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.
Citing Delaware Sen. Joe Biden’s foreign policy experience and his “Plan for Iraq,” Assistant House Majority Leader John Whitaker, D-Hillsboro, plans to announce his endorsement of Biden for president at a press conference in Fairfield today at 2 p.m. Whitaker, whose son, Gabe, was deployed with the Iowa National Guard last week to Iraq, will be the 7th Iowa state legislator to endorse Biden for President.
“Joe Biden is the only Democratic candidate for president who understands the impact of this war on the families of those soldiers serving our country,” Whitaker said. “Joe Biden has fought to get our troops Mine Resistant Vehicles which have the capability of saving the lives of thousands of soldiers, and his Veteran’s Plan offers our troops everything from improved healthcare and better handling of disability claims to job placement and educational services.”
Whitaker and Biden connected right away, because of the similar bond they share regarding their sons, said Biden’s Deputy Press Secretary Annie Tomasini. Biden’s son, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden, is a member of the Delaware National Guard and has received orders to deploy to Iraq sometime next year. “I know that Sen. Biden will end this war in a way that will not leave behind chaos and will not require our troops having to go back later on down the road,” Whitaker added.Since Biden is in Iraq this week, the Biden Campaign will be represented at today’s press conference in Fairfield by J.B. White, an Iraq veteran and the campaign’s National Veterans Coordinator.
“It is an honor for the Biden Campaign to have the endorsement of John Whitaker,” White said.”The commitment of John, his family and especially his son Gabe represent the best in American values. His support is a demonstration of the respect many Iowans feel for Joe Biden and his plan to end this war in a way that protects America ‘s interests.”
Whitaker, a farmer, has served in the Iowa House of Representatives since 2003. He is the Vice Chair of the Committee on Agriculture, and is also a member of the Administration and Rules, Natural Resources, Public Safety and Transportation committees.
Whitaker joins six colleagues in the state legislature in a growing list of elected officials supporting Joe Biden in the Hawkeye state: State Sen. Joe Seng (Davenport), Rep. Doris Kelly (Waterloo) Rep. Lisa Heddens (Ames), Rep. Jim Lykam (Davenport), Rep. Mike Reasoner(Creston), and Rep. Dick Taylor (Cedar Rapids).
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