Iowa Progressives: Go Impactful or Go Home When It Comes to Governors

I have been a follower of Iowa politics since I moved to the state in 1999 and cut my teeth at the Cedar County Democrats caucus in 2000. No doubt about it, I understand why some folks have a love/hate relationship with politics. It is messy business when it should be about choosing leaders that exemplify our better natures. But here is the thing, we could end up with a known quantity who is objectively horrible in acting Governor Kim Reynolds, we could put up a slightly left-centrist to run against her, or we could stand up for what we believe Iowa needs in a leader. As is the nature of politics, the best-organized campaigns have a substantial leg up and, as it shapes up, there are four choices among the Democrats in that department.

• Nate Boulton: A state senator and labor attorney who is backed by labor, and a rising star among young Iowa Democrats, currently, he is trailing in the polls within his party and among all Iowans. He has said reversing the collective bargaining agreement is a key part of his run for Governor. Living in Des Moines, but raised in Columbus Junction, Boulton has the story that many Iowans are familiar with and comfortable.

• Fred Hubbell: Political newbie with deep pockets and the lead in public polls for the governor's office among Democrats, Hubbell has a unique story and brings the business acumen that Iowans are comfortable. He is Pro-Choice, Pro-Business, Pro-Iowa and another Native Son. He is for sensible gun laws given he was once held hostage overseas.

• Andy McGuire: Former head of the Iowa Democratic Party, medical doctor turned healthcare executive with Wellmark and American Enterprise, McGuire is for bringing healthcare back under state government and assisted by private insurers, is pro-choice, and feels that listening to the needs of rural Iowa is the way to go in addressing water and air quality issues. Another native of Iowa from Waterloo who has lived in other states.

• Cathy Glasson: Another labor candidate who is also a labor leader, but with a larger agenda that Boulton, McGuire, or Hubbell. She wants to make $15 the state minimum wage, she wants a single-payer public healthcare system, she wants polluters to pay for cleaning up the air and water quality mess. She wants to restore union bargaining rights, she wants to raise the legal age to own a gun in Iowa to 21 and wants to improve public education in Iowa. None of these are small things. 

The two other candidates, Ross Wilburn and John Norris both seasoned in the political arenas and more left-centrist (Wilburn) or rural-rooted progressive (Norris) than the above but trailing badly in the money game with no time to change the game. Their hopes lie in none of the top four candidates garnering the magical 35% they need to win the primary outright and force the choice to a state convention where compromise could work to at least one of their favors as either queen/kingmaker or possible Lt. Governor prospect. 

While any of the six candidates would be head and shoulders above Reynolds, there is always the chance that they will turn out to be the next Chet Culver, hurting the very people that got them there and being blander than margarine so as not to offend. My hope is that the Democrats choose to think impact over the lackluster "aw shucks, I'm just plain folks" approach that has failed them election after election.

I think that it is actually time that Iowans elect a leader who has impact in mind and is willing to work hard and connect with people to make that happen. For me, Cathy Glasson is that type of candidate. She swings for the fences in her goals and in a place where we like our field of dreams, she might be the right person, in the right place, at the right time to get it done. Of course, she'll need help down the line in the House and Senate, but that will come from the one trait that any of these folks will need to win, the ability to organize and turn out the vote. 

Potential Iowa Governors on Parade

The six Democrat gubernatorial candidates debated last evening on IPT for 90 minutes. It was at times lively and informative. Themes that stood out, candidates were running against Kim Reynolds and running against Fred Hubbell, the current front-runner in the polls. Other themes were connecting with voters who feel disconnected from Iowa politics, the problems of health care particularly mental health care and health care for women, water quality, and wages and workers rights.

On the face:
 Former Chief of Staff  John Norris: Portrayed himself as the most experienced Democrat in terms of his political bona fides with experiences that span national and state politics.
Former businessman Fred Hubbell: Presented his family history, business, and philanthropy and volunteer experiences. State Sen. Nate Boulton: set his frame around the workers of Iowa both as a lawyer and State Senator.
Former state Democratic Party chair Dr. Andy McGuire: Made the case for her service in caring for others as a doctor and health care executive leader.
Former mayor Ross Wilburn: Brought out his 12 years in elected politics and his experiences in the Army, in economic development, and his diverse family and issues around LGBTQ.
ICU Nurse Cathy Glasson: Made the case for her working-class roots, a labor leader and being the alternative progressive candidate to the other five with the fight for $15 minimum wage and single-payer health care.

Priorities for each;
Norris: Fund Education/Reverse privatization, reverse tax cuts
Boulton: Repeal Collective Bargaining bill, reverse privatized Medicaid
Glasson: Raise minimum wage to $15 per hour, reverse tax cuts, "Iowans need a raise" to bring in tax revenue, "Unemployment low, but the Misery Index is high"
Wilburn: Mental Health and Education K-12, higher education, anti-trafficking, reverse Medicaid privatization
McGuire: Healthcare around Medicaid mess and mental health care
Hubbell: Reverse privatization of Medicaid on day one; fully fund pre-k and public education, reverse wasteful tax giveaways, unfunded priorities, mismanagement of the budget

All but Glasson for 3/8 tax for water quality funding; Glasson wants taxes on Big Ag for nitrogen, CAFOS, etc. Other echoed Hubbell in essentially saying "Water Quality is an Iowan problem" and tax addresses it for all.

Electability X-Factors:
Hubbell: (Hit  - Never elected, rich/out of touch):  Been all  over the state, better education, better healthcare, incomes go up; getting results in public/private life
Boulton: (Hit - too young): New generation of leadership, labor support, vision for the state
Glasson: (Hit - too liberal): highlighted bold, progressive women candidates winning, proud of attacks against her because of support of single payer, raising the minimum wage, and vision moving us ahead
McGuire: (Hit - Head of the party that lost under leadership): Upset over Republican agenda, worked hard to win as state Democratic Party leader but could not overcome the national tide
Norris: (Hit: Lack of fundraising ability): Running the gauntlet of other candidates for funding, if he wins the primary, it would be from fundraisers who support Hubbell, Boulton, Glasson
Wilburn: (Hit: Elected in most liberal town/county in Iowa): Wasn't progressive enough/was too liberal; Been in many parts of the state, rural Iowans concerned about water and making a living

More on the debate summary can also be found on The Iowa Starting Line website.

Dealing with Trouble: When Neighbors Organize

Yesterday morning I attended a meeting at Fairmeadows Park organized by neighbors of a group called "Bringing It Together" (BIT) headed by Brandi Mastain in the Grant Wood school area who are concerned by recent outbreaks in crime in their area. Also in attendance were four Iowa City Council members: Mike Wright, Regina Bailey, Ross Wilburn, and Connie Champion; Acting City Manager, Dale Helling; Police Chief, Sam Hargadine and several of his officers; Neighborhood Services Coordinator, Marcia Bollinger in addition to 125 to 150 people mostly from the area.

The group, made up almost entirely of homeowners, were concerned about lawlessness in their part of the community and their frustration with the city's efforts to curb it. About 1/2 when asked by a show of hands if they had witnessed young people "wandering" until after midnight in mass and being disruptive held up their hands. About a 1/10 had experienced "severe issues" such as property damage or other disturbances. What was of most concern were 6 reported cases of gunfire in the last year and 4 within the last month, as well as an increase in breaking and entering charges (43) this year and that crime generally was higher in their area than in all of others of the city.

According to Mastain, the seriousness of what is happening in their area of town is a "bigger issue than college kids binge drinking downtown." Many of the crowd expressed a frusttration that their area was not receiving more help because for the majority of Iowa Citians, it doesn't affect them.

They asked the Police Chief Hargadine if a curfew could be put in place. The chief explained that he recommended a delinquent behavior ordinance instead because of the enforcement issues of a curfew. When asked if the city council was considering this, Hargadine said it had not been formally brought to the council which elicited groans from the crowd.

Neighbors did commend the police department for having foot patrols in the community, but were concerned by the lack of coverage between 11 pm and 3 am due to policing calls from downtown bars. The Chief agreed that the force was spread thin, but did say if his office receives calls, his officers respond as quickly as they can. He did say that he was 15 officers short of the staff he felt he needed. A member of the audience asked the chief if residents in the area could assist the officers on patrol and Chief Hargadine encouraged the questioner to contact his office.

The neighbors commented on the amount of section 8 and public housing in their area. They mentioned the influx of out-of-state people showing up as unfair to Iowa City residents and Iowans who should receive top priority. They also mentioned the perception that people are being told to come here that there is a "billboard in Chicago advertising to come here." Mastain asked the person to bring proof of this. She said that property values are being devalued by the crime and presence of section 8 housing.

When pressed by Carol Kula, a high school teacher and resident in the area to give the crowd something concrete to take away from the meeting so they wouldn't feel like thy had "wasted their time being there," Mastain encouraged people to join their group and to go before city council on Tuesday night with their concerns. A neighbor mentioned that they should introduce themselves to their neighbors so that they would be able to know who was causing trouble in their neighborhood. Jarrod Gatlin said, "We need to know. Who are these kids?"

The organizers stressed that the meeting was about public safety, not the race of the kids involved in the crime problem, but stressed it was time for the neighbors to "make them uncomfortable; not allow them to make us uncomfortable."

As there were more than three members of the city council present, the members were not allowed to comment on the crowds concerns, but individually, the council members did stay after the meeting to listen and ask questions of those present.

As an observer, it was interesting to note the lack of renters at the meeting. I did speak to Royce Ann Porter briefly who heads a group called Iowa City Community School District Concerned Parents Committee who told me that her group represents low-income residents and has more to say. I'll follow up on this. I noted on the survey that was given to participants of the meeting that the questions were not specific to the type of respondent, but wonder if by the nature of it, only half the story is being told.

I hope that the BIT group will seek out input from the folks who were so clearly not present--I'd guess they would have a better outcome if they brought everyone together--more BITE, as it were.

Other accounts from the Press-Citizen and Gazette

Election Reflection

The city elections in Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty reflected that (some) change is good. With changes in leadership, there is the hope that more regional cooperation will occur from emergency communications and mass transportation decisions are made to planning for more affordable workforce housing.

As Iowa City is in the process of selecting a new city manager, citizens had an opportunity yesterday to meet with recruiter Bob Beezat from PAR Group who is the firm that is screening candidates for the job. At the session I attended, there were a number of thematics addressed but a common thread was that the next city manager should be customer-focused, helpful to prioritize community needs so that resources can be best used, that will work to increase cooperation between the city and the University, and will improve the transparency and accountability of Iowa City governance.

With Matt Hayek and Mike Wright being seated both of whom live and/or work in the central business district, it can be expected that downtown will be a focus of this council. The council will lose a fount of information with both Dee Vanderhoef leaving the council (although I imagine her phone will be ringing) and the amiable Bob Elliott. However, based on the issues that this campaign focused on (and one's that Bob and Dee championed), it is expected that a fourth fire station will be funded and staffed, that the police department will increase its staff, that historic preservation districts will be strengthened. Also, as the business environment of Iowa City is favorable, economic development efforts will be redoubled. It is also expected that affordable housing will continue to be prioritized and that finding funding for low-income rental housing, as well as seed money for 50 to 80% of median income homes will need to be found.

With regard to bars in downtown Iowa City, there will be a greater pressure to police themselves better, as the Que Bar recently learned. The referendum, while not close, did reflect in polling precincts that there is a tale of two cities and that many residents believe that enforcing the legal drinking age is important. Time will tell as to how this will go.

Finally with a permanent Police Citizen Review Board being approved, the next issue will be who serves on it and how do they earn their keep. Some politicking no doubt will occur and, again, time will tell how it goes.

What will be most interesting will be the wrestling match between popular vote topping current mayor Ross Wilburn and mayor pro tem Regenia Bailey, who has made it clear she would like to be the next mayor. A change in leadership in the city council would likely push the agenda in a different direction. As the mayor is selected by the council, it is anybody's guess how this will go.

In Coralville, newcomer Mitch Gross will join a council that is knee-deep in experience and with a mayor who is deeply entrenched. It will be interesting to see if the ideas that Gross proposed during his campaign will gain traction.

Finally, in North Liberty, James Moody, who has been in the center of controversy over governance there leaves the council and three new members join with moderate Mayor Tom Salm continuing in that position. Given the rapid growth in North Liberty and the newly passed hotel/motel tax, some of the infrastructural problems can be addressed.

And Then There Were Four?

With Michael Wright set to announce his candidacy for an at-large seat on the Iowa City Council and Dee Vanderhoef and Terry Smith already in the running, the burning question is are there any other candidates in the running? The grapevine suggests that there is at least one more candidate lurking out there. Former Housing and Community Development Commission Chair and President of the Englert Theater Board, Matt Hayak is likely to announce his bid for the council soon. Hayak, an attorney and recent new Dad was responsible for leading the "scattered site" housing task group while on the HCDC.

At this time both Regenia Bailey and Ross Wilburn are seeking re-election in their districts without opponents.

This could be the first city council election without a primary since 1991 when Susan Horowitz, Randy Larson, Karen Kubby and Bill Ambrisco were elected to fill the A and C districts and two at-large seats.

Music and a Plethora of Pols Under the Stars 'N More

While Lazy-Boy and the Recliners played on the Ped Mall in Iowa City, local politicians Supervisor Rod Sullivan and Mayor Ross Wilburn were sighted, as well as State Senator Bob Dvorsky. Representatives of Barack Obama's and Bill Richardson's campaign were also out tabling. In a surprise appearance, presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards (who was campaigning in Washington, IA earlier in the evening), was spotted shaking hands with Ped Mall music-lovers with one of his great looking kids in tow.

On Sunday, Sen. Joe Biden will be at Upper City Park Shelter #2 from 3:30 to 6:30 to help the Johnson County Dems fund raise, according to Matt from his campaign team.

Put Your Mettle to the Pedal

This is a great moment to plug the great folks (like Del Holland and Brian Loring) of Environmental Advocates who volunteer their time to clear the air, slow down global climate change, recycle bikes, and get greasy doing bike rehab at the Iowa City Bike Library on College St. Beginning this Saturday, its all about bikes and bikers. So you can be sure to expect Mayor Ross Wilburn and Senator Joe Bolkcom hitting the streets--who else? How about you...

Bike Library Yard Sale – Saturday
Come to the Bike Library Annual Yard Sale on Saturday, May 12, 10:00am – 1:00pm at the Bike Library.
Frames, Project Bikes, Part
Come Check It Out

Bike to Work Week – May 14-18
Iowa City/Coralville’s Bike to Work Week is coming up on May 14-18. Visit http://cicbikeweek.org/ for more details.

Monday, May 14, 7—9 a.m.
Bicyclists' Roadside Pancake Breakfast
at College Green Park, Iowa City.

Monday, May 14, 4:45 p.m.
Bike/Bus/Car Race
from Coral Ridge Mall to the Old Capitol Center
(Clinton Street entry)

Tuesday, May 15 7—9 a.m.
Bicyclists' Roadside Pancake Breakfast
in front of Coralville New Pioneer Co-op

Wednesday, May 16 5:30 p.m.
Old Pi to New Pi" Mayor’s Ride
Join Mayor Ross Wilburn in a casual bike ride from Iowa City’s Chauncey Swan Park to the Coralville New Pioneer Co-op. Refreshments and prizes hosted by the Co-op, live music by Irene and the Mad River Band. Everyone welcome! (Gark tip: Pick up some stuff at the Farmer's Market while you're at it).

Friday, May 18 5:00 p.m. (prize drawing at 6:30)
After Work Bike Rally
Fitzpatrick's on Prentiss Street in Iowa City, mixing cyclists, food, the live music of New Beat Society, and a prize drawing for a new bicycle, a shopping spree at a local bike shop, and many bike accessories!
*************************************
Bike Library Needs Bikes
The Iowa City Community Bike Library, a volunteer-run project of Environmental Advocates, Inc., is looking for donations of bicycles. Bikes should be in good working order or easily repaired. Volunteers are available for pick-up, or you can drop bikes off at the Bike Library – 408 E Colleges – on Saturday mornings between 10am-1pm. For more information, or to request a bike pick-up, contact brian@environmental-advocates.org

(Truth in advertising: I took a bad fall on a bike last year and have gone back to foot power, but I fully support bikers and EA's efforts)

Mental Health Day for Iowa Politicos

Today (Cinco de Mayo) the Johnson County Chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness held their NAMI Walk in City Park. The Honorable David Loebsack, State Senator Joe Bolkcom, State Representative Vicki Lensing, County Supervisors Rod Sullivan and Sally Stutsman, County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek , City Council member Amy Correia were in attendence. I missed Dave Loebsack remarks to the crowd, but the Congressman is a supporter of mental health parity.

450 people were there. It was a busy morning for the local dignitaries with the Crisis Center Breakfast down the road and Hillary Clinton's office opening uptown. Apparently Vicki Lensing and Sally Stutsman are planting roots in the Clinton camp which must have be awkward with Mayor Wilburn being the co-chair of the Obama campaign flipping flapjacks at the Crisis Center Breakfast.

Iowa City Council Connections Forum - No Surprises

I was ringside at Iowa City's Connections City Council Kickoff Forum moderated by Carlton Blackburn held last evening at the spectacular urban renewed Hotel Vetro. As expected, three incumbents and one uncontested at-large candidate appeared. Seasoned veterans Mayor Ross Wilburn, Mayor Pro-Tem Regenia Bailey, and three-term council member Dee VanderHoef took the podium with relative political neophyte and hero of the keep electricity a private utility coalition, Terry Smith. Each waxed philosophical (Dee waxing a bit more than the others) about such issues as:

- Opening statements with praise for the GLBT community (we love them, some of our best friends are GLBT...)

- TIF (Tax Incremental Financing = good, with judicious use)

- Affordable Housing (policy wonk VanderHoef enjoyed this one and mesmerized folks with thorough explanations about deed trusts--not)

- The 21 Ordinance ("we'll do what the people decide" was the popular favorite, though Wilburn and VanderHoef said they personally support the ordinance.)

- Health of Downtown ("mixed" answers, extolling the virtues of the "mix" and awaiting the results of a study about how to mix things better. Given the swanky digs we were in, I thought at least one would have gone with "shaken, not stirred". In a shocker, the word "vibrancy" was only used once by Bailey)

- The strangest question was about Wilburn and his former spouse and current councilor Amy Correia's relationship and whether it affected Wilburn's judgment. He gave a great Joe Biden-esque answer-- "no".

Other than a young African-American Obama local organizer being mistaken for the "hired help" at the cash bar, there was no hint of excitement. I left at 8:30.

Amenities: Great pastries and beverages--poor sound engineering

Forum Grade: C -

Winner: The pastries. No candidate hit it out of the park.

Non-winners: Dee VanderHoef - shorter answers are okay, save your policy details for the League of Cities (Moderator Carlton Blackburn - its your show, its okay to cut off a ten minute answer). Mayor Wilburn, for a guy who likes remind citizens that he doesn't address issues (like the anti-war resolution in 2002)that aren't local in nature, its probably not a good idea to sport the Obama button at a city council forum.

Rumor mill: Two other shadow candidates are theoretically hovering out there--if you are one of them, please get in the race, these folks deserve good, clean opposition. Where is Gary Sanders when you need him?

Press-Citizen said

The Gazette said

The Daily Iowan said

Obama Nation Out in Force in Iowa City

Greetings from the Midsection.

Barack Obama was looking fit, rested and may have the vote of one member of this household based on a handshake on the meet and greet line on his way to the stage. His staff threw the crowd t-shirts and a little girl put one on and looked adorable (of course, she took it off quickly because it was too hot--that or she is an uncommitted voter--at least for the next 13 years).

"He has a good handshake," said my equal half. As far as more "savvy" voters, it is hard to say, other than if you make up your mind based on turning out a crowd, Obama scored in Iowa City with what looked like about 4,000 to 5,000 people (local press reports 10,000 showed--I think they got those numbers from the Obama folks). I was impressed by the machine that he has geared up already--product placement, volunteer sign-up, cattle herding, gesticulators, and security are TIGHT.

As for me, I was looking for the meat of where he stands, particularly about the environment. His record as a Senator has not been sterling on this front*, although he, John McCain, and Joe Lieberman revived a bill that was defeated in the senate two years ago that would reduce global warming by 2% a year by 2020 and he and Hillary Clinton introduced the Healthy Communities Act of 2005, which was also defeated. The Chicago Tribune adds this recap.

On the whole, I heard what I expected from a stump speech, good ideas, not too many specifics. I contend that the Obama campaign needs to get the specifics on the table--as John Edwards' has already done.

Good energy, lots of photogs snapping away, standard fair crowd rallying music.

One big "boo" to Mayor (for now) Ross Wilburn, the Johnson County Obama chair, who introduced Obama. He recently signed on to the national mayor's agreement for global warming--an important symbolic gesture, but didn't sign on to another important symbolic gesture--a resolution to stop the war in 2002. People in the progressive community don't forget that he said it was because it was not a local issue.

* Important Update: Thanks to a comment to this entry, I gratefully and respectfully amend this post - The League of Conservation Voters (The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is the independent political voice for the environment.), gave its Obama highest ratings for his environmental stands in 2006 100% and 95% in 2005

Hillary Clinton in 2002-2006 (71%, 95%, 92%, 88%)

John Edwards in 2001-2004: 32% (he missed 5 votes), 68% (missed 9 votes), 88%, and 88%

Joe Biden in 2001-2006: 100%, 90%, 92%, 96%, and 88%

Chris Dodd in 2001-2006 : 100%, 90%, 88%, 80%, and 88%

Dennis Kucinich 2002-2006: 100%, 100%, 90%, 95%, and 90%