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.
Civic Skinny, the anonymous gossip columnist for Des Moines’ Cityview, poured over his copy of “Game Change,” the latest book about the 2008 presidential campaign by reporters John Heilemann and Mark Halperin, looking for fun Iowa stories. And to save everyone time and $27.99, he was nice enough to highlight some of the most fascinating Iowa angles.
And while Hillary Clinton’s dour view of Iowa and John McCain’s penchant for exploding into obscenities has been covered by numerous news outlets, the relationship between John and Elizabeth Edwards was particularly fascinating.
The book is jam-packed with good stuff about the campaign. And Skinny, ever trying to be helpful, underlined the good parts. Here are some: …
… “John and Elizabeth [Edwards] were fighting all the time, sometimes all night long. More than once, she announced to the staff that she could no longer speak in public on her husband’s behalf or stay in the same hotel with him. Once, in the middle of the night, she woke up a trip director and commanded, Get me out of here! I’m not campaigning for this asshole another day!”
And:
“What the world saw in Elizabeth: a valiant, determined, heroic everywoman. What the Edwards insiders saw: an abusive, intrusive, paranoid, condescending crazywoman.”
And:
“At the [airport] terminal, the couple fought in the passenger waiting area. They fought outside in the private parking lot. Elizabeth was sobbing, out of control, incoherent. As their aides tried to look away, she tore off her blouse, exposing herself. ‘Look at me!’ she wailed at John and then staggered, nearly falling to the ground.”
Edwards, of course, was at one time favored to win in Iowa before finishing second in the caucuses and eventually dropping out of the campaign all together. Then, revelations of an extramarital affair ended his political career.
Follow Jason Hancock on Twitter
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter