Free Republic

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has hired a Democratic staffer in Iowa, as he considers a potential 2016 presidential bid. O'Malley's political action committee hired Jake Oeth as a consultant, beginning in mid-December, the PAC confirmed Tuesday. Oeth was the political director for Bruce Braley's Senate campaign last year. Politico first reported his hiring. O'Malley's PAC also said it has brought on Brad Elkins, who will be based in Washington, D.C. Both have Iowa experience. Elkins was sent by the O'Malley camp to Iowa last year to work for Jack Hatch's unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign. O'Malley, who left office after last...

When the presidential campaigns bombarded Iowa over the summer, there was an unintended consequence: Every House race in the state became more competitive. Consequently, a state once expected to feature one or two competitive House races could see all four seats in play. This newfound dynamic slightly favors Republicans, who face tough climbs to unseat Democratic incumbents in two eastern Iowa seats. But Democrats also reap the benefits of a more competitive field that is energizing their candidates in the western half of the state, including Rep. Leonard Boswell (D) in his marquee battle with Rep. Tom Latham (R). The...

Democrats in House of Reps. joined J Street in supporting Obama administration's attempt to force Israel into making painful concessions Seventy-four Democrats in the House of Representatives have joined the dovish J Street organization in supporting the Obama administration's attempt to force Israel into making painful concessions to the Palestinian Authority. “In our view, support for a two-state resolution is inseparable from such support for Israel, its special relationship with the United States, and its very survival as a democratic homeland for the Jewish people,” the letter said. Seven Jewish members signed the letter, including Reps. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), John...

It’s easy to get distracted when presidential politics take over the political scene in Iowa every four years. With 24-hour cable news channels and unlimited campaign coverage via the Internet, one’s attention can easily become dominated by presidential politics even after the caucuses are long over. While caucuses allow us Iowans a chance to play in the big leagues for a while, they also take attention away from other important primaries that are quickly approaching. In just over three months, or 109 days to be exact, voters will pick the Republican nominee in two eastern Iowa congressional districts. Both the...

Three Iowa Democratic congressmen are being targeted in a million-dollar campaign by groups that say the National Labor Relations Board is overstepping its authority by dictating where businesses can and cannot create jobs. U.S. Reps. Bruce Braley, Dave Loebsack and Leonard Boswell are among 16 House members who are the focus of the national radio and web video ad campaign sponsored by the National Association of Manufacturers and National Federation of Independent Business. They are being encouraged to vote for HR 2587, the Protecting Jobs from Government Interference Act. The legislation is a response to the NLRB’s “recent wave of...

Polls are now showing Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Dave Loebsack in a virtual dead heat. Miller-Meeks has a message and it seems to be attracting voters. I don't think this rise is due to just Republican voters. I truly believe that there are Democrat and Independent voters that have listened to Miller-Meeks and decided that she can work for them better than Dave Loebsack.