about people's personal problems.  I don't think it's polite.  I don't think it's appropriate and I don't think it advances the ball down the field. The people the South Carolina have got to decide and he's got to decide if he ever wants to run for anything and I'm not going to prejudge that based on what I think is a personal tragedy for his family."

Should Sanford resign?

Barbour: "I don't think he should."

What about lying to his staff?  Misleading South Carolinians? Erratic behavior?

Barbour: "I don't know what he said to different people. He didn't say anything to me, so I'm not going to prejudge that.  But look, the Sanfords have got something they've got to work through.  I think they're trying work through it and what that means politically right now, for them, is probably a whole lot less important than what it means for their family."

What impact will Sanford and Ensign situations have on the health of the GOP?

Barbour:  "I actually don't think there'll be any efffect and when I say 'any' I mean literally any effect...I don't think it'll change how one person's going to vote in November of 2009 or in November of 2010. I think it's a terrible thing.  I hate it for them, but if you ask what I think the effect will be at the ballot box -- I don't think if will have any effect at the ballot box." 

As mentioned above, Barbour dismissed discussion of a possible run for the White House in 2012.  After the show, Barbour talked with a small group of Iowa reporters and he put a finer point on it. 

"When I was (RNC) chairman in '93 and '94, I told thousands of people, 'Look, if you're a good Republican you ought to be focused on the '93 and '94 elections because what happens in them is a whole lot more important to winning the presidency in '96 than going around campaigning for president.'  Well, I'm taking my own advice.  In 2009 and 2010, I feel exactly the same way," Barbour said.  "....If after that, it seems like a reasonable thing, I will consider it. I have no plan to run for president. I have no intention to run for president, but I have been around long enough to say, 'Never say never,' and we'll just see where we are after '10, but I would be very surprised if I turned out to be a candidate for president.  My wife would be more surprised."

Kathie Obradovich is the new DMR political columnist

I've known Kathie Obradovich for about 14 years; I met her when she came to cover the statehouse for Lee Enterprises.  She wrote weekly columns which were well-written, insightful and often witty.  I'm sure she'll do the same for The Register. 

Congratulations, K.O.!

Signed,

O.K.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 25, 2009
 
The Des Moines Register announces political columnist
 
Des Moines, IA< The Des Moines Register today announces Kathie Obradovich as the new political columnist.
 
Generations of Iowans have trusted the Register¹s political commentary to help set the agenda, define issues and hold public officials accountable.For decades, presidential candidates have courted the Register¹s attention and national reporters have sought its tips and insight into candidates¹ characters and qualifications. Obradovich will not only carry on this tradition but add her own unique voice. ³My passion is helping Iowans to engage with their government to make a difference,² said Obradovich, political columnist for The Des Moines Register.
 
Obradovich has served since 2003 as the Register¹s political editor, directing coverage of Iowa¹s first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, the Iowa Statehouse and Congress. She has been the lead editor of the award-winning Iowa Poll, developing questionnaires and coordinating reporting of the results.
 
Obradovich has covered Iowa government and politics for over 20 years, including a decade as a reporter and bureau chief at the Iowa Statehouse. She¹s an Iowa native and Iowa State University graduate, with strong family roots in the state.
 
³Kathie earned this role by covering politics and government in Iowa for 20 years. She has shaped the coverage of elections, Iowa Caucuses and legislative sessions, sometimes under her own byline and sometimes behind the scenes. Born and raised in Iowa and with those years of perspective, she is uniquely suited to carry on the responsibility of the four Des Moines Register political columnists who preceded her.² said Carolyn Washburn, Vice President and Editor of The Des Moines Register.

Obradovich¹s first column will appear on Sunday, June 28. You can find her columns every week in The Des Moines Register or online at www.DesMoinesRegister.com. If you are interested in arranging an interview with Kathie Obradovich, please contact The Des Moines Register at (515) 699-7052.