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.
Despite the rhetoric of some, health reform legislation doesn’t actually nationalize the country’s health care system, but it does take a step in that direction, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Wednesday on a conference call with reporters.
And that step, Grassley said, could end up costing Democrats this fall.
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa (Lauren Victoria Burke/wdcpix.com)
“I think we’re going to pick up an extraordinary number of Republican seats,” he said. “I doubt we’ll get the majority. Obviously I hope we get the majority, but I think we’ll pick up more than the average number of seats, which I think is 23, in the president’s first off-year election.”
Grassley called health care reform “the straw that broke the camel’s back,” and coming on the heals of the government takeover of General Motors, proposed cap-and-trade legislation and the federal stimulus, it has turned voters against Democrats.
When asked about the likelihood that health reform would pass, Grassley said that is largely in the hands of Democrats.
“I think the only thing [Republicans are] doing is trying to be on talk shows, answer questions like yours, maybe encourage outside interest groups to collect money to do TV and radio advertising, but that’s all below the radar and I can’t even quantify that for you,” he said, adding: “Really it’s within the Democratic Party whether or not this thing is going to have the votes to go.”
Grassley’s words echo a new sense of pessimism on display among opponents of health care reform. Even the bill’s most outspoken critics, such as Republican U.S. Rep. Steve King of Iowa, concede Democrats will likely have the votes to pass their bill.
Even though he believes health care reform will hurt Democrats, Grassley said it’s too early for the GOP to celebrate.
“Twenty-four hours in an election is an eternity,” he said. “We’ve got a long ways to go. I don’t think Republicans ought to be beating their chest yet.”
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