2015
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Missing an Opportunity? Democrats’ Marijuana Stance and the Millennial Vote
These days, pretty much everyone is talking about pot—except for national Democrats. And that might be a mistake on their part, because discussing marijuana legalization could be the way into the hearts of millennial voters.
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Only One Iowa Debate? The DNC’s Awful Debate Plan
Iowa Democrats may be getting a real caucus competition with four or five candidates soon all in the race, but they’ll only see the White House hopefuls together on stage once in the state. That’s according to the primary debate schedule plan the Democratic National Committee unveiled Tuesday. The DNC is setting up six “sanctioned”…
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Republican Announce-A-Palooza. Who Really Has a Chance?
April showers must bring May Republican presidential announcements… or something like that. Three White House hopefuls have tossed their hat in the ring in just two days: Carly Fiorina and Ben Carson on Monday, and Mike Huckabee today. Let’s take a look at whether they actually have a chance, or if they’re just one of…
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The Clinton Campaign’s Digital Organizing Strategy and the Future of Campaigns
Talk to press, you’re fired. That was the warning beat into my head during my early field organizing days, reminded by the campaign hierarchy that only official spokespeople ever make any public remarks. Of course, the danger wasn’t so much in speaking to press (everyone knew that was a no-no), but more so that you…
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New Leaders Council Trains Next Crop of Progressive Activists
For decades the conservative movement in America has smartly invested in programs to train its future leaders. Young voters may lean Democratic, but the Republican Party and its allies have done a better job of cultivating young activists for their cause. The New Leaders Council looks to reverse that imbalance by training the next generation…
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Sunday Grab Bag: Iowa Goes Pink for Schools, Clipboard Season, and Baltimore
Good morning readers! As always, a lot happened in the political world this week. Enjoy our Sunday Grab Bag of shorter takes on a number of Iowa and national political topics: Democrats and Allies Unite in Pink for Education The stalemate over education funding at the Iowa Statehouse continues this week as Republicans refuse to…
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Bernie Sanders Is In: What That Means For 2016
It’s official: Bernie Sanders is running for President. The U.S. Senator from Vermont made real his intentions on Thursday, saying he’ll take the unusual tactic of running as a Democrat in the primary, while remaining an Independent in the Senate. True to form, Sanders’ announcement wasn’t a flashy video or big rally. He just walked…
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New Poll Has Bad News for Iowa GOP, Good News for Corn
An extensive new poll testing Iowans’ opinions was released by Public Policy Polling, providing plenty to chew over for the politically-inclined. The poll tested Iowa Caucus candidate preferences for both Democrats and Republicans. DesMoinesDem just put up a good analysis of that today, so you can check out insight into that section at Bleeding Heartland.…
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Adel Man Who Met Hillary Inspired to Run for Iowa House
It’s been a busy month for Bryce Smith. The owner of an Adel bowling alley was among five other small business owners to talk with Hillary Clinton at roundtable meeting in Norwalk on her first official campaign swing. His name and issues were the first mentioned by Clinton in a Des Moines Register op-ed earlier…
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Key Takeaways From the GOP Faith and Freedom Event
Iowa Republicans were treated to a nine candidate speech-a-thon on Saturday night at the Faith and Freedom coalition’s event at a Waukee church. It’s always difficult figuring out how to condense so much information into one write-up, but here’s my best attempt with the key takeaways that stood out to me: The Standouts: Jindal and…
