2018
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Iowa’s Wind Power At Risk From Local Opposition
Iowa’s amazingly successful development of wind power is facing significant threats from mushrooming local opposition. While the forces opposing wind power remain relatively small, they seem to be increasing in numbers. The reasons cited by these new anti-wind opponents range from simple aesthetics to health risks. Some are opposing new wind turbine construction by complaining…
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Ep62: Kavanaugh Hearing & Bonnie Campbell Interview
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard talks with former Iowa Attorney General Bonnie Campbell about the Brett Kavanaugh hearing, including comparing it to her own stalled nomination to the judiciary by Senate Republicans.
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Why Bipartisan Friendships Still Matter In Politics
Thursday, September 27 saw one of the most contentious committee hearings in many years in Congress. Luckily, it was followed by a day in which a semblance of bipartisanship showed it’s beautiful head. It was the work of Republican Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona and his friend on the other side of the aisle Senator…
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Abby Finkenauer Breaks Another Iowa Record With $1.6 Million Quarter
In case you were wondering if the news could get even worse for vulnerable incumbent Congressman Rod Blum, you have your answer: it can. Abby Finkenauer, his Democratic opponent, will report raising a cool $1.6 million for the 3rd Quarter reporting period, her campaign tells Starting Line. That more than doubles her previous quarter’s haul…
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There’s Now More Democrats Than Republicans In IA-03
Democrats are increasing their number of registered voters at more than double the rate of Republicans in Iowa, according to the latest registration numbers released by the Secretary of State’s office today. In the 3rd Congressional District, Democrats have overtaken Republicans’ registration advantage for the first time ever since the district’s current lines were first…
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New Iowa Caucus Poll Has Opportunities, Warning Signs For 2020 Dems
A private poll was commissioned last month on likely Iowa Caucus-goers’ early thoughts on the 2020 race, and the results give us some fascinating clues as to where each White House contender may start off in the lead-off caucus state. Starting Line got a look at it today. The David Binder Research poll was commissioned…
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John Delaney Expands Caucus Staff With Experienced Iowa Operative
Congressman John Delaney is building out his Iowa team this week with the hiring of Greg Hauenstein as their new digital director. Hauenstein, a longtime digital media producer for Iowa campaigns, adds to Delaney’s early caucus operation as the Maryland congressman continues to get a head start on organizing over the rest of the 2020…
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National Dems Rally Base Over Kavanaugh At Iowa Steak Fry
The Brett Kavanaugh hearing was the talk of the afternoon among the Democratic activists who braved the rain for this weekend’s Polk County Democrats Steak Fry. Party volunteers discussed their reactions to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh’s testimony as they intermingled with the Iowa and national politicians who gathered to speak. The Iowa candidates…
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Scenes From This Year’s Rainy Steak Fry
The steaks might have been warm at today’s second annual Polk County Democrats Steak Fry, but not much else was. A steady rain began falling on the field at Des Moines’ Water Works Park shortly into the second speaker’s turn on stage. A crowd of over 500 cold and wet souls had dwindled to about…
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The Laugh Heard Around The World
One of President Trump’s favorite lines is to claim the world is laughing at the United States. As candidate and now President, Trump has often criticized long-established U.S. policies, saying they make America the “laughing stock” of the world. For instance, he has said our trade policies, the Iran deal and the Paris Climate Accords…
