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Tuesday, August 31
Good News and Notes from Iowa and DFIA
by
Linda Thieman
on Tue 31 Aug 2004 06:11 AM CDT
Good News & Notes from Iowa & DFIA
This great design is by Darrell Lewis of Clear Lake
DFIA Signs Pop Up in Scott County
It is
not widely known (because it got lost in the shuffle) that a couple of
weeks ago, when John Kerry came to the Quad Cities, DFIA Founding
Member Darrell Lewis suggested that we make up some signs for the Kerry
rally. So, DFIA Co-founder Dr. Alta Price had some special
Kerry/Edwards DFIA/BFIA signs made up for the occasion (11 x 14, thick,
shiny paper). The signs (see above) were designed by Darrell
Lewis and can be downloaded from the right sidebar of Blog for Iowa in
pdf format. (There’s also a great rainbow design.)
The
signs were a huge hit, according to DFIA Environmentalist Molly Regan,
who distributed them at the rally, and many Dems asked to take them
home. Molly agreed to this as long as they promised to use them
again somewhere.
Well,
Alta reports that last Saturday, when she and Molly were marching in a
parade in Molly’s hometown in support of the Democratic candidates,
they saw a pick up truck that the Scott County Democrats take around to
all the parades. The truck has all the candidates’ posters down
the sides. Says Alta, “Prominently displayed on the windows of
each side of the SCD truck, to my surprise, I [saw] the
Kerry/Edwards/DFIA/BFIA posters. This is a surprise because no
Deaner put those posters up.” The Kerry people had put them up!
Well, that just goes to show that you can’t beat a good design.
"But not this year"
For those of you working hard out in the heat and humidity, day in and day out, I add this cheering report from John Drury, Dean Dozen member and Democratic candidate for Iowa Senate in the 6th District:
While
going door to door in Hampton [the other day], I talked to an elderly
gentleman who told me that he was a Republican and that he had voted
Republican his entire life. And then he said, "But not this year."
Folks,
that seems to be the theme for this election year. Republicans, young
and old, are saying that they are fed up with the way this country is
being run, and are fed up with the partisan bickering in Des Moines.
Everyone realizes that the bickering accomplishes nothing for the
people of Iowa and they simply want it to stop.
John
told me that this man, who must have been in his mid 80’s, admitted
that he AND HIS WIFE had agreed to vote a straight Democratic ticket
this year, and John added, that it’s not really that unusual for him to
find people who feel that way.
Oh, and by the way, the Drury campaign has really been picking up steam
lately. Democratic Iowa Senate leader Mike Gronstal says that the
seat Drury is running for is now one of the top senate seats that
Gronstal's office is targeting. And there's excitement in the air
as the Drury blog, run by Darrell Lewis, reaches all new levels of
daily visitors.
The Drury blog has the great distinction of not only drawing folks into
the campaign but at the same time, creating a real sense of
community - not to mention it frequently offers up hard-hitting exposés
of right-wing Republican incumbent Thurman Gaskill. And believe you me,
there is a lot to expose. Click here to take a look.
Kerry Gets Solid Lead In Iowa
Looks like what John Drury is discovering on the ground is finally showing up in the Iowa polls.
According to the Centre for Public Opinion, John Kerry could carry the state of Iowa in the 2004 United States presidential election.
A poll
conducted by Zogby Interactive and published in the Wall Street Journal
Online found that 52.2 per cent of Iowa respondents would vote for the
Democratic nominee, while 45.2 per cent would support the junta.
Go Iowa!
Linda Thieman
Saturday, August 28
Franker, Race Closer Than Ever, Receives Kucinich Endorsement
by
Linda Thieman
on Sat 28 Aug 2004 09:35 AM CDT
Franker, Race Closer Than Ever, Receives Kucinich Endorsement
Former
presidential candidate Congressman Dennis Kucinich has officially
endorsed Dave Franker in his run for U.S. House. Kucinich joins
Democratic Action PAC (DAPAC) and Democracy for Iowa in his endorsement
of Dave Franker for Congress in Iowa’s Congressional District 2
(Johnson and Linn counties, amongst others).
These
endorsements come at a crucial time in the Franker campaign, as Dave
gains momentum in his bid to more accurately represent the 2nd
district’s interests. The 2nd district race has been rated the
best chance for a Democratic pick up in the Midwest by Campaigns &
Elections Magazine, with Leach favored just 10 to 9 to win. This
rating isn’t an anomaly either. When the D.C. Political Report
issued its ratings of congressional races across the country, Franker
vs. Leach received a four star rating out of a possible five.
Five stars means the race is a total tossup, and one star means the
race might as well be over. There are only 17 five star races
across the country, which means that Dave’s grassroots campaign has
vaulted him into the top 20 closest races nationwide.
The most
important upcoming event is this Sunday, from 2 pm to 4 pm, at Devotay
Restaurant in Iowa City. Former Iowa House Minority Leader Dick
Myers will be hosting a fundraiser for Dave, with a suggested
contribution of $25. Everyone is welcome, even if you don’t plan
on donating. Click here to find other Franker for Congress events.
The
Franker for Congress campaign will also be running phone banks every
night between 6 pm and 9 pm. This is crucial free voter
contact. If you have any questions about volunteering, contact
Ben at ben@frankerforcongress.com, or at (319) 337-9396.
To learn more about Dave Franker, click here or here. To contribute to his campaign, click here.
Friday, August 27
Iowa Gets Dean Dozen Candidate: Rep. Greg Stevens, Democratic Incumbent, Iowa House District 6, Milford
by
Linda Thieman
on Fri 27 Aug 2004 03:06 PM CDT
Iowa Gets Dean Dozen Candidate:
Rep. Greg Stevens, Incumbent
Iowa House District 6, D-Milford
Rep. Greg Stevens
Greg
Stevens, a two-term incumbent from Milford, originally ran for a seat in the Iowa State House to beat
longtime incumbent John Greig. A current English and Debate teacher at
Okoboji High School,
Greg is always exposed to new ideas and has particular interest in the
youth vote. When it comes to education, no one has a better
pedigree than Greg Stevens. He is a fourth generation teacher; his
mother and his grandparents taught for a total of nearly a hundred
years in the Estherville school system. In fact, Estherville’s Demoney
Elementary School is named after his grandfather.
Greg is running for re-election with an eye towards
continuing his work of protecting the environment and improving the
business climate. With our support, Greg can overcome Mike May's
attempt to make this a Republican seat once again.
Greg was one of the
first of Iowa's elected officials to endorse Howard Dean's candidacy
for the presidency. His seat is currently the number one House seat
being targeted by the GOP. House District 6 includes Milford,
Spencer, Spirit Lake, and Okoboji in NW Iowa.
To learn more about Rep. Greg Stevens, click here.
DFIA would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations to Rep. Stevens on being selected a member of the Dean Dozen!
To contribute to the Stevens for Statehouse campaign, please send your check or money order to:
Stevens for Statehouse
23438 221st Street
Milford, IA 51351
Thursday, August 26
Vilsack Supports Mike Owen
by
Linda Thieman
on Thu 26 Aug 2004 11:58 AM CDT
Vilsack Supports Mike Owen
Mike Owen, Democrat for State Representative
District 79, Cedar, Johnson, Muscatine Counties
Gov. Vilsack Speaks Up for Our Commitment: Education
Our
campaign's commitment to education received a boost Tuesday as Governor
Vilsack appeared at a news conference at Kirkwood Community College to
support education and the "pro-education" Iowa House campaigns of Mike
Owen (D-West Branch) and Mark Shearer (D-Washington).
It
couldn't have come from a more appropriate source - the man who
protected education from drastic cuts by squashing reckless fiscal
policies promoted by the Republican leadership of the
Legislature. A vote for our campaign is a vote for change - for
education, for good jobs, and for access to affordable health care.
We must
assure adequate funding not only for our K-12 schools, but for our
community colleges and universities, to rein in skyrocketing tuitions
and keep educational opportunity within reach of our working families.
Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson to headline Labor Day Picnic in Downey
Here's a
great chance to meet Iowa Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson! The
lieutenant governor will speak at the Owen for Iowans Labor Day Barn
Picnic on Monday, Sept. 6, 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at the historic 1883
Secrest Octagonal Barn just west of Downey. Hot dogs, apple pie
and some sound voting advice from one of our state's shining
stars. Suggested donation $10/person, $25/family. Come on
out to see this fascinating example of farm architecture from Iowa's
past, and talk to your friends and neighbors about Iowa's future.
More Upcoming Events
Friday Aug. 27, Cedar Rapids:
Sen. Max Cleland and Sen. Kerry's Band of Brothers -
Help Win an Election, and Maybe a New Car, Too!
Former
Sen. Max Cleland will be the keynote speaker for the "Workers for a
Better Iowa" fundraiser at Paramount Theater this Friday, 6:30 p.m. to
8:30 p.m. Admission is $25 for the event, and also available are
$50 raffle tickets on a 40th Anniversary model 2004 Ford Mustang.
Each raffle ticket has a chance to win one of four prizes - the
Mustang, or cash prizes of $2,000, $1,000 and $500. Each raffle
ticket carries an automatic prize - that great feeling of knowing
you're helping to elect a new Democratic majority for the Iowa
Legislature. Call Mike Owen by Thursday if you want a raffle
ticket, (319) 643-5714. The event and raffle are sponsored by the
Hawkeye Labor Council and the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Building Trades
Council, in conjunction with the Iowa Democratic Party. For more
information, call (319) 365-0413, or call the Hawkeye Labor Council at
(319) 396-8461.
Saturday, Aug. 28, Wilton:
Founder's Days Parade
Join
us on the streets of Wilton as we march in the Founder's Days parade,
which begins at 2 p.m. Lineup begins at 1 p.m. at the high school
parking lot; be at the lineup area by 1:45 p.m. if you'd like to join
us. Free candy!
Monday, Sept. 6, Rochester:
Snapper City Daze Parade
One
of the area's favorite annual parades through the streets of Rochester
beginning at 10 a.m. on Labor Day. We always have room for
marchers with big smiles!
Sunday, Sept. 12, Lowden:
Parade for 125th Anniversary of Lowden Fire Dept
The
Lowden firefighters have been working the parade circuit as hard as any
campaign for the 2004 election to promote their 125th anniversary
celebration Sept. 11 and 12. Join the folks of Lowden on this
weekend, and walk with us in the parade on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Just About Yard-Sign Time
You've
seen a few of our road signs popping up around the district - but we
have more to put up, and lots of yard signs, too. Please help us
get prime locations for yard signs and road signs. We are
now inside 10 weeks to Election Day, and the time for putting up those
signs is approaching quickly.
If you need more information, call us:
Mike Owen
Democratic candidate for State Representative
District 79
Cedar, Muscatine, Johnson counties
(319) 643-5714
owen4iowans@Lcom.net
Owen for Iowans
563 Oliphant St.
West Branch, IA 52358
To learn more about Mike Owen or to contribute to his campaign, click here. Scroll down to the bottom of Mike's Citizen Whip page to make a contribution online.
Wednesday, August 25
Meet Sally Vitamvas, Democratic Candidate, Iowa House, District 98
by
Linda Thieman
on Wed 25 Aug 2004 04:32 PM CDT
Meet Sally Vitamvas
Democratic Candidate
Iowa House, District 98
Sally Vitamvas is a resident of Silver City, Iowa, in Mills County.
Here, she's at home with her housemates Bernie (left) and Phang.
Frankly, I don't think Phang looks all that dangerous!
Dear Readers of Blog for Iowa:
Now that
we’re only weeks away from November’s general election, all campaigns
are kicking into high gear. I’m spending most of my days knocking
on doors in Iowa House District 98, a district encompassing the eastern portion of Pottawattamie County and the western portion of Mills County, Iowa.
I’ve
spent considerable time walking in Oakland, in Carson, and in the part
of Council Bluffs included in District 98. I’m currently spending
eight or nine hours a day in that activity, and my goal is to walk as
much of the district as possible before November. Depending
mostly upon the heat index, this activity can be great fun or pretty
miserable, but the personal contact is always encouraging, regardless
of the vagaries of the weather.
Early
on, I was told that “voters don’t care about issues.” I found the
statement questionable then, and I now know that it’s dead wrong.
Voters most definitely do care; however, because many elected officials
ignore the legitimate concerns of their own constituents, a majority of
voters have concluded that “caring” is an exercise in futility.
I’ve said from the beginning of this campaign that my first priority
during the run up to (and continuing past) the election is to hear from
the residents of this district, and, when possible, from experts
elsewhere throughout the state, about issues that truly matter in
Iowa. I was originally asked to run for this office because I
have closely studied many issues that concern us all: healthcare
availability, outsourcing of jobs and workers’ rights, tax structure,
education, and energy resources. No amount of independent study
of the issues, and no amount of background material provided by
legislative researchers can come close to the kind and quality of
information learned from individuals’ actual experiences. I want
very much to hear from every person who has concerns or interests to
share with me. I consider such people my most important resource, and I
am very grateful for their willingness to inform me about what matters
in their own lives.
I’m
working hard to meet with as many people in District 98 as possible,
and I look forward to meeting with you. If I haven’t knocked on
your door, feel free to telephone 712-525-9137 to request a meeting in
person or to chat on the phone. Or, send me an email at info@sallyvitamvas.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Also, please check out my website at www.sallyvitamvas.com
to learn more about my professional experience, my family, my reasons
for running, and to check out my list of goals as a representative.
One last thought:
I enthusiastically welcome any assistance in doorknocking that you
might be willing to provide. If you have time to volunteer for
that activity, call me with when you could be available. I will
arrange my schedule to join you in your town during those times, and we
will walk through your community together, meeting your
neighbors. I have found all District 98 residents friendly,
welcoming, and willing to spend a few moments with me. This is
fun stuff! Join me, if you can, for a few enjoyable hours.
Sincerely,
Sally Vitamvas
Democratic Candidate, Iowa House District 98
To learn more about Sally Vitamvas or to contribute to her campaign, click here. Scroll down to the bottom of Sally's Citizen Whip page to make an online contribution.
Thursday, August 19
A Report in from OWEN for Iowans
by
Linda Thieman
on Thu 19 Aug 2004 05:20 PM CDT
A Report in from OWEN for Iowans
Mike Owen / Democrat for State Representative
District 79 / Cedar, Johnson, Muscatine Counties
Join Us This Week If You Haven't Already!
We had a
great event Monday in West Liberty as Sen. Tom Harkin spoke to a full
house for better House (and Senate). Sen. Harkin spoke eloquently
of how government can give people hope, and of the importance of
electing Mike Owen to the Iowa House and Tom Fiegen to the Iowa Senate. U.S. Senate candidate Art Small and U.S. House candidate Dave Franker also addressed the group.
Friday Aug. 20, Tipton: Fundraiser Open House for Mike Owen
Home of Nick & Maureen Arensdorf, 202 West 8th St., 5 p.m. to 8
p.m. Bring a snack food or bottle of wine. Punch and coffee
will be provided.
Saturday Aug. 21, Mount Vernon: Garden Party for Rep. Ro Foege & Mike Owen
Home of Steve Maravetz & Dixie Collins, 218 7th Avenue North, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Hope to
see you at either or both events! Thank you to Nick &
Maureen, and Steve & Dixie, for hosting these events for our
campaign.
Also, we'll be passing along details soon about our Labor Day Barn Picnic, where we'll have a special guest!
All Together Now - The "Front Burner" Issues
Good schools.
Good jobs.
Health care.
Yes,
we're still talking about those things, and will be for the next 75
days. Then, we'll take them on to the Statehouse and work on
them. Those are the front-burner issues, and they're too hot for
the current legislative leadership to handle. They'd rather touch
flashy "hot button" issues that they use to drive wedges among Iowans
and distract us from our real challenges. So, keep that in mind
when you see the "hot buttons" in surveys and advertising, appealing to
emotions. Our positive alternative is to appeal to Iowans' sense
of community, responsibility, public spirit, thrift and common sense.
Mike Owen
Democratic Candidate for State Representative
District 79, Cedar, Muscatine, Johnson counties
owen4iowans@Lcom.net
(319) 643-5714
Owen for Iowans
563 Oliphant St.
West Branch, IA 52358
To learn more about Mike Owen or to contribute to his campaign, click here.
Andrew Smith Comments on Iowa Beef Closing
by
Linda Thieman
on Thu 19 Aug 2004 09:32 AM CDT
Andrew Smith Comments on Iowa Beef Closing
I am
saddened and troubled by the estimated 540 jobs that will be lost when
Iowa Quality Beef in Tama shuts down operations Friday. This will cause
yet more heartache and trouble for the people of Tama County, who have
already had to deal with so much heartache and economic turmoil these
past five years. Unfortunately, Iowa's small town economies are no
longer diversified, and when a big plant closes in any of Iowa's small
towns today, the entire community in which that company resides suffers
tremendously. Because of a lack of economic diversity, and the slow
decay of our main streets, it will be difficult for Tama County to
absorb a job loss of this magnitude. What is currently being done to
help diversify our small town economies in Iowa is not good enough. The
Republican-controlled legislature needs to stop the corporate welfare
to the places that need economic development the least, and start
helping entrepreneurs and small businesses grow and develop in Iowa’s
rural communities, the places that need economic development the most.
We must do everything in our power to diversify our small town
economies, or we are doomed to see this pattern of heartache, sorrow,
and economic despair repeat itself in many Iowa small towns.
Andrew Smith, Democratic Candidate for Iowa House District 40, in Tama and Grundy counties
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September 2nd Parties: You’re Invited!
