June 2019
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Early Scenes From The Biggest Iowa Caucus Event Yet
It’s the most important weekend of the Iowa Caucus yet, with 19 candidates descending upon Cedar Rapids to speak at a major fundraiser that nearly every key Iowa Democratic activist is at. The Hall of Fame Celebration is officially about honoring party activists and elected officials, but it’s really the kick-off of a new phase…
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How The Candidates Celebrated Pride In Des Moines
You couldn’t walk more than a block at Des Moines’ Pride Fest this Saturday without bumping into a presidential candidate. Bernie Sanders attracted throngs of young people as he made his way through E. Locust Street in the East Village. Kirsten Gilllibrand had a local drag queen walk her around. And Pete Buttigieg gave a…
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Early Scenes From Candidates At Pride Fest
It’s Pride Fest Weekend in Des Moines, and the 2020 presidential candidates are out in force to meet local Iowans and show their support for the LGBTQ community. A candidate forum is set for later today, and Iowa Safe Schools is holding a tailgate for visitors to meet local LGBTQ youth. Close to a dozen…
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When Getting Booed Is The Strategy
John Delaney and John Hickenlooper both took an interesting approach to the California Democratic Convention last weekend, receiving boos from the room in response to their stances on Medicare for All and “socialism.” Delaney and Hickenlooper are running on two of the more moderate platforms (for Democrats, anyway), especially in regard to healthcare policy. And…
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Ep104: Listen To Our New Starting Line Team Members
Meet our new Iowa Starting Line reporters! We kicked off our rather large expansion this week, adding four new full-time political reporters to our team. They join Pat Rynard on the podcast to introduce themselves.
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Where Joe Biden Will Be In Iowa During Donald Trump’s Visit
Former Vice President Joe Biden is planning his second Iowa trip since announcing his candidacy for next week, touring blue-collar communities in Southeast and Eastern Iowa at the same time as President Donald Trump visits the state. The dueling Iowa appearances should give Biden the opportunity to contrast his candidacy alone and in real time…
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Where candidates stand on the Hyde Amendment
Former Vice President Joe Biden made waves Wednesday when he reaffirmed his support for the Hyde Amendment, a law that prevents federal funds being used to pay for abortions. On Thursday, after the other Democratic candidates sounded their support for repealing the amendment, Biden reversed his position at a fundraising event in Georgia. “I can’t…
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Rita Hart Seen As ‘Perfect’ Candidate For Iowa’s 2nd District
Rita Hart is the “perfect” fit to represent Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District, according to party leaders and those who know her well. Hart, a farmer, retired teacher and former state senator, knows small towns and big cities. She’s just as comfortable working on the farm as she is shaping policy proposals. “I’ve known Rita for…
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Warren Campaign Unionizes, Joining Other Dems In New Trend
Senator Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign staffers are now among several hundred 2020 campaign workers who have unionized. In doing so, the campaign joins the likes of the staffers who work for the presidential campaigns of Julián Castro, Eric Swalwell, and Bernie Sanders. In a tweet Thursday morning, Warren said, “Every worker who wants to join…
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Gillibrand First To Endorse In Iowa Senate Race, Backs Greenfield
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand today became the first presidential candidate to weigh in on Democrats’ primary for the U.S. Senate, putting her support behind Theresa Greenfield. Greenfield, a farmer who grew up in a small Minnesota town and now runs a small business in Des Moines, launched her candidacy to take on Republican Sen.…
