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Sunday, January 22
Where Iowa Gubernatorial and Congressional Candidates Stand on Choice
by
Linda Thieman
on Sun 22 Jan 2006 04:00 AM CST
 Where Iowa Gubernatorial and Congressional Candidates Stand on Choice
by Linda Thieman
Today,
Blog for Iowa is joining over 200 other progressive blogs across the nation for
Blog for Choice day - the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Our posts today will examine the state of
abortion laws in Iowa and where the candidates stand on the issue of
choice.
First
out of the gate, since this is an election year, I thought I’d take a
look at which gubernatorial and congressional candidates are
pro-choice, who amongst them thinks he has the right to control MY
body, and who is too timid to commit to this politically-charged and
yet most fundamental of all issues.
Iowa’s Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates
• Rep. Ed Fallon (D) – Pro-choice
• Sal Mohamed (D) – Pro-choice
• Vernon Weems (D) – Pro-choice
• Chet Culver (D) – Pro-choice
•
Patty Judge (D) – unclear; says she is pro-choice in the Planned
Parenthood poll, but in 1998, as a member of the Iowa Senate, she voted
for a bill banning certain vaguely defined abortion procedures with no
exception for the woman’s health.
•
Mike Blouin (D) – anti-choice; would not commit to an answer
on the PP poll; however, Blouin, as a member of Congress in 1975 and 1977,
proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution outlawing abortion. Got to hand it to him, though, for actually addressing the issue on his campaign website - sort of.
All of
the Democratic gubernatorial candidates (except Yackle, who did not
respond) support: 1) public funding to Planned Parenthood for
family planning services and 2) teaching responsible, comprehensive,
medically accurate sex education in public schools.
Iowa’s 1st Congressional District
[Rep. Nussle (R) is vacating, leaving this seat open.]
• Bruce Braley (D) – Pro-choice; a solid progressive.
• Bill Gluba (D) – Anti-choice; too bad, an otherwise solid, progressive anti-war candidate.
•
Rick Dickinson (D) – This guy is so slippery on the issue of
choice, it’s like sleeping on satin sheets. Can’t get any
traction.
Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District
•
David Loebsack (D) – Pro-choice; one of our own, whom, when I
asked if he were pro-choice, responded, “Of COURSE I’m
pro-choice!” Gotta love that guy!
Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District
•
Rep. Leonard Boswell (D) – Mixed bag. From 1999 through 2005,
Boswell voted 8 times on the pro-choice side of bills and amendments,
according to VoteSmart.org,
and 5 times on the anti-choice side. Not a progressive by any
stretch of the imagination, yet not quite a Republican. Has the
slight advantage of being the (Democratic) incumbent in what is often a
close race.
Iowa’s 5th Congressional District
•
Joyce Schulte (D) – Pro-choice. Come on! Let’s elect
THIS woman to Congress! She's a billion times more qualified to
serve the 5th district than our current "representative," whom, from here on in, will be referred to as Big Brother's little buddy.
• Bob Chambers (D) – (no response yet); long-time Democratic activist.
Next up on the docket: Iowa v. Pro-choice Laws – NARAL Pro-choice America gives Iowa a “C.” Arrrrrrrrrgggggghhhhhhh!
Tuesday, January 10
Joyce Schulte to Announce for Congress, 5th District, on January 14
by
Linda Thieman
on Tue 10 Jan 2006 04:00 PM CST
 Joyce Schulte to Announce for Congress, 5th District, on January 14
Blog for Iowa Proudly Adds the Indomitable Joyce Schulte to our Candidate Watch List.
Creston, IA – Joyce Schulte
will announce her candidacy to be Iowa’s next Congressperson from
Iowa’s 5th Congressional District, Saturday, January 14, in a six-stop
tour of the district. Schulte will address a different issue of concern
to Iowans and the American people at each stop.
Schulte talks about why she is running. "The people of western
Iowa work hard and contribute strongly to their communities, state and
nation. They want and deserve to be represented by the highest possible
level of integrity, compassion and knowledge in Congress. There is a
vacuum of leadership that leaves Congress to do and say things that are
not Iowa quality. Iowa quality, when implemented on all levels, would
not allow the FEMA disaster that happened after hurricane Katrina;
would challenge every policy of the presidential administration to be
honorable; and would not misrepresent history by hailing heroes where
there are none and deriding the every day hero."
As Schulte told Blog for Iowa in September, "These are only a few of the reasons I'm running for Congress. Very
simply, the issues and concerns of the regular Iowan have been
forgotten, left behind and thrown overboard by my opponent and his band
in Congress.
I'm ready to work for regular people, our students, our families
and our family farmers. I'm ready to lift western Iowa up so our
strengths are seen. We have serious work to do.
We're into the 21st century, so we don't need people in Congress putting us down, or wanting to fence us in.
As a
very young widow in 1973 with 2 young boys to raise, I knew
what work was involved. I did not run away from it. I used all the
skills and talents I learned on the farm. Define the work. Do the work,
rest a bit between the work, and get ready to do it all over again.
Those two young boys are now men, married and one has a young daughter.
So the future is here and it requires the best we can give it.
I'm ready to see American Pride come alive."
Get out there and show your support on January 14 for Joyce Schulte!
Schulte for Congress Schedule for January 14, 2006:
- 7:30 a.m. – Press Conference – Creston, IA – Restored Depot – Schulte will address Economic Growth
- 11 a.m. – Press Conference – Council Bluffs, IA – Senior Center, 7th Ave and S Main St – Schulte will address Senior Issues
- 12:30 p.m. – Announcement Meet and Greet and lunch – Missouri
Valley, IA – Gurney’s Restaurant, 229 S 6th St – Schulte will address
why she is running for Congress
- 2 p.m. – Press Conference – Sioux City, IA – Sanford Center, 1700 Geneva St – Schulte will address Family Issues
- 5 p.m. – Press Conference – Storm Lake, IA – Location TBA – Schulte will address Education
- 7:30 p.m. – Press Conference – Denison, IA – Yellow Smoke
Park, Enclosed Shelter 2237 Yellow Smoke Rd. – Schulte will address
Security – Event to be followed by Candidate meet and greet with
supporters.
Joyce Schulte is Director of the Student Support Services program at
Southwestern Community College in Creston, where she sees on a daily
basis how government funding and policies can affect lives. She has a
long history in the mental health field, education and family farming.
Check the Schulte for Congress website for updates in the schedule.
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