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Sam Garchik - Mon 02 Jun 2008 10:10 AM CDT
atomburke - Fri 23 May 2008 03:49 PM CDT
salman - Fri 23 May 2008 06:28 AM CDT
megelso - Sun 11 May 2008 09:10 AM CDT
no4gman - Tue 29 Apr 2008 01:07 AM CDT
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Wednesday, November 8
Loebsack's Going to DC, and Other Dem Victories
by
Sam Garchik
on Wed 08 Nov 2006 10:38 AM CST
Loebsack's Going to DC
(and other dem victories)
By Sam Garchik
Dave
Loebsack ran a great, dignified campaign against a tough opponent, and did what
no other challenger could do in 30 years. He beat Jim Leach. Way to go Dave.
Enjoy DC.
Bruce Braley beat a tough opponent also, as did Leonard Boswell. Iowa now has
three Democratic Congressmen. Times are good. Thanks also to Selden Spencer and
Joyce Schulte, who ran good campaigns in tough areas.
We also have a new Democratic governor, a new Democratic Secretary of State,
and a good candidate for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in 4 years. O'Brien ran
a good campaign about important issues, and should continue to work for the
people in the state of Iowa. We need her.
On to the Iowa House. Andrew Wenthe, McKinley Bailey, and Eric Palmer beat two
tough GOP incumbents. As did Elesha Gayman, who, at 28, is, I think,
Iowa's youngest ever female elected to the State House. She will work there
with Tyler Olson, who graduated high school in 1994. The future of our party is
in good hands. Meanwhile, Social Studies Teacher Art Staed takes over a former
GOP seat, as did Doris Kelley. Mark Nolte and Sally Vitamvas both ran good
campaigns, but came up short.
The State Senate also went well for Democrats. Rob Hogg, Bill Heckroth, and
Stacci Appel all won seats previously held by Republicans, Becky Schmitz beat
an incumbent in Southern Iowa.
More results are here, and more commentary will be forthcoming.
Sunday, October 1
Mr. Nussle Goes Back to Iowa
by
Trish Nelson
on Sun 01 Oct 2006 04:00 AM CDT
 Mr. Nussle Goes Back to Iowa
The Prairie Progressive
by Jae Retz
Remember that old Frank Capra classic about a man without a political bone in his body going to Washington to replace a deceased senator?
A K-street hardened Jim Nussle coming back to Iowa to run for governor is about as far as you can get from the pure soul played by Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Mr. Smith is head of a boy’s organization called the Boy Rangers. If it had been the Boy Scouts, we’d have at least one point of agreement between the 1939 movie and the 2006 campaign: neither the Boy Scouts nor Jim Nussle like being around gay people.
But Mr. Smith and Mr. Nussle go in opposite directions, Smith from a beautiful unnamed western state east to the nation’s capitol, Nussle from Washington DC back to Iowa. Since, as Nussle has sagely observed, Iowa has “no mountains, oceans or theme parks,” he suggests selling our quality of life. Indeed, a ban on gay marriage is a “quality of life tool,” and there are others: a ban on abortion, a ban on undocumented workers, a ban on stem cell research. He could run as the deodorant governor.
Almost.
Were it not for that stench of corruption following him. While Mr. Smith wouldn’t have dreamed of leaving behind the roots of his home state, Mr. Nussle is striving hard to shake off the baggage of his years in Washington. But look! Here come the Swift Boat Boys of Texas and their smelly attack ads! And if he has his way on the issue of choice, he’ll turn Iowa into the next South Dakota. Since he is joined at the hip with a president who shoots from the hip, will we have to fear a governor Nussle invading those godless blue states Minnesota and Illinois?
The vast divide separating Mr. Smith and Mr. Nussle begins with their names. Jefferson Smith is named after a Founding Father who believed “Among the first of [nature’s] laws, is that which bids us to succor those in distress.” James Hoover Nussle shares a name with the man who could have ended the Great Depression, had he not feared making the people dependent on their government. (So instead he gave $25 million to dairy farmers to feed their cows).
The Lincoln Memorial plays a prominent role in the movie. Mr. Smith stands in awe at the feet of Lincoln,reading the highlighted words inscribed on the wall—“with malice towards none, with charity towards all”—and listening to a young boy recite the words “a government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Mr. Nussle sat at the feet of Newt Gingrich, Founding Father of electoral character assassination, the man who put out a Contract on America designed to eliminate the helping hand of government from people’s lives. Mr. Nussle has been a key player in the scheme to replace the Democrats’ safety net with a Republican cement slab.
Mr. Smith wears a trademark hat to set himself off from the other senators. Mr. Nussle became famous for a different sort of headgear. Back in 1991, ashamed that his colleagues were bouncing checks at the House bank, Mr. Nussle showed up on the House floor with a brown paper bag over his head. That’s back when he still cared about an overdraft, and before he would, as Chair of the House Budget Committee, give a new twist to that famous Hoover quote: “Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt.”
Natural disasters play an important role in each man’s life. Jefferson Smith becomes a public hero when he puts out a forest fire all by himself. Jim Hoover Nussle couldn’t stop the Great Flood of 1993, but he did try mightily to keep $3 billion of flood relief from flowing into Iowa and the Midwest, arguing that fighting deficits was as important as funding disaster aid. When all is said and done, couldn’t you say that Mr. Smith and Mr. Nussle are as different as fire and water?
But wait! Hold the presses! Mr. Smith and Mr. Nussle do have one thing in common—both fall in love with a secretary.
But even there we find a huge difference. Mr. Smith: eligible bachelor. Mr. Nussle: a wife and two kids back in Iowa. So, if by some grand perversion of justice, not to mention family values, Mr. Nussle moves into Terrace Hill with Newt Gingrich’s former secretary as first lady and sets about to do for Iowa what he and Bush have done for America, he should do so with that shame sack over his head. It would be a quality of life tool.
From the Fall 2006 issue of the Prairie Progressive, Iowa's oldest progressive newsletter, available only in hard copy for $12/yr. To subscribe, write to: PP, Box 1945, Iowa City 52244. Co-editors of The Prairie Progressive are Jeff Cox and Dave Leshtz
 Click here to sign up for action alerts from RapidResponse - Iowa.
Thursday, September 21
Change is in the Air - 29th Annual Harkin Steak Fry
by
Caroline Vernon
on Thu 21 Sep 2006 12:39 PM CDT
 Change is in the Air - 29th Annual Harkin Steak Fry
By Caroline Vernon
I can’t tell you how excited I was to finally be able to attend a Harkin Steak Fry. For the past two years, since I became politically active, I was never able to make the trip. Traditionally, the Scott County Democrats always fill an entire bus with eager democratic activists, hungry to hear the voice of strong leadership (as well as a sizzling steak or two). This year was no exception. Since there was no room on the bus, an extra dozen of us pooled our resources and rented a passenger van to make the trip. It rained the entire time we were on the road -- we just knew we would end up getting drenched From what I gathered from some of our Steak Fry veterans, rain has also been a part of the annual tradition so we expected it, but as soon as we were about 20 miles outside Indianola, the sky opened up, the clouds dispersed, and the sun smiled down upon us the rest of the day. This was a very good omen
Many of us were there to represent the Wake-Up Walmart campaign, so we met up with the national team, donned our new t-shirts and headed for the food. It was very good, although, at first, I was wondering how I was going to cut my steak with a plastic butter knife but it was surprisingly tender and succulent There were so many folks at the tables, we had to split up to find a seat. No sooner I sat down, Tom Harkin, Barack Obama, and Chet Culver walked up and sat down at the reserved table nearby. What I witnessed from that point on is hard to describe. Folks were squeezing in all around them. They hardly had any elbow room to eat. Everyone was eager to get up close and personal. The Press Corps had at least 2 dozen microphones hanging over their food -- I guess they wanted to listen to them chew or something. I was dumbfounded by the fact that folks would not just let them eat their food in peace since there was plenty of opportunity to speak to them afterward. The day had just begun.
Sure enough, after they had their fill of that USDA Iowa corn-fed beef (and all the fixins’), the three of them started working the crowd. The energy all around was electric! I knew it was going to be an incredible challenge withstanding the crowd in order to get a word with any of them, but as soon as I saw an opening I squeezed into it and found myself 2nd in line behind a reporter from CNN who was asking Senator Harkin what he thought about Obama being there, that sort of thing. Once it was my turn, I first thanked Senator Harkin for all of the good work he has done through the Americans with Disabilities Act. I then shared with him my personal experience of transitioning from disability while re-entering the workforce after a decade long bout with rheumatoid arthritis. I told him that after 10 years of being flat on my back, I finally found a drug treatment that gave me a whole new lease on life. Unfortunately, the cost of the drug is about $3,600 a month, but I was able to qualify for enrollment into the Patient Assistance Program which made it possible for me to get the drug directly from the pharmaceutical company at very little cost. Since then, I have improved steadily and as of last November, have re-entered the workforce. Here’s the catch, now that I am working, I run the risk of no longer qualifying to receive my medication. Without it, I will surely end up right back where I was 2 years ago - flat on my back. Senator Harkin was very compassionate and told me he thought the only way to address this issue is by changing the law in order to realistically assist those individuals who are transitioning. Given the make-up of our current legislature, there is obviously no hope of that happening, unless, of course, the Democrats manage to take back Congress (I hope you are all out there working hard to make this happen).
I next spoke with gubernatorial candidate, Chet Culver, asking him about the state of our environment, citing EPA emission reports which indicate that many counties in Iowa are in the top ten of the most polluted in the nation. Chet promised that once elected, he would do everything necessary to clean up our water and address corporate polluters by implementing stiffer fines and penalties. He said, “If they are going to pollute, they are going to pay.”
Unfortunately, I did not have the stamina necessary to withstand the pressure of the crowd while trying to get an audience with Obama. After being stepped on several times, I finally gave up on that idea. What a trip! It was about that time that all of the Congressional candidates took to the stage followed by Governor Vilsack who spoke on behalf of all them, before introducing Chet Culver.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day and everyone seemed to be in top form. Chet told us he wants to be the “people’s governor,” providing the people of Iowa with a positive vision for the future. He said he has a plan to make Iowa the renewable energy capitol of the world. Chet cited three keys to victory that he calls on all of us to do between now and November 7th; volunteer your time, post yard signs and bumper stickers, and get out the vote!
Chet then introduced Senator Harkin who took to the stage, welcoming everyone to the 29th Annual Harkin Steak Fry. I tell ya, it was like a crescendo from there on. Tom Harkin is the salt of the earth. I really enjoyed listening to him. I know Obama is a rock star, but as far as I’m concerned, Tom Harkin is “the rock.” He was warm, witty, enthusiastic, and yet serious – all at the same time. According to the Library of Congress, Senator Harkin holds the record for defeating more Republican incumbents than anyone else in the history of this country. That speaks volumes!
The Senator talked about moving Iowa forward and cited the single most important thing we can do as Iowans to promote progress is by electing more Democrats to the Iowa House and Senate. He thanked all of the candidates and sitting legislators for their commitment and dedication. Tom said he’s known Chet Culver since he was a little boy, joking that yes, Chet was once little. Tom mentioned he was proud to have also served with Chet’s dad and has been a close friend of the family for many years. Senator Harkin said he believes Chet has been the best Secretary of State in Iowa’s history.
The senator then directed his attention to the current administration and said, “The president just doesn’t get it, there is no virtue in staying the course if the course you are on is headed over a cliff. There is no virtue in being strong and wrong.” He spoke about how George Bush has squandered all of the good will from around the world that came as a result of 9/11. He said, “Bush has given the Iraqi government a blank check, payable with the lives of our American soldiers and marines.” He said Republicans are not only wrong about Iraq, but they’re wrong here at home. Tom said, “It’s wrong for the President to veto stem cell research that has so much promise to heal people, it’s wrong to block any increase in minimum wage for 9 years, it’s wrong to privatize social security and that’s why we need a Democratic Congress to stop them from doing it!”
The senator then talked about the Bush-Nussle budget that will drop millions of kids from the Head Start program, and includes the largest cuts to education in 28 years. Tom shared a recent incident when he was talking with a gentleman about the Republican’s trickle-down economics to which the man replied, “Trickle down? Heck, I haven’t had a drop - at this point I’d settle for a heavy dew!” The senator said the budget also provides less funding for our veterans. He became solemn for a moment before saying, “I’ll tell you what folks, if you want to get your guts torn out sometime, just go out to Walter Reed hospital like Barack and I have done and visit with some of those injured service men and women out there.” He said many of them have brain injuries which are now the signature injury of the war because of the IEDs and the way they explode. Senator Harkin called the administration cold-hearted for cutting funds allocated to the Brain Injury Traumatic Center at Walter Reed Hospital. Tom said it was funded at $14 million dollars last year, the Democrats wanted to increase it this year but the Bush-Nussle budget cut it to $7 million - they cut it in half! Senator Harkin said, “We may have different ideas on the when and what about Iraq but there is one thing that we better stand four-square on, when those veterans come home they’re going to get every ounce of healthcare and support they need to fulfill their lives!” The crowd really went crazy after that comment. Right on Senator Harkin!
Our good Senator then welcomed keynote speaker and rising Rock Star of the Democratic party, Barack Obama. Barack expressed his gratitude and admiration for Senator Harkin, thanking him for his steadfast commitment to his state, his country and to the values that propelled into public office in the first place. He also thanked Governor Vilsack for his leadership - he said that folks in Illinois are watching and are proud to see what Iowa has been doing.
Barack expressed his belief that some people go to Washington with the best of intentions, but after a while they find themselves representing Washington to their constituents instead of representing their Constituents in Washington. He said it’s a hard thing to resist because it’s easy to get comfortable and become institutionalized - it’s easy to forget why you went there in the first place. He said we have a lot of work to do all across the country, citing everywhere he goes he gets a sense that people are wanting change. He said there is a certain anxiety about the future and although he found that folks still dream big dreams, they have a sense that their leaders have forgotten how. Speaking of change, during most of the speeches, I happened to notice 4 large, beautiful, Monarch butterflies that kept panning above the crowd - flying back and forth. The stage was set in front of a big red barn that had a huge American flag serving as a backdrop. Almost all of the speakers were talking about change - One of the Monarchs fluttered up on stage and became part of the scenic backdrop. I thought of this as another good omen since butterflies often represent change and total transformation. Won’t that be great!?
Previously a community organizer, a civil rights lawyer and a law professor, Obama shared an account of the first time someone asked him to run for office when a seat in the Illinois state house had opened up and he said he did what every wise man does when confronted with such a decision, “I prayed on it.... and I asked my wife. And after consulting those higher two powers I decided to get into the race!” That comment was certain to score points with all the women in the crowd!
On the night before the general election in his race for the US Senate, he was at a rally getting ready to speak when staff came up to him and asked if he would come back stage to speak with a woman who had traveled far to see him. He agreed to do so and when he went back stage the woman said she had already voted for him via absentee ballot. She told him to keep up the good work and they had a nice little chat. What was remarkable about the woman was that she was born in Louisiana in 1899 – her name was Marguerite Lewis. She was 105 years old. Barack said he thought about everything she had said to him. He thought about all the changes she has seen in her life -- how she had seen women win the right to vote, how she had seen the first world war, the great depression and then a second world war. She had seen her brothers, uncles, and cousins returning from yet another war and still sitting in the back of the bus. She had seen how FDR lifted America out of it’s fear, lifted millions out of poverty and provided millions with opportunities written through the GI bill. She saw how he made sure that seniors had security in their retirement, and that veterans were fully cared for. She saw how unions helped an entire middle class build itself throughout the heartland and saw immigrants travel from distant shores in search of the idea called America. He thought about how Marguerite Lewis, despite the circumstances of her birth, believed in the same idea - how she believed it with all of her heart and all of her soul. She had seen all this progress taking place -- Obama reflected on how she had decided at some point it’s going to be her turn; that America will one day also bring her into the blanket of it’s protection. And then she saw a glimmering light of hope on the horizon, the civil rights movement. Marguerite understands that in America, we don’t settle for quality for some, or opportunity for a few -- we don’t settle in America. Everyone has an obligation not just to ourselves but to each other -- she understood that. Barack said whenever he’s feeling cynical he thinks of Marguerite Lewis. He said if Marguerite isn’t cynical given everything she has seen, then he has no right to be cynical. He then addressed the crowd and said if any of us start feeling cynical we’ve got to remind ourselves that our parents, our grandparents, and great grandparents have overcome much greater challenges than the ones we face today, although he made it clear that we face real challenges in America today - we are truly at a crossroads in this nation.
Barack shared that all across America, people are struggling because they sense that in a new globalized world we have given away our power, our communications, and changes in technology, not only to our competitors, but to those who seek to destroy our way of life. He said people are feeling anxious because they see the possibility that maybe their children won’t do as well as they did, recognizing that our children are going to have to compete with folks not only in our own communities, but with communities all over the world. He said, if we don’t make sure we’re preparing our children, we may be the first generation in a very long time in which our children inherit an America that is a little bit meaner and a little bit poorer than the one we inherited from our parents. And that’s not acceptable.
I don’t think there was an issue that he didn’t address. He said it all comes down to strong and honest leadership. Barack quoted Newt Gingrich - someone he doesn’t normally quote, but he shared an instance where folks were asking Newt, given all the problems the Republicans have had managing the country, the economy, the war in Iraq, what do you think is going to happen in this election? Newt responded, “If I was advising the Democrats in this election, I gotta admit I would just use two words to campaign; those two words are “had enough.” Barack then told the crowd, “I don’t know about you, but I think ol’ Newt is on to something, because I’ve had enough!” He then went through the litany of misplaced priorities and bad policies brought about by this administration and the Republican Congress. The crowd was on their feet the entire time!
Barack also talked about the importance of having hope. He said the challenge we have in this election raises the question, what are we going to do to be involved and be engaged in order to make sure that we have a brighter future for our kids? He asked, what are each of us going to do, not just here in Iowa, but all across the country to capture that sense of hope that has been lost over the last 6 years – and what are we going to say yes to? He said it’s not enough just to say no to Bush and this Republican Congress. He said the Democrats have to be the party of opportunity. We need to create an education system of life-long learning for every single child in America so they can compete all across the world. He said we have to say yes to the idea that we must invest in science and technology. He also said we need to stop giving tax breaks to companies that send jobs overseas and to invest in those companies that stay right here at home. I know that's right! If companies aren't going to invest in America, America shouldn't be investing in them.
In closing, Senator Obama told the crowd, "It’s time for everyone to kick off their bedroom slippers and put on their marching shoes!" After listening to all of the wonderful speeches, I felt like running out to get a trumpet and a baton to match my shoes!
Sunday, September 10
Nussle's Record on Education
by
Sam Garchik
on Sun 10 Sep 2006 10:11 AM CDT
 Nussle's Record on Education
By Erin Seidler, IDP
Jim Nussle revealed his plan to cut education funding and "accomplish
consolidation" during an appearance before the Institute for
Tomorrow's Workforce last week in Des Moines. The Des Moines
Register noted that while Nussle has implied in the past that he would
spend less on Iowa's schools - now he's stating publicly that
cuts should be required. [Des Moines Register, 8/23/06]
Chet
Culver believes those decisions should remain at the local level, with
locally elected school board members and parents from the community
participating, and Iowans should be skeptical when it comes to
proposals like the one Nussle has made.
The talking points are
below. PLEASE ALERT THE MEDIA to Jim Nussle's dangerous plan to
consolidate Iowa's schools. Remember, send your letter back to Erin
Seidler of the IDP, and we will feature it on our website!
School Consolidation Talking Points
1· Iowa has a long tradition of local control of schools.
2·
In the 1985-1986 school year, there were 437 school districts;
in the 2004-2005, there were only 367. [Quad City Times, 8/30/06]
3·
Chet Culver is opposed to mandatory school consolidation. He
believes in empowering local school districts to make their own
decisions.
4·
Jim Nussle would mandate cuts in school
administration, putting Iowa school systems on the path to
consolidation.
* Nussle Advocated Cutting Administration to "Accomplish
Consolidation." The Des Moines Register reported that while
Nussle
has implied in the past that Iowa's schools cost too much, "now
he's stating publicly that cuts should be required.†Nussle
added, "I think there's a lot of room for consolidation of leadership
and
administration and bureaucracy in education," and that his plan
"accomplishes consolidation." [Des Moines Register, 8/23/06,
emphasis added]
Nussle has a record in Washington of
failing to support education. Nussle voted for No Child Left Behind,
then cut funds to implement it. He says he supports Iowa schools but
voted 100 times against education in Washington. Nussle voted against
new teachers, school construction, even college loans.
Tuesday, September 5
NEW Radio Ad Introduces Iowans to the Nussle Hustle!
by
Sam Garchik
on Tue 05 Sep 2006 08:57 AM CDT
NEW Radio Ad Introduces Iowans to the Nussle Hustle!
By Culver for Governor
Ad Reveals Nussle’s Real Record on Education, Shifting Positions on Consolidation
Dance fever is breaking out in Iowa today, as people across the state are learning the steps to a new craze – the Nussle Hustle! Iowans are being introduced to the Nussle Hustle in a new radio ad that the Culver campaign began airing today.
The Nussle Hustle is easy to learn. First, you stake out a record in Washington, and then, when you’re running for Governor in Iowa, you hustle away from it as fast as possible.
The Nussle Hustle is already all the rage in Washington, but Congressman Jim Nussle has brought his fast-talking, quick-shifting dance to the Hawkeye State.
Script – “The Nussle Hustle”
ANNCR: “Congressman Nussle is talking consolidation again and we know what that means. When a town loses its school, it loses its identity.
“Now the congressman is doing the Nussle Hustle. Calling for a plan to ‘accomplish consolidation’ one day, then saying he really didn’t mean it the next.
“But we’ve heard it all before. Nussle voted for No Child Left Behind, then cut funds to implement it. He says he supports Iowa schools but voted 100 times against education in Washington. Nussle voted against new teachers, school construction, even college loans.
“So watch out for the Nussle Hustle – saying one thing in Iowa, then doing another in Washington.”
CULVER: “I’m Chet Culver and I’m against forcing school consolidation. As a former teacher and coach, I trust Iowans to make the best decisions about their schools. I’ve got a plan to bring excellence to every Iowa school and every Iowa child.”
Talking about Iowa schools at a meeting of the Institute for Tomorrow’s Workforce, Congressman Nussle “stat[ed] publicly that cuts should be required” and said his plan “accomplishes consolidation.” The next day, he claimed he didn’t really mean it. [Des Moines Register, 8/23/06; Quad City Times, 8/25/06]
In Washington, Congressman Nussle has been a consistent opponent of education – cutting funding for No Child Left Behind mandates he helped put in place, voting against funding for new teachers and school construction, and cutting $12.7 billion from the college loan program. [Vote #497, 12/13/01; Vote #143, 5/23/01Vote #321, 6/24/05; Vote #598, 11/17/05; Vote #628, 12/14/05; House Budget Committee Vote, 3/17/99; Vote #484, 9/20/00; Vote #144, 5/23/01; Vote #670, 12/19/05; Vote #4, 2/1/06]
In Iowa, he’s Hustling over to the other side, claiming he supports education.
Congressman Nussle clearly hopes his dance steps will keep Iowans from noticing his Washington values and Washington record. But the music stops November 7th.
That’s when voters will choose between the Nussle Hustle and Chet Culver, a former teacher and coach who knows first-hand that investing in education is a true Iowa value.
###
NOTE: To download or listen to the “Nussle Hustle” radio ad, please visit http://www.chetculver.com/multimedia/NussleHustle.mp3
Friday, August 11
Pac Man: Nussle Knows Where the Beef Is, and I'm not Talking About Issues.
by
Sam Garchik
on Fri 11 Aug 2006 09:55 AM CDT
Pac Man: Nussle Knows Where the Beef Is, and I'm not Talking About Issues.
By Sam Garchik
It's been a while since I've written anything original for Blog For Iowa, but something got me thinking about Nussle and all these PACs that are out there that have ridiculous names. Nussle's is the IowaPac, and you can read all about it on Open Secrets (Disclaimer: All my numbers are approximate, but you can check the exact ones on Open Secrets.).
The IowaPac has raised about $70,000 in this cycle, which is odd because Nussle is running in a race that won't use any of this money. One explanation might be that it's left over from his Congressional campaigns, but why add another $70k? I'm very confused. And I was even more confused when I saw that he spent $140,000 on a federal campaign, even though he is not running for Congress:
Your Friend Jim
Nussle was pretty stingy in terms of giving money to fellow GOPers. He only gave three fellow Iowans any money - Jeff Lamberti got $2,000, Whalen got $5,000, and Hensley for City Council got a whopping $250 (which apparently, isn't enough to even go out to dinner with Jim - see below). He also gave $2,000 to the Christian Coalition of Iowa, $2,500 to the State GOP, and $330 to the Pottawattamie County Republicans. That's a total of around $12,000 to candidates and causes. I can condone giving money to causes and real candidates, even if I don't agree with what they support.
But his so-called 'presents' account for less than 9% of his total spending.
In typical Republican fashion, he's spending 91% of the money on himself. And most of that money, about $90,000, went to consultants.
About half went to Nick Ryan, his campaign manger, over the past year and a half. Ryan doesn't have a website, and is kind of elusive. So working for Nussle is good work if you can get it, at least in Nick's case.
And then there's the mysterious Capitol Resources of Brooklyn, Iowa, which appears to be run by Nicole Schlinger. She got almost $22,000. She also doesn't have a website, and is also kind of elusive. But, working for Nussle is good work if you can get it, at least in Nicole's case.
Who spends $241 on a faxing?
Three more consultants have good work, and no, we can't get it: Vicky Vermaat, formerly of Tom Latham's staff and currently of Orange City, got $11,000, and Bellwether Consulting, a bunch of GOP party planners, got just over $8,000, including $241 in faxing costs. He also gave just under $2,000 to Maria Comella, his Press Secretary, so it appears that generally speking, working for Jim is good work, if you can get it, but it's not true all the time, as in Maria's case.
Poor Maria. Jim had to underpay her because he spent media money on big ticket items: $12,500 for TV ads from this company, $4,500 for a website that probably doesn't exist anymore from this company, and $10,000 for direct mail (and the reason I'm not linking to their site is because I wanted to see if anyone had sold of this precious Nussle mail on e-bay, and the answer is surprisingly no, so this is another black hole of a campaign expense.).
So, where did he spend the remaining $12,000?
Travel through Chicago: $250
Rent: $1,000
Lawyers: $500
Phone Bills: $1,000
Miscellaneous Office Supplies and Food Expenses Paid for By Credit Card, It Appears, So Who Really Knows Just Exactly Where the Money Went: $8,500
Steak dinner #1 in Washington, DC at Charlie Palmer: $350
My surprise when I checked out the website of the Caucus Room, where Nussle ate steak dinner #2, costing $500, and soft piano music started to play automatically: Priceless.
Why Blue is True
I'll end this one sided discussion of Nussle's self-involved expenditures with a comparison. The leading Democrat to give money to fellow Democrats is Maryland's Steny Hoyer, who gave over $500,000 to candidates around the nation, including $10,000 to Bruce Braley in Waterloo (that's twice as much money as you gave his opponent, Jimbo, and this guy isn't even from Iowa.), and more money than I can count to Leonard Boswell (actually, it's $55,000, but remember, Jimbo gave money to Boswell's opponent Lamberti, but it was only $2,000, and Hoyer is still not from Iowa).
Now, I've never met Jim Nussle, and I'd never heard of Steny Hoyer before this morning. But I already like Hoyer a heck of a lot more. For a guy who's not from Iowa, he sure cares about this state a whole heck of a lot more than Jim, "Stingy Except When it Comes to Steak Dinners in DC" Nussle.
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