IowaPolitics.com BlogWatch

Just out of curiosity to the folks at the Des Moines Register: Alan
Keyes was a participant in today's Republican debate -- why?! Here's a
link to the Register's standards for the privilege to participate in
their debates, explaining why Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel won't be
participating. But why did Alan Keyes, Tom Tancredo, and Duncan Hunter
get to participate on the Republican side? Did all three have
offices/staff in Iowa by October 1st? Alan Keyes didn't even register
in the October Iowa Poll.

Labels: Dennis_Kucinich, Mike_Gravel

There was a time when candidates shied away from politicking on the
anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But that time
has passed. On Tuesday, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, launches a
seven-day "No Surrender Tour" with a rally in Sioux City, Iowa. In
Washington, D.C., another Republican, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas,
participates in a forum co-sponsored by the Center on Politics and
Foreign Relations, and the Financial Times. (The topic is a
provocative one any day of the week: "A Traditional Non-Intervention
Foreign Policy.") In New York, former Sen. Mike Gravel also
participates in a Sept. 11 forum. McCain's appearance comes at a time
when he is trying to revitalize his campaign, in part by focusing on
"fighting Islamic extremists."

Labels: John_McCain, Mike_Gravel, Ron Paul

... John Edwards continues to lead in Iowa, Obama and Clinton are basically tied for 2nd. The big news is Bill Richardson's jump to 10% in the poll. Richardson has been running TV ads for awhile now and they are playing well. I hope this Richardson motivation to make a greater effort in Iowa. The people I talk to are interested in Richardson, but want more information on on him. Chris Dodd is not catching on, which is a shame. He has taken some strong progressive positions, including supporting the Feingold-Reid bill last week. He is getting out polled by Kucinich and Gravel who haven't even campaigned here.

Labels: Barack_Obama, Bill_Richardson, Chris_Dodd, Dennis_Kucinich, Hillary_Clinton, John_Edwards, Mike_Gravel

Former U.S. Sen. Mike Gravel, D-Alaska, is running, at age 76 and after years out of the public arena, the longest of long-shot candidacies for the presidency. Gravel, now living in Virginia, served in the U.S. Senate from 1969 to 1981. ... Gravel conducted a one-on-one, 45 minute conversation with Iowa Independent fellow Douglas Burns. Iowa Independent: When I watched the debate the other night, and don't take this the wrong way, but you seem awfully angry for a 76-year-old. Why are you so angry? Sen. Gravel: I'm angry because every day you and I are talking about this thing people are dying. How would you feel if you were over there (Iraq) getting shot at, getting crippled, because your leaders didn't exercise proper judgment. What about the people who are going die between now and Christmas because we don't end the war? That's a reason to get angry. That's blood. That's people dying and we sit here complacently and say, "That's far away."

Labels: Mike_Gravel