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 what may be seen as a move to force him to declare his candidacy earlier than intended, Iowa GOP Executive Director Chuck Laudner said today that former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson’s name would be included on the August 11 Iowa Straw Poll ballot. Kay Henderson of Radio Iowa has more here and here.
Thompson’s campaign has not officially been launched though a website to test the waters and garner early support has been launched, called I’m With Fred located at www.imwithfred.com.
Recent speculation has been that Thompson would push back an official announcement until September as he continues to assemble a campaign staff.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney appears likely to win the straw poll but with Thompson’s name on the ballot it will be interesting to see how he does without an official campaign organization there to gather up supporters.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizon Sen. John McCain have both announced they will not be participating in the Straw Poll but their names will be included on the ballot as well in an attempt to truly measure their support as well as to convince them to truly participate in the Iowa GOP’s biggest caucus fundraiser.
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