Primary Day: How I'm Voting

Primaries for me are difficult to generate excitement over, but this one is interesting on a couple of fronts. Locally. Janelle Rettig's "re-election" is an easy choice. She's doing a great job and has earned the opportunity to continue to serve. Besides, she and long-time incumbent Sally Stutsman are not being opposed by anyone except Write-In. In fact, other than the race for Dave Jacoby's House seat, there aren't any local primary contests that are contests. I was surprised that Janet Lyness was not challenged and I'll actually be writing in her 2006 opponent, Nick Maybanks, as my choice. Her office's handling of the John Deng investigation still makes my skin crawl.

The big races, of course, are the US Senate Democratic primary and the Republican Gubernatorial race. I have been disappointed at the tone of these races, as it shows what is wrong with the body politic, too much monkey business--both from the candidates and the party movers and shakers.

In the Democratic Senate race, the discourse is not helped by the fact that there is not an ideal candidate in the bunch and the sense that Roxanne Conlin's candidacy was a direct result of the IDP's belief that Chuck Grassley can only be defeated by a rainmaker; nobody can deny that Conlin has found deep pockets (although professing to prefer publicly-funded elections). Tom Fiegen, who was endorsed by the Des Moines Register has a great idea about generating jobs and has some progressive ideals, but his personal stance toward womens' reproductive rights and his low blows about Conlin's husband hurt him with the traditional base. Bob Krause, who is the only one who wants to end the war in Afghanistan and properly fund the VA is running a poor third. While I will vote for Krause, I am not sure that his pro stance on gun rights will help him win other progressive friends.

I hope to develop an enthusiasm for Roxanne Conlin, but so far she has been big on platitudes and short on plans. I'm not sure that Iowa's record for electing women to higher offices helps either. On the other hand, Chuck Grassley is looking weaker and, if anti-incumbency fever peaks in November, another of Iowa's "traditions" could very well change.

On the Republican side, Terry Branstad may very well return have the opportunity to return to Terrace Hill. The fact that Chet Culver doesn't generate a lot of goodwill among the party's more progressive members and the "strategy" of encouraging folks to cross party lines to vote up Bob Vander Plaats is a sign of how weak Culver may be. The saving grace for Culver may be that people are more afraid of what Branstad may do to gin up base support and then even reluctant Dems will have to support him. I will write in my vote for 2006 candidate Ed Fallon during the primary. Culver has not earned my vote either around labor issues or showing leadership about Iowa's economy.

Chet Culver Needs to Get Out More

While out of state in Ohio this past weekend, I felt badly for missing Gov. Culver's visit to the Hamburg Inn for a chat with The People. Having not supported the Big Lug when he ran against Ed Fallon in the last go round, I am not particularly surprised at the way his first term has gone. When I attended the Labor Day picnic and watched him spend most of his time pitching E-85 to members of local unions, I thought, this guy really doesn't care about his audience much. And, given his insular behaviors as Governor, it should not be surprising that he is likely going to be fighting the campaign of his life, if he is to be re-elected--and this is sort of sad with the stellar group he is up against.
But, as a Democrat in a state that needs to create and save jobs, Culver has been remarkably disappointing. First, because he has bitten the hand of labor that helped elect him (though very recently threw them a bone)and, second, by a lack of creativity to use the resources he has at his disposal to improve the welfare of the state. For instance, why has the "reinvention" of state government not been a "day one" priority? Why did he call for 10% across the board cuts to agencies when some agencies are of higher priority than others (e.g., anything having to do with human services)? Why hasn't the Governor negotiated with AFSME for salary cuts in lieu of forced-retirement? And in offering incentives for retirement, why hasn't the state at least required retirees to live in Iowa for the 5 years that the state is paying their health benefits?
And I won't go into the failures on agriculture, the environment, but to say that Culver hasn't lived up to his campaign promises on these two fronts. Iowa has massive potential to feed and fuel itself, but to do it sustainably has been the trick. Monsanto and ADM have done well for themselves under Culver, but not the local family farmer or those who would grow organics. Part of this, of course, is in part because of Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey, but the Chief Executive of the state has a lot to say about policy.

Pulling Out the Stops

Grafton state senator Merlin Bartz is using the the state Towa Senate Republican Caucus website to encourage voters to petition county recorders to "appeal directly to you, our county recorder, to refuse to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples on April 27th, 2009, and every day after, until such conflict between the Supreme Court’s opinion and the law is addressed by a VOTE OF THE PEOPLE OF
IOWA." On the website supporters are asked to distribute the petition to "anybody you feel who would be inclined to help in this endeavor" and to "send a copy for accountability purposes to the Iowa Family Policy Center, 1100 N. Hickory, Ste. 107, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327."

In response, former State Representative Ed Fallon and his wife Lynn's group I'm for Iowa "plan to deliver to Secretary of the Senate Mike Marshall at 11:15 this morning their formal ethics complaint against Senator Merlin Bartz for encouraging county recorders to break the law by refusing to grant marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples."

"For a state senator to use his office and public resources to encourage other elected officials to disobey a unanimous ruling of the Iowa Supreme Court is unconscionable, and possibly a violation of state law,” said Ed Fallon. “Thus, Lynn and I have filed a complaint with the chair of the Senate Ethics Committee, Senator Jack Kibbie, inquiring as to whether Senator Bartz’s action is a violation of his oath of office.”

Meanwhile likely gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats will have a press conference at 11:30 today to pressure governor Chet Culver to use an executive order to stay Iowa county recorders from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples beginning next Monday.

Yes We Can! -- Garden Organically

The White House is going to have an organic Victory garden after all. Although they have ignored the opportunity to have Iowa's own Ed Fallon tend it, it is still a good thing that Michelle Obama is making a point of showcasing the effort. Now if they can get the Presidential limo to run on biodiesel (as Air Force One doesn't qualify as "public transportation").

Commend the Obamas as Ed did.

Climate For Change

Below is a message from I'M Iowa's Ed and Lynn Fallon. Hat's off to them, Physician's for Social Responsibility (Micki McCue) and others for their leadership on this (this means you, Mike Carberry).

Dear Friends,

We heard a cardinal sing on February 1st, heralding the first sign of spring in our neighborhood. Five days later, daffodils pushed through the thawing soil about a mile from our home. The Des Moines River has been ice-free for a week, and the ice on the Raccoon River is on the verge of breaking.

On February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil announced (through interpreters, of course) that America should expect six more weeks of winter. Here in Des Moines, after signs of an early spring and eight days with high temperatures ranging from 42 to 62 degrees, some have called into question our most famous groundhog’s credibility.

Face it: America needs a new groundhog. More to the point, we need new mechanisms for assessing and understanding what is happening to our climate and, as a result, our planet and our civilization.

To be clear, isolated warm-weather “events,” such as the ones we note above, cannot be cited as evidenc e of climate change. Conversely, neither does unseasonably cool weather dismiss climate change. We have to look at the big picture, the global picture. Despite what some skeptics say, the consensus is in. Global climate change is a reality. How we monitor it and, more important, how we respond to it, will determine the viability of our future.

Across the globe, a new generation of climate-change groundhogs is rising to the challenge. One website that’s been very helpful to us is http://www.realclimate.org/. Another is http://www.idealbite.com/.

In Iowa, two activities over the next week can help educate us about climate change. The first is this weekend in Iowa City, sponsored by Physicians for Social Responsibility. The second is Monday in Des Moines, where experts will summarize the work of the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council. See below for details.

We hope you can attend one or both of these events, and please spread the word. Thanks.

Ed & Lynn Fallon

February 13 & 14 – Power-lines to the Future

A conference organized by Physicians for Social Responsibility at the
International Center, Old Capitol Town Center Mall, Iowa City. PSR hopes to encourage Iowans, especially those involved in the health professions, to become more informed and actively engaged in confronting the gravest health challenges of our time. For more information, visit www.iowa-psr.org/pl/pl_home.html.

February 16 – Iowa Climate Change Briefing and Discussion

Sponsored by about twenty organizations and agencies, this meeting will present the highlights of the Iowa Climate Change Advisory Council’s recent report. It’s at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Contact Senator Joe Bolkcom at joe-bolkcom@uiowa.edu or (319) 353-2681.

Fallon Right on the Money

Ed Fallon wrote this fine opinion piece that appeared in The Des Moines Register today in relatively similar form, entitled “Illinois seat not only thing that’s for sale.” This is why we continue to need VOICE to be brought forward for passage.

It’s easy to muster contempt for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Politics in America is rife with corruption, but rarely is corruption as brazen and unrepentant as what we’ve been treated to recently by Illinois’ soon-to-be former CEO. To learn that someone apparently would openly try to sell a U.S. Senate seat shocks and disgusts us.

Blagojevich is a menace and needs to go to the gated community where several other Illinois governors before him have gone. But America’s campaign finance system is a far greater menace to democracy. If we can muster shock and disgust for Blagojevich, we should be utterly appalled at the pervasive role of money in politics.

Face it. What we call “elections” have become auctions. The auctioning of U.S. Senate seats occurs every six years – every two years for Congressional and state legislative seats. Big donors, corporations and special interests “bid” on the candidate of their choice. In close races, the smart money bids on both candidates, and the one backed by the highest bidders usually wins.

We don’t want to believe our elected officials can be bought. But as one who served for 14 years in the Iowa House, I say with confidence that what big money wants, big money usually gets. Rank-and-file lawmakers may be well-intentioned but often are strong-armed by legislative leaders beholden to corporate donors and special interests. As a result, the most pressing challenges of our time – climate change, budgetary reform, health care, farm policy, to name a few – see practically no progress year after year.

So, while I hope the good people of Illinois fire Blagojevich and fire him soon, I have a more pressing hope t hat Americans across the country get fired-up for campaign finance reform. In Iowa, Senator-elect Pam Jochum is leading the charge on VOICE (Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections). This bill would make it easier for rank-and-file lawmakers to stand up to party leaders, allow more citizens to run for office and give the public far greater access to the halls of power.

The federal equivalent of Pam’s bill is sponsored by Senators Durbin (D-Illinois) and Specter (R-Pennsylvania). Both would establish greater fairness, openness and accountability in the financing of elections. Both deserve our strong backing.

When lawmakers consider whether to support campaign finance reform, perhaps the question they should ask is this: What would Blagojevich do? Well, beyond the Illinois Governor’s attempt to sell a U.S. Senate seat, his veto in 2007 of a bill to prohibit contributions from donors with state contracts of more than $50,000 ma kes it clear he’s no friend of reform.

And I can’t think of a stronger endorsement than that for reducing the role of money in politics.

Fallon Hired Hand for "Farmer-In-Chief"?

Not one to be shy about serving the public, Ed Fallon has "applied" for the job of White House farmer. In a press release from I'M Iowa sent out today for President-elect Barack Obama (see below), Ed Fallon asked to be considered for the job of “White House Farmer,” a term Fallon first came across in an article by Michael Pollan (“Farmer in Chief,” New York Times, October 12, 2008).

Pollan wrote: “This new post would be charged with implementing what could turn out to be your most symbolically resonant step in building a new American food culture. And that is this: tear out five prime south-facing acres of the White House lawn and plant in their place an organic fruit and vegetable garden.”

“America is hungry for a new direction in food production and consumption,” said Fallon. “World War II was a frightening time. The Victory Garden movement Eleanor Roosevelt helped kick-off on the lawn of the White House ignited a green revolution that led to 20 million gardens across the country, growing 40 percent of America’s produce. Similarly, these are scary times, and a new approach to food security is demanded.”

Fallon wrote to Obama, “I would be honored to serve in this capacity and believe I am well qualified. As I see it, the challenge involves both managing a
successful fruit and vegetable garden (and a small chicken coop for eggs!) and promoting greater food security across the country.” Fallon summarized his experience in politics, community organizing, gardening and farming:

• Served 14 years in the Iowa Legislature, and ran for Governor and Congress.
• Worked as a consultant with John Edwards’ campaign for president in 2007.
• Co-founded and directed two non-profit organizations.
• Traveled extensively across Iowa promoting farmland preservation initiatives.
• Co-founded the North Park Neighborhood Association.
• Co-founded a business which focuses in part on promoting locally grown foods.
• Raised much of his family’s produce over th e past twenty years.
• Helped establish and manage a community garden comprising five city lots.
• Coordinated the planting of 25,000 oak trees on his family’s farm in Ireland.
• Apprenticed on two farms in Nova Scotia in the early 1980s.
• As a Legislator, served on the House Agriculture Committee for six years.
• Developed a business plan for a grocery store featuring locally-grown food.

“To conclude,” wrote Fallon, “let me again quote Pollan: ‘{T}he president should throw his support behind a new Victory Garden movement, this one seeking “victory” over three critical challenges we face today: high food prices, poor diets and a sedentary population.’”

I would suggest that Backyard Abundance's Fred Meyer could split the chores with Ed and Kurt Friese could cook up some great locally grown meals for the Obamas.

Ed Fallon Asks For Support...For Other Progressives

From I'M Iowa founder and lead accordionist, Ed "Grammarian" Fallon

I’ve lived half a century and can say sincerely that this is the most critical election in my lifetime. I’m excited about Obama for a number of reasons, especially his rejection of PAC and lobbyist money. I asked Obama’s Iowa campaign about making a plug for donations, and they suggested Lynn and I focus instead on encouraging support for Iowa legislative candidates.

Wow! How often does that happen? A political candidate encouraging supporters to donate to other candidates! In an election of firsts, for me that’s also a first.

So, if you haven’t yet donated to the legislative candidates who have made campaign finance reform a top priority, please choose one or more and make a contribution today. Let’s show that Iowans want to reduce the influence of money in politics by backing candidates who have the guts to say “NO” to special interests in their campaigns.

HD 14:&nb sp; MARK KUHN, Floyd and Mitchell counties. https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/imforiowa.

HD 16: JOHN BEARD, Winneshiek and Allamakee counties. https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/imi.

HD 27: CHUCK ISENHART, Dubuque. https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/ef.

HD 47: SUE TEMERE, Dallas County. https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/lh.

HD 50: LYNNE GENTRY, Calhoun, Greene and Webster counties. https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/eflh.

SD 14: PAM JOCHUM, Dubuque. Send a check to People for Pam Jochum, 2368 Jackson St, Dubuque 52001.

Thanks!

Ed Fallon

Boswell Skipping Debate to Reach Out to Outdoorsmen--on the Radio

If Leonard Boswell has problems prioritizing his time to debate Ed Fallon once for the benefit of voters in the Iowa 3rd District over appearing on a radio show , it is no wonder he has been so lackluster in Washington D.C.

According to the Fallon campaign:

Ed Fallon is making one last appeal to Congressman Leonard Boswell to attend tonight's 3rd District Democratic candidates debate at 7:00 PM at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust in Des Moines. Boswell has stated that he would be not be available for any debates because he would be too busy in Washington or had other conflicts.

Fallon said, "According to a Boswell campaign press release, I understand that tonight at 6:00 PM he is a guest on "Outdoors with Outdoor Dan" radio show on KRNT 1350 AM in Des Moines. Since the radio program ends at 7:00 PM, I want to make sure the Congressman knows that he's still welcome to participate in the debate, even if unscheduled."

Fallon notes that the Primary election is just six days away and says, "This is one of the last chances for voters to see us face to face and learn where we stand on the issues."

Ed Fallon Endorsed Over Leonard Boswell by Des Moines Register

The Des Moines Register is not known for it's going-out-on-a-limb ability, so it comes as a huge surprise that they endorsed my favorite Iowa progressive over long-sitting (Note that I did not say "long-serving") congressman, Leonard Boswell. Iowans in the fighting 3rd District have had the good sense to support Ed Fallon in his many campaigns and I hope they do this time around when it is likely that we will have both a Democratic House and White House.

Does an endorsement by the Des Moines Register have significance in this race, particularly when Boswell's coffers have been filled by lobby dollars and his name recognition--heightened by the ability to send "Congressional information" to his district for free--usually hold sway? That's for the voters to decide. But, as we learned in the 2nd District in 2006, when a college professor with even less name recognition, Dave Loebsack beat long-serving, moderate (and frankly with a voting record very much like Leonard Boswell) Jim Leach, nothing is for certain until the voters make it so.

Boswell Ducking Fallon?

Representative Leonard Boswell and Candidate Ed Fallon have been invited to the event to be held on 5/28/2008 at 7pm at the State Historical Society of Iowa Building, 600 E Locust, Des Moines, IA. Mr. Fallon has accepted the invitation. Mr. Boswell has declined. The forum will be held on Wednesday with Mr. Fallon in attendance and an empty podium. Principle Sponsors are the Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa (PCCI) and Central Iowa Operation Democracy (CIOD). Co Sponsors are Women's International League of Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Iowa Chapter of Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA), and Clarion Alliance.

If you need further information or wish interviews before the event please contact:

Phyllis Stevens phyllisetc@aol.com 515-309-2860
Vern Naffier joycevernhn@juno.com 515-276-3602

Fallon Calls for End of Earmarks

From Ed Fallon for Congress:

Ed Fallon today called for abolishing congressional earmarks, challenging incumbent Congressman Leonard Boswell to match his own pledge to refuse earmarks and to work to end the practice. "If Congressman Boswell isn't agreeable to earmark reform, then I believe the public has an interest in hearing a debate between the two of us on the issue," Fallon said.

"Earmarks are the epitome of pork barrel spending, and are an abuse of power, position, and taxpayers' trust," Fallon said. "They allow members to direct spending to their pet projects, often as payback to big donors. Lobbyists spent $160 million to influence Congress in 2006. They got great return on their investment -- $12 billion in earmarks."

Fallon pointed out that his opponent in this race, Rep. Leonard Boswell, is a worse than average offender. In 2007, the average House member who was not a member of the Appropriations Committee obtained $4 million in earmarks. "Despite increased public outrage over earmarks," Fallon said, "Congressman Boswell actually increased his use of earmarks this year, securing earmarks worth $33.1 million, up from $32.3 in the previous budget."

Fallon noted that he has endorsed the Change Congress movement's pledge to abolish earmarks, and that his own pledge is featured on the first page of his campaign website: "I, Ed Fallon, do hereby pledge that I will personally support spending reform in Congress by refusing to seek, support, or enact earmarks during the appropriations process, and will work for the abolition of earmarks."

Ed Fallon Tells Leonard Boswell to "Cease and Desist"

Ed Fallon wants Leonard Boswell to end his negative attacks and stick to the issues. In a press releas that came out this morning Fallon said,

"Iowans want campaigns focused on issues and facts, not innuendo and negativity," said Fallon. "Unfortunately, Congressman Boswell's campaign is opting for the latter, with allegations that I am a 'bad' Democrat and even unethical. People are sick of this stuff. Let's have an open, fact-based discussion of the real issues."

Over the years, Fallon has apologized repeatedly for his 'Nader mistake.'

"During the past 15 years, I have campaigned for dozens of progressive Democrats, and in 2004, I wrote to Ralph Nader asking him not to run for president. Yes, my support for Nader in 2000 was a mistake," said Fallon. "But what about Congressman Boswell's mistakes, such as voting for funding for the Iraq War repeatedly, for the PATRIOT Act, for warrantless surveillance, for a punitive bankruptcy bill, for tax breaks for oil and gas companies? On these and so many other issues Leonard Boswell has voted against Democratic priorities, the very priorities that I have fought for these past 20 years. If he feels those votes were mistakes, then let's have an apology. If he feels they were right, then let's have a debate."

A recent e-mail sent by Boswell's campaign also alleged that Fallon has acted unethically in his work with I'M for Iowa. "That's absurd," said Fallon. "I'M for Iowa is simply an organization that enables me to consult with activist across the state on a wide range of issues."

"Every campaign I've ever run has been run without PAC and lobbyist money. The focus of my life has been to live simply so I can devote my time and energy to advocating for people in need. Just as Republicans attacked John Kerry in 2004 for his military service, Boswell is trying to attack me on my strength as a fighter for clean, accountable government."

Fallon concluded, saying, "The Democratic Party is changing. New energy at the grassroots promises to restore true democratic principles to our government. I've got a lot of energy and passion for reform - including campaign finance, health care, and the environment - and I'm eager to put my commitment to public service to work in Washington, DC."

Support from PAC Supporters V. Taking PAC Money

Ed Fallon is being accused by Leonard Boswell's campaign of being hypocritical about receiving support through PACs. At issue is that Democracy for America, which is a PAC has encouraged its members to support Ed Fallon, who has not received a SINGLE dime from DFA, but did receive direct contributions from 730 DFA members to the tune of about $20,000.

Many people are members of organizations that encourage supporting candidates, the National Association of Realtors as an example encourages its membership to choose pro-real estate candidates, but that doesn't mean the same thing as the NAR cutting a check for a candidate.

Because Leonard Boswell does take money DIRECTLY from PACs, it would appear that the longtime Congressman is trying to justify his own behavior. According to Iowa Progress, "in the first three quarters of 2007, Boswell has taken in $433,000 in contributions from PACs, making up 75% of total contributions recieved."

As American as Ed Fallon and Apple Pie

Ed...(And his super partner Lynn) know how to make a pie.



Help us reach our goal and donate now:

Also, please plan on attending Ed's birthday celebration this Saturday, March 1st. If you’ve got the time and energy, you’re welcome to spend the whole day with me.
Here’s the schedule. If you want to join us for any of these events, please RSVP at Fallon@FallonforCongress.com.

7:00-8:30 am—Breakfast at the Drake Diner. I’m having pancakes, the tall stack, with a side order of The Des Moines Register. Critiquing the morning’s top stories with friends is a great way to wake up. Come join me.

9:00-11:00 am—Frisbee golf at Grandview Park. Many politicians do pricey golf outings with lobbyists. I prefer “poor man’s golf” with friends. Discs are $10 at Boulevard Sports. Can a 50-year old beat his personal best of 2-under par? Come join me and find out.

12:00-1:00 pm—Natural Living Expo at the new Animal Learning Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

2:00-5:00 pm—Let’s bike. I’m shooting for a 20-30-mile ride. Start and finish at the main campaign house, 2715 Cottage Grove.

7:00-10:00 pm—Party at the Thoreau Center, 3500 Kingman Blvd. There will be a band from 8-10 pm and we’ll serve food and drink. No gifts please, just come, have fun, and let me thank you for your support.

Fallon to Face Off Against Boswell

I leave town for a weekend and lo and behold...

Over in the Iowa 3rd district, Gubernatorial candidate and former state representative Ed Fallon has announce that he will run against entrenched incumbant Leornard Boswell for his seat. Below is Fallon's announcement.

As some of you know, I’ve decided to run for Congress. Lynn and I will continue to publish I’M for Iowa updates and maintain the I’M for Iowa website. Through those tools, we’ll encourage your involvement with key state issues, including campaign finance reform, hog confinements, climate change, eminent domain, health care, and improving the integrity of our voting system.

Through my congressional campaign organization, I’ll share with you once each week an update on how the campaign is unfolding. (Please let me know if you do not want to receive that update.)

Last summer, after much thought, I decided I could best make a difference in the world as a member of Congress. In 2006, Americans said they were tired of Bush’s policies, so we elected a Democratic Congress. Yet on key issues, congressional Democrats have let America down. Simply stated, too many of them, including Leonard Boswell, vote too often with President Bush and against the priorities of the American people.

As the Iowa Caucuses made abundantly clear, people are ready for change. While Leonard Boswell is an honorable man who has served with dignity, I feel his positions on many key issues are wrong.

Boswell accepts donations from PACs and lobbyists. Of the $600,167 he raised between February and September 2007, 73% came from PACs. During my 14 years as a state representative and when I ran for governor, I refused donations from PACs and lobbyists and won’t accept them in my congressional campaign either.

In 2003, he voted for the Iraq War and has continued to support additional funding with no timetable to bring the troops home. I opposed Bush’s war from the start and believe we need a more diplomatic approach to foreign policy, not just in Iraq but throughout the Middle East.

In 2005, Boswell voted to provide $14 billion in tax breaks and incentives for oil and gas companies. He also supports greater use of coal. I have been a leader in the fight against government handouts to big business. I support a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants and have helped lead efforts in Iowa to fight global warming.

Boswell voted for No Child Left Behind. I have always spoken against this unfunded, ineffective mandate, and believe NCLB should be repealed, or at a minimum severely overhauled.

Boswell supported the Patriot Act, and in August 2007, voted for a bill to increase unwarranted surveillance on the American people. Iowa’s other Democratic Congressmen, Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack, voted against it. I have a long track record of fighting for civil rights and personal liberties.

In November 2007, Boswell joined Congressmen Steve King and Tom Latham – both Republicans – to vote for a NAFTA-like trade agreement with Peru. I am a vocal opponent of NAFTA and other so-called “free” trade agreements and believe in fair trade that protects American jobs, our environment, and workers’ safety.

I’m ready to take on the corporate interests who have corrupted our federal government. I’m ready to give working families and the poor a voice in national politics. I’m ready to do what I can to see that environmental issues are taken seriously inside the beltway. I’m ready to apply what I’ve learned during 23 years of public service in Iowa and be a part of the solution in Washington.

Thank you for your interest, and if you’d like to contact our campaign team, we can be reached at fallon@fallonforcongress.com, (515) 277-0424, or 2715 Cottage Grove Avenue, Des Moines 50311.

Ed Said Edwards

From Ed Fallon

First, I’d like to plug an event I’m co-hosting with Tom Carsner tomorrow, Wednesday, December 19th, from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Fair Grounds Coffeehouse, 345 S. Dubuque Street in Iowa City. Tom and I will lead a discussion of John Edwards’ campaign and ideas. If you’re undecided about whom to support for President, or if you’ve made up your mind but would still like to be a part of the discussion, I hope you’ll join us.

Yes, I know, the caucus season has grown wearisome. It’s truly an honor to be first in the nation, but it’s a tremendous responsibility as well. Over the past 1½ years, I have come to know John personally. He and Elizabeth have become friends, and I am confident of their sincerity when they speak out against poverty and injustice. There is no doubt in my mind that John Edwards will make a great president, and that he is both the most progressive and the most electable candidate.

I became interested in John Edwards’ candidacy when I heard him speak about poverty at a conference in Washington, D.C. in July of 2006. The fact that any candidate for President would be seriously, genuinely interested in poverty impressed me. In visiting with him after his talk, I pointed out an aspect of his poverty plan that I felt could be improved. The next time I heard him speak on the subject, John had incorporated my suggested change!

John Edwards listens. He is the kind of charismatic thinker, listener and communicator I want representing America to the world. All his adult life, John has worked to take on powerful corporate interests, like insurance and drug companies, and he has won repeatedly on behalf of regular people. His proposals are clear, progressive and set him apart from other candidates.

He is the only presidential candidate never to accept donations from PACs and Washington lobbyists, and he is the only candidate to use the federal public financing system to fund his campaign.

He is calling for a moratorium on new coal-fired plants until carbon-capture technology is developed.

He has called for an end to the construction of nuclear power plants.

He wants a national moratorium on the construction and expansion of hog confinements.

He has made fighting poverty a key cornerstone of his platform, and anti-poverty initiatives have been an important part of his life’s work.

He was the first candidate to pledge to lead an international effort to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

He was the first candidate to articulate a bold plan for universal health care.

He is committed to ending combat missions in Iraq within ten months of taking office. The only troops remaining in Iraq will be those guarding the U.S. embassy or helping with humanitarian efforts, and John will prohibit permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq.

He will close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, ban the use of torture and end illegal spying on Americans.

What’s most exciting to me is this: JOHN EDWARDS IS NOT ONLY THE MOST PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE BUT ALSO THE MOST ELECTABLE! A wide range of polls shows that John Edwards wins against all Republican opponents, particularly in key battleground states like Missouri, Ohio, Virginia and Oklahoma.

And at this time of enormous crisis, when America has lost its way, when we are mired in a tragic war that most Republican presidential candidates want to continue indefinitely, when 47 million Americans lack adequate access to health care, we need a President like John Edwards more than ever. This is an election we simply cannot afford to lose.

As someone who found a role model and mentor in the late Senator Paul Wellstone, I’d like to reference a story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune (In The Name of His Father, August 28, 2007). Bill Lofy, a Wellstone biographer who was also an intern and former staff person for Wellstone, says, “Whether you call yourself a Wellstone Democrat or not, are you speaking to the issues that he spent a career fighting for? What it really comes down to is fundamental messages. In reality, those are reflected by John Edwards.” The article goes on to say, “Indeed, some of Edwards’ policies and actions seem to mirror those of Wellstone. Wellstone embarked on a poverty tour in 1998 that followed the model of Robert F. Kennedy’s in 1968. Edwards did the same this year.”

I hope you’ll join me in caucusing for John Edwards on January 3rd. Iowa could well decide the nomination . . . and whether or not Democrats will have a candidate who can lead us to victory in 2008 and bring about the changes America so desperately needs.

Sincerely,

Ed Fallon

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Ed Fallon to Formally Endorse John Edwards

My favorite candidate for governor of Iowa last go 'round, Ed Fallon, will be in Iowa City tonight to endorse John Edwards. If you'll remember it was Fallon who endorsed clean, publicly-funded elections during his run for the state's top seat. Apparently John Edwards listened. Fallon was endorsed by the Press-Citizen for Governor. Details below.

Former State Rep. Ed Fallon, leader of I'm For Iowa, will endorse John Edwards for president at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Fair Grounds Coffee, 345 S. Dubuque St.

Fallon, a Democrat from Des Moines, was a candidate for governor in 2006.

For more information, call 338-7268.

For those who enjoy the prescient Iowa Progress was all over this like Nostradamus.

Great Turnout at Wright Kickoff

The campaign kickoff for Mike Wright started off with for Iowa Rep. Ed Fallon playing "Lady of Spain" on the accordian, but the highlight of the evening was the turnout by local politicos and interested others like Rod Sullivan, Karen Kubby, Mitch and Melanie Gross, Larry Baker, Jay Berry, Tom Carsner, Nick Johnson, and many, many others.

Fallon discussed I'M for Iowa, which is works at the local level to further develop a broad movement committed to progressive reform in state and local politics and the need for developing sustainable communities and economies. Specifically, they:

(1) Work with Iowans across the state to develop the tools they need to address problems confronting them and their communities, particularly issues involving land, justice and poverty;

(2) Advocate for progressive legislative changes, particularly Voter-Owned Iowa Clean Elections (VOICE), CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations) and universal health care;

(3) Continue to build the organizational base necessary to recruit and elect progressive candidates across the state, and mentor them on an ongoing basis once elected;

(4) Support local businesses and Iowa farmers and encourage personal examples of the many ways in which individuals can lead lives that are more sustainable and truly independent; and

(5) Build the infrastructure needed to create a grassroots, democratic force that can become An Independence Movement for Iowa, and work in coalition with groups committed to these goals and ideals.

Wright highlighted his support of affordable housing and historic preservation, a fully staffed northeast fire station, and increasing the number of patrol officers. When asked about the 21 ordinance, he said that he personally supports it. He also discussed using TIF in a more judicious way.

Ed Fallon to Appear at Fundraiser for Mike Wright

Ed Fallon—Iowa State Fair champion accordionist, 2006 candidate for governor, and founder of the progressive group I’M for Iowa—will headline an August 26th fundraiser for Mike Wright, candidate for an at-large seat on the Iowa City Council. Ed will play his accordion, explain why he supports Mike, and introduce the candidate.

The event will take place at 6:30 pm on August 26th. Location to be announced later. Suggested donation is $25, but all are welcome.