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.
Earlier today, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg played deadpan when responding to a question about running for president. Tonight, he’s released a statement indicating he is no longer affiliated with the Republican Party.
“I have filed papers with the New York City Board of Elections to change my status as a voter and register as unaffiliated with any political party. Although my plans for the future haven’t changed, I believe this brings my affiliation into alignment with how I have led and will continue to lead our city.”
The move opens the door to further speculation that he will make an independent run for the White House in 2008. Bloomberg has lately begun traveling out of state and using bipartisan rhetoric.
This marks at least the second political switch for Bloomberg, who had been a lifelong Democrat before switching to the Republican Party for his first mayoral run. The former CEO has vast personal assets and spent more than $155 million for his two mayoral campaigns, including $85 million when he won a second term in 2005.
Political strategists disagree about which party may take the biggest hit if Bloomberg makes an independent run. Some argue that Republicans will take the largest hit because their base is the most disenchanted. Others argue Bloomberg’s liberal stances on same-sex marriage, abortion rights and stem cell research will provide the most damage to Democratic Party candidates.
The big question for Iowans is what a viable no-party candidate would do to the caucus. Undoubtedly, such a candidate would take national attention away from the Iowa caucus and, quite possibly, lessen the national impact of a contest that did not include a candidate of national consequence.
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