September 2018
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Senate Republicans Launch TV Ads; Here’s What They’re Saying
Iowa Senate Republicans launched their first wave of TV ads this Tuesday in six districts, five of which are pick-up targets for them. The move seems aimed at keeping Democrats on defense this year, despite Republicans already holding a 29 – 20 advantage in the Senate. Broadening that majority any further could keep the chamber…
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Unlike Republicans, Insurance Industry Isn’t Denying Climate Change
The Republican Party has been extremely effective in convincing their base that climate change isn’t real. By attacking basic scientific research, they have put facts and truth at risk. They have convinced their followers that science can’t be trusted because it is controlled by liberals and leftist research institutions. But the scientific community is being…
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Ep59: Congressional TV Ads & Digital Messaging
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard talks with Nate Willems about congressional TV ads in the 1st and 3rd Districts, and we discuss what makes a good online digital ad with Greg Hauenstein.
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Iowa House Democrats Strike First With TV Ads In Key Races
Several Iowa House Democratic candidates are up on TV this week, beating their Republican opponents to the punch in a reversal from the 2016 election. Four challenger candidates and one incumbent began airing ads on Tuesday on both broadcast and cable. More are expected to go up on TV soon. Senate Republicans also unveiled their…
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Poll Shows Trump’s Trade War May Sink His Closest Iowa Ally
When Donald Trump visited Iowa in July this year, he tossed “Make Farmers Great Again” hats into a crowd outside Dubuque and thanked Congressman Rod Blum for support of his agenda. Blum responded by praising Trump’s handling of the trade wars and tariffs. “Thank you for having political courage to renegotiate these trade deals,” Blum told…
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Apparently, Legal Deadlines Don’t Apply To Everyone
Some of the most stressful memories I have of my school days involve the words, “We’re going to have a pop quiz today.” Don’t panic, but there’s a pop quiz today. Here goes: CASE STUDY 1: The Iowa Code says all nomination papers for the primary election for state and federal offices must be submitted to…
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Ep58: Reynolds Scandals, Campaign Union & Tim Ryan Interview
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard discusses with labor rights attorney Nate Willems the latest Kim Reynolds private jet scandal and the recent unionization of some Iowa Democratic Party campaign staffers. And we interview Congressman Tim Ryan about his visit to Iowa, what his national plans are and whether he thinks the Democratic Party has learned anything…
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Will Joni Ernst Side With Another Alleged Sexual Abuser?
While in Washington, D.C. on Monday, Senator Joni Ernst was questioned whether she believed that someone who committed sexual assault should be disqualified from serving on the Supreme Court. “Sexual assault is if they can prove it, absolutely,” Ernst responded. We asked @SenJoniErnst if sexual assault allegations are disqualifying for a Supreme Court nominee. She…
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Why Can’t Kim Reynolds Just Admit Privatization Was A Failure?
Any reasonable person would likely look at the continuing Medicaid privatization scandal and question why Governor Kim Reynolds has refused to admit failure. Iowa’s Medicaid program has been in crisis ever since it began in 2016, and every indication suggests it is worsening. Each week brings another new story of clients whose care is being…
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The Best Choice In This Election Will Give Iowans A Raise
With the exception of the agricultural sector, Iowa’s economy is doing very well as evidenced by an extremely low unemployment rate of 2.6%. The stock market is booming due to increasing corporate profits, yet Iowa employees’ wages and salaries are stagnant. Factoring in inflation, Iowans are seeing their net wage increases consumed. Iowans at the…
