12 Dec 2011

Ron Paul Scores a 'Favorability Fest' in Des Moines Register Poll

By Rick Martin
Paul benefits from candidate ratings as well as federal department closure preferences
ANKENY, Iowa - Emerging details from a poll commissioned by the influential Des Moines Register newspaper announced this weekend reveal voter attitudes highly favorable to 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul.

Paul polls a strong second place garnering 18 percent, behind Newt Gingrich and ahead of Mitt Romney who have 25 and 16 percent, respectively.  Paul's Iowa support has grown in the last three Des Moines Register polls from 7 percent in June to 12 percent in October to 18 percent presently.  Paul is also among those whose support did not wane over the period the poll was taken.

Poll details found here and here reveal that 15 percent of respondents reported seeing Paul in person within the last year, while 20 percent reported seeing Rep. Michele Bachmann.  Yet, Rep. Bachmann polls at a low 8 percent, less than half of what Paul polls. 

With pizza baron Herman Cain having suspended his presidential run, Gingrich with 14 percent now leads among respondents who, regardless of whom they support, believe is most likely to have a scandal in the White House if elected.  Respondents said Paul with 2 percent, is among the candidates least likely. 

Paul with 24 percent is regarded as the most principled candidate, 7 points ahead of Bachmann and a whopping 13 percentage points ahead of Gingrich.  Paul with 32 percent is deemed the most fiscally responsible, more than double his nearest contender Gingrich who garnered just 15 percent. 

Paul with 17 percent is judged to be among the most socially conservative of all candidates, 7 percentage points ahead of Gingrich.  This is especially notable given that Rick Santorum - who is neither first nor second - makes family-friendly issues a cornerstone of his candidacy. 

Paul in this poll is also given high marks for being among the candidates best able to bring about real change and among the candidates best able to turn the economy around.

New poll details also reveal broad support among Republican caucus goers for closing the federal departments of HUD and Education by measures of 60 and 54 percent, respectively, and 57 percent of respondents favor shuttering the Environmental Protection Agency. 

Of respondents, 45 percent favor closing Energy, 42 percent favor eliminating the TSA, 36 percent favor getting rid of the Federal Reserve Bank, 34 percent want to shutter Commerce, and 32 percent want to close Interior.  These data are available in today's print edition of the Des Moines Register. 

Given that Ron Paul's "Plan to Restore America" proposes eliminating five federal departments, and that he is the nation's foremost Fed and TSA skeptic, information of this kind too bodes well for Paul's candidacy.  Paul's plan also calls for $1 trillion in spending cuts during year one of a Paul presidency, resulting in a balanced federal budget in year three.

These data are derived from the 401 likely Republican caucus goers and have a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percent.

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12 Dec 2011

On December 6, Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady will speak to a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee about Iowa's experience with video coverage of court proceedings.

By Iowa Judicial Branch

Chief Justice Cady to Speak to U.S. Senate Subcommittee about Cameras in the Courts

Des Moines, December 5, 2011– On December 6, Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Cady will speak to a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee about Iowa's experience with video coverage of court proceedings.

The Iowa Judicial Branch is a leader in allowing video and audio media coverage of courts. For more than 30 years, Iowa's courts have allowed audio, photographic, and video coverage of the courts. Prior to this change, and in keeping with the custom in courts around the nation, media coverage of court proceedings was limited to pen, pencil, paper, and sketch pad. In 1979, following a thorough study, the Iowa Supreme Court adopted rules carefully designed to allow audio, video, and photographic coverage of court hearings while safeguarding the rights of litigants to a fair trial.  More recently, the Iowa Supreme Court began streaming video of its oral argument proceedings.

The Senate Judiciary hearing will be held in Room 226 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building and is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. This hearing is before the Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight. It is entitled "Access to the Court: Televising the Supreme Court." Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, chair of the subcommittee, will preside. Iowa Senator Charles Grassley is a member of the subcommittee.

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12 Dec 2011

Upcoming American Red Cross blood drives December 16 - 31

By Marvin Whittaker

Fulfill Your New Year's Resolution to Give Blood

As 2011 draws to a close, many may reflect on the past year and the New Year's resolutions made nearly a year ago. If 'help others' was included on your list of resolutions, there is still time to help patients in need by donating blood through the American Red Cross.

With your donation this month, the gift of a blood or platelet donation can make an even greater difference. In honor of all December blood and platelet donors, a financial contribution will be made to the American Red Cross annual holiday giving program.

As the new year approaches, take the time to give blood this month and remember to include 'donate blood' on your list of resolutions for 2012. Make an appointment today to make a difference in the lives of others.

How to Donate Blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
Governed by volunteers and supported by giving individuals and communities, the American Red Cross is the single largest supplier of blood products to hospitals throughout the United States. While local hospital needs are always met first, the Red Cross also helps ensure no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it. In addition to providing nearly half of the nation's blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assist victims of international disasters or conflicts.

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™

Blood Donation Opportunities:

CARROLL COUNTY

12/20/2011, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Big Meadows Nursing Home, 1000 Longmoor Ave, Savanna

HENRY COUNTY

12/21/2011, 10:30 am- 5:30 pm, Kewanee Hospital, 1051 W. South St., Kewanee

12/28/2011, 2:00 pm- 6:00 pm, First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St., Kewanee

MERCER COUNTY

12/20/2011, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, VFW Hall, 106 SW 3rd Ave., Aledo

KNOX COUNTY

12/17/2011, 8:00 am-12:00 pm, Galesburg Blood Donation Center, 143 E Main St, Galesburg

12/20/2011, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Galesburg Blood Donation Center, 143 E Main St, Galesburg

12/27/2011, 12:00 pm- 6:00 pm, Galesburg Blood Donation Center, 143 E Main St, Galesburg

12/29/2011, 2:00 pm- 7:00 pm, Faith United Presbyterian Church, 107 W. Bishop, Yates City

WHITESIDE COUNTY

12/20/2011, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

12/21/2011, 7:00 am- 1:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock
Falls

12/22/2011, 1:00 pm- 7:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock
Falls

12/27/2011, 1:00 pm- 5:15 pm, Old Fulton Fire Station, 912 4th Street, Fulton

12/28/2011, 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St., Rock
Falls

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™

12 Dec 2011

Ron Paul Campaign to Air New TV Ad in Early Voting States

By Gary Howard
30-second spot 'Big Dog' touts Paul's resolve in cutting outsize federal debt, uncontrolled spending
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - The Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign announced today the release of its newest television ad "Big Dog," which touts the 12-term Texas Congressman's seriousness on federal debt and spending reductions.

Beginning today the 30-second ad will air on broadcast and cable television in the key early voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire.  The spot contrasts establishment Republican candidates unwilling to make difficult choices on spending cuts and debt reduction with the sole candidate whose bite on such matters equals his bark: Ron Paul. 

In particular the ad informs viewers about major provisions of Ron Paul's "Plan to Restore America" including his proposal to cut $1 trillion from the federal budget in year one of a Ron Paul presidency, and his proposed elimination of the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Education, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, and Interior.

"This ad is fun and energetic, yet the issues it focuses on are grave and weigh heavily on the minds of voters across America.  Through this ad we continue to argue that Ron Paul is the only candidate with a serious economic plan to end out-of-control federal spending, reduce the debt, and curtail government activism that hampers economic growth," said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

To view the ad online, click here.

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12 Dec 2011

Grassley Regional Director holding local office hours

By Grassley Press
Monday, December 5, 2011

Senator Chuck Grassley's Regional Director based in Davenport, Penny Vacek, will be holding open office hours in Clinton, Jackson and Scott counties on Tuesday, December 13.  The office hours provide an opportunity for Iowans to obtain casework assistance or to express views.

Vacek's schedules for December 13 are as follows:

 

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

10 - 11 a.m.:  Jackson County

Public Library, 126 South 2nd Street, Maquoketa

 

11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.:  Clinton County

City Hall Council Chambers, 510 9th Street, DeWitt

 

1 - 2 p.m.:  Scott County

Scott County Library - Eldridge Branch, 200 North 6th Avenue, Eldridge

 

Grassley's offices in Iowa regularly help constituents contact federal agencies to sort through problems with Social Security payments, military service matters, immigration cases and other issues.  His state offices are located in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City and Waterloo.

Here is a comment from Grassley about his staff's upcoming office hour:

"Open office hours are designed to help more Iowans access the assistance that is available from the office of their United States Senator.  I hope anyone with federal agency-related casework will take advantage of Penny's visits."

Should constituents have any questions please contact Grassley's Davenport office at 563/322-4331.

-30-

12 Dec 2011

Cody Road Bourbon a Near Sell Out

By Ryan Burchett

LeClaire, Iowa, December 4, 2011 - After its much anticipated release, Mississippi River Distilling Company's Cody Road Bourbon Whiskey was a near sell out within a day of its release on Friday, December 2, 2011.

"We had a line waiting outside the distillery starting at about 9 a.m. before we opened at 10 on Friday," Ryan Burchett, owner and distiller says.  "We had a steady line of people until about noon and sold all 120  bottles we had at the distillery in four hours."

As of Sunday afternoon, Rock Island Hy-Vee still had some of the Cody Road Bourbon for sale but was only putting it out one bottle at a time.  Hy-Vee's in both Ankeny and Marion, Iowa also still had small quantities left.  But most retailers had sold their entire stock by the end of the weekend.

The distillers have been keeping fans and followers updated on where they can find bottles via Facebook and Twitter as they hear updates or are able to call retailers.  Many area stores sold out within a day of delivery, some selling as many as 60 bottles.  The state of Iowa limited retailers to no more than 60 bottles per store.  Within 24 hours, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division had sold out of all the stock they had.

"We had hoped this would go over well, but we very pleasantly surprised when the state had orders for all the cases we sent them," Garrett Burchett, owner and distiller says.  "Unfortunately, it moved so fast that it was gone before some retailers didn't even have the chance to order it from the state."

In total, MRDC made just short of 1,000 bottles of this first batch.  The bourbon is made from grains harvested from within 25 miles of the distillery.  Corn comes from LeClaire and the wheat and barley come from Reynolds, Illinois.  The spirit is aged for nearly a year and distillers only released the first 6 barrels they made.

The Burchett brothers have been busy for the past year planning for the demand and have continued making and barreling their bourbon.  The next release of Cody Road Bourbon will be Friday, March 2.  Moving through 2012, larger releases of bourbon will become more regular to help catch up to demand.

"We anticipate having more in this next batch.  Supplies will be tight through the year, but we hope to have enough for everyone's stockings by next Christmas." Ryan says.

#####

12 Dec 2011

New Iowa Poll Has Ron Paul Best Able to Defeat Obama

By Gary Howard
Paul polls in top three again, fares best vs. Obama
ANKENY, Iowa - Among all competitors for the Republican nomination, 2012 Presidential candidate Ron Paul has the best chance of defeating President Obama in a head-to-head race, according to a new poll.

The NBC News/Marist Poll has Ron Paul polling in the top three among likely Republican caucus goers.  Paul places third with 17 percent behind Mitt Romney in second place and Newt Gingrich in first place with 18 and 26 percent, respectively.  Among the larger pool of potential Republican caucus goers, Paul again places third with 16 percent, behind Romney and Gingrich with 18 and 25 percent, respectively. 

Paul polling in the top three in Iowa is a conventional outcome, yet the NBC News/Marist Poll reveals some interesting facts about the 12-term Texas Congressman's competitiveness against Obama:
  • President Obama defeats all GOP competitors except for Ron Paul in a hypothetical matchup; and
  • 42 percent of registered voters in Iowa support Ron Paul and 42 percent back Obama, with 16 percent undecided; and
  • Ron Paul leads Obama 42 to 35 percent among independent voters and attracts 15 percent of Iowa's Democrats; and
  • Ron Paul also leads Obama by 14 percentage points among voters under 45 years of age.
A Des Moines Register poll released yesterday shows Paul polling a strong second with 18 percent among likely Republican caucus goers, close behind Newt Gingrich who earned 25 percent.  With 16 percent of the vote, Mitt Romney was the only other candidate to attract double-digit support.

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12 Dec 2011

WESTBROOK SINGERS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ON WQPT

By Lora Adams

MOLINE, ILLINOIS - WQPT, Quad Cities PBS will air a holiday special Monday, December 5th at 7:00 pm featuring local gospel singers The Westbrook Singers.  The concert is the first in a series of programs supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council that will highlight Illinois artists.  The program will also air on December 8 at 9 pm and Christmas Day at 2:30 pm.

 

"Earlier this year the Illinois Arts Council called to offer WQPT the opportunity to create a television series that focused on artists who work out of the State of Illinois. We had been hoping to create a series like this for some time, but this grant made the dream possible," said WQPT General Manager, Rick Best.

 

The series titled "Artists in Profile" is set to begin airing in early 2012 and will include three specials. The first one "A Westbrook Singers Christmas" and a second Westbrook gospel concert scheduled for March along with a concert by the Bucktown Revue. In addition there will be 10 half hour programs. "So far we have interviewed 10 artists of every kind and taped the three specials" said WQPT producer, Lora Adams.  "Our idea was to talk about how artists are inspired and educated," Adams said adding "WQPT had been trying for several years to find the funding to capture the remarkable voices of the Westbrook Singers and now we have." The Westbrook Singers website calls them "An extraordinary group - brother & sisters - dedicated to the spread of Gospel music in a style that is both contemporary and traditional."

 

All of the concerts were taped over a three day period at Fusion Communications.  "We were so fortunate to have had Capri College come in and provide hair and make-up services to the casts and to Foster Family Music who lent us a really gorgeous piano," said Adams.  Lighting for the concerts was designed by Butch Bos and Jeff Lyle and audio recording was done by Lars Rehnberg. Camera operators were Adam Less, Cody Lambert, Todd Steffens, Chris Ryder and Mike Lambert.  "We hope people will tune in and enjoy the concert" said Best.

 

WQPT is a media service of Western Illinois University located in Moline, Illinois.

 

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12 Dec 2011

Ron Paul Polls a Strong Second in Des Moines Register Survey

By Gary Howard
Paul is steadily on the rise as his Republican
competitors continue to flash and falter
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul polls a strong second place in a new poll commissioned by the influential Des Moines Register newspaper, revealing that the 12-term Congressman from Texas has steadily grown his support base in the first-in-nation voting state.

Paul garnered 18 percent among likely Republican caucus goers, close behind Newt Gingrich who earned 25 percent. With 16 percent of the vote, Mitt Romney was the only other candidate to attract double-digit support.  Especially noteworthy is that Paul, with respect to Iowa poll results, has steadily gone from low, to middling to top-place showings.

"The rise of Congressman Paul's poll numbers reflects our hopes for strong, steady growth minus the media- and pundit-influenced volatility other candidates suffer.  We want to continue growing our support base incrementally and maintain the faith and trust voters put in us as they carry us toward a respectable caucus finish," said Ron Paul 2012 National Campaign Chairman Jesse Benton.

"The Iowa team is plugging away using traditional retail politicking but we're buoyed by unconventional interest in, and support for, Ron Paul.  We take today's poll news as a compliment but we do not take it lightly, as we're working hard in the weeks leading up to the caucus," added Drew Ivers, Iowa chairman for the Ron Paul 2012 Presidential campaign.

The Des Moines Register poll was conducted from November 27th to the 30th and is based on interviews with 2,222 registered Republican and independent voters in Iowa ages 18 or older, of which 401 are likely caucus goers.  Questions asked of the 401 likely Republican caucus goers have a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percent.  Other results based on smaller samples have a wider margin of error.  Poll results are as follows:

Gingrich 25%
Paul 18%
Romney 16%
Bachmann 8%
Cain 8%
Perry 6%
Santorum 6%
Huntsman 2%

More detailed poll results will be released tomorrow, Sunday, December 4th, sometime in the morning.

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12 Dec 2011

Ron Paul Statement on Herman Cain Campaign Suspension

By Gary Howard
Mr. Cain brought energy, enthusiasm to process
LAKE JACKSON, Texas - 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul released the following statement concerning Herman Cain's suspension of his campaign for the presidency.  Below please find brief comments from Congressman Paul:

"Herman Cain brought energy and enthusiasm to the Republican nominating process, as well as a unique perspective on many domestic issues important to voters such as tax code reform and a pro-growth agenda favorable to the private sector. 

"In light of his suspension of campaign activities, I want to wish Herman success in his future endeavors."

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