2019
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Free Speech Is Sometimes Uncomfortable
The First Amendment isn’t long, but it certainly packs a lot of angst into those few words: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition…
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Open Letter To County Chairs: Stay Neutral In The Caucus
A guest post from Jeremy Dumkrieger, chair of the Woodbury County Democrats Dear Democratic Party Chairs of Iowa, A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate to attend a round table meeting with Beto O’Rourke. Afterward, my inner caucus nerd came out and asked if he would sign my “Beto for Senate” button; he did…
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Hatch: How Democrats Can Message On Medicare For All
In Iowa in 2009, the Democratic legislature and governor created a new system that resulted in Iowa having the highest percentage of children covered by health insurance than any state. It allowed children up to age 25 to stay on their parent’s family policy. It required medical providers to share medical records and we created…
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Tulsi Gabbard To Veterans: “I Will Have Your Back”
Hawaiian Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard made her fourth visit to Iowa this weekend, focusing her remarks at a Des Moines town hall primarily on veterans’ issues and the cost of war. Gabbard, who served two tours in the Middle East, has a personal perspective on the topic. “I can tell you as a veteran … I’ve…
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Kirsten Anderson: Why I’m Choosing Bravery With Kirsten Gillibrand
A guest post from Kirsten Anderson on her choice in the Iowa Caucus. Bravery plays a huge role in my life. Bravery got me through tough personal, private, and public moments. Bravery has helped show me how to be strong for my family and pushed me to question people in power to create positive change.…
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Joni Ernst Seems To Blame Students For Rising Student Loan Debt
Senator Joni Ernst seemed to suggest today that a major driver of high student loan debt is students borrowing more than they need in order to spend it on personal costs. She related a story about a college friend spending his loan money on his girlfriend’s rent as an example of the problem facing indebted…
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Ep98: Elizabeth Warren Interview & Andy McKean Switch
The Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard interviews Senator Elizabeth Warren about her student loan debt cancellation plan, anti-trust laws, impeachment proceedings, and whether her dog Bailey might ever visit Iowa. Plus, Pat talks about State Representative Andy McKean’s decision to join the Democratic Party.
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What You Do With Your Money Tells Us Something
When you drive down Columbia Street in Bloomfield, you will roll past two lessons on selfless giving. Both of those “lessons” are wrapped in one important building, the Bloomfield Public Library. More on the library’s lessons in a moment. All of this is pertinent to our discussion today because it seems as if Beto O’Rourke,…
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Republicans’ Unconstitutional Attack On The Attorney General’s Independence
Republican legislators’ attack on Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller is an unconstitutional power grab. Not only is this action a betrayal of basic constitutional principles, it will likely cost taxpayers millions of dollars in lost settlements. In addition, this legislation insults the decisions of Iowa voters that have made Miller the nation’s longest serving Attorney…
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Democrats Gather This Weekend To Address Rural Issues
Cracking the rural code by finding a successful message is essential to Democrats’ future elections. It’s not only critical in Iowa, but in much of the so-called red flyover country of the heartland. Iowa Democrats understand that they can’t win majorities in the Iowa House and the Senate or statewide elections without finding a message…
