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.
Veteran U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley acknowledges that his Republican Party faces some significant challenges but he predicts the GOP will avoid a political drowning thanks to a life preserver coming its way from the Good Ship Hillary Rodham Clinton.
“The administration is very unpopular but don’t forget all the negatives that Hillary Clinton’s got,” Grassley said. “And some Republicans say the only way we can win is if Hillary Clinton’s our opponent. Well, she’s going to be our opponent.”
Is the Iowa pol sure of that?
“Yeah, I’m sure of that,” Grassley told a gaggle of reporters in the press area offstage in the Hilton Coliseum several hours before the Iowa Straw Poll speeches started.
In terms of his own party’s field, Grassley, before the straw vote, said Mitt Romney appeared to have excecptional on-the-ground organization.
When asked about former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Grassley said the mayor made a mistake by skipping the straw poll.
“I think he should have been in the straw poll,” Grassley said.
What should Hizzoner do now with the caucuses in sight?
“I would advise him to compete,” Grassley added.
Grassley also was asked about prospects for undeclared candidate Fred Thompson, a former U.S. senator from Tennessee.
“What about Newt Gingrich?” Grassley said. “If they want to get in, they better jump in and get their toe out of the water and get their whole body in.”
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