MoveOn.org is spending $160,000 to air a new TV ad opposing U.S. Sen. John McCain. The ad, titled "Candles", is airing on cable as well as on broadcast networks in Iowa and New Mexico.

"Voters need to know Senator McCain would continue President Bush's failed policies -- in Iraq and elsewhere. A vote for him is basically a vote for a third Bush term." said Eli Pariser, MoveOn's executive director.

• Read the MoveOn.org press release and ad script

Labels: ad

U.S. Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign today released a new television ad, titled "Health Care Action," highlighting McCain's agenda to reform health care.

• Read the McCain campaign press release and ad script
• See the Iowa Democratic Party's fact check on the ad

Labels: ad

Democratic legislative leaders today said 2008 may go down as one of the best sessions on record.

Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, served in the 1965 Legislature, which he said made significant strides for the state. He added 2008 will go down as one of the better years in the Iowa Legislature with funding the state's environmental program at $18 million, establishing and continuing funding of the Iowa Power Fund and all the legislation passed for veterans.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, and House Speaker Pat Murphy also touted the sound budgeting practices of Democrats.

• Listen to audio from the Dems' press conference
• Watch video from the press conference

But Senate Majority Leader Ron Wieck, R-Sioux City, tabbed the 2008 session with a failing grade today. Wieck told reporters this afternoon he is upset more wasn't done in terms of property tax relief, illegal immigration and establishing higher standards in Iowa's school classrooms.

• Listen to Wieck's press conference

Labels: 2008_session, audio, video

• Democratic legislative leaders
• Senate Minority Leader Ron Wieck
• House Minority Leader Christopher Rants

• House Speaker Pat Murphy, Senate President Jack Kibbie and Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal
• Senate Minority Leader Ron Wieck
• House Republican Leader Christopher Rants

• Legislative Democratic leaders
• GOP Sen. Ron Wieck
• GOP Rep. Christopher Rants

As the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose nearly 400 points today, a panel of business and economic development leaders from Iowa shared the same sentiment as investors on Tuesday when it comes to the economy -- optimism.

"The Iowa economy today is very strong," Michael Tramontina, director of the Department of Economic Development, said today at an event sponsored by IowaPolitics.com, Drake University and Mediacom.

Tramontina and other members of the panel of business experts all highlighted Iowa's agricultural economy for insulating the state from trends that have appeared to be slowing the national economy. Economic development continues to flourish in Iowa, said Tramontina, who added there are more concerns over a pending workforce shortage than job losses or other potential economic downturns.

• Listen to audio from the forum
• Read IowaPolitics.com coverage