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.
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.
It’s no surprise that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s visit to Sioux City Sunday generated a lot of media attention. In addition to fueling speculation that the 2008 vice presidential nominee is laying the groundwork for a 2012 run for the White House, it also reminded observers of her popularity with Hawkeye State conservatives.
Saturday night, Radio Iowa’s O.Kay Henderson documented “a small group of hardy souls” who camped outside of the Sioux City Barnes and Noble to ensure they were among the first to greet Palin. The next day, Henderson reported that 500 people arrived with a copy of Palin’s book in hand, which qualified them to get her autograph.
As I sit in the middle of the mall typing on my laptop, a man dressed in white jeans and a long-sleeved white t-shirt stands, hovering around people waiting in line. He has “Palin 2012″ stamped in red on his t-shirt. The ”racing stripe” area on his white jeans says, “RUN BABY RUN” in red ink.
Associated Press reporter Mike Glover documented the speculation that Palin’s visit stirred, with one prominent GOP strategist comparing the Alaska Republican to astronaut John Glenn, who ran for president as a Democrat in 1984.
Republican strategist Eric Woolson worked for Democrats early in his career, and he saw some comparisons to the campaign of former Sen. John Glenn. The former astronaut drew huge and admiring crowds when he ran for president in 1984 but that didn’t translate into votes.
”They went to see John Glenn the astronaut, not John Glenn the Democratic candidate for president,” Woolson said. ”A tremendous amount of her appeal is as Sarah Palin the celebrity, as opposed to Sarah Palin the potential 2012 nominee.”
Black curtains blocked off the area where Palin signed the books, and those in line were instructed they must turn off their cell phones. They were also prohibited from taking any photos of Palin. Des Moines Register reporter Tom Beaumont made the four-hour trip to Sioux City for all nine words of Palin’s address to the press corps.
Palin was equally mum today, offering fewer than 10 words to the corps of shivering press waiting for her outside the bookstore when she arrived.
“Thank you guys very much,” she said upon exiting the vehicle, as scores of local, national and some international reporters and photographers shivered nearby. “I’ll see you inside.” …
… Reporters were allowed briefly behind the curtain for a glimpse, but were instructed: No questions.
Jonathan Martin of Politico, a D.C.-based political Web site and newspaper, broke ranks, asking Palin, “Why Iowa, governor?”
“Everybody wants to be in Iowa,” Palin said, looking up and smiling.
Shortly afterward, reporters were escorted out by event staff.
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