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A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
Democratic Senator and presidential candidate Christopher Dodd spoke today to a large crowd at Drake University, as well as to crowds across Iowa at satellite stations, on the war in Iraq and about how a Dodd administration would govern.
“Iraq is the dominant issue, and having an impact on all of the other things we’re talking about,” said Dodd. “The present course is making us less secure, more isolated, and more vulnerable.”
Dodd gave a brief introduction about Iraq, and then proceeded to take questions from the folks in Des Moines as well as those folks who submitted questions at the satellite locations in Sioux City, Charles City, Iowa City, Decatur, and Burlington. The event was also broadcast live on the Internet using UStream.tv, an emerging web service allowing for live video feeds to be streamed online to any one. The campaign is emerging as a leader in using new technology in politics, as Iowa Independent’s Lynda Waddington reported yesterday. Polk County Democrats chairman Tom Henderson served as moderator for the forum.
Click Read/Comments for more…Dodd re-emphasized his position on the War in Iraq, calling the present situation a civil war and calling for immediate redeployment with troops out of the country by March 31 of next year.
He also spoke positively about the work of American men and women serving abroad.
“We need to speak out loud and clear for the job these young men and women are doing for our country,” he said.
When asked what he would do after redeployment and after March 31, 2008, Dodd responded with an emphasis on diplomacy and negotiation, as well as utilization of other options in our arsenal. But he warned against maintaining the same course.
“If we persist with the status quo, that is a frightening prospect.”
Dodd categorically said he would engage in direct negotiations with the leaders of Syria and Iran because “Responsible leaders know that negotiations are what you do with people you have trouble with.”
He didn’t rule out using force, if necessary, against Iran. However, he mentioned force as one “arrow” of many in his “quiver,” adding that force should never be the first option.
On the other contenders
Dodd never mentioned his opponents in the race for the Democratic nomination by name, however he did joke about his $18 haircut as well as applauded his Senate colleagues who voted for the Feingold-Reid amendment this week.
The haircut comment was a reference to the controversy that arose from former Senator John Edwards’ recent $400 hair cut in Iowa. And yesterday, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, both Democratic presidential contenders in their own right, voted for the Feingold-Reid amendment, of which Dodd had been a leading sponsor.
Other issues that were tackled during the hour-long forum included jobs, the environment, and health care. In a question about the emerging health crisis from diabetes, Sen. Dodd commended his friend and Iowa Senator Tom Harkin in taking on the Dreamworks character Shrek and how his image is being used to market junk food to children. Iowa Independent’s Douglas Burns has more on that story here.
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