August 2016
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First Post-Convention Iowa Poll: Clinton Up 4, Grassley Up 10
A new NBC/Marist poll of Iowa was released this afternoon, the first major poll to come out for the Hawkeye state since the two national conventions and Donald Trump’s Khan family attacks. Hillary Clinton now leads Trump in Iowa by 4 points, 41% to 37%. That’s only up 1 point from their July poll that…
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Clean Water Now? Or in 2029? Your Choice…
A guest post from Mark Langgin, director of Citizens for a Healthy Iowa It is great to see Governor Branstad recognize that we need a constitutionally protected and sustainable source of funding for water quality through the Natural Resources & Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, but his proposal doesn’t fulfill the promise of what Iowa voters…
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High School Democrats Of Iowa Kick Off Organizing Efforts
The High School Democrats of Iowa held their kick-off event this weekend, looking to expand their membership throughout the state in a more formal structure. Young activists gathered at Drake University for their inaugural event and to meet local candidates whose campaigns they could volunteer on. “This year especially with Trump running, we’re seeing a…
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The Democratic Party’s New American Patriotism
A guest post from Sean Bagniewski on his convention experience Lee Greenwood is singing “God Bless the USA.” Former FDR Democrat Ronald Reagan is displaying his trademark optimism. There are flags. There are lots of flags. It’s the 1984 Republican National Convention. The Soviets are the Evil Empire. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is our…
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Iowa GOP Courtship Of Trump Pays Off, But At What Long-Term Cost?
It seems the effort of many top Iowa Republican elected officials and leaders to ingratiate themselves with Donald Trump has succeeded. At the rally in Des Moines yesterday, Trump pledge to keep the Iowa Caucus first in the nation, even if he has some reservations about the caucus process. “Now, you know that Iowa, they’re…
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What It Was Like To Witness History In Philadelphia
A guest post from Zach Wahls on his experience as a delegate at the convention Last week, Iowa’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention witnessed, and helped make, history. Alongside dozens of other Iowans from every walk of life, I watched Hillary Clinton become the first female Presidential nominee of any major party. The speeches we…
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Time to Pull the Plug on Branstad’s Medicaid Mess?
A guest post from House Leader Mark Smith A few months ago, Governor Terry Branstad and Republicans privatized health care for over 500,000 Iowans on Medicaid. After months of delays, confusion, and scandal, Branstad’s privatization scheme is now officially a disaster. All around the state, we’ve been hearing horror stories from Iowans and local providers…
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Statehouse Fundraising – Who’s Ahead, Who’s Underperforming
The late July fundraising report for Iowa candidates is often the most important – the next filing deadline isn’t until October 19. Many of the state’s major PACs and donors use these numbers in determining who to send extra funds to help push over the top. There’s not a lot of public data available on these…
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Time to Pull the Plug on Branstad’s Medicaid Mess?
A guest post from House Leader Mark Smith A few months ago, Governor Terry Branstad and Republicans privatized health care for over 500,000 Iowans on Medicaid. After months of delays, confusion, and scandal, Branstad’s privatization scheme is now officially a disaster. All around the state, we’ve been hearing horror stories from Iowans and local providers…
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Either Could Win. But Could Anyone Govern?
The polls out post-Democratic convention show a bounce for Hillary Clinton, putting her back into the lead nationally, but few are expecting 2016 to be a blowout election either way anymore. And despite Donald Trump’s almost hourly verbal gaffes, he still has a real path to the White House. But what happens after when she or he…
