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.
In the first six months of 2007, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama received almost 1,900 contributions from Iowans supporting his bid to win the Iowa Caucuses and become the Democratic nominee for president.
The Obama campaign reported that since announcing his presidential candidacy earlier this year, Obama had received donations from 1,864 Iowans. Of those donations, 1,737 or some 93 percent were less than $200 each.
“Each donation to this movement is a show of commitment to the idea that we can change our politics and elect a leader who will inspire and unite this country,” said Josh Earnest, Obama’s Iowa communications director. “Senator Obama doesn’t accept contributions from Washington lobbyists or PACs, so small contributions from average Americans are the foundation of this effort. We are thrilled that thousands of people across Iowa contributed to this movement for change.”
Former Sen. John Edwards campaign reported strong Iowa contributions as well.
Dan Leistikow, Edwards’ Iowa communications director, told Iowa Independent that nearly 2,500 Iowans have donated to Sen. Edwards’ campaign for president.
He said 2,468 contributions came from Iowa in the first two quarters of 2007, and 2,355 are less than $200. He also added that 2,004 donations or some 95 percent were less than $50.
“According to the FEC Iowans have given more to Senator Edwards than any other Democratic candidate. But this is not a fundraising contest. It’s a contest of issues and ideas and who would be the strongest Democratic nominee for President,” Leistikow said. “There’s a long way to go, but Senator Edwards is in a strong position and will continue to make his case to Iowans as they make this important decision.”
Tom Reynolds, the communications director for New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson’s Iowa campaign, declined to release figures on Iowa donors.
“Our efforts in Iowa are focused on grassroots campaigning, not raising money,” Reynolds said. “We are talking to the voters about the issues and growing strong political support throughout the state.”
Obama’s campaign has touted itself as a grassroots movement with support from hundreds of thousands of Americans. The campaign reports that in the past five months it has received contributions from more than 258,000 Americans.
Obama’s campaign is unique in its fund-raising because it sells merchandise such as hats and keychains.
Tommy Vietor, Obama’s press secretary in Iowa, told the Des Moines Register that the campaign counts merchandise sales as donations but that there aren’t any tricks or gimmicks involved when it comes to the reporting of donors.
“The fact that we’ve sold so many items is a testament to the excitement we’ve generated,” he told the Register.
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