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Open letter to readers: Today and tomorrow

By Lynda Waddington | 11.17.11

Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.

ACS lockout continues; plan emerges to repeal sugar protections

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By Virginia Chamlee | 11.15.11

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.

Cain campaign: Farmers know more about regulations than EPA

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By Andrew Duffelmeyer | 11.15.11

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.

Mathis wins, Democrats maintain Senate control

Liz Mathis
By Lynda Waddington | 11.08.11

The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.

Press Release

PR: Nation should work to address veterans’ challenges

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

BRUCE BRALEY RELEASE — As US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan ends, it’s more important than ever that our nation works to address the challenges faced by the men and women who fought there.

PR: Honoring veterans, help in hiring

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

CHUCK GRASSLEY RELEASE — A difficult job market is challenging the soldiers, sailors and airmen who have protected America’s interests by serving in the Armed Forces.

PR: In honor of America’s veterans

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

TOM LATHAM RELEASE — No one has done more to secure the freedom enjoyed by every single American than our veterans and those currently serving in the armed services.

PR: Honoring and supporting our nation’s veterans

By Press Release Reprints | 11.11.11

DAVE LOEBSACK RELEASE — Veterans Day is an opportunity to reflect on the service of generations of veterans and to honor the sacrifices they and their families have made so that we may live in peace and freedom here at home.

Rants’ way-back machine targets Branstad’s record

By Jason Hancock | 10.20.09 | 10:34 am

He may not “officially” be in the race, but former Gov. Terry Branstad is already getting his share of attention from a chief rival for the 2010 GOP gubernatorial nomination, Chris Rants.

Rants has started a new feature on his campaign Web site that pulls old newspaper articles that “pre-date the Google” and publishes them for all to see. It’s basically a way to make pieces of opposition research public.

The first article is a 1998 column by former Des Moines Register political writer David Yepsen headlined “Branstad, the liberal governor.”

Just imagine a governor who raises the sales tax twice. Just imagine a governor who increased spending every year he was in office. Just imagine a governor who increased the state payroll and expanded gambling. Just imagine a governor who built a state-owned telephone company. Iowa was a pro-choice, no-death-penalty state 16 years ago and it still is. Just imagine a governor who wants to spend more on schools, including programs that will get the government more involved in children’s education.

You’ve got him. Terry E. Branstad of Lake Mills.

“Mr. Yepsen provides a historical perspective on how a ‘conservative’ governor racked up such a liberal record over sixteen years,” Rants said.

The site also proves that Branstad, who more or less entered the race last week, is in for a fight if he truly wants his party’s nomination. As predicted by several observers, the GOP primary could turn nasty as Election Day approaches, as this isn’t the first time Branstad has been the focus of Rants’ attacks.

Follow Jason Hancock on Twitter


Comments

  • heyjude09

    Go ahead and “Rant” away as much as you like! I, like many, have fond memories of the days when Terry Branstad was our much beloved Governor of Iowa. Having been in office for FOUR terms should clearly tell you he was doing something right. And the lame reference to him as being a Liberal is at the least laughable. He might border on being a RINO, but for me this is his appeal.

    At a time when BOTH national parties are behaving badly, a Centrist is exactly what we need to govern fairly for ALL. Case in point: The situation in Congress is absolutely pathetic with the sharp divisiveness between the Rep's and Dem's. With the inaction from our current Republican “Party of NO” they present themselves to be nothing more than badly behaved children, certainly not deserving of the title of Leaders.

    Maybe if this nation had more RINO's and DINO's we'd finally see more beneficial legislation. Their history of nothing but constant bickering only serves to drive a wedge between the people, instead of uniting us for a common cause.

  • heyjude09

    Go ahead and “Rant” away as much as you like! I, like many, have fond memories of the days when Terry Branstad was our much beloved Governor of Iowa. Having been in office for FOUR terms should clearly tell you he was doing something right. And the lame reference to him as being a Liberal is at the least laughable. He might border on being a RINO, but for me this is his appeal.

    At a time when BOTH national parties are behaving badly, a Centrist is exactly what we need to govern fairly for ALL. Case in point: The situation in Congress is absolutely pathetic with the sharp divisiveness between the Rep's and Dem's. With the inaction from our current Republican “Party of NO” they present themselves to be nothing more than badly behaved children, certainly not deserving of the title of Leaders.

    Maybe if this nation had more RINO's and DINO's we'd finally see more beneficial legislation. Their history of nothing but constant bickering only serves to drive a wedge between the people, instead of uniting us for a common cause.

  • heyjude09

    Go ahead and “Rant” away as much as you like! I, like many, have fond memories of the days when Terry Branstad was our much beloved Governor of Iowa. Having been in office for FOUR terms should clearly tell you he was doing something right. And the lame reference to him as being a Liberal is at the least laughable. He might border on being a RINO, but for me this is his appeal.

    At a time when BOTH national parties are behaving badly, a Centrist is exactly what we need to govern fairly for ALL. Case in point: The situation in Congress is absolutely pathetic with the sharp divisiveness between the Rep's and Dem's. With the inaction from our current Republican “Party of NO” they present themselves to be nothing more than badly behaved children, certainly not deserving of the title of Leaders.

    Maybe if this nation had more RINO's and DINO's we'd finally see more beneficial legislation. Their history of nothing but constant bickering only serves to drive a wedge between the people, instead of uniting us for a common cause.

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