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.
If the purpose of Sen. John McCain’s last minute push in Iowa was to motivate the base, he was given ample opportunity to preach to his choir at Sunday’s rally in Cedar Falls.
While many of the 12 people interviewed by Iowa Independent after the event had yet to cast their vote, all but one had already decided to support the Republican ticket.
Joe Pacha, who wore a McCain-Palin t-shirt and attended the rally with his wife and three flag-waving children, said he wanted his entire family to be a part of this moment in history.
“I wouldn’t have missed this,” Pacha said while the family waited to exit the bleachers. “It was important to bring the whole family because I believe John McCain stands up for all of America’s families.”
Pacha believes the McCain campaign hit a home run by discussing Sen. Barack Obama’s failure to vote on a Senate measure that supported Gen. David Petraeus.
“That was my favorite part because I think it really emphasized that Obama has not stood up to his obligations as a United States Senator,” Pacha said.
The attacks on Obama were delivered prior to McCain’s speech by South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham.
“Barack Obama was in the Democratic cloak room,” Graham said. “It would have taken him five seconds to come out of that room and cast a vote on behalf of General Petraeus, but he couldn’t muster the courage to tell MoveOn.org that they were wrong. He does not deserve to be Commander In Chief.”
What Graham neglected to tell those in attendance at the rally, however, is that Obama had already voted in support of an amendment offered 20 minutes earlier that same day. The amendment Obama supported not only condemned the attacks on Petraeus, but also condemned the right wing attacks on veterans Sen. John Kerry and former Sen. Max Cleland.
Graham also made a point of marking the anniversary of the date that McCain was shot down over Vietnam and taken captive.
“Forty-one years ago today he fell into enemy hands,” Graham said. “He was shot down over North Vietnam 41 years ago today. Ladies and gentlemen, he’s been fighting for us, so now let’s fight for him.”
The message wasn’t lost on Marilyn Allison, an undecided senior citizen who skipped church services and drove two hours to attend the rally.
“I’m still trying to make up my mind,” Allison admitted in a whisper outside of the ladies’ washroom. “I like John McCain’s history of service to his country. It’s a very powerful story. I’m also concerned about Barack Obama’s ties to less savory people. At the same time, I really think we need some new and younger blood in Washington. I don’t think McCain provides that.”
Allison agreed that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin brought youth to the Republican ticket, but otherwise had strong remarks regarding McCain’s selection.
“I hoped [Gov. Sarah] Palin would bring that vitality to his ticket, but I’m not impressed with her,” she said. “I was leaning more heavily toward [McCain] before he picked her. I don’t believe she is ready to be anything more than a pretty pitbull — an attack dog minus the smarts needed to run the country.”
Allison knows she has a big decision to make before she casts her vote next week and says that she’s “going to pray a lot.”
Three young people in attendance were strong McCain supporters, even if one is not yet old enough to vote.
“I think [the rally] was great and had a really nice energy,” said Cedar Falls High School senior Michael Rogers. “People seemed to be really into McCain and his message. Most importantly, I think he was able to bring the message he really wanted to get out.”
Rogers, who is the son of Republican Iowa Senate challenger Walt Rogers, said he would definitely vote for McCain — and his own father — if he were old enough to cast a ballot.
Two University of Northern Iowa students — Jill Raymer from Mount Pleasant and Chelsea Oschylski from Des Moines — said they came to the rally for the sole purpose of supporting the Republican ticket. Raymer has already voted absentee and Oschylski plans to cast her ballot on election day.
“I was really impressed most with McCain energy plan,” Raymer said. “I think McCain was also able to highlight the differences between himself and Obama today.”
“Some of the things that were said about Obama really suprised me,” she said.
Follow Lynda Waddington 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