Helllllllooooo Skinny - choc full-o gossip today!

[Debi]

http://www.dmcityview.com/skinny.shtml



Leonard Boswell apparently has signed Scott Ourth to run his primary campaign against challenger Ed Fallon, Skinny hears. It’s one of those cozy deals Skinny loves. Ourth, a Democratic operative who has worked for Gov. Chet Culver and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and who ran Boswell’s 2000 re-election race, currently is director of public affairs for Warren County and apparently is taking a leave from that job. The chairman of the three-supervisor board in Warren County is Kevin Middleswart. Middleswart’s wife, Delpha, is a $40,000-a-year office manager and scheduler in Boswell’s Des Moines office. It’s all one big happy family. Unless, of course, Boswell loses. Then it’s one big unhappy family. … Meantime, Skinny hears there’s nothing to the rumor going around that Courtney Maxwell Greene is going to challenge Republican state senator Pat Ward in November. The former Channel 13 newswoman intends to stay right where she is as Culver’s press secretary, her friends say. … But woe-beset Culver aide John Hedgecoth has been shuffled off to the Public Health Department, Skinny hears, as his various woes mount. … Skinny also hears that Republican representative Scott Raecker already is considering a run against Culver in two years — one of a dozen or so Republicans thinking the Big Lug is vulnerable. Others mentioned include likeable Ag Secretary Bill Northey, not-quite-so-likeable Congressman Steve King, likeable Auditor David Vaudt (see below) and others of various degrees of likeability. “And before the session is over, you might see some Democratic legislators , too,” says one Republican legislator who says there’s lots of dismay with the governor on both sides of the aisle. … One thing encouraging Republicans: A new Survey USA poll shows Culver with only 48 percent approval — and 49 percent disapproval. That’s a huge swing from the 59-34 favorable rating of just a month before. “The word is getting out,” says one worried but disaffected Democrat.

<snip>

A Skinny source says: “Don’t believe it if you hear there’s been a rapprochement between Culver and Gronstal.” Skinny doesn’t know if that’s true, and doesn’t really care, but just wanted to use the word “rapprochement.”…. Safest bet of the week: Jeanie Kunkle Vaudt, an assistant attorney general and one of 18 persons who has applied for the opening on the Iowa Supreme Court, shouldn’t rush out to buy any robes. Vaudt is smart and nice — but she’s also married to State Auditor David Vaudt. David Vaudt is a regular critic of Chet Culver. Culver appoints judges. Skinny loves payback. … That Survey USA poll shows Chuck Grassley with a 68 percent approval rating, Tom Harkin with 58 percent. That’s strong for both — Republican Grassley always runs better than Democrat Harkin — but is particularly good news for Harkin, who has no serious opposition in his run for re-election this year.

<snip>

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More good stuff at the link!

:hi:

[Counciltucky]

1. After having looked up "rapprochement" on dictionary.com...

How come Culver and Gronstal had some falling out? What issue was that over?

(That said, knowing both of them, I can confidently say that for every 10 battles between Culver and Gronstal I would side with Culver 10 times.)

[Debi]

2. Heh - you name it - they've fought over it.

most recently the bottle bill and financing Mike Mauro's dream of paper ballots in every county.

I'm sure other DUers can add to the list.

On edit:

Yeah, I had to look it up too - learn so much from the internets these days :hi:

[Counciltucky]

3. I amend what I said earlier...

Have to agree with the paper ballots idea.

[Debi]

4. Culver got to the right decision.

Mauro is doing a great job.

[progressoid]

12. Is he still ticked that his man Blouin didn't win?

I missed the talk-about-the-issues-coffee-meeting at the library last week. Will try to attend the next one at the end of the month. Should I ask him? :evilgrin:

[pstans]

5. I wouldn't minda if Gronstal ran against King

it would get him out of the Senate.

[Debi]

6. I dont think Gronstal is bad -

I just wish he'd take this power struggle behind closed doors.

I wish a Dem could beat King.

But then it would make Counciltucky cry :shrug:

[IADEMO2004]

7. Rob Hubler is my favorite

http://www.hublercongress.com/


Bob Chambers withdrew today for health reasons.

[Counciltucky]

14. Chambers withdrew, eh?

I wasn't going to support him anyway. Hubler's the only one running, isn't he?

[pstans]

8. I just remind him cussing at a group of citizens lobbying for clean elections

http://www.blogforiowa.com/blog/_archives/2007/4/19/2891595.html

Gronstal is more interested in controlling large PAC donations and passing out to his friends, instead of listening to real citizens. When people ask him about this then he gets angry.

[Counciltucky]

15. Maybe King could hang out with your friend Dick Lugar after they both leave.

:rofl:

[Debi]

17. Lugar has many Democratic friends you dork!

Seeing this headline today made me think of you:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803070375

King, Braley to announce re-election bids


My first thought was :wow: they're running together????? How will Counciltucky choose??? :rofl:

[Hardrada]

9. That Gannett stuff: Outsourcing ads was about the most

interesting bit. So many of them coming in from India are in questionable taste! I wish they'd let us see a few samples. As to the Boswell old boys and girls network, I hope it collapses and turns to panicky flight when it sees the distant flare of torches approaching nearer. May God arise and scatter His enemies!

[Debi]

11. It should be made mandatory that you post daily!

:applause:

[Hardrada]

13. Hi Debi! Thanks! I do post daily but not always here.

I actually don't go to the Lounge much lately however.

[Debi]

16. Yes, you caught me in GD-P the other day didn't you!

:blush:

I need to get out of GD-P and back into The Lounge, much lighter fare.

[Vet31203]

10. Culver will turn it around by

November 2010, Hopefully:)