http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ia-news/ en-us Fri, 1 Jan 2010 20:30:03 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419119/posts The coming year could bring an enormous electoral shift in the U.S. Anti-incumbent fever is sweeping the nation. People are furious at the federal government's takeover over the health care, banking and auto industries, as well as massive spending and a sputtering economy. The system failures with Flight 253 brought national security back to the forefront. The tide is turning and it will not bode well for Democrats in 2010. Here are my predictions for key races across the nation for the coming year.... The Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2419119/posts#comment Fri, 1 Jan 2010 20:30:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417854/posts The media loves to make a big deal about political endorsements. Campaigns hype them up. The ones doing the endorsing love the attention. But how much impact do these endorsements really have? Some, but not nearly as much as we are led to believe.... The Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417854/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:07:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417146/posts An Iowa Republican congressman says he thinks former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will seek the GOP presidential nomination in 2012 and that she's among a few people who could win the state's leadoff caucuses. U.S. Rep. Steve King said Tuesday he initially thought Palin ended her political career when she resigned as governor last summer. But he said during a taping of an Iowa Public Television show that she's now in a far stronger position to succeed. Kansas City.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417146/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:32:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416029/posts New population figures give a boost to the GOP By: Chris StirewaltPolitical EditorDecember 28, 2009 The 2010 census is sure to be controversial.Republicans will thunder about the community organizers who get hired to do the counting, and Democrats will wail that the homeless and migrant workers are undercounted.But in the final pre-count estimate just released by the Census Bureau, we already have a broad idea of where the results are headed and what they will mean politically.The numbers are cause for alarm for Democrats.Of the states gaining House seats -- Texas (three) and Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah... Washington Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416029/posts#comment Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:44:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415548/posts The Hawkeye State has seen more than its share of bruising political battles. Despite not having a presidential nominating process in 2010, the coming year will see one of the biggest political fights in Iowa history: The War Over Gay Marriage. The Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415548/posts#comment Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:21:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413194/posts Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, responded Tuesday to widespread criticism that Democrats only garnered the 60 votes needed to defeat Republican stalling tactics on the health reform bill by catering to self-interest, saying Democrats are focusing on the big picture; "trying to cross a demarcation line." Harkin dismissed deals dubbed vote-buying by GOP senators as "small stuff" that distracted Americans from the primary focus of the overhaul bill. "We have to keep our eyes on what we're trying to do here. We're trying to cross a demarcation line," Harkin told "Early Show" co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez. "On one side is health care... CBS News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413194/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:27:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411067/posts Foreword: As a follow-up to my recent column on competing concealed carry bills in Iowa, I have invited representatives from state gun rights groups Iowa Gun Owners and Iowa Carry to educate us on their positions. The following response is from Sean McClanahan, President, Iowa Carry: We’ve had several meetings with Chris Rager, both in person and on the phone. We have a copy of the NRA’s proposed legislation available on our main website. Keep in mind that this is *proposed* legislation. Nothing is set in stone right now, and changes can still be made. In fact, as I send... Gun Rights Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411067/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:49:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410986/posts Family of Clinton murder victims ask the public for tips Chris Minor Reporter December 18, 2009 CLINTON - Angel Herman's mother says she knows someone has information about who may have killed her daughter and 2 year old grandson, and is hoping they come forward soon. WQAD http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410986/posts#comment Sat, 19 Dec 2009 05:55:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410352/posts Foreword: As a follow-up to my recent column on competing concealed carry bills in Iowa, I have invited representatives from state gun rights groups Iowa Gun Owners and Iowa Carry to educate us on their positions. The following response is from Aaron Dorr, Executive Director of Iowa Gun Owners: In his recent article, Jeff Knox of the Firearms Coalition has brought to light some very disturbing components of the NRA’s proposed concealed carry bill in Iowa. He mentioned our organization, Iowa Gun Owners, as the state based group that is opposed to this bill. He is correct. The 5,000 members... Gun Rights Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410352/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:16:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410121/posts Iowa 5th District Congressman Steve King continues to be one of the most outspoken critics of the Obama administration. For the second time, King wrote a letter to the President, demanding he fire "safe schools" czar Kevin Jennings. Obama never responded to the first letter authored by King, and signed by 52 GOP House members. The Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410121/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 03:09:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408576/posts Manassas, VA --(AmmoLand.com)- The Firearms Coalition yesterday issued a scathing denunciation of legislation proposed by the National Rifle Association for the state of Iowa saying that Iowa is the latest instance of the NRA cavalry riding in to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. In Iowa, Sheriffs have broad discretion in the issuance or denial of permits to carry concealed weapons and Iowa GunVoters have been rallying support for removing that discretion and moving the state to a “shall issue” system. In the last legislative session an Alaska-style bill, pushed by local grass roots rights activists led by the... ammoland.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408576/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:46:34 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408363/posts The DNR has refuted claims that they have brought mountain lions into Iowa to help control the deer population. But many do not believe that. This cat was checked by the DNR for a tag. None was found. Why would they look for a tag if mountain lions in Iowa are rare and wild? Associated Content http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408363/posts#comment Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:34:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408130/posts Iowa gubernatorial candidate Christopher Rants has spent a lot of time criticizing his GOP rivals in recent months. A new video posted on You Tube turns the tables on the former Iowa House Speaker. The clip combs through Rants' records in great detail, and accuses him of taking $1.1 million in special interest money. That includes including $450,700 from "vice lobbies" like gambling, tobacco, and alcohol. The Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2408130/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:48:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407800/posts Courtesy Oleg Volk, A Human Right Related Articles * House File 596 analysis--Iowa Gun Owners * Iowa legislation update--Iowa Carry Jeff Knox of the Firearms Coalition says the NRA is derailing a good concealed carry bill and pushing a bad one in Iowa: [O]ne would expect advocates to unite around the Alaska-style bill for this legislative session with an eye towards either passing a very good bill, or forcing a clear record vote on such a bill and using that vote against opponents in the next General Election. Instead, after ignoring the state for decades, NRA has decided to ride... Gun Rights Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407800/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:53:14 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407705/posts The Obama administration will officially announce on Tuesday that some Guantanamo prison terrorists will be shipped to the Thomson, Illinois correctional center, according to ABC News. Despite polls showing 51% of Illinois residents oppose the move, the state's Democrats are elated. The Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407705/posts#comment Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:45:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407284/posts In the end, it could be Ben Nelson who thwarts ObamaCare. At the very least, he will play a key role in preventing passage of the public option. If that happens, will Bob Vander Plaats then issue a statement praising Terry Branstad for supporting Nelson a decade ago? It would be hypocritical not to. The Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407284/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:00:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407175/posts DES MOINES, Iowa — A central Iowa plant could soon begin producing jet fuel from poultry fat. Bolingbrook, Ill.-based Elevance Renewable Sciences plans to build a $15 million plant in Newton, adding onto an existing biodiesel operation. The experimental operation plans to use plant oils and poultry fat as building blocks to replace petroleum-based chemicals used to make myriad products, including jet fuel, lubricants, adhesives and even cosmetics and candles. "It allows us to make a very interesting slate of products, which is different and somewhat in contrast to how poultry fat is used today," said K'Lynne Johnson, Elevance's chief... www.google.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2407175/posts#comment Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:49:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405936/posts A leaked memorandum posted to a Web site Friday says the Obama administration has chosen to move detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the Thomson Correctional Center, but the administration says it is only a draft and is “predecisional.” The one-page memo, dated Thursday, directs acquisition of the Thomson facility and relocation of the detainees there. It was posted on www.biggovernment.com. An administration official cautioned Friday afternoon that it is not unusual for drafts to be prepared for multiple possibilities. “This is a draft, predecisional document that lawyers at various agencies were drafting in preparation for a potential future announcement... Quad City Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405936/posts#comment Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:46:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406441/posts One of the favorite talking points that often comes from Fox News detractors is the claim that the News Corp (NASDAQ:NWSA) cable news is somehow an organ of the Republican Party. It's a claim that former White House Communications Director Anita Dunn made, along with countless other accusations from prominent Democrats. However, these Democrats would be doing themselves and their audiences a favor to take notice of two Fox News anchors, "Your World" host Neil Cavuto and the weekend edition of "America's News HQ" co-host, Gregg Jarrett. The two recently challenged two Republican members of Congress, Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa,... NewsBusters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406441/posts#comment Sun, 13 Dec 2009 04:26:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404549/posts The irony of the White House dishing out acorn-shaped chocolate cookies seemed a little, well, “nutty” to King. The Iowa Republican is one of the loudest voices calling for Congress to investigate of ACORN. “I didn’t expect to see such stark symbolism,” King said in an e-mail. King pocketed several of the acorn cookies at the White House soiree and even stowed a few at home in his freezer. King even delivered a real acorn to House Judiciary Committee John Conyers (D-MI) in an effort to launch a dialogue about the organization’s legal woes. Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404549/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:29:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402082/posts Two weeks ago, an Iowa poll showed Palin trailing Huckabee by just two points, 70% to 68%, in favorability ratings among Iowa Republicans. She easily outdistanced Mitt Romney, who garnered only 58 percent. Despite a media onslaught attempting to spin the Clemmons story, Huckabee's credibility has taken a serious hit. Even those who boosted him to victory in the 2008 Iowa Caucus are questioning the former Arkansas governor's judgment. The Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402082/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 16:38:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401903/posts The former Republican vice-presidential candidate greeted hundreds of admirers in Sioux City on Sunday. Iowa's caucuses traditionally kick off the presidential nominating season, and Republican strategists saw the stop in Mrs Palin's national book-signing tour as a signal not to be missed. Palin says US should find God "No politician comes to Iowa by accident,"said Tim Albrecht, a Republican strategist. "Every politician knows the implications when they set foot here." As with other stops on Mrs Palin's book tour, the event was tightly controlled with photographers allowed in briefly and reporters banned. She arrived about 90 minutes late and then... Daily Telegraph, UK http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401903/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 09:37:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2400478/posts WATERLOO - The Iowa Legislature doesn't reconvene until January, but same-sex marriage opponents already have started drafting an amendment that could overturn last spring's Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage. "We're pretty sure (the issue) is going to be brought up several times," said Matthew Skuya, deputy field director of One Iowa, the state's largest group of gay and lesbian activists. "And I think it's important that we all do as much as we can to ensure marriage equality remains a part of our communities." Gay marriage supporters met Thursday night during a forum at Waterloo's public library. Nearly 60... Waterloo Courier http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2400478/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 21:02:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398427/posts Jerry Crawford, an Iowa lawyer and lobbyist with deep ties to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, recently registered as the Washington representative for Monsanto, a biotechnology and agrichemical giant that embodies the "special interests" President Obama planned to drive from the temple of federal government. The Des Moines Register calls Crawford a "well-connected, high-profile Des Moines lawyer" and "Democratic power broker." Examine his record, and you see what the paper means. Crawford was once chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party. He was the Iowa chairman for the presidential campaigns of Michael Dukakis, Bill Clinton, Al Gore and John Kerry. In 2008,... Washington Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2398427/posts#comment Wed, 2 Dec 2009 14:56:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396470/posts 2008 Iowa Caucus winner and current GOP poll leader Mike Huckabee says it is "less than likely" he will run for President in 2012. Huckabee was a guest on "Fox News Sunday" with Chris Wallace when he made the remarks. The Examiner http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2396470/posts#comment Sun, 29 Nov 2009 21:21:05 GMT