May 2018
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The Republicans Most At Risk For Their Abortion Ban Vote
The 6-week abortion ban law that Republicans passed this week should get bogged down in the courts for years, but the political fallout from it will come much sooner. While some in the far-right evangelical community will be happy, most Iowans aren’t eager to see the state be known as the most restrictive in the…
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A Dark Day In Iowa
Shortly after 3:00 this afternoon, Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill that would ban nearly all abortions in Iowa. It is the most restrictive measure in the entire country. “It’s a big day in Iowa,” Reynolds said at the bill signing in her office, surrounded by young children, activists and legislators. “I believe…
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Veto It, Reynolds, And Finally Become Your Own Governor
Governor Kim Reynolds has until Saturday to decide whether to sign or veto Republicans’ 6-week abortion ban. There’s probably a 99% chance she signs it. But before it actually happens, let’s take a look at the potential political fallout – as well as her huge opportunity here – and consider how things could play out.…
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Ep30: 6-Week Abortion Bill & Ross Wilburn Interview
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard discusses the piece of legislation that very soon could give Iowa the most restrictive abortion rules in the country, followed by an interview with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ross Wilburn.
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Bernie Sanders Films First Pete D’Alessandro Ad In IA-03
Bernie Sanders is back on the airwaves in Iowa. This time it’s for Pete D’Alessandro, a top adviser for Sanders’ Iowa Caucus operation in 2016. D’Alessandro is running in a competitive three-way Democratic primary for the 3rd Congressional District nomination to face Republican David Young in the Des Moines-based swing district. Sanders narrates D’Alessandro’s first…
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Did Paul Ryan Buy David Young’s Vote On Healthcare?
Today is the one-year anniversary of Congressman Young’s vote to repeal Obamacare in favor of replacing it with the Trump healthcare plan. His vote in favor of the Republicans’ American Health Care Act (AHCA) on May 4, 2017 was a total flip-flop from the original pledge he made in March to vote against it. Congressman…
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What The 6-Week Abortion Ban Means To This Pregnant Iowan
This past weekend, my husband and I breathed a sigh of relief as we crossed the threshold of fetal viability: this is the point in gestation—23 weeks—at which a fetus can have a reasonable chance of surviving in a NICU should some series of complications lead to preterm labor. Of course, there is a reason…
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Iowa House Primaries To Watch In 2018 – Democrats
Democrats have a good opportunity at retaking the Iowa House in the 2018 elections, but which candidates get the party’s nomination in competitive primaries could prove a key factor. There are a lot more legislative primaries than usual this year – 25 in all for the House. Part of that is due to all the retirements…
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Elected Officials Shouldn’t View The Public As An Annoyance
My role as executive director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council has taken me from border to border in our state. The message I’ve preached at each stop is a simple one: Transparency is a fundamental part of good government, and government officials risk undermining their respect and credibility when they try to minimize…
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Iowa’s Obama/Trump Voters Still Mostly With Trump, Poll Shows
A new poll has warning signs for Democrats in Iowa who are working to win back the voters they lost to Donald Trump in 2016. According to a recently released poll from Monmouth College, 63% of voters in Iowa’s 1st Congressional District who backed Trump in 2016 after previously voting for Barack Obama in presidential…
