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.
It's a point so obvious few have bothered to make it.
But Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is. And it rings true.
Christian conservatives — the ones who care more about lines in the Bible than polarizing poll-driven pulpit politics — should applaud Bill and Hillary Clinton for keeping their marriage together and raising a successful daughter, says Huckabee.
On HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher," Huckabee hit the theme this weekend. It's one that USA Today reported recently as well. The former Arkansas governor also made the point on National Public Radio.
Huckabee, who ironically is, like Clinton, from Hope, Ark., says he's not defending “Slick's” Monica moments. That said, if someone in your church sought support to get through marital problems, you'd encourage them to work it out — as the Clinton's did, says Huckabee. This is brilliant from Huckabee on so many levels. And it's clear he's being genuine without being patronizing. It truly is the Christian response. What's more, it's a back-door way to slam the GOP field for having some candidates with revolving doors to their wedding planners' offices.
Huckabee's comment also recognized the reality of family values: In order to encourage marriage and strong families, some couples are going to have work through some adultery. A recent Details Magazine series on adultery reveals that 60 percent of married men admit to it, as do 55 percent of married women.
Here are some of Huckabee's remarks on National Public Radio as reprinted in a USA Today political blog:
This will really rankle some of my Republican colleagues: Bill Clinton and Hillary went through some horrible experiences in their marriage because of some of the reckless behavior that he has admitted he had. I am not defending him on that, it's indefensible.
Just let's not let it get lost on us that they kept their marriage together. They raised a magnificent daughter. Chelsea is truly a delightful human being. … She's polite, thoughtful, intelligent and everything you would hope a daughter to be. But they kept their marriage together.
And a lot of the Republicans who have condemned them and talk about their platform of family values, interestingly, didn't keep their own families together. Give Bill and Hillary Clinton credit for doing something we say they should have done, and that is holding their marriage together in spite of enormous trials.
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