22 Oct 2014

Stark Choice on Women's Health Continues to Drive Iowa Senate Race, Hurt Ernst with Women Voters

By Rick Martin
Following her support for a federal personhood bill & attempts to hide her views during final debate, Ernst's extreme positions on women's health care dominate headlines

Des Moines, IA ? With just more than two weeks until Election Day, the stark choice in the Iowa Senate race on women's health care continues to drive the campaign narrative and dominate headlines as Iowans learn more about state Sen. Joni Ernst's extreme views?and Sen. Ernst continues to struggle immensely with women voters.

While Iowans already knew that state Sen. Ernst had sponsored a radical personhood bill in the Iowa Senate that would ban common forms of birth control and eliminate a women's right to choose even in the cases of rape or incest, Ernst told the Sioux City Journal editorial board this week that she would even support federal personhood legislation efforts?impacting women not just in Iowa, but across the nation.

The topic of women's health care was then a dominant focus of the final Iowa Senate debate and its coverage, as state Sen. Ernst tried and failed to explain away her extreme positions, even when pressed for specifics.

In contrast, following his winning performance at Thursday's debate, Bruce Braley was proudly joined on the campaign trail by Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, who called Bruce a "champion" for women's health care in discussions with women in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines, while highlighting Ernst's "dangerous" views for women.
22 Oct 2014

Governor Candidate in Davenport Wednesday October 22nd

By Narcisse for Governor 2014

Narcisse Speaking at Genesis Hospital & EICC Kahl Building

Jonathan Narcisse, the Iowa Party candidate for Governor will be in Davenport, Iowa on Wednesday October 22nd for two public speaking engagements.

After touring facilities with hospital officials, Narcisse will be speaking at Genesis' Adler Health Education Center from 3pm to 4pm, on Wednesday at Genesis East, in Davenport.

He will be addressing invited employees of Genesis Health System, and answering their questions about his candidacy. The public is invited and welcome to attend and participate as well.

Location: 1236 E. Rushholme Street, Davenport, Iowa

Click here for map and venue info: http://www.genesishealth.com/facilities/location-public-profile/?id=441

And, at 6:30pm Narcisse will be delivering his major policy speech on Iowa Tax Reform inside the Eastern Iowa Community College Kahl Educational Center building, Room 1006, in downtown Davenport.

Narcisse will be available to meet and greet voters and answer questions until 8pm.

Location: 326 West Third Street, Davenport, Iowa

Click here for map and venue info: http://www.eicc.edu/about-eicc/colleges-and-centers/kahl-educational-center.aspx

What's at Stake: The Iowa Party, An Accountability Party

Narcisse, who is campaigning on a reform platform that calls into account both the major parities, is seeking at least 2% of the Iowa vote on November 4th so that the Iowa Party will have official party status and full state-wide ballot access for all partisan elected offices for four years. Narcisse, who grew up and lives in Des Moines, refers to the Iowa Party as the birth of Iowa voters' only true second party choice.

Narcisse asserts that when both of the major party candidates came into office in the Iowa Statehouse in the 1970's, Iowa had six federal congressional representatives. And that after more than 40 years of the "Branstad Era," where both major parties have shared power and abused taxpayers, Iowa has only four congressional seats due to loss of population.

"Iowa's tax code is one of the single biggest contributors to our state's stagnation," Narcisse says. "We don't have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem."

Visit http://www.narcisseforgovernor.com/reforming-iowas-tax-codes-is-a-priority/ for a 2 minute video on Reforming Iowa's Tax Code.

The 51 year old candidate will be addressing how a Narcisse administration would reform state income tax, residential and commercial property tax and phase out the corporate income tax. He will explain how these measures will grow Iowan's individual prosperity, lift Iowans out of poverty and retain Iowa's middle class families and youth.

"We will cut a lot of taxes, but we will also cut a lot of wasteful spending," says Narcisse.

Narcisse is an enigma to many major party political insiders who know his history as a very young twenty year old co-chair of the powerful Polk County Democrat Party and one who generated headlines by getting results as a reformist on the Des Moines School board in 2009.

Read more about Narcisse's history in his Iowa Values, Common Sense Solutions campaign piece, here. http://www.narcisseforgovernor.com/publication-iowa-values-common-sense-solutions/

His efforts are gaining endorsements from both conservative talk-radio hosts, and liberal-activist leaders alike.

He is wrapping up his statewide 99 county tour next week and focusing his get out the vote campaign efforts in Iowa's urban centers in the final ten days of the campaign, prior to election day November 4th.

If two percent of the Iowa voters support Narcisse this election, the Iowa Party will have official party status over the next Iowa Caucuses, presidential election cycle, and into 2018.

"We are building a potent statewide political tool that will help us recruit good candidates to run for local office - school board, city council, and county seats - as well as legislative candidates we will encourage to run in primaries where our organizational muscle will help them oust vulnerable incumbents in the June elections," Narcisse says.

"We will especially present a second party alternative where incumbent Democrats and Republicans at the county and legislative levels are re-elected term after term without ever facing a viable opponent, if any at all."

Narcisse Speaking Engagements

Wednesday, October 22nd
Davenport, Iowa

3pm - Genesis West
Adler Health Education Center

6:30pm - EICC
Kahl Educational Center

For more information, visit www.NarcisseForGovernor.com

Contact 563-650-0120 or info@narcisseforgovernor.com for interviews or more information.
22 Oct 2014

Jesse White backs Mike Jacobs

By Erik Smith

ROCK ISLAND- Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White stopped by Rock Island to endorse Mike Jacobs' (D-Moline) campaign for State Senate of the 36th Senate District.

"Our state is better served when more people participate in our democracy. Mike Jacobs continues to be an advocate for every resident of his district- regardless of their race or socioeconomic background," said White.  "Mike has worked hard to protect everyone's right to vote and I know with Mike in the Senate, we will have an ally who will continue to work in our best interests."

White has continued to be a champion of promoting transparency in government.  Over the years, he has passed a series of reforms to ensure government is working for the citizens of Illinois.

To make voting more accessible to the residents of Illinois, White has spearheaded a number of initiatives to make voting safer and easier this election.

"I urge everyone to take the time to vote- either early vote or on Election Day. I believe that if you don't vote, you lose your right to complain about anything in society," said White. "The streets that you walk on, the food that you buy, the schools that your children attend, someone in our government has had something to say about all those issues. "

20 Oct 2014

35,000 Law Enforcement Officers support Mike Jacobs

By Erin Smith

MOLINE- Mike Jacobs is proud to announce the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) endorsement in the race for the 36th Illinois State Senate District.

The FOP represents over 35,000 courageous active and retired police offers through out Illinois.  Their members have devoted their lives to honor and protect the people of Illinois.

"Mike Jacobs understands the difficulties faced by our members on a day to day basis. He will continue to advocate for our issues and stand up for us in Springfield", said Chris Southwood, President of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge. "Mike understands that our members dedicate their lives to protecting and serving our communities."

FOP is a bipartisan organization that follows an intensive vetting process, which included a candidate questionnaire.  After careful evaluations, the board unanimously endorsed Mike Jacobs due to his continuous support for our issues and support for the officers of the 36th State Senate District.

 

The FOP was founded nearly 100 years ago in 1915, is the largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. They are is the second largest State Lodge, proudly representing over 35,000 active duty and retired police officers - more than 10 percent of all FOP members nationwide.

ABOUT SENATOR JACOBS: As a former member of several Quad City area unions Jacobs believes in legislation that focuses on improving the quality of life in Northwestern Illinois through various job creating initiatives, investments in education and capital infrastructure projects in the 36th district. Jacobs is a life long resident of area and currently residents in Moline.

#####

20 Oct 2014

Schilling Campaign Releases New Web Ad: "A Calling"

By Jon Schweppe

New ad features Peoria Councilman Eric Turner


PEORIA, IL -- The Bobby Schilling for Congress campaign has released a new web ad featuring Peoria Councilman Eric Turner (R-Peoria). Turner discusses the key issues of the campaign and makes a compelling case for Bobby Schilling (R-Colona). 

A 30 second version of the ad can be found here.

The full web ad can be found here.

30 second web ad script:

Peoria Councilman Eric Turner: "When you make a promise, you keep it. Bobby Schilling is genuine and authentic. He's the real deal. Bobby turned down the lavish congressional pension. He rejected the Cadillac congressional health care plan. He cut his office budget by more than 10 percent, and he returned an additional surplus of $110,000 back to the taxpayers. Bobby Schilling was and is a servant to the people."

Schilling: "I'm Bobby Schilling and I approve this message."

Full web ad script:

Peoria Councilman Eric Turner: "When you make a promise, you keep it. Bobby Schilling is genuine and authentic. He's the real deal. He made promises in his successful 2010 campaign, and he kept every single one of them. A lot of politicians say they're unlike other politicians. Bobby didn't just say it. He followed through. Bobby turned down the lavish congressional pension. He rejected the Cadillac congressional health care plan. He cut his office budget by more than 10 percent, and he returned an additional surplus of $110,000 back to the taxpayers. He slept on his office couch. Bobby Schilling was and is a servant to the people."

Turner: "Unfortunately, we're quickly learning that Cheri Bustos is another typical politician. She's willing to say or do anything to get elected, and she won't stop breaking her promises. Cheri promised she would protect veterans, then she ignored them during the VA crisis until Bobby Schilling stepped up and led first." 

Turner: "Cheri promised she would give back her pay during the government shutdown. She failed to follow through. She promised the Chicago Tribune that she would give up ten percent of her pay if elected. Now, she's dodging reporters and claiming she 'misspoke.' She promised to end gridlock in Washington, then on the first six budget proposals, she voted no, no, no, no, no, no. She promised to fight for jobs at the Rock Island Arsenal, then she skipped the vote to fund those jobs so she could campaign and take selfies with the President."

Turner: "If Cheri Bustos had a record of success half as good as the two years Bobby Schilling served, she would be airing ads touting those successes. The reason she is not is because she has nothing to show for her time as our representative. Nothing. Bobby Schilling fulfilled every single one of his promises. Cheri Bustos broke all of hers. Cheri Bustos fooled us, but she won't fool us again."

Turner: "Let's return Bobby Schilling, a true servant to the people, a guy who will fight for the middle class and working poor, and a guy who gets it. Let's send him back to Washington. Let's make sure we have a representative who's in it for the right reasons and in it to fight for you and me. My friends, Bobby Schilling is the better choice."

Schilling: "I'm Bobby Schilling, and I approve this message."

Bobby Schilling (R-Colona) was born and raised in Rock Island, Illinois. He has been married to his wife, Christie for 28 years and together they have 10 children. Schilling represented the Illinois 17th District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011-2012, serving on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Agriculture Committee, and the House Small Business Committee. Schilling is seeking another term and is running against incumbent Congresswoman Cheri Bustos.
# # #
20 Oct 2014

IOWANS WANT VOTER ID SUPPORTER PATE

By Paid for by Pate for Iowa

VOTER ID CHAMPION BESTS OBAMA CAMPAIGN MANAGER

 

(Cedar Rapids, IA)  Today, former Iowa Secretary of State and Mayor of Cedar Rapids, Paul D. Pate released a poll showing his message is resonating in the race to become Iowa's next Secretary of State.

On Wednesday, USA Today/Suffolk released a poll showing Pate with a 1 point lead. Today, less than three weeks before Election Day, Pate released a poll conducted by Victory Enterprises of Davenport, Iowa showing Iowans support "a change to Iowa law to require some form of official identification to be shown at the ballot box before people vote" 60.17% - 28.64% with 11.19% Undecided
Additionally, the respondents to the new VE poll said that they prefer "former Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate who supports a new voter identification law to former Obama campaign director Brad Anderson who opposes a new voter identification law 45.17% - 34.8% with still 20.04% Undecided.

Pate, "This poll is further confirmation that my plan to make it easy to vote and hard to cheat is resonating with Iowans who overwhelmingly support a voter ID requirement as I do.  Iowans expect and deserve a non-partisan chief commissioner of elections, not a career partisan political operative from Chicago who served as President Obama's Iowa campaign director.  I have previously served as Iowa Secretary of State in a non-partisan manner while encouraging voter participation and protecting the integrity of the election process."

The interactive voice response (IVR) poll conducted by Victory Enterprises was conducted Oct. 14-15 with 759 likely voters and has a margin of error of 3.56%.

A nationally recognized business leader by the Small Business Administration, Pate is the owner of a paving construction firm and recently served as Mayor of Cedar Rapids from 2002 -2006.  While Mayor, Pate was elected President of the non-partisan Iowa League of Cities representing over 870 municipalities.  Previously, he served as Iowa Secretary of State from 1995-1999 and represented NE Cedar Rapids, Marion and parts of Linn, Buchanan and Delaware Counties in the Iowa Senate from 1989-1995.

Pate is a lifelong Iowa resident, born in Ottumwa, growing up in Linn County.

-30-

16 Oct 2014

Chicago Tribune Endorses Schilling over Bustos

By Jon Schweppe
EAST MOLINE, IL -- The Chicago Tribune has emphatically endorsed Bobby Schilling (R-Colona) in his bid against incumbent Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-East Moline).

The full endorsement can be found here.

Chicago Tribune endorses Bobby Schilling in the 17th Congressional District
Chicago Tribune Editorial Board
October 14, 2014

Two years ago, we supported Republican Bobby Schilling of Colona in his bid for a second term in the 17th Congressional District, freshly redrawn to favor a Democratic candidate. Then as now, Schilling had the courage to tell voters what it would take to get the nation's debt and spending under control.

Democrat Cheri Bustos of East Moline told voters what they wanted to hear, which was that she would protect the safety net. She didn't say how. She won.

Bustos has proved to be a hands-on representative in her district and a respectably moderate voice in Washington. She joined the Blue Dogs, a coalition of fiscally conservative Democrats, and has sided with her party on a relatively low 85 percent of votes.

But the questions she ducked remain unanswered. And the budget's still a mess.

In this year's rematch, Schilling's camp has put Bustos on the defensive by pointing out that she failed to keep a promise made in a meeting with the Tribune Editorial Board to give up 10 percent of her congressional salary if elected. Her explanation is that she made the pledge in Chicago, so it isn't binding in the 17th District. Say what?

What we most remember from that meeting is her frustrating refusal to own a position on how to rescue Medicare and Social Security from insolvency. It was all about "compromise and focused problem-solving," not about adjusting benefits.

This year, she has avoided making rash, nonbinding promises by refusing to do interviews outside her district, even by phone. She did complete our survey, and we found her answers much like before. Instead of committing to unpopular fiscal reforms, she championed nibble-around-the-edge measures or listed steps she would not take.

During his short tenure in Congress, Schilling twice took a politically risky vote to restructure entitlement programs in order to save them. He says he'd do it again. Schilling is endorsed.

Residents of the 17th District, which crawls along the western border of the state, are fortunate to have two distinct candidates waging a vigorous campaign. In other districts, voters have little choice.
# # #
16 Oct 2014

Tom Harkin Rallies Iowa State Students to Vote Early

By Sam Lau
Harkin Points to Bruce Braley's Proven Record Supporting Iowa Students

Ames, IA - U.S. Senator Tom Harkin today rallied students at the Iowa State University to vote early on campus. In addition to highlighting the importance of voting early, Senator Harkin pointed to Bruce Braley's proven record of supporting higher education and Iowa's students.

"Voting early on campus is the easiest way for Iowa students to make their voice heard in this election," said Senator Harkin. "Bruce Braley is the clear choice for Iowa's students because he will work to expand opportunity for more Iowans to achieve a quality, affordable education. The opponent's ideas of abolishing the Department of Education and jeopardizing funding for education, is bad for Iowa's students and is bad for Iowa's middle class."

Iowa State University Students can vote early on campus, Monday-Friday from 9AM to 4PM at the Memorial Union Building. Additionally, students can vote early this Wednesday from 9:30AM to 3:30PM in Carver Hall and this Thursday from 9:30AM to 3:30PM at the Parks Library.

In Iowa:
  • 111,000 students receive Pell Grants.
  • 228,000 federal loans have been distributed to Iowa students.
  • Iowa State University:
  • 6,271 students received Pell Grants to attend Iowa State University
  • ISU graduates with student loan debt owed on average $24,300 in federal obligations

Iowans across the state can vote early in person from now until November 3, and can find their early voting location at vote.BruceBraley.com.

# # #
16 Oct 2014

Tom Harkin: "Bruce Braley is on the side of Iowa's Seniors"

By Rick Martin
While meeting with seniors in Davenport and Iowa City, Senator Harkin contrasts Braley's support for strengthening Social Security with proposals to privatize the crucial program

Davenport, IA -U.S. Senator Tom Harkin today met with seniors in Davenport and Iowa City to discuss Bruce Braley's proven record of protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare. As Harkin detailed, Bruce Braley understands the importance of protecting the promise made to Iowa's seniors, and that is why he will fight to strengthen Social Security--so it can pay full benefits long into the future.

"Bruce Braley is a champion for seniors and ensuring that their retirement security is never gambled away with risky privatization schemes," said Harkin. "While he will work to strengthen Social Security for generations of Iowans to come, his opponent would put Iowans' earned benefits at risk. There's a clear choice in this election -Bruce Braley stands with Iowa seniors, while his opponent favors Wall Street and special interests."

Harkin's stops today were at The Good Samaritan Society in Davenport and The Hamburg Inn in Iowa City.
# # #
16 Oct 2014

Seniors Question Anderson's Campaign Promise

By Rick Martin

Seniors and Nursing Home Providers Concerned about State Senate Candidate Neil Anderson's Pledge to Cut Medicaid

QUAD CITIES, ILL. October 14, 2014- The Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI), a leading voice for nursing home communities, brought together State Representative Patrick J. Verschoore (D-Milan), seniors, and nursing home residents and providers today to fight for adequate Medicaid funding. The news conference at Rock Island Nursing & Rehabilitation Center urged State Senate candidate Neil Anderson to answer why he plans to cut Medicaid funding to care for frail, vulnerable seniors living in nursing homes.

"In 2011, the state legislature restructured the entire Medicaid program, including funding for nursing home residents.  " Pat Comstock, executive director of Health Care Council of Illinois, said. "Any arbitrary cuts to Medicaid, like those promised by Neil Anderson, means our residents will suffer. Illinois can't balance the budget on the backs of nursing home residents with Medicaid. We can't stand by when frail, elderly nursing home residents are at risk of being denied critical, life-sustaining medical services."

HCCI and other nursing home provider associations have worked with Representative Verschoore and State Senator Mike Jacobs (D-Moline) during the last several years to create policies that support quality care for nursing home residents. Both know cuts to Medicaid lead to job losses in the community. More than 1,700 people are employed at nursing homes in Rock Island, Mercer and Henry counties full time, and many more than that work part time. Neil Anderson's campaign promises puts those jobs in jeopardy.

"When I heard Neal Anderson say he wants to cut Medicaid, I was stunned. It shows a lack of understanding and knowledge of the issues, and his lack of experience in issues important to our community," State Representative Patrick J. Verschoore said. "Nursing home residents are our most valued citizens. They built our community, raised families, worked hard and served our county. If we arbitrarily cut Medicaid before looking for other ways to cut costs, we would be abandoning senior citizens in their time of need. It's simply unconscionable."

Nursing home residents and other senior citizens in the community attended the event, as well as staff from Rock Island Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. They are concerned about State Senate candidate Neil Anderson's campaign promise to make cuts to the state's Medicaid program.

"We have people who come here for a few months for rehab before they return home, and we have residents who will spend the rest of their lives here. Regardless of the length of their stay, our residents consider this place their home," Elizabeth Webster, administrator at Rock Island Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, said. "Many of our residents who currently have Medicaid originally entered our nursing home with insurance or as private pay. After their personal resources were exhausted, they transition to Medicaid to make sure they continue to get the care they need. We can't kick them out on the street when they can no longer pay for their care."

There are approximately 1,500 nursing home residents in this area. More than 50 percent of those residents rely on Medicaid to pay for their care. Of those who call Rock Island Nursing and Rehabilitation Center their home, 91 percent have Medicaid. Cuts would affect the whole nursing home community. It impacts our ability to have quality food, quality staff and quality surroundings. All these elements are key to quality care and to create a home-like environment.

Candidate Neil Anderson must explain his campaign pledge to arbitrarily cut Medicaid. We must have elected officials like Representative Verschoore and Senator Jacobs who understand the issues important to nursing home residents.

The Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI) is an association of more than 270 skilled nursing and rehab facilities committed to quality residential health care in Illinois through a productive and responsible partnership between the private and public sectors. 

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