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… despite there being several inches of snow and ice on the ground, politics marches on. Several candidates had to cancel stops on the weekend before Christmas due to unsafe driving conditions. Most campaigns are praying for better weather between now and caucus night, but the extended forecast is calling for more snow tonight and [...]

Former Lieutenant Governors Sally Pederson, a Democrat, and Joy Corning, a Republican, joined forces to pen an essay that published in the Des Moines Register. …As Iowans, let us remind the nation that the Constitution prohibits any religious test for public office and that the divisive use of religion to manipulate voters is unacceptable. The [...]

I was extremely saddened to read at the Gazette website that a fire has destroyed Breitbach’s Bar & Restaurant in Balltown. Years ago, when we would take the weekly paper to print, we’d drive to the press in Guttenberg. I’m not sure how many times, when we were early getting to press or otherwise in [...]

“Merry Christmas Darling,” The Carpenters: That was my Mother’s favorite Christmas song. My first year at college, after she and Dad put the tree up by themselves for the first time in what must have been 30 or 40 years, she even phoned and sang a few bars to me. It’s really funny that when [...]

“It was one of most peculiar mailings I’ve received,” said Cedar Rapids resident Gary Goldstein. Goldstein was not the only Iowan confused by a full-color flier that arrived in Iowa mailboxes yesterday from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). “I saw it, read it and my first thought was ‘Who sent [...]

Call it a testament to the seriousness of Iowa politics. Blame it on a field of so many acceptable candidates. Credit an Iowa caucus season that has now spanned two years. Regardless of reason, it’s the stuff that drives pollsters and campaigns crazy: supporters realizing they’re no longer sitting in a comfortable chair. Nine Iowans [...]

The cold Iowa night turned warm and festive inside Cedar Rapid’s Irish Democrat when Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd and a host of firefighters gathered for what seemed to be more of a party than a campaign rally. “Great to back in the Irish Democrat,” said Dodd. “Of course, that’s a bit redundant.” The first time [...]

If you think eastern Iowa seems an unlikely place to see Republican presidential hopefuls two weeks away from the caucuses, you’re probably right. Linn and Johnson counties, in particular, have not been bastions of Republican strength, and, most Republicans reside in the western half of the state. Still, the numbers didn’t seem to be on [...]

U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy has gone against Department of Justice pressure and is ordering officials to answer questions about the destruction of Central Intelligence Agency videos of the interrogation of two terrorist suspects. Justice Department lawyers will appear before the judge at 11 a.m. EST on Friday to discuss whether destruction of the [...]

No doubt you’ve read all the hub-bub about former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s latest ad that’s airing in Iowa: Some have argued that the window or shelf located over Huck’s shoulder is a subliminal message to Iowa Christians since is appears to be shaped like a cross. This, according to Congressman Dr. Ron Paul, is [...]