Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Rudy rising? Giuliani headed to Iowa!

Today it was announced that former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani will be campaigning in the Hawkeye State on May 1st. Rudy will attend a fundraiser for gubernatorial candidate Jim Nussle in Davenport & will also appear at an event for the state GOP party. This marks the first trip to Iowa since the 2004 election for the possible 2008 presidential candidiate.

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Allen's Iowa Debut a St. Pat's Success






Sen. George Allen made his first campaign appearance in the Hawkeye State on St. Patrick's Day at a fundraising dinner for the state GOP organization in Cedar Falls. Allen received a standing ovation from a crowd of about 100 & delivered a speech that was periodically interrupted with applause. The potential 2008 candidiate invoked the names of Jefferson & Reagan while testing themes of less goverment and a "no amnesty" immigration policy. Allen ws quick to remind the Iowa residents that his famous father got his first coaching job at Morningside College in Sioux City. Allen concluded his speech by tossing a signed green football to the "big guy in the white shirt" & yours truly hauled in a twenty-yard spiral from the former Virginia quartrback. Allen was warmly received by the Iowa GOP faithful. Several media types including the NY Times sent reporters to this event who interviewed attendees for their reaction to Allen's potential 2008 candidacy.

Friday, March 03, 2006

2008 Hopefuls Invade Iowa

3/3/06: 2008 Hopefuls Invade Iowa
The 2008 presidential sweepstakes are bringing a plethora of hopefuls to the Hawkeye state. Sen. McCain will be at the Jim Nussle for Governor luncheon in Cedar Rapids on April 13th($100 a ticket) while Romney, Allen, & Huckabee will be testing the waters as well. Allen will be at fundraisers for the Iowa GOP @$50 a ticket in Waterloo on St. Patty's Day & Davenport on 3/18. This will be Allen's first visit to Iowa. His father started his coaching career at Morningside College in Sioux City. Huckabee will be at Des Moines Christian school in Urbandale this month. Huckabee began courting Iowa Christian Conservatives in 2004 as he attended several "People of Faith for Bush" meetings in Iowa. Romney is making a presence at several of the County GOP conventions on 3/11, his fourth visit since Bush's re-election.
For the liberals...John Edwards has been a frequent visitor, he was in Iowa City last Saturday (2/25). Did he ever really stop campaigning? I predict that Edwards will finish ahead of Kerry in the Iowa Caucus in 2008. Tom Vilsack could have a "Harkin effect" on liberal candidates for the Iowa Caucus...meaning they may skip Iowa to focus on New Hampshire. Harkin gathered 76% of the Iowa Caucus vote in '92 and his campaign was finished after New Hampshire. A "favorite son" weakens the liberals field & diminishes the Iowa Caucus..which is already on borrowed time for the dems.