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.
Congressman Dave Loebsack praised his predecessor, Jim Leach, for crossing party lines to endorse Democrat Barack Obama for president today.
“I believe that Jim Leach sees Barack Obama as a candidate who is following in his footsteps, one that is working to change the way business is done in Washington by putting aside party affiliations and ending the era of negative partisan attacks in order to finally address the needs and priorities of hardworking Americans,” said Loebsack. “I know this is what inspired me to support Barack Obama for President.â€
Loebsack’s Republican opponent, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, said she had great respect for Leach despite their differences on the presidential race.
“I have tremendous respect and admiration for Jim Leach,” Miller-Meeks told Iowa Independent. “He’s about the most honest and insightful person I know in politics.”
Miller-Meeks restated her support for Republican nominee-to-be John McCain. “You can have a difference of opinion and be allowed to voice that,” she said of Leach’s Obama endorsement. “It doesn’t change the way I feel about (Leach).”
“It’s difficult to know” how Leach’s Obama endorsement will affect her own race, said Miller-Meeks. “It depends on how people percieve Obama and Loebsack.” She said in a down-ballot contest like a congressional race, more voters get to know the candidates as individuals. “There are many of us who vote for people based on their own credentials.”
Loebsack was the first member of Iowa’s congressional delegation to back Obama, and the only one to endorse Obama before the Jan. 3 caucuses.
“Jim Leach has a remarkable career in public service; he has always made it a priority to stay away from divisive party politics,” said Loebsack, who defeated Leach in 2006.
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