This year, the US Senate seat currently held by Tom Harkin is up for grabs. I say “up for grabs” in an attempt to relieve us of the idea that the incumbent has no chance to be unseated.

Harkin has been in the US Senate now for 6 terms (24 years). Without a doubt, he has done some good things while in Congress. Probably the most positive, and the one he speaks of the most, is his authoring of the Americans with Disabilities Act. He has also been a big supporter of farmers and Iowa’s universities.

Harkin is also known in the state, like Neil Smith[...]

I am not surprised at the guilty verdict handed down against US Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) on seven counts of making false statements. And nor should anyone else. I stated earlier in the year that Alaskan Republicans needed to find another candidate, but they failed. It amazes me that people like Ted can imagine that they are not only above the law, but that in the midst of failure they should continue on with their struggle for power when they should be focusing on dealing with the issue at hand… planning a appeal. From The Hill:

The senator vowed to “fight this unjust verdict with every ounce of energy I have” and said he would return home to defend his seat.

“I am innocent. This verdict is[...]

Our US Senators have approved a version of the $700 Billion Bail-out Bill that provides some new features:

New tax breaks for businesses
Raising the FDIC deposit insurance limit from $100,000 to $250,000

Normally, I am all about tax breaks for businesses.  I think that is one of the best ways to stimulate growth.
And without a doubt, raising [...]

Last week I started taking my bicycle to work. It’s about 7.5 miles as the crow flies, and my shortest (and most difficult) route is about 8.5 miles… the longest (and easiest) route is 13 miles.  Downtown Des Moines is at a slightly lower elevation than the suburb of West Des Moines where I live, [...]

Down!  Not alot, but it dropped another $.75 today to $114.45 a barrel.
Meanwhile, the Republican Protest against the Democratic No-Vote Vacation continued into its second full week, with activity at Capital Hill and at town halls throughout the country.  House Republicans want everyone (that means you and me) to contact their Democratic representatives and tell them to demand [...]

The Republican Protest of the No-Vote Vacation continues today, with no end in sight.  CSPAN showed the following press conference (video courtesy John Boehner’s office) featuring House Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio), Mike Pence (Indiana), and Jon Porter (Nevada).  Excellent, concise, brought a solid message back from their constituents, and continuing the push forward.  Worth [...]

Although we may all support the notion that one is innocent until proven guilty, we (and Stevens) have a responsibility to ensure that we not only keep our noses clean, we do all we can to avoid the appearance of impropriaty.  The fact that Ted managed to get himself in a situation where the FBI [...]

The US Senate voted today to approve the FISA bill, including immunity for the telecomm companies who acted at the government’s request with the understanding they were receiving and acting on legal requests.  The bill was approved after Republicans agreed to allow Democrats more judicial and congressional oversight.  And the bill passed 69-28.
Bush is, of [...]

It’s so easy to get away with things.  Right in front of everyone.  No one seriously does anything about it.  We’ve seen it with Obama, Clinton, Clinton, and today, with Chris Dodd.
I don’t know why I keep thinking that people like Dodd are respectable and of high integrity.  When Countrywide gave him a great, no [...]

The Hill had a good idea… ask 97 US Senators if they’d like to be Vice President.  The variety of answers was quite interesting.  I was saddened and yet satisfied that Mitch McConnell said simply “No.”  The two men from here in Iowa, one from each party, had to be cute… I think they were [...]