GENERAL NEWS:                                                                Saturday-Sunday, April 19-20, 2003

… SPECIAL EASTER WEEKEND EDITION. No morning update on Easter. Weekend reports will be included in Monday morning’s update. Happy Easter!

… IA GOV VILSACK handicaps the Dem presidential race in Iowa. Appearing on the Iowa Public Television “Iowa Press” program last night, Vilsack – in response to a question – identified the “top tier” candidates seeking the Dem 2004 nomination. The guv said – in the order he named them --that Kerry has a “good start,” Dean is “coming on strong,” Gephardt has some “old friends in labor” in IA, and Edwards is starting to “rekindle” earlier enthusiasm for his candidacy. Vilsack then added that the four were the “top tier” candidates in the Iowa caucus campaigns. He went on say that Lieberman has “a ways to go.” (Iowa Pres Watch Note: That’s not exactly the most astute analysis – since it reflects conventional wisdom the caucuses will boil down to a four- or five-wannabe race, but it’s interesting that Vilsack would handicap the Dem horses and exclude the other candidates. It’s acknowledged the others are toast, but the question remains which of the top-tier wannabes will be first to push Hillary aside and offer Vilsack – who insists he’s remaining neutral in the caucus competition -- the VP slot?) FYI for political groupies: The Vilsack interview will be rebroadcast at noon tomorrow on IPTV.

… Vilsack’s Big Four (or possibly Big Five) analysis is reflected in latest New Hampshire survey showing Kerry at 24% with Dean running at 19%. The poll analysis by the American Research Group – for the survey conducted 4/15-4/17 – said Kerry maintained his lead while Dean has “lost some of his pre-war momentum from a month ago.” Undecided voters (19%) same as Dean, while Gephardt third with 15% and Lieberman at 13%. That’s the Big Four in NH. The bad news for the rest of the field: Three – including Edwards along with non-candidates (so far) Biden and Wesley Clark – get 2%. The 1% candidates include Graham, Kucinich, Moseley Braun and aspiring wannabe Hart. Meanwhile, Sharpton maintained an irrefutable record in the NH American Research Group poll – a perfect 0% for the fourth monthly survey in a row. 

… Most news outlets are headlining results from the latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll indicating 31% of Americans believe the Iraq war is over, but the more significant headline – and revelation – might be that 66% believe there are still major or minor battles ahead. It’s still fairly evident military operations continue in Iraq, with troops (including Iowa National Guard units) still shipping out – but with declining TV coverage, typical American indifference and other distractions it’s somewhat surprising even more don’t believe the war is over. (That’s not to mention that public attention has now been diverted to latest media flurry about arrest of Scott Peterson in CA for alleged involvement in death of pregnant wife Laci Peterson. The war’s almost old history now and Americans will soon be refocused on real important questions – like where are those other California clowns Robert Blake and Gary Condit?) As for the CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll – 31% said the war was over “for all intents and purposes,” 49% said there is only minor fighting left for the U. S. in Iraq, 17% believe there will still be major battles, and 3% were “unsure.” 

… Report this morning that only 70 showed up yesterday for a weekly rally to support the troops. The Quad-City Times said organizers for the rally – part of a regular schedule that rotates through the four Iowa-Illinois communities – said yesterday’s low turnout was due more to inclement weather than citizen disinterest. Their plan is to continue the weekly rallies until the troops come home, not just until the war is over.   

…The CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll also reported that GWB’s job approval rating as president was 71% (when poll taken 4/14-4/16). Gallup News Service said Bush’s support “roughly where this measure has been since the war began.” Further reinforcing the CNN/USA Today/ Gallup poll – the Pew Research Center for the People & Press released survey results yesterday indicating the president’s approval rating was 72%. Another finding from the Pew poll – conducted 4/10-4/16 (with a margin of error of +/- 4%): 48% would like to see GWB win in 2004 with a third saying they want a Dem wannabe elected. Pew noted that before the war Americans were almost evenly split on Bush reelection. (More below about Pew findings on Dem pres candidates.)

… Grassley, after week of town meetings across state, reports that inequitable Medicare reimbursement payments to Iowa continue to be most discussed topic. Despite on-going Iraq operations, tax cut disagreements, etc., Grassley told WHO Radio (Des Moines) yesterday that the No. 2 issue discussed during town meetings was the “high cost of pharmaceuticals” and federal legislation to provide drug-cost coverage. 

… Comment by Wall Street Journal’s Jeanne Cummings re Grassley’s commitment to resolve budget-tax cut divisions by agreeing to a $350 billion ceiling on tax cuts (vs. pushing for $726 billion GWB requested or $550 billion House goal). Cummings said on PBS’ “Washington Week” program last night that the “Grassley deal completely betrayed the White House.” CNBC’s Alan Murray added there’s a “lot of bitterness” about the Senate deal and the potential exists that “gridlock” will result from the House-Senate feud over the tax cut issue. 

… According to the Daily Iowan (University of Iowa), “some UI faculty members, enraged and saddened by the looting of the National Museum of Iraq” are circulating a letter “faulting the Bush administration for allowing the pillaging of approximately 150,000 priceless artifacts.” The letter, written by associate professor of history Mark Peterson, said: “If current U. S. policy (or negligence) is any indication of things to come, Americans will long be remembered as latter-day barbarians who allowed the sacking of Iraq’s and the world’s heritage.” The DI report said that “Peterson condemned the incidents and questioned the motives of the Bush administration, which secured Iraqi oil fields and left the National Museum and the Mosul Museum virtually unguarded.” Peterson indicated he would circulate the letter to several academic departments before also forwarding it to Grassley, Harkin and Leach – asking them to question the administration about the “absolute horrific destruction of cultural resources.” A related report: Washington media reported yesterday that three members of the White House Cultural Property Advisory Committee – all Clinton appointees – resigned to protest the looting of Baghdad’s National Museum.  

CANDIDATES & CAUCUSES: 

… The same Pew Research Center survey that indicated 48% support GWB’s re-election in 2004 also revealed more bad news for Dem pres contenders. It indicated that only one-third of the respondents could offer a name – just one name – when quizzed about who’s running for Dem nomination in 2004. Kerry and Lieberman were best known – but only among about 10% of the surveyed voters. Just behind them in 2004 candidate name recognition at 9% -- Al Gore, who’s not running despite efforts by DraftGore.com group. (Iowa Pres Watch Note: What’s wrong with these poll respondents – don’t they know that Gore and Lieberman should both be household names as co-inventors of the Internet?) 

… Headline from this morning’s The Union Leader reporting on Dean visit to University of New Hampshire yesterday: “Dean: U. S. is a bully around the world” He says if Dems want to win White House back they have to learn from GWB – define policies, then state them clearly and forcefully. The problem from Dean’s perspective is that the Bush policies are wrong… Dean: “We have engaged in a foreign policy in this country which is basically ‘get out of my way or I’ll see you in the parking lot after school.’” Coverage indicates Dean “drew loud applause” when he pointed to an American flag on his lapel and said he wears it “to say it is patriotic in the United States of America to disagree with the President’s policy.” 

… The Edwards campaign has returned $10,000 in contributions from employees of a Little Rock law firm – Turner & Associates PA – after a law clerk said she expected her bosses to reimburse her for a $2,000 contribution. The Washington Post account yesterday said: “Although $10,000 is a pittance in modern presidential fundraising, yesterday’s announcement could embarrass the Edwards campaign, already criticized by opponents for its heavy reliance on trial lawyers’ money. It also underscores the intense pressure on campaigns to raise large sums of money early – both to demonstrate their viability and to pay for the staff, ads and other tools needed to survive the flood of early caucuses and primaries starting in January.” Five law clerks at the Little Rock law firm gave $2,000 each to the Edwards campaign.

… Under the heading “Hillary’s guns,” John McCaslin in yesterday’s “Inside the Beltway” column in the Washington Times wrote: “Hoping to bank on the successful campaign style of Hillary Rodham Clinton, two of the leading 2004 Democratic presidential contenders have hired two of the nation’s top media consultants for their campaigns. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut has snagged Democratic strategist Mandy Grunwald, who was not only media adviser and director of advertising for the 1992 Clinton-Gore campaign, but later designed strategy and ads for Mrs. Clinton’s Senate campaign in 2000. (We recall Ms. Grunwald commenting in advance of the 1996 presidential campaign that it would be a difficult chore for Republicans to unseat President Clinton because ‘Bob Dole has been Newt Gingrich’s Siamese twin’ for too long. Today, it’s a long caravan of Democratic candidates on a tough road to recapture the White House, given President Bush’s impressive victory in the war to oust Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, his strides in fighting terrorism, and high popularity numbers among Republicans and Democrats alike.) Meanwhile, Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina has hired David Axelrod and Associates to be his lead media consultant. Chicago-based Axelrod similarly handled media for Mrs. Clinton’s Senate campaign.”    

… Although it’s unlikely Gephardt is missing any House votes during the current Congressional recess, an analysis by the Des Moines Register’s Thomas Beaumont indicated Gephardt has missed 114 of 141 votes – 81% -- since announcing his presidential candidacy. 

Iowa a week ago while rivals Lieberman and Kucinich cancelled IA stops to cast votes in Washington. Gephardt spokeswoman Kim Molstre quote: “Dick has said all along you can’t make all the votes and run for president…He feels very strongly that being out in Iowa is very, very important.” At the other end of the spectrum, Kucinich hasn’t missed any votes this year. In the Senate, Kerry has missed the most (52 votes), Lieberman was absent for 29 votes (22%), Edwards 21 votes (16%), and Graham has missed only three votes. 

… Leftovers from Edwards’ eastern Iowa campaign adventure through eastern IA on Thursday – From yesterday’s Daily Iowan (University of Iowa) coverage: “Criticizing Bush on education, health care, and civil liberties, Edwards said Americans were ‘hungry’ for a different choice…. He said he would work to get health insurance for the 41 million Americans without it and contended that Bush would never do the same, calling the president ‘married to the pharmaceutical industry.’…’We must have the courage to say we will not, in the name of the war on terrorism, let people like John Ashcroft take away our rights and our liberties,’ he said. ‘We can never give up the core principles that make America what it is.” More than 200 people showed up for the Edwards Iowa City appearance. – From yesterday’s QCTimes.com: “Henry Marquard is the kind of Democrat that presidential candidate John Edwards needs in Iowa. Taken by Edwards’ rise to prominence from humble roots, Marquard, the vice chairman of the Muscatine County Democratic Party, says the North Carolina senator has his support in the scrap for the party’s 2004 presidential nomination. ‘I believe he’s the best candidate for the Democratic Party to win,” Marquard said as he waited in line Thursday to shake Edwards’ hand…He said he ‘somewhat’ disagreed with Edwards for supporting the U. S. -led invasion of Iraq. But that is not keeping him from supporting him.” 

IOWA POLITICS: 

… From today’s Des Moines Register, headline: “Democrats accuse King of hypocrisy” Report says Dem chief believes that King’s criticism of IA Dems – Sen Harkin and Congressman Boswell – for planning visits to Cuba was hypocritical and note he visited the island nation as a state senator in 2001. King, a first-year GOP Congressman from western IA, said the two Dems would “reward a dictator’s brutal behavior” if they don’t cancel Cuban trips. IA Dem State Chairman Gordon Fischer said of King “He’s a hypocrite” and demanded an apology. See next item for more on the situation… 

… Harkin-Boswell Cuba Watch continues – as UN gets into the Cuban mix. No reports or indications yet that either IA Dem – Harkin or Boswell – plan to cancel planned trips to Cuba, although the top United Nations human rights forum has passed a resolution “calling for Cuba to accept a visit by a human rights investigator,” according to a VOA News (Voice of America) report. The U. N. Human Rights Commission passed the resolution 24-20 – but rejected an amendment condemning Cuba’s recent clampdown on dissidents. VOA News reported: “Cuba has refused such visits [by human rights investigators] in the past, claiming they could infringe on its sovereignty. It called the [U. N.] motion a gross and immoral maneuver.” Harkin, scheduled to be in Cuba next week, and Boswell, with a mid-May trade mission planned, are apparently still welcome – and not viewed as a threat to Cuba’s sovereignty. 

… And a Harkin-Boswell Cuba Watch update: The Bush White House urged the U. N. Human Rights Commission – see above – to evict Cuba from the 53-member panel, arguing that the Castro government has no interest in promoting the commission’s mandate to protect freedom. White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan said: “No country should be allowed to sit on the Human Rights Commission if it purposely and consistently undermines the spirit and purpose of the commission.”

MORNING SUMMARY:  

… Top Des Moines Register front-page headline: “What’s next for U. S.?…Bush team divided on postwar policies…Americans’ top concern is economy, poll indicates” Cites more from Pew Research poll (see above numbers on pres situation) indicating 41% identify economy, unemployment and budget deficit as nation’s top concern, while 29% pointed to war and terrorism.

… QCTimes.com (Quad-City Times) main headline: Local story – “Bike path extension hits snag” Report says efforts to complete a Davenport-Bettendorf bike path link by Memorial Day have been disrupted because property owners claimed ownership of land needed for the route. 

… Sioux City Journal top online headline: “Iraqis protest, demand swift U. S. departure”

… Main national headline on Omaha World-Herald online: “Iraqis gather to demand U. S. withdrawal”

… Chicago Tribune online top national headlines: “Iraqis call on U. S. to leave” & “N. Korea puts U. S. on guard”  

… Morning newscasts report one of two escapees from Oakdale correction complex near Iowa City has been captured. FBI reports Jeffery Hershberger, 38, of Mahaska County was apprehended without incident in Georgia – but that convicted murderer Omar Wilkins remains at large and is still considered armed and dangerous.  

… Major local story for Sioux City media, headline from yesterday’s Sioux City Journal online: “Gateway posts $200 million loss for first quarter” Reports say Gateway – the nation’s fourth largest computer company which was founded in an Iowa farm house in 1985 – received national attention a decade ago for its distinctive cow-spotted boxes, but suffered losses of $309 million last year and $1.03 billion in 2001. A month ago, Gateway – with two operations in SD – announced it was cutting 470 of the 3,100 jobs at the company’s North Sioux City, SD, facility.

… Three Oelwein men are facing charges of terrorism and intimidation with a dangerous weapon after allegedly making and throwing homemade bombs at a local residence. Radio Iowa reports identifies the men as Donald Moor, 27, 20-year-old Craig Moser Jr., and Christopher Kearns, 21. The charges stem from an incident in which they allegedly threw “McGuyver bombs” at an Oelwein home. There were no injuries. 

WAR & TERRORISM: 

… BBC News contributes to daily North Korean update: “Talks on North’s Korea’s nuclear programme have been put in doubt after claims from Pyongyang that it has begun reprocessing spent fuel rods. Officials in Washington said the US was now considering cancelling the much-heralded talks, due to be held in Beijing next week, because of the claim. North Korea has said it is ‘successfully reprocessing’ more than 8,000 spent fuel rods – a move that can enable the extraction of plutonium for several nuclear bombs. The procedure could allow North Korea to add, within months, six to eight bombs to the arsenal of one or two it is already believed to have, analysts say.” Recent development: Several overnight reports that U. S. and South Korean officials are reviewing translations to determine exactly what the North Korean statement said and meant. No decision about Beijing talks was expected until North Korea statement is clarified. 

… More from BBC News: “Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon has told British troops they still have a job to do in Iraq. In a special address broadcast on British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) on Friday, Mr. Hoon told them they would not remain in the Gulf ‘a day longer than is absolutely necessary…But it is necessary that we should win the peace as well as the war.’ Britain started to scale down its presence in the region at the end of last week and a handful of troops returned home. But the vast majority will be required to remain there until ‘normality is restored’ to the country.”

FEDERAL ISSUES: 

 QUOTE OF THE WEEK I: From The Union Leader (Manchester, NH) coverage of Graham visit to Merrimack – comments by Carolyn Walker of the Helping Hands Foundation, referring to Graham: “He’s one of the most respected senators,” said Walker, a Democrat who said she has met one other candidate, “that cute boy from North Carolina,” Sen. John Edwards. 

 QUOTE OF THE WEEK II (although not directly related to IA caucus campaigns): “It’s becoming very apparent why [CA Dem Rep. Nancy Pelosi is] the minority leader – it’s because her views represent the vast minority of the country.” – FL GOP Rep. Mark Foley

IOWA ISSUES: 

… Vilsack threatens special session of legislature later this summer if lawmakers go home without passing bills to change the state’s tax system and create a nearly $1 billion economic development fund. The guv, appearing on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” program, said Iowans expect their leaders to be “bold” in addressing those main issues. 

… Reports that more than two-thirds of IA counties – 68 of 99 – experienced population declines since 2000 generate comments yesterday about possibly merging some counties. Some officials, concerned about declining tax base, told WHO Radio smaller counties may have to drop some services and programs or consider consolidating with adjacent counties. Although the state gained about 10,000 new Iowans since 2000, counties in western and northern Iowa – already among those with the smallest populations – suffered most of the losses. (Iowa Pres Watch Note: The 10 most populous counties now account for 47.4% of the state’s residents – which explains why the Dem presidential candidates will be spending most of their time in eastern and central Iowa, especially the Democratic bastions of Polk County (Des Moines), Johnson County (Iowa City) and Dubuque County (Dubuque). It would be a major shock if any of them emerge in Republican-dominated Sioux County (Sioux Center) between now and January.) 

OPINIONS:  

… Des Moines Register editorials: “The supreme sacrifice…U. S. troops died in the war in Iraq, but nothing was asked of Americans at home.” Headline on Charles Krauthammer syndicated column: “Turn screws on Syria…Give up Iraqi leaders or suffer regime change.” 

… Citizen comments from Sioux City Journal online: “’Friendly Fire’ – there is no such thing! Regardless of the source, there is nothing friendly about it. Been there, done that.” – Ted Rorris, Sioux City

IOWA SPORTS: 

… Quad-City Times reports that former Hawkeyes quarterback Jon Beutjer has “finally seized a strong hold” on the starting job on the Illinois football team. Beutjer is scheduled to start with the first team in today’s spring scrimmage game in Champaign. Beutjer, who led the Big Ten in passing yardage last year (228.3 yards/game), transferred to Illinois after some off-field difficulties at Iowa. He’s scheduled to be back on the Iowa City campus again 11/1 – when Iowa hosts the Illini.

… Iowa assistant basketball coach Rich Walker is among applicants for the Drake men’s head coaching job. Walker was head coach at Florida International for nine years before being hired as an assistant at Iowa in 1990 by former Hawkeyes coach Tom Davis.  

… Now that the Newton City Council has cast a unanimous vote supporting development of a $30-million motorsports/entertainment complex south of the community near Interstate 80, plans are under way to bring the open-wheel USAC Silver Crown series to the facility next summer. USAC officials said yesterday there would be “no problem” scheduling races in 2004 and they expect a solid turnout because of “the oval-track presence in Iowa” that’s been established by the Knoxville Nationals and other events at the Knoxville track. 

… Speaking of the Knoxville Raceway, the winged sprint cars are scheduled to return to the track – barring heavy rains or a blizzard – tonight for a practice session to prepare for the summer-long racing schedule. Racing also scheduled to begin this weekend at Boone and Stuart tracks – featuring stock car competition -- and on Eddyville drag strip.

The Deery Brothers Summer Series races tonight at the Jackson County Speedway in Maquoketa. 

IOWA WEATHER: 

DSM 5 a.m. 54, fair with haze. Temperatures range from 43 in Decorah and 45 in Atlantic to 56 in Lamoni, Burlington and Ottumwa. High today 72, showers & T-storms. Low tonight 52, Showers & T-storms. High Sunday 55, Showers & T-storms. 

Forecasts through weekend – Sunday night 42, cloudy. Monday 58, Showers possible. WHO-TV’s Ed Wilson reports “thunderstorms and rain bonnets instead of Easter bonnets.” He says this weekend will be “a wet one” with rain this afternoon through tomorrow. Wilson indicated there “could be some strong thunderstorms” later today with heaviest rain in central and eastern parts of IA.

IOWAISMS: 

… Des Moines Water Works officials said yesterday 1,200 crabapple trees in park just west of downtown area should be in full bloom this weekend. The spokesman said it is “very unusual” for the “crabapple show” to be ready for Easter – but the blooms are expected to “peak this Sunday” in Water Works Park, located along Fleur Drive, the main artery between business district (and most Dem campaign headquarters) and the DSM airport.

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