February 2018
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Democrats Brave Blizzard For Off-Year Caucus – How Things Played Out
You might say that weather conditions for tonight’s Iowa precinct caucuses were less than ideal, but precinct caucus rooms were still packed with enthusiastic Democrats across the state. As of 11:30 p.m., with 80% of their precincts reporting, the Iowa Democratic Party had a “soft report” of 8,599 attendees. They expect that number to top 9,000…
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A Day In The Life Of A Nate Boulton Field Organizer
Later this evening, thousands of dedicated Iowa Democrats will trudge through the snow and the cold to attend their local precinct caucus. It’s expected to see the largest attendance ever for a non-presidential year caucus, but the stakes involved with the gubernatorial primary alone don’t ensure people turn out. Phone calls, meetings, trainings and door-knocking…
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Our Impending Constitutional Crisis
Events have truly heated up in the past few days as the chair and staff of the Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee have created and then approved releasing a memo on the FBI and their use of FISA warrants in the Russia investigation. It seems to me there is so much “he said, she…
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How Congressional Primaries Stack Up With New Fundraising Numbers
Federal candidates’ campaign finance reports for 2017’s 4th quarter were due this past week, and they once again give us a sense of where the money aspect of Iowa’s congressional races stand. The dynamics of the 1st District primary largely stays the same, while the numbers cast a slightly new light on the 3rd and…
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Long Hours, Personal Story Propels Theresa Greenfield In 3rd District Race
Theresa Greenfield’s days start early – and for good reason. As the president of a real estate business and a Democratic candidate for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, she has a lot to get done in any given week. “I’m a farm kid, so I get up with the sun,” Greenfield, who grew up in tiny…
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The Death Penalty Bill Is Dead. It Should Stay That Way
Yesterday a piece of legislation that would have reinstated the death penalty in Iowa advance after an initial hearing, but it appears to be dead for this session with a lack of support from key Republican committee members. Des Moines attorney John McCormally passed along to Starting Line the statement he had planned on making…
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Trump’s Sham Proposal Could Cripple Legal Immigration
President Trump’s latest immigration proposal appears to offer the 1.8 million Dreamers protection, but the rest of his proposal would severely restrict legal immigration. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused President Donald Trump of “using a proposed path for citizenship for young undocumented immigrants as cover for making sweeping — and damaging — changes to…
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New Year, Same Threat To Healthcare
Each time there is another threat to health care, Iowans have spoken out. Today in Iowa and across the country, small business owners, farmers, seniors, young people, veterans and other constituents are contacting Congressional offices to hold them, including Iowa Representatives Blum, Young and King accountable for these cruel and careless threats on our health…
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Meet Tim Gannon, Democrats’ New Secretary Of Agriculture Candidate
Democrats will have a strong contender for the secretary of agriculture race this year: Tim Gannon, a former USDA staffer who farms on his parent’s Century Farm in Mingo. He announced his run for the office today, and should bring considerable policy knowledge and a helpful political network to the race. It’s still unclear what…
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Ep8: What To Expect At Your Iowa Caucus & Interview With Matt McCoy
Iowa Democratic Party Executive Director Kevin Geiken joins host Pat Rynard for Iowa Starting Line Podcast episode #8, followed by an interview with State Senator Matt McCoy.
