Dave Loebsack - 2nd District

[CornField]

Having been a long-time member of the ABB (Anybody But Bush) gang and the ABL (Anybody But Leach) association, there was little doubt that I would be voting for whomever ran against either one. Since I was also a participate in the 2004 campaigns, I've realized that just saying "anybody but" isn't enough. That's why I'm here to tell you a little about Dave Loebsack.

Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to sit next to David Loebsack, candidate for the 2nd District US House. Not only is he smart on the issues and compassionate to the people of Iowa, but he smells pretty darn good at close range. ;)

Loebsack is a Professor of Political Science (International Relations and Comparative Politics) at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. (Been there for over 20 years.) His academic fields of interest show him to be well suited for a political career and uniquly qualified to represent the people of Iowa. He has been someone the press, both local and national, has called upon to provide political commentary. He has also won awards of excellence in his field. For more information on Loebsack as a professor at Cornell, please visit http://people.cornellcollege.edu/dloebsack

Although he has no voting record for us to track, Loebsack does not hum and haa when you ask him about women's rights. He is progressive on all women's issues and on the war. This is a stance, I'm sorry to report, that some of my fellow Democrats in Linn County are using in order not to support him.

Official campaign site: http://www.loebsackforcongress.org

Iowa's 2nd District is a Democratic one. Leach has done little to help the Iowa people he serves and it is time we allowed him to return home. Please join me in working on the Loebsack campaign -- let's not let a little thing like name recognition get in the way of electing a true progressive.

[Debi]

1. He is so VERY charming isn't he?!!

No question on his Democratic credentials either. Send David to Washington and we will have an honest, loyal and trustworthy Congressman. How long has it been since THAT's happened??

[IA_Seth]

2. I missed it!

Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it to the Linn CC meeting last night. I've spent the last few days in and out of doctor's appointments and the hospital with my girlfriend so I had to take the night to catch up on a few things. Good news is that things are better than they could be I guess!

Anyway... I am glad you were able to meet Dave. I don't know him well on a personal level, but he has always came across as very intelligent and very genuine. It would be nice to have someone elected that is so willing to engage his constituency the way Dave has thus far.

There is no doubt about it, Dave is definitely a top priority for me to see elected in '06.

---

As a side note...I caught the "Loebsack does not hum and haa when you ask him about women's rights. He is progressive on all women's issues and on the war. This is a stance, I'm sorry to report, that some of my fellow Democrats in Linn County are using in order not to support him." comment...

Did I miss something last night? Also, weren't there elections last night? From what I had heard there wasnt much of a contest...

[CornField]

4. No contest at all

Mike opened for nominations. Those who were already serving were nominated to continue serving (except the existing treasurer, I think). There will be nominations taken again in February and a vote at that time.

There was nothing said last night, but I had words with a handful of folks following the caucuses who minced no words about how they would not support any "pro-abortion" candidate. Sheesh... I might as well be spending time with republicans.

[IA_Seth]

7. Its amazing isnt it?

I know what you mean about some of the more conservative democrats in Linn County. I was talking to a long time Democrat that I respect a great deal about Blouin's stance and he countered with the "there are a lot of pro-life Catholic Democrats, Seth".

Point well taken. I knew this guy was Catholic, but I didn't see him as a anti-rights kind of guy. Maybe he wasn't referring to himself. I can hope.

I am beginning to realize though, as much as I thought of myself as more centrist than real far left, the center of our local party may be further to the right than I thought. Ugh.

I will hope to meet you in February! I think I am going to drag my girlfriend out with me..she doesn't have school on Wednesdays this term so she doesn't have an excuse!

[rurallib]

3. Feeling good about Loebsack's chances

Saw him at the monthly county meeting Tuesday. He's getting much more polished. Looks like the regressives are imploding at just the right time. I don't think even Leach with his classic 'do-nothing til it's safe' stance can avoid taking some of the hits from what will be a couple of huge issues - corruption and unwarranted spying.
Dave told me he is done teaching this week and it's full bore ahead from here on out.
It will be interesting to see how Leach tries to package himself. If you saw the story in the Gazette the other day, Leach pulled up his old chestnut 'no PAC money'. I thought Dave brushed the issue aside very well.
One thing we cannot forget - Dave will need money. Remember Leach can have the deep pocket boys drop a million on him with a snap of the finger.

[CornField]

5. Dave said last night that he and Leach are both teaching today

I didn't get the whole story, but I understand that he and Leach will both be teaching classes at Cornell this afternoon around 1 p.m. There was supposed to be a large media contingent present and Dave said to check the local news this evening.

[rurallib]

6. Yeah - Leach has been lined up for this for a while

Loebsack was chuckling about it last summer. I am fairly sure that after this week Dave is done. Not sure how much longer Leach has. IIRC they will actually be in in adjacent rooms.

[9119495]

8. I had dinner with David in November and he's got a plan!

Leach blasted Bush recently at a Rotary function...no doubt part of his "run-to-the-center-man-without-a-party-schtick." I think David may finally be able to sell the message that a vote for Leach is a vote for the Republican Leadership. Unfortunately, my union, needing to endorse a few token Republicans nation wide will probably back Leach. They don't help him much but people need to know David has support.

If Leach is so pissed, how come he hasn't switched parties yet?

[rurallib]

9. Yep - plus Leach has some votes to account for

ones he made last year like that silly bankruptcy bill. and his being the deciding vote to bring the budget to the floor last year.
Leach is having one hell of a time trying to act the moderate and having all the shit go on with his party. He continues to support them and voters are finally, finally waking up to the fact.
Sure wonder why your union would endorse someone like Leach over Loebsack? What has Leach ever done for any union?

[9119495]

11. Leach voted against No Child Left Behind

Big deal...He knew it would pass anyway. I teach and our national union has supposedly 40% republican members (not in this state though). They feel they need some token republicans so they can claim they are "bipartisan and only want the best for public education."

Leach tends to vote left when it doesn't matter and then vote right with the party on bills people don't even understand or have interest in--like the bankruptcy bill you cite.

Simply put, the guy has to go down. If he wants to be a Republican, let him move out to western Iowa and run from there.

[rurallib]

12. Leach is "allowed" to vote left on occassion

A little manuever the regressives have is to "allow" certain reps to vote lefty when the outcome has been decided. Then the vote is played up in local press (Gazette??) and touted throughout his campaigns. Here is a link to a Fresh Air show in which a couple professors discuss this practice:
http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=13&prgDate=12-01-2005&view=storyview

Leach has shown a willingness to move in the pastto keep his seat. Maybe he should go and challenge King.

[rurallib]

10. Like you let me say that as much as I dislike Leach's stances

I believe that Dave Loebsack is exactly what a democratic candidate should be. Very progressive. Plus his personal story - as a person who is living proof that Democratic policies do in fact work -is very compelling.
It is simply time (30 years) for this district to have a representative that actually reflects the majority opinion of the district.
Hope you all do what you cna to get Dave to Washington.

[pstans]

13. I live in District 4

But I plan on travelling to Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area over the summer and help with the campaign somehow. I went to school in Iowa City and have to admit that I voted for Leach in 2000. Sorry. I now think that Leach's time is up and Loebsack seems to be the right person to do it.

[IA_Seth]

14. Burn him!!

You know, I think a lot of people vote for Leach that don't really understand what they are doing or don't really know the Leach strategy.

Don't feel bad. A lot of "good" democrats still vote for the puke. It makes the job harder, but not impossible. We just need to make sure we help Dave keep Leach's subterfuge in the public eye.

[Debi]

15. Be kind Seth the 2000 race was Leach's to lose

there wasn't much enthusiasm for the Democratic candidate and it was before the redistricting so Leach was in his comfy incumbent seat. the new Second District is much better! Leach's bullshit anti-war vote eecked him across the finish line against Julie Thomas in 2002 and sadly Franken didn't have what it took in 2004. But David Loebsack is a whole different story. He's got the credentials, he's getting the money and if we do our job Leach will be exposed as the Right-Wing Political Hack that he truly is!

[IA_Seth]

16. Lol, well...

To clarify my position..I have no room to talk. To be honest with you I believe I may have voted for Leach in 2000 as well. I was ill-informed and not really politically engaged. My interest in politics and the nitty-gritty of congressional votes, etc..didn't come until late 2002, early 2003.

I did vote for Gore, however I can't really recall my other votes. I was one of the mass of uninformed voters I am always bitching about. Ugh.

[Debi]

17. Nice

At least we can all be accepted here and now (Okay, I'll admit it, I was a registered republican until 1998) All we can do is make up for our misguided youth by being informed and active now. :7

[IA_Seth]

18. oh no!

I hope you weren't one of those repubs aching for a Clinton impeachment!

[rurallib]

19. Lots of LTTEs to expose Leach, push Loebsack

Be sure to copy the CR Gazette: [e-mail]
IC press-citizen: [e-mail]
Muscatine Journal: [e-mail]
DesMoines Register: [e-mail]
Burlington Hawkeye: (they have a page to submit on):
http://www.thehawkeye.com/forms/letters.html

Each paper has length limits, generally 200 words or less. Also, they want your name,address and phone number (to verify that you sent it) and most have a 1 per month limit.
Don't be shy! We need a blitzkrieg for Dave.