Where’s that?

By James Q. Lynch – Cedar Rapids police officers are helping maintain order at the Republican National Convention. They’re working in St. Paul to repay the support they received from police them during June flooding.
So far, officers said Wednesday night, they haven’t been involved in the violent demonstrations that have led to hundreds of arrests.
Like [...]

The party of Lincoln, Reagan and Wellstone

By James Q. Lynch – First District Republican candidate David Hartsuch raised a few eyebrows Thursday morning when he told Iowa’s GOP convention delegation that his role model is Paul Wellstone.
Yes, the liberal, college professor who claimed to represent “the Democratic wing of the Democratic party.” Wellstone defeated an incumbent Republican to serve one term [...]

What a small world

By Tim Demuth – Truly one of the highlights of circling around the Republican convention is the all the sort of people that you could never expected to run into.
Today, the man in charge of the security for out hotel, Mr. John Bay, turned out to be a native of Decorah, who knows Bob Bruce [...]

To much to do and not enough time

By Tim Demuth – My biggest lament of this convention experience is that there is far to much to do and not enough time in the day; however it’s like that with life in general.
Between several different receptions to choose from yesterday before the main convention a few of us went to see actor Jon [...]

Delegate’s hat retrieved from flooded Cedar Rapids home

By James Q. Lynch – A hat rescued from a flooded Cedar Rapids home is drawing attention here at the Republican National Convention.
Iowa delegate Rose Eaton of Cedar Rapids has been wearing a “Dutch’s Dollies” boater hat a friend, Rosemary Harvey, rescued from her Time Check home after the June flood.
Eaton, 78, and a former [...]

Media darling

By James Q. Lynch – Mike Knopf is getting an early start on his goal to change the nation.
The 17-year-old Dubuque Senior senior is the youngest delegate to the Republican National Convention – a designation that has made him a media darling.
At a breakfast gathering of the Iowa delegation Tuesday two television crews followed Knopf, [...]

Convention has heavy heart, but moving forward

By Sarah Henderson – It was a relief today to finally board the bus to head over the convention site. We feel very secure here, despite the images that are on television. Security here is very good and the protestors are far away from us. You see public safety servants from all [...]

Spirits not dampened despite revised convention

By Tim Demuth – The first day of the convention was, as expected due the the weather in the south, shortened. Delegates who traveled from around the country, planned this trip for months, and, for some, may be the only convention they ever attend were disappointed, but understanding. Despite the events (or lack there of), [...]

Raw politics

By James Q. Lynch – It’s not clear there was any connection to the Republican National Convention and the Iowa and Oregon delegations staying at the La Quinta West, but a naked man was found swimming in the hotel pool early Monday morning.
John Bay of Decorah, who is heading a security team at the hotel [...]

Don’t eat that

By James Q. Lynch – While Iowa Republicans started their day with eggs, bacon, bagels and french toast, former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson lectured them that in order to fix the health care system they have to take personal responsibility for their health. That means no smoking and ignoring their mothers’ advice [...]