Harkin riles GOP by comparing Bush and Aristide (hear the hypocrisy drip off Harkin's tongue)

Des Moines Register ^ | 02/27/2004 | JANE NORMAN

[kcvl]

LOL! Get in line. I doubt anyone will read mine.

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

Hmmmm. Good question. Little states like Iowa and let's say South Dakota elect Senators who can bring home the pork. Farmers who are afraid that a conservative might cut of the programs that pump money into subsidies. Or an increasing older population that is nervous about their health care and Social Security. Tom is one of the kings of demagoguery. Daschle and the Clintons taught him everything he uses. (If the Electoral Colege is disbanded. Iowa should merge with Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas and Missouri. Because we will lose all our voice in Government.)

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I don't buy this "popular vote," story, anyway. If you back out the dead people and their dogs who voted in Chicago and St. Louis, then add back in the absentee votes from overseas military, (that Algore blocked) you'd find Bush won, period.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Bahamas ?

[an amused spectator]

I am SO ashamed to be represented by this LOSER!

So does this reporterette Jane Norman work directly for Harkin's office, or does she donate her time?

[CyberAnt]

WHAT!! Not one person has pointed out Harkin's stupidity by saying that the President of the United States is NOT ELECTED BY THE POPULAR VOTE, but by the Electoral College.

The USSC does not have any control over the Electoral College.

[alloysteel]

You don't understand about Iowa. There is a broad streak of Progressive politics that runs back to the time of Teddy Roosevelt's run for the Presidency as a "Bull Moose", it played all through the Depression, when the Progressives threw their weight behind the "New Deal" under FDR, and one of their own, Henry Wallace, scrambled to the top of the heap in DC, as an "agrarian reformer". Also, do not overlook the degree in which manufacturing spread throughout Iowa, during the days when farms were becoming mechanized. John Deere, International Harvester, and Oliver Hart-Parr all were big players, and they fell under UAW early on. So the trade unions were a big thing there too.

There is nothing to assure that Iowa should be a Republican state, notwithstanding their pre-eminent agricultural orientation. There are just not that many farmers any more, and those that are, do not necessarily automatically vote Republican. But there are LOTS of teachers and county and state employees, and they are solidly union. And vote a straight Democrat ticket.

[onyx]

Perfect explanation. Thnak you.

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

Yes, my apologies. I only missed by a couple hundred miles.

[Verginius Rufus]

The last time Harkin was up for re-election was 2002, not 2000.

[TomHarkinIsNotFromIowa]

4 out of 5 in the House are Republicans.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The just DRIVE on the left in Bermuda.

[savedbygrace]

I don't accept the concept that the popular vote supercedes the Electoral College vote. The Electoral Vote is the determining factor. That's the rule set by the Constitution, and all parties know that rule going into the election.

Besides, less than 50% of the registered voters usually vote, and many of those eligible do not even register. So, even if Gore got the majority of the popular vote (and I agree with you, Eric, that this issue is in doubt) he didn't get the votes of the majority of those eligible to vote. So there! Take that in the eye, all you liberal, leftist, socialist knobbies listening in. (Not you, Eric.)

[over3Owithabrain]

Fine, Harkin. Then why don't you and your pinko buddies like Mike Moore try to physically overthrow the government. Please??

[!1776!]

Yup. This state is so psycho. I bet a lot of the same people vote for both Harkin and Grassley. Idiots!!!

I beg your pardon.

This state certainly isn't "psycho" however we do have one idiot representing us in the Senate.

I would prefer misled, un-informed, or something along those lines. The Harkin machine is very strong in this state. With the help of out of state donors he floods the media outlets and relies heavily on a strong (though not majority) left wing showing in the larger cities in addition to poorly informed rural voters to whom he provides the annual bacon in terms of farm subsidies.

Actually I have heard democrats say they think he is a sleazeball, but they sure as hell aren't going to vote him out of office.

While a strong supporter of our Republican party, they have been ineffective at mounting a serious challenge against Harkin. Not sure if it is fear that causes them to mis-step during a race so often or what, but it is annoying.

Harkin isn't up for re-election until 2006. Feel free to complain about what he says from a distance, but know that some of us have to live with the fact that he is representing us.

Take care

[jayef]

I keep seeing this picture. Is that Daniel Ortega that the slimeball is shaking hands with? Let's see if I have this straight . . . shake hands with Ortega . . . piss on Ollie North. Hmmmmmm, I think I know just what to do about this!

[!1776!]

Ok the gloves come off! Harkin is a traitor to America or making such venemous comments. Harkin should go live in Haiti if he thinks it's so great there.

Actually, he lives close by. Has a place in the Bahama's and a post office box (and I am assuming a "house") in Iowa.

Harkin is an embarrasment to me and most of the state of Iowa. I just wish the Rebublican party could get their act together and get him out of office...

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

I've seen that pic before. Whats the story on it?

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

You may be partly right but I think it's more of the power of the incumbency.

[mware]

Hey Jim, how ya doing??

Maybe Harkin can hold President Bush's coat for him while he deals with the terrorist.