May 2018
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Democrats To Train High Schoolers With “Democracy Summer” Program
Guest post via Josh Hughes, school board member and Drake University student. For years, Democrats did little to build the bench of their party by engaging with young people. When we did, the focus was always on college-aged voters. The investments were only made in those who might actually be able to vote for Democrats—not…
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Restore The Public’s Right To Sue Gun Manufacturers
Perhaps it’s time to go after the gun lobby with the tool they fear the most: the courts. Gun manufacturers and gun dealers have special immunity from lawsuits thanks to a National Rifle Association (NRA) sponsored bill they rammed through Congress in 2005. Following the passage of the lawsuit shield law, Protection of Lawful Commerce…
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Ep33: Fred Hubbell Interview & Democratic Enthusiasm
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard speaks with 13th District Iowa State Representative Chris Hall about upcoming elections & Democrats’ predicted ‘blue wave,’ followed by an interview with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell.
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Where The Early Vote Numbers Are Highest For Democrats’ Primary
Early voting began for the June 5 primary last week, but the overall numbers for the Democratic primary aren’t too impressive yet. A big reason for that is due to the later start of the early vote – Republicans reduced that timeframe from 40 days to 29 with their new voting restrictions. And the new…
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Kim Reynolds Gives $25,000 Tax Cut To Millionaires
Under the tax bill signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, millionaires cash in with nearly $25,000 in tax cuts annually while middle class Iowans will receive between $100 to $300. Lower income Iowans will get a whopping $18 per year in cuts. The Iowa Policy Project (IPP), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that focuses on tax and…
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EMILY’s List Endorses Six Women In State Legislative Primaries
Photo: top, left to right: Molly Donahue, Lindsay James, Ann Fields. Bottom, left to right: Lori Egan, Janice Weiner, Mary Stewart. The influential pro-choice organization EMILY’s List is wading in to several state legislative primaries in Iowa. The national group announced this morning that they are endorsing six female candidates in local races: Molly Donahue…
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Don’t Be Afraid Of A Real Debate In Governor’s Race
Guest post from ISU student Cody Woodruff. Like many other viewers of the first Democratic gubernatorial primary debate, I was disappointed with the lack of an actual debate. I may have made my decision of who to support long ago, but I still wanted to see how the candidates would interact with one another under…
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First Democratic Debate A Huge Missed Opportunity
What the fuck was that? The six Democratic candidates vying for their party’s gubernatorial nomination faced off this evening in Davenport for their first “debate.” Well, we were told this would be a debate, anyway. I put that word in quotations because tonight’s gathering was anything but. At the start of the program, which was hosted…
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Like A Candidate? Donate To Them By May 14 – Here’s Why
It seems every time you get a political fundraising email, the candidate insists that their most critical finance deadline ever is looming. When you get last-minute pitches for funds from now until Monday, though, they’re probably telling the truth. Monday, May 14 is the final day of the next fundraising period for Iowa campaigns (non-federal…
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The Most Interesting Iowa Political Event I’ve Been To This Year
Over the past several years while running Iowa Starting Line, I’ve been to a lot of political rallies, forums, debates, fundraisers, protests and more county party potluck dinners than I care to mention. I don’t think I’ve ever been to an event like the one I attended earlier this week: Tom Steyer’s Need To Impeach…
