Party Like Tom Latham!

Iowa Independent posted earlier this week about fundraising totals from Iowa's Congressional delegation. Part of their post discussed exclusive parties hosted by members of Congress. This is a common practice from Rep. Tom Latham (R-IA 04).

As the saying goes, once elected, a member of Congress must raise $10,000 a week to get re-elected. It sounds like hard work, but it doesn’t always have to be.

The nonprofit Sunlight Foundation, which was founded with the goal of increasing transparency in the United States Congress, has tracked down invitations to many of the exclusive get togethers that help fill a member of Congress’ campaign coffers and posted them on PoliticalPartyTime.org for the public to see. It’s surely not an exhaustive list, since the group relies on tipsters sending in their invites. But it does offer a glimpse of the D.C. lives of the Hawkeye State’s congressional team.

The most prolific party host in Iowa’s delegation, according to the Sunlight Foundation, is Fourth District Republican Rep. Tom Latham. He has started hosting his own “Supper Club” every month at different D.C. hotspots. The parties are limited to 10 attendees and feature a different special guest each month, which so far include congressmen from Kentucky, Georgia and California. To attend this months’ event, scheduled for Wednesday night at the ritzy Oceanaire Seafood Room in downtown D.C., will cost $2,500 per PAC and $1,500 for individuals. Latham will also host a golf outing to raise money for North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr and Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss on July 17.

Register Poll Shows Culver Might be Vulnerable

A new Des Moines Register poll conducted by Selzer and Co. shows that Chet Culver might be vulnerable against a strong Republican opponent in his reelection campaign.

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver's approval slipped to 55 percent, down from 60 percent in the Register's September and January polls. [...]

The poll also revealed some reservations by Iowans about Culver, as the Democrat looks toward mounting a 2010 campaign for a second term.

Just 35 percent said they would definitely vote to re-elect Culver, while 28 percent said they would consider an alternative and 18 percent said they would definitely vote for someone else.

On the bright side Culver's approval is above the 50% mark. However, it has dropped 5% in the past few months and only 35% would definitely vote for him for reelection in 2010.

The question, however, is if Republicans have a strong opponent out there. Would Steve King or Tom Latham give up their seats in the US House? Does Bill Northey have what it takes to win in Eastern Iowa? Will anyone take Bob Vander Plaats serious? Do people actually know who Dave Vaudt and Rod Roberts are? I would have liked to see some head-to-head numbers of these people against Culver.

The next month is important for Culver, as the legislative session ends. Culver has bumped heads with leaders in his own party over key labor issues and an increase in the gas tax among others. Now there is a potential of disagreement over the Supreme Court's decision on gay marriage.

Of the 35% that say they would definitely support Culver for reelection, I would assume most all are Democrats and very few are Republicans. Culver needs to shore up his Democratic support. The Republicans will do what they can to ostracize independent voters as the party continues to move to the far right.

Latham Votes Against Middle Class Tax Cuts... Again

Tom Latham says he wants to help cut taxes, let people keep more of their money, and is against the death tax.

However, last week Latham voted against Barack Obama's budget that will cut taxes for middle class families, voted against eliminating the death tax for nearly every American, and earlier this year he voted against the largest tax cut in history.

• Cuts taxes for middle income families by $1.5 trillion and extends the 2001 and 2003 income tax cuts for taxpayers making less than $250,000 a year.

• Protects millions of middle-class families who would otherwise be hit by the AMT in 2010.

• Provides tax relief for small businesses.

• Permanently extends estate tax relief to ensure that 99.7 percent of estates in America never pay a dime of estate taxes.

Earlier this year, Representative Tom Latham opposed the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which cuts taxes for 95 percent of the American people, representing the largest middle class tax cut in history.

So what gives Rep. Latham? Do you want to cut taxes and let people keep more of their own money or do you want to think our economic situation is just fine and you want to continue the status quo?

US Attorney Whitaker to be Looking for a New Job

The AP reported earlier this week that US Attorney Matt Whitaker said he expects to be replaced by the Obama administration in the coming months.

Whitaker, who overlooked the immigration raids in Marshalltown in December 2006, also responded to criticism of the raids.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Whitaker says he doesn't think he'll keep his job with the new presidential administration, but says he and his office acted correctly during the 2006 immigration raids at the Swift & Co. meatpacking plant. [..]

Whitaker says he expects to be replaced within four to six months.

It is common for US Attorney's to be replaced when a new president takes over. So the obvious question is what will Whitaker do after he is replaced?

Whitaker always could go into private practice, but I don't think he will. Whitaker will be a candidate for something in 2010. First, Whitaker ran for statewide office in 2002 challenging Michael Fitzgerald for State Treasurer. Second, the immigration raids garnered Whitaker cred with the Republican base.

Not many people are talking about Whitaker as a possible Republican candidates in 2010 though. We hear names thrown around like King, Latham, Larson, and Rants as possible candidates. However, Whitaker is in a strong position to challenge Leonard Boswell in Iowa's 3rd District or even run for Governor.

Poll Shows Close Race Between Grassley and Vilsack

Research 2000 released a poll commissioned by Daily Kos yesterday that showed Sen. Charles Grassley leading former Gov. Tom Vilsack 48% to 44%.

Research 2000 for Daily Kos. 12/8-10. Likely voters. MoE 4% (No trend lines)

Grassley (R) 48 
Vilsack (D) 44 

Woah, what? Sen. Chuck Grassley is vulnerable? Granted, it's against the state's top Democrat -- former Gov. Tom Vilsack, and there's currently no indication that Vilsack is planning on running. But the CW is that Grassley serves at will, and can hold the seat for life if he so desires. That belief is challenged by these numbers. Against the right Democrat, Grassley would face a tough fight.

Grassley 
Approve 57 
Disapprove 36

Vilsack 
Approve 55 
Disapprove 36

Their approval numbers are essentially even, and in the crosstabs, they both enjoy equal approval from independents. This would certainly be a battle of titans, pitting two popular politicians against each other. Expect incoming DSCC chief Bob Menendez to put Vilsack in his speed dial.

I still think Grassley will retire.  He will be 77 on election day in 2010 and being part of the minority party isn't as fun as being a committee chair.  A tough reelection battle might encourage Grassley to retire as well.

If Grassley retires, I see either Rep. Tom Latham, Rep. Steve King, or Chuck Larson run on the Republican side and either Vilsack or Rep. Bruce Braley running on the Democratic side.

Des Moines Register's 2008 Endorsements

Over the past week, the Des Moines Register has released their endorsements for the upcoming election.

I was eager to see who they'd endorse in the 4th District and their "endorsement" of Leonard Boswell is about as mild of an endorsement as you can give.

1st District... Bruce Braley

When it comes to endorsements, it doesn't get much easier than penning one for Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley. In less than two years, the attorney from Waterloo has made Iowa proud. He deserves to be sent to Washington again.

Indeed, this ambitious and energetic congressman sets the standard for what Iowans should expect from their representatives.

During a recent meeting with Register editors and writers, it was clear how seriously Braley takes his job.

He brought along with him a copy of the economic-bailout legislation, riddled with his notes and highlighted sections He also had a page of scribbled pros and cons he weighed as he sorted through whether to vote for the legislation.

2nd District... Dave Loebsack

Loebsack has proven to be a smart, thoughtful and engaged congressman. A former political-science professor from Mount Vernon, he sees the bigger picture when it comes to politics and the world. He tries to work across the aisle and fully understand the complexities of foreign policy.

Loebsack has earned re-election.

3rd District... Leonard Boswell

After 12 years of light accomplishment and wrongheaded votes, Democratic Rep. Leonard Boswell doesn’t deserve to return to Congress.

But his Republican challenger, Kim Schmett of Clive, also fails to make a compelling case that he deserves a congressional seat.

Iowans deserve better.

However, the Register’s editorial board subscribes to the philosophy that if voters must decide, so must we. So the Register gives a weak nod to Boswell, with a list of expectations:

The Register then says that Boswell should announce early in his term that he does not plan to run for reelection in 2010.

4th District... Becky Greenwald

This is the one district that I wasn't sure which way the endorsement was going to go.

Iowa's 4th District has a chance to make history. This state has never sent a woman to Congress, but should do so this election.

Becky Greenwald, a Democrat from Perry, has not made that point the main emphasis of her campaign. She calls herself a candidate who "happens to be female." But she also happens to be a woman with potential to be a leader in Washington.

Iowa should give her that chance.

Greenwald faces 14-year incumbent Tom Latham, a Republican from Ames, who has done some good things in Congress but hasn't developed the kind of in-depth expertise on issues or demonstrated the national leadership Iowans should expect from their investment in his seniority.

5th District... Rob Hubler

When the Register editorial board met recently with Rep. Steve King, the Kiron Republican talked about renewable energy, securing transportation dollars for Highway 20, and the growing budget problems with entitlement programs.

This was the savvy, well-informed King the board endorsed in 2002 and 2004. We had hoped he would blossom as a member of Congress. Unfortunately, any blossoming has been overshadowed by his divisive, fear-mongering commentary.

Fifth District voters should not send him back to Washington. Fortunately, they have a promising alternative: Electing Democrat Rob Hubler, a retired minister from Council Bluffs who has brought himself up to speed and staked out reasonable positions on issues Iowans care about, including the Iraq war, energy and health care.

There isn't enough space in this editorial to list all the times King has embarrassed Iowa.

US Senate...Tom Harkin

Iowans should without hesitation cast their ballots to return Democrat Tom Harkin for his fifth term in the U.S. Senate. With that investment in seniority, however, comes heightened expectations for him to lead in shaping landmark legislation that will benefit Iowans and the nation for decades to come.

Harkin, 68, of Cumming already ranks in the top fifth of senators in seniority. He chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, a powerful role that he's used to nurture Iowa's biofuels industry. And he ranks third in seniority on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, putting him in position to mold a new president's proposals to reform health care and education policy.

Here are the Register's endorsements from 2006.

Daily Kos/Research 2000 Shows Greenwald Down by 5%

In 2006, Latham won by 14% and many expected similar results this election.

However, a Research 2000 did a poll for Daily Kos in Iowa's 4th District. It is the first public poll on this race and it shows the race is tight.

Research 2000 for Daily Kos. 10/20-22. Likely voters. MoE ±5% (no trendlines).

Latham (R-inc) 47
Greenwald (D) 42

Despite the purple nature of the district - IA-04 has a PVI of D+0.4, making it one of the few (slightly) Dem-leaning districts in the country represented by a Republican - Democratic candidate Becky Greenwald has been perceived as the ultimate underdog all cycle. She faces a well-entrenched incumbent in Republican Tom Latham, who has raised more than $1.3 million for his reelection bid.

The key to this poll is that Latham is polling below 50% with just over a week before the election. This shows that despite being a 14 year incumbent, Latham isn't well liked and not known throughout the district.

The poll also shows John McCain beating Barack Obama by a similar margin 47% to 42%. I don't believe McCain is doing that well in the district.

This poll has Obama winning among voters under 30 by just a 46% to 43% margin (Greenwald is up 47% to 43%). A Des Moines Register poll done by Selzer and Co. in mid September showed Obama with a 2 to 1 margin among voters under 35. With Iowa State University being in the 4th district, I believe Obama (and Greenwald) will perform much better among voters under 30.

This poll shows that Greenwald can definitely beat Tom Latham. With just 9 days, it's just a matter getting voters to the polls.

Latham's Poor Record Supporting Our Troops

Becky Greenwald is out with an ad telling the truth about Latham's abysmal record on veteran's issues.

Remember Latham Voted Against Body Armor for Our Troops

Vote Vets ran this ad against in 2006 against George Allen, Conrad Burns, and Rick Santorum for voting against supplying the proper body armor to our troops serving in Iraq.

In the House, Tom Latham also voted against supplying the proper body armor to our troops serving in Iraq.



Becky Greenwald is running against Tom Latham and has been endorsed by General Wesley Clark.

“I’m endorsing Becky for Congress because her experience with the American Red Cross assisting wounded veterans returning home from the Vietnam War has shaped her strong commitment to our nation’s veterans,” said General Wesley Clark.

Tom Latham has voted to cut billions from Veterans programs in order to fund tax cuts for the wealthy. (HCR 95, Vote #78, 3/20/03)

“George Bush and Tom Latham have for too long cut funding for our troops returning from Iraq, and we need Becky in Congress to be a voice for our soldiers,” said General Clark.

Allen, Burns, and Santorum all lost in 2006. Latham will be running in 2008 and say that he supports the troops, but we all know better. All you have to do is look at his voting history against our troops.

Latham Runs Radio About His Inablility to Lower Energy Costs

Tom Latham is running a statewide radio ad attempting to tout his commitment to lower energy costs.

The sixty second ad reinforces Latham's continued commitment to renewable energy but also discusses the need for Congress to work immediately to increase domestic energy supplies that America controls.

"$4.00 a gallon gas hurts Iowa families," notes Latham in the ad. "And they're frustrated with leaders in Congress for not doing more about it - and they have every right to be."

"I have always been, and will continue to be, a strong supporter of alternative energy research and production, but we need to work for solutions that get Iowans from point A to point B without busting their family budget."

It is quite interesting that Latham says that he is working for solutions to lower energy cost. Currently oil compainies own leases on 68 million acres of public land (inlcuding land that is offshore) and Latham voted against a bill just two weeks ago that would force oil companies to drill on these existing leases.

Latham wants to find a solution that won't burst the family budget. These leases already exist and the oil companies are just sitting on them. Requiring oil companies to use the lease they already have seems like a common sense and inexpensive action to help lower energy costs.

Republicans and Pork Barrel Spending

Republicans always say that you can't trust Democrats with your money. However, just the opposite is true.

In Iowa, Sen. Charles Grassley had more than $323,000,000 in pork barrel spending. Rep. Tom Latham was tops among Iowa Congressman with more than $69,000,000 in pork barrel spending. Latham had 63 earmarks while Iowa's Democratic Representatives had between 25 and 27 earmarks each.

When you add this to the federal budget deficits that Reagen, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush have accumalated it becomes clear that you can't trust Republicans with your money.

Kurt Meyer for Congress Launches Website

Kurt Meyer, running for Congress in Iowa's 4th District, has launched his website over the weekend.

There are 4 candidate running in the 4th District that includes Meyer, William Meyers, Kevin Miskell, and Becky Greenwald. I have yet to meet any of them since they began their campaigns, and am looking forward to cover them this spring. The primary will take place in June.

Wrong Then and Wrong Now

Back in 2003, Tim Russert asked "Senator McCain, realistically, how long will American troops be in Iraq, and how much is it going to cost us?"

McCain's answer...

I don't know the answer to that, but I'm telling you what the question is, and the critical aspect of this is: What happens in the next few months? Time is not on our side. People in 125-degree heat with no electricity and no fuel are going to become angry in a big hurry. The sophistication of the attacks on U.S. and allied troops have increased. And what we do in the next several months will determine whether we're in a very difficult situation or not, and there's still time, but we've got to act quickly.

Now 4 and half years later and McCain and the Republicans like Grassley and Latham are still giving the same answers.

Looking like a Democratic Primary in Iowa's 4th District

Ever since Selden Spencer decided against running, Democrats were busy looking for a candidate to run against Tom Latham in Iowa's 4th District. Now it is looking like there will be a contested primary. I have heard of 2 candidates that have declared and one candidate that is seriously thinking about a run.

The first candidate is Kurt Meyer and I have heard that he is a solid candidate. Meyer lives in Mitchell County and is a graduate of Luther College. He worked on Mike Blouin's campaign in 1976 and was finance chair of John Culver's Senate campaign in 1980. He then started a political consulting firm based in Minneapolis and has done fundraising.

The other candidate is William Meyers from Humboldt. Meyers is a veteran and wants to bring a fresh voice to Congress. He is more of an unknown among the party officials, but he has a lot of info at his website .

A primary between Meyer and Meyers would be a little confusing at the ballot box since their last names are basically the same.

The other name that I am hearing is Kevin Miskell of Stanhope. Miskell is the Vice President of the Iowa Farmer's Union and was a big Edwards supporter in north central Iowa.

Democratic Candidate in the 4th District

I have written about possible Democratic candidates to run against Tom Latham in the 4th District. Over the weekend, I heard of a candidate that will probably be running. His name is Kurt Meyer and I was told that he is a solid candidate.

Meyer lives in Mitchell County and is a graduate of Luther College. He worked on Mike Blouin's campaign in 1976 and was finance chair of John Culver's Senate campaign in 1980. He then started a political consulting firm based in Minneapolis and has done fundraising.

Another declared candidate is William Meyers. I don't know much about Meyers except that he is a Marine Corps Veteran from Humboldt.

Poll: Who Should Run in the 4th District?

I have a new poll up asking which Democrat should run in the 4th district. The poll opened up over the weekend and will run until December 11th. The choices are McKinley Bailey, Daryl Beall, Sue Dinsdale, Paul Fitzgerald, Lisa Heddens, Jack Kibbie, Mark Kuhn, and Mark Smith.

Earlier this month, I wrote about possible candidates in the 4th district to run against Tom Latham. Cyclone Conservative posted a response to my post yesterday. He said the Democrats don't have a candidate because Latham is such a good Representative. Not surprisingly, I disagree. I think a big reason is Iowa will be losing a House seat in 2012, so people don't want to leave a safe seat in Des Moines for a few years in DC.

Who should run in the 4th District?

Last month, Selden Spencer surprised many when he announced that he would not run again in Iowa's 4th district. That left Democrats searching for a candidate to unseat Rep. Tom Latham, who votes with President Bush nearly 90% of the time. I know party leaders have been asking different people about a possible run, but with no luck.

William Myers from Humboldt is an Iraq Vet who is considering a run, but he is virtually an unknown among Democratic activists in the district. Also, I have rumors that Kevin Miskell, who is Vice President of the Iowa Farmer's Union, is considering a run.

I thought I would rank the possible candidates that could run in the 4th district. My criteria are experience and location within the district. One problem with Spencer's campaign was it was very Ames (Story Co. ) centered. The size of the district (28 counties) means the candidates must do well in Ft. Dodge (Webster Co.) and Mason City (Cerro Gordo Co.) and not just Story County to win. The candidate also needs a hook that would make them credible with rural voters.

Here are my rankings of possible candidates to run against Latham in Iowa's 4th District...

1. Daryl Beall- State Senator from Ft. Dodge. Would help win Webster County and probably has better name recognition throughout the northern parts of the district. Not up for reelection in 2008.

2. Jack Kibbie - One reason Democrats might be having a hard time recruiting a candidate is because it is the expected the 4th district will be redistricted out when Iowa loses a House seat in 2012. Running for Congress could cap off a long political career for Kibbie, who first served in the Iowa House in the 1960's and then later ran for the Iowa Senate in 1988. Kibbie currently is the Senate President and is up for reelection in 2008.

3. McKinley Bailey - Bailey was elected to the Iowa House in 2006 and is only 26 years old. However, his experience serving in Iraq would instantly make him credible on the top issue in the campaign. Bailey represents Webster County, an area Democrats must win to beat Latham.

4. Lisa Heddens - Heddens is currently an assistant Majority Leader in the Iowa House, where she has served since 2002. Iowa has never elected a woman to Congress or as Governor and Heddens would be a strong opponent. She is from Ames and would need to campaign hard in northern Iowa. If Hillary Clinton is the Democratic nominee and there is a large turnout among woman, Heddens could win.

5. Story County Sheriff Paul Fitzgerald - Fitzgerald's brother, Michael, is the State Treasurer. Since he is up for reelection as County Sheriff, he'd be a longshot to run.

Others...

• State Rep. Mark Kuhn of Charles City
  
• State Rep. Mark Smith of Marshalltown
• State Sen. Amanda Ragan of Mason City
• State Rep. Marcella Frevert of Emmetsburg
  
• activist Sue Dinsdale
• John Norris, who ran against Latham in 2002
• A young activist from the Ames area - There are many from the area who have worked on campaigns the past few years that could step into the race.
  

Please chime in with your thoughts.

White House Front Group Goes After Grassley and Latham on Iraq

A White House Front Group led by former Press Secretary Ari Fleischer is airing TV ads going after Sen. Charles Grassley and Rep. Tom Latham in a desperate attempt to shore up support for Bush's failed Iraq policies.

Grassley and Latham have been feeling pressure from their constituents and from the Iraq Summer campaign.

“These ads, being run by a White House supported front group, are swift boating Republicans - squeezing from the right the same Republicans who are feeling the heat from voters back home for their support for Bush's failed war policy ,” said Brad Woodhouse, President of Americans United for Change. “The White House is eating its own in a desperate move to preserve the President’s failed policy in Iraq .”

Here is information on the ad buy...

Member	Market	GRPs	Total Money
Grassley	Cedar Rapids	1,182	$118,165
Grassley	Des Moines	1,671	$200,520
Grassley	Sioux City	1,035	$56,925
Latham	Des Moines	1,671	$200,520

What is Boehner doing in Iowa with Latham?

Republican Minority leader John Boehner was in Iowa last week and attended the State Fair and appeared on Mickelson in the Morning with Rep. Tom Latham.

Was Boehner here to talk Latham into staying in the House and not run for Senate against Tom Harkin?

Just wondering.

Latham and Grassley are waiting to hear Petraeus' Report in September

Tom Latham and Chuck Grassley have been saying for awhile now they will be waiting for General Petraeus' report that is due out on September 15th before they decide if they are going to continue to support Bush's failed Iraq policy or to vote to begin to redeploy troops out of Iraq.

However, the news yesterday is that the White House will be writing the report, not General Petraeus.

So that leads back to the question to Rep. Latham and Sen. Grassley, are you going to listen to the majority of Iowans and begin redeploying troops from Iraq or are you going to continue supporting Bush's failed Iraq policy?