Kathie Obradovich on Iowa politics and caucuses

Wisconsin’s Scott Walker hits most of pre-caucus checklist

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, in West Des Moines, hit most of the points on the typical checklist for potential presidential candidates appearing in Iowa: First, butter up Gov. Terry Branstad. Check. Walker spoke at length about his admiration for Branstad. He and the Iowa governor have taken turns raising money for each other and they [...]

New poll of Iowans on Branstad approval, reelection: Meh.

Gov. Terry Branstad may want to break out the bubbly to celebrate this year’s legislative session, but his approval ratings from a new poll are better toasted with warm milk. Branstad received 49 percent approval from Iowa registered voters in the new Quinnipiac University Poll, with 31 percent disapproval. Voters are divided about whether he [...]

Legislature achieves ‘banner year’ for tax relief, education, health care

It’s official: The Iowa Legislature adjourned today having managed to do what few legislators and politics watchers thought was possible. Lawmakers ended the 2013 session with significant, compromise legislation on property taxes, education reform and an expansion of low-income health care using federal dollars. Gov. Terry Branstad was beaming as he watched the final bills [...]

Iowa Legislature poised for a landmark session

The success of the 2013 legislative session will be judged mostly on three marquee issues: property tax relief, education reform and health care for low-income Iowans. That is as it should be. These were Gov. Terry Branstad’s priorities and both parties had at least some interest in resolving them. The education and tax issues were [...]

State leaders react carefully to Senate harassment claim

Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today both took a hands-off position regarding allegations of sexual harassment from a former employee of the Senate Republican caucus. Both expressed commitment to having state government be a safe and secure working environment. Beyond that, however, they said it’s up to the Legislature, a separate branch [...]

Live tweets: Gov. Terry Branstad’s news conference, May 20

Gov. Terry Branstad’s weekly news conference is under way. I’m live-tweeting. #iagov #ialegis You can follow below or at Twitter.com/kobradovich.

Braley snares Branstad’s ‘Iowa problem solver’ slogan

This made me laugh, just a little bit, today. Congressman Bruce Braley, a Democrat, latched on to Gov. Terry Branstad’s suggestion that voters want an “Iowa problem solver” for U.S. Senate. Branstad was describing the ideal GOP candidate, but Republicans haven’t exactly been flocking into the race. So, Braley registered the website domain name Iowaproblemsolver.com [...]

Rod Roberts: GOP Senate nominee must be conservative, civil

Republican Rod Roberts said today he’s “seriously looking at the opportunity the U.S. Senate race presents.” Roberts, director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, says he hasn’t set a timeline for making a decision. He’s a former state legislator from Carroll who ran in the 2010 GOP primary for governor. He said he’s [...]

More Iowa caucus lore from political pioneer

My interview with Richard Bender included a bit more caucus history that I couldn’t fit into the print column today. Bender, 68, is retiring this month after 36 years with Sen. Tom Harkin’s staff. He also has the distinction of being the guy most directly responsible for writing the rules for the Iowa Democratic caucuses. [...]

Northey ‘certainly leaning’ toward running for re-election in 2014

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said today he is “certainly leaning” toward running for re-election in 2014. Northey announced Thursday he will not seek the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. “I love serving in Iowa and I decided I’d rather serve in Iowa than in Washington,” Northey said. He said he wants to remain [...]

Live tweets: GOP legislative leaders’ news conference, May 2

Iowa Republican legislative leaders will have their weekly news conferences at 11 a.m. Democrats canceled their usual media availability. #ialegis I’m live-tweeting. You can follow below or at Twitter.com/kobradovich.

King ‘embarrassed’ to still be undecided on Senate run

Congressman Steve King said today he’s “embarrassed” he doesn’t have an answer yet about his plans to run for U.S. Senate. “There’s a lot of support to do this, and I just don’t know the answer. And I’m embarrassed that I don’t know the answer,” he said with a laugh. He said he doesn’t know [...]

Live tweets: Rep. Steve King in Ames

Congressman Steve King is scheduled to appear at an Americans for Prosperity event in Ames starting at 2 p.m. I’m live-tweeting. #iapolitics You can follow below or at Twitter.com/kobradovich.

Live tweets: Iowa legislative leaders’ news conferences, April 25

Iowa legislative leaders have their weekly news conferences today: Democrats at 10:30; Republicans at 11. #ialegis I’m live-tweeting. You can follow below or at Twitter.com/kobradovich.

Live tweets: Iowa legislative leaders’ news conferences, April 18

Iowa Democratic legislative leaders will have their weekly news conferences at 10:30 a.m.; Republicans follow at 11. #ialegis I’m live-tweeting. You can follow below or at Twitter.com/kobradovich.

Live tweets: Legislative leaders’ news conferences, April 11, 2013

The weekly legislative leaders’ news conferences start at 10:30 with Democrats; Republicans at 11. #ialegis I’m live-tweeting. You can follow below or at Twitter.com/kobradovich.

King, still mulling a run, sees ‘path to victory’ in Senate race

Every time I hear Congressman Steve King talk about the possibility of running for U.S. Senate, I come away just a bit more persuaded he will take the plunge. Today was no exception: King said the race would be “a slight uphill battle” for any Republican but made it clear he thinks he could win. [...]

Live tweets: Legislative leaders’ news conferences, March 28

I’m live-tweeting Iowa legislative leaders’ weekly news conferences, with Democrats at 10:30 a.m. and Republicans at 11 a.m. You can follow below or at Twitter.com/kobradovich.

Live tweets: Legislative leaders’ news conferences, March 21

I’m live-tweeting from the weekly legislative leaders’ news conferences. Democratic leaders are first at 10:30 a.m., Republicans at 11 a.m. You can follow below or at Twitter.com/kobradovich.

Regents appointee grilled on gay rights

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Live tweets: Board of regents appointees

The Iowa Senate Education Committee is questioning two of Gov. Terry Branstad’s appointees to the Iowa Board of Regents. I’m live-tweeting. You can follow below or at Twitter.com/kobradovich.

Live tweets: Statehouse news conferences, March 7, 2013

I’m live-tweeting a trio of Statehouse news conferences this morning. Democratic legislative leaders will kick off their regular Thursday briefing at 10 a.m. (a half-hour earlier than usual). David Roederer, director of the Department of Management, will squeeze in an update on the effect of the sequester at 10:30. Republican legislative leaders will wind things [...]

Latham pins Senate decision on ‘conscience,’ potentially at King’s expense

Rep. Tom Latham said today in an e-mail to supporters that he can’t “in good conscience” launch a two-year, statewide campaign for Senate just after pledging to serve Iowa’s Third District in Congress. “I cannot in good conscience launch a two-year statewide campaign that will detract from the commitment I made to the people who [...]

Branstad has ‘no clue’ what cuts, layoffs may follow federal cuts

Gov. Terry Branstad said today he has “no clue” what spending cuts or layoffs the state would face if automatic federal budget cuts take effect after Friday’s deadline. Branstad said the state will deal with whatever comes, but the effect of federal cuts is still unknown. Cuts to federal defense and non-entitlement programs enacted through [...]

Tweets: Education reform on Iowa Press

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