UI in the National Political News

October 2007

Story cites Hawkeye Poll (Bloomberg, Oct. 31)
Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton gained the endorsement of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees today, giving her campaign the support of the biggest labor group in Iowa. Clinton and other Democratic candidates have been wooing organized labor in spite of declining union membership because of the ability of unions to turn out voters. A UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll released Oct. 29 found that Clinton and Illinois Senator Barack Obama are in a statistical tie in Iowa among the party's likely caucus-goers. Former Senator John Edwards garnered 20 percent. Link to article

Story cites Hawkeye Poll (The News Journal, Oct. 31)
Looking to energize a presidential campaign struggling to catch on with Americans, Delaware Sen. Joe Biden tried to make the most of his few opportunities to speak at Tuesday night's debate with six Democratic foes. Called on to answer just three of 38 questions during the first 75 minutes of the two-hour debate at Drexel University, Biden focused on what he considers the strength of his candidacy -- foreign policy expertise. A UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll this week showed Biden stood fifth among Democratic candidates at 5 percent, up from about 1 percent in August. Clinton led with 29 percent and Obama was second with 27 percent. THE NEWS JOURNAL is based in Wilmington, Del. Link to article

Story cites Hawkeye Poll (KMGH, Oct. 31)
Huckabee has seen an increase in popularity among Iowa Republicans; he's now tied in second place with Rudy Giuliani at 13 percent, according to a UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL out Monday. The poll had Romney leading with 36 percent. "We feel like that a lot of things have turned," Huckabee said. KMGH is an ABC affiliate in Denver, Colo. Link to article

Miller: Iowa Caucuses have pros, cons (The Politico, Oct. 31)
ARTHUR MILLER, a political science professor at the University of Iowa, said he thinks there are pros and cons to the Iowa caucuses. "Iowa citizens are responsible in that they go out and do interact and listen to the candidates," he said. "But a better system would be a rotating start point. It would represent different aspects of the United States." He also agreed that some might dislike the Iowa caucuses because the state is becoming less and less representative of the rest of the country, with its lack of urban settings and a large proportion of older residents. Link to article

Story cites Hawkeye Poll (Newsweek, Oct. 31)
Heading into the crucial two-month stretch before voting begins, Clinton will spend an increasing amount of time traveling to the early-voting states -- hitting smaller events in Iowa and New Hampshire, according to her aides. That means less time in the big states that vote en masse on Feb. 5 -- places where Clinton has attracted big crowds and big donors. Recent soundings have shown Iowa to be up for grabs, much to her competitors' delight. (The latest UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll gives Clinton a slim two-point lead over Obama, who is just six points ahead of Edwards. All three are well within the margin of error.) Link to article

Story cites Hawkeye Poll (The Politico, Oct. 31)
CAROLINE TOLBERT, co-director of the University Iowa Hawkeye Poll, told Politico that caucus-goers are a highly engaged subsection of the population who tend to be wealthier, educated and older, and as a consequence, the caucuses are not representative of Iowans statewide. DAVID REDLAWSK, co-director of the UI Hawkeye Poll, noted in an Oct. 29 release, that caucus-goers have been significantly older than the population as a whole, but he still supports the caucus system. Iowans elect party officials and discuss the party platform at the bi-annual caucuses. Redlawsk said this gives party members more power over the direction of their party than typical primary voters have in other states. Link to article

Story cites Hawkeye Poll (Yahoo News, Oct. 29)
A new poll Monday had Obama locked in a tight battle with the former first lady in Iowa, with Edwards in third. Clinton led the new UNIVERSITY OF IOWA survey with 28.9 percent, followed by Obama with 26.6 percent, with Edwards sliding on 20 percent. "This race in Iowa is more fluid than people give it credit for," said UI professor David Redlawsk. The survey showed Obama had ignited new support from young people, while Clinton led among more reliable women and older voters. "The problem for Barack Obama is whether these younger people will go to caucus," said Redlawsk. "Should that happen, Obama has the potential to overtake Clinton." Link to article

Story cites Hawkeye Poll (WLS, Oct. 29)
There is a new poll of the presidential candidates in Iowa that shows Barack Obama gaining ground on Hillary Clinton. Among the Democrats, Hillary Rodham Clinton had 29 percent of the potential Iowa vote followed by Barack Obama with 27 percent. John Edwards had 20 percent, with Bill Richardson and Joe Biden trailing. Republican Mitt Romney is in the lead on that party's side. The UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL had Romney with 36 percent, followed then by Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Fred Thompson and John McCain. WLS is an ABC affiliate in Chicago. Link to article

Obama has lead over Clinton among youth in UI poll (Reuters, Oct. 31)
A story about the impact of the youth vote in the Iowa caucuses notes that the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll released on Monday found Barack Obama holds an overwhelming lead over Hilary Clinton among Iowa voters under 45 -- 41 percent to 19 percent. But fewer than half of Obama's supporters said they are likely to caucus, the poll found. The story also appeared in the WASHINGTON POST. Link to article

Hawkeye Poll noted (WTVJ-TV, Oct. 31)
In a story about the Democratic presidential candidate debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Oct. 30, it's noted that the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL released Monday showed Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in a statistical tie for first place among Democrats, while Mitt Romney is widening his lead against Republican competitors. The TV station is based in Miami. The article also appeared on the Web sites of KNBC-TV in Los Angeles. Link to article

Redlawsk comments on Huckabee's gain in polls (Union Leader, Oct. 31)
A University of Iowa Hawkeye Poll released Monday shows Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee gaining ground in Iowa, moving into a statistical tie for second place with Rudy Giuliani and trailing Mitt Romney. "If Huckabee can motivate religious conservatives to attend the caucuses in large numbers, he may well threaten Romney," said DAVID REDLAWSK, director of the poll. The newspaper is based in New Hampshire. Link to article

Edwards lead in poll evaporated (News and Observer, Oct. 31)
In recent months, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards' early lead in the Iowa polls has evaporated as his rivals have begun major television advertising campaigns. The UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL released Monday showed Hillary Clinton with 29 percent, Barack Obama with 27 percent and Edwards with 20 percent -- down from 26 percent in August and 34 percent in March. The newspaper is based in North Carolina. Link to article

Clinton leads in UI poll (Agence France-Presse, Oct. 31)
Democratic White House hopefuls fired a fusillade of attacks at front-runner Hillary Clinton late Tuesday, charging her of aiding in a rush to war with Iran and blundering on Iraq. A new poll Monday showed a tight race in the crucial state of Iowa, which holds its fabled party nominating contests on Jan 3. Clinton led the new UNIVERSITY OF IOWA survey with 28.9 percent, followed by Barack Obama with 26.6 percent, with John Edwards sliding on 20 percent. Link to article

Obama trails Clinton in UI poll (Philadelphia Examiner, Oct. 31)
Political pros rarely agree about anything, but virtually all of them say that Barack Obama needs to come out swinging if he is to overtake Hillary Clinton in the race for the Democratic nomination. Obama is trailing Clinton by only two percentage points in Iowa, according to a UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll. Link to article

UI students support Ron Paul (MSNBC, Oct. 31)
Four college pals, John Lindley, Jeff Shipley, Brad Jahner and Daniel Krauss, got a chance to whoop, holler and raise the roof Saturday. The four boisterous Iowa guys cheered on their hero, Republican presidential contender Ron Paul, as he addressed a rally in Des Moines. "I think he's probably the only candidate who can make big enough changes in our government to save us from economic breakdown," said Lindley after hearing Paul. Lindley is a sophomore at the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, studying history and English. Link to article

Huckabee's Hawkeye Poll numbers cited (Associated Press, Oct. 31)
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee distanced himself Tuesday from the case of an Arkansas man who killed a woman after being paroled for rape when Huckabee was the state's governor. Huckabee brought up the case in a gathering with reporters on the subject of his presidential campaign. Huckabee has seen an increase in popularity among Iowa Republicans; he's now tied in second place with Rudy Giuliani at 13 percent, according to a UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL out Monday. The article also appeared on the websites of CBS NEWS and the CITIZEN in Auburn, N.Y. Link to article

Clinton's showing in UI Hawkeye Poll noted (MSNBC, Oct. 31)
Sen. Hillary Clinton's vote to authorize the U.S. war in Iraq again came under attack, but her major rivals indicated at Tuesday night's Democratic presidential debate that the party's focus in foreign affairs could be shifting to a potential showdown with Iran. While Clinton has commanding leads in most national polls, the most recent UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL, released Monday, showed Clinton and Barack Obama in a statistical dead heat, at 29 percent to 27 percent, with John Edwards in the picture at 20 percent. Link to article

Redlawsk: Romney 'the one to beat' (New York Daily News, Oct. 30)
Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are locked in a virtual tie in Iowa, having left rival John Edwards in a cloud of Hawkeye State dust, a new poll shows. At the same time, Mitt Romney seems to be pulling away from the Republican pack, leaving Rudy Giuliani to vie for second with a suddenly surging Mike Huckabee of Arkansas. "It's clear Romney is the one to beat in Iowa," said DAVID REDLAWSK of the University of Iowa Hawkeye Poll. "At the same time, Huckabee is developing a following among evangelical Christians, which may allow him to make a strong showing." Link to article

Redlawsk comments on Edwards poll dip (Chicago Sun Times, Oct. 30)
John Edwards, the former senator from North Carolina and 2004 vice presidential candidate, is in the fight of his political life. He is slipping in the Iowa polls; he does not draw the mega crowds that follow Sen. Hillary Clinton or Sen. Barack Obama, and he is not pulling in the huge sums of money that are fueling their campaigns. So, wearing blue jeans and an unpressed shirt, he is traveling around rural Iowa, making his pitch to farmers and small-town bankers and local machinists, because that is where he knows he may be able to pull out the caucus-goers. Edwards has a strong appeal for blue-collar workers, with his campaign for union rights and his leftist stand on free trade (which he says has eroded American jobs). He has won the endorsement of 10 state councils of the Service Employees International Union, including Iowa, and other big unions such as the United Steelworkers. He will need all their help. The University of Iowa noted in its poll Monday that among likely caucus-goers, Edwards' support has slipped 6 percentage points since August and he is now at 20 percent, compared with Clinton's 28.9 percent and Obama's 26.6 percent. DAVID REDLAWSK, associate professor of political science at the University of Iowa, says it is still a three-way race, but Edwards has lost ground to Obama. Those supporting Clinton have remained staunch. "Edwards started at an unreasonably high point because he was the candidate here first, so everyone knew him well," Redlawsk says. "As voters started paying attention to the campaign, they started looking at other choices." Link to article

UI poll cited (Human Events, Oct. 30)
A report by the conservative Web site HumanEvents.com on its own poll of conservative voters, in which John McCain polled lowest among Republican candidates, mentions that The UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll released Monday gives McCain only 6 percent in the 2008 GOP presidential field, placing him in fifth among his contenders, and that a New Hampshire Rasmussen poll released Friday places McCain in third with 16 percent. That same Iowa poll placed Huckabee in third and the New Hampshire poll placed him in fourth, six percentage points behind McCain. Judging by these polling results it would seem that Huckabee -- among conservatives -- has replaced McCain as a top tier candidate. Link to article

Pollster questions UI poll method (National Review Online, Oct. 30)
As we see poll numbers coming out of Iowa this fall, we ought to keep in mind that the final preferences of the roughly six percent of registered voters who participate in the caucuses and the leaders in polls conducted in the closing months of the preceding year tend to be distant relations. Pollsters are still accounting for new factors in this year's caucus. What's making it even more complicated this year is that the caucus is on January 3. College students will not be back from vacation, so that's a factor. The whole flow of campaigning will be different -- how do you campaign between Christmas and New Year's? Pollster John McLaughlin notes that the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll released Monday obtained its sample "from a random sample of 35,000 residential phone numbers across the state of Iowa. This list was purchased from an independent company." Caucus-goers were self-identified. McLaughlin expresses skepticism that residential phone numbers are sufficient; he suggests phone lists of previous caucus-goers, or at least primary voters from 2006, would be the better place to start. Link to article

Redlawsk notes Romney strength in Iowa (Deseret News, Oct. 30)
A University of Iowa poll released Monday shows that Mitt Romney continues to be the leading GOP presidential candidate among likely voters in that state's first-in-the-nation party caucuses on Jan. 3. Among Democrats, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York is the favorite, according to the poll, closely followed by Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois. "It's clear Romney is the one to beat in Iowa," said DAVID REDLAWSK, Hawkeye Poll director and a political science professor at the University of Iowa. "His support is now nearly triple his nearest competitor. He leads among all demographic groups, including religious conservatives, and is especially strong among the older voters, who tend to be most likely to attend a caucus." Deseret News is published in Salt Lake City, Utah. Link to article

UI poll shows Edwards support declining (News & Observer, Oct. 30)
Former N.C. Sen. John Edwards, who has tried to make Iowa his springboard to the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, suffered a sharp setback Monday when a new statewide poll showed him slipping to a distant third place nine weeks before the state's influential caucuses. Edwards had support from 20 percent of respondents in the latest UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL -- down from 26 percent in August and 34 percent in March. The poll showed Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama in a statistical dead heat for first place among prospective participants in the Jan. 3 Democratic caucuses. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's growing support among Iowa evangelical Christian voters has made him a rival for second place with former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, according to the Hawkeye Poll. The News & Observer is based in North Carolina. Link to article

UI poll indicated Huckabee surge (New York Sun, Oct. 30)
The quiet man of the Republican presidential race, Mike Huckabee, is becoming the dark horse social conservative candidate who could end up trouncing his better known, better funded rivals. In a poll of Iowa Republicans published yesterday, the former governor of Arkansas is neck and neck with Mayor Giuliani in a tie for second place behind Mitt Romney, who has spent tens of millions, including an injection of his personal wealth, to establish his lead in the bellwether state. The HAWKEYE POLL, conducted by the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, shows Mr. Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, in the clear lead with 36.2 percent support. But in a statistical tie for second place, Mr. Huckabee is at 12.8 percent, while the former New York mayor has 13.1 percent. Link to article

Redlawsk notes fickle nature of young voters (Japan Today, Oct. 30)
A new poll Monday had Obama locked in a tight battle with the former first lady in Iowa, with Edwards in third. Clinton led the new University of Iowa survey with 28.9 percent, followed by Obama with 26.6 percent, with Edwards sliding on 20 percent. "This race in Iowa is more fluid than people give it credit for," said University of Iowa professor DAVID REDLAWSK. The survey showed Obama had ignited new support from young people, while Clinton led among more reliable women and older voters. "The problem for Barack Obama is whether these younger people will go to caucus," said Redlawsk. "Should that happen, Obama has the potential to overtake Clinton." This article also appeared on the Web site of the global news agency AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE. Link to article

UI poll cited (Campaigns & Elections, Oct. 30)
A report on Sen. Barak Obama's MTV/MySpace Forum at Coe College notes that Obama has a reputation for being popular with younger voters, and a new UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll shows him leading his nearest rival by 22 points among likely Democratic caucus-goers under 45. Link to article

UI poll cited (The Hill, Oct. 30)
Tuesday's Democratic presidential debate in Philadelphia will be the first test on the national stage for Sen. Barack Obama to carry through on his pledge to engage rival and Democratic front-runner Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton more directly and forcefully. In a weekend interview with The New York Times, Obama said "now is the time" for him to step up his efforts to knock Clinton off the top spot. A new poll out Monday morning shows the race remains tight in Iowa, where Democrats over the weekend officially decided to move their caucuses to Jan. 3. A UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL showed Clinton leading Obama 29 percent to 27 percent, a statistical tie. Edwards, who led in the state for most of the year, appears to have lost some support in the crucial state, as the poll now shows the former senator at 20 percent. A monthly magazine covering the business and trends of politics, Campaigns and Elections is based in Arlington, Virginia. Link to article

UI student activists work in proximity (Chicago Tribune, Oct. 29)
The epicenter of political activism in Iowa's largest college town is the retail level of a four-story brick apartment building at the corner of Gilbert and College Streets. Tenants include the local presidential campaign offices for Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton, Republican Rudolph Giuliani, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama and Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson. "When there was a tornado warning this summer and everyone had to go down to the parking ramp for shelter, people joked there was going to be a remake of 'West Side Story,' " said Tia Upchurch-Freelove, 19, a leader of Students for Obama at the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA. For now, however, the street fighting for the college vote is only starting to simmer, as the campaigns seek to harness voters whose activism often stops short of actual voting. This item appeared in the newspaper's political blog, The Swamp, which also appears on the Web site of the BALTIMORE SUN. Link to article

UI poll cited (Washington Post, Oct. 29)
Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama and John Edwards sharpened their attacks on Monday on rival front-runner Hillary Clinton as they sought to keep her within striking distance. While Clinton has a big lead in national polls, her advantage in the early voting state of Iowa is only slight. A UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL gave her 28.9 percent support in Iowa, to 26.6 percent to Obama and 20 percent to Edwards. Link to article

UI poll shows Edwards' support slipping (Houston Chronicle, Oct. 29)
John Edwards on Monday cast Democratic front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton and her ties to lobbyists as part of a corrupt Washington system that voters should reject in the presidential election. Although Clinton has become the clear front-runner, she still has a vulnerability -- a tight race in Iowa where Edwards and Barack Obama are within striking distance. But Edwards' support has dropped, according to a UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL out Monday. The poll had Clinton with 29 percent, Obama with 27 and Edwards with 20. Edwards was down six points from August. This Associated Press article was published on the Web sites of dozens of newspapers. Link to article

Redlawsk comments on Huckabee (The Politico, Oct. 30)
A UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL released Monday shows Huckabee gaining ground in Iowa, moving into a statistical tie for second place with Rudy Giuliani and trailing Mitt Romney. "If Huckabee can motivate religious conservatives to attend the caucuses in large numbers, he may well threaten Romney," said DAVID REDLAWSK, director of the poll. Link to article

Redlawsk interviewed about UI poll (NPR-All Things Considered, Oct. 29)
DAVID REDLAWSK, political science professor at the University of Iowa and co-director of the Hawkeye Poll of Iowa caucus-goers, speaks with Melissa Block about his most recent poll. Its preliminary results indicate a tight race between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama on the Democratic side and a strong showing for Mike Huckabee among Republicans. Link to audio file

UI poll, analysis cited (USA Today, Oct. 29)
Two of the newspaper's political reporters report on the results of the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL on the paper's political blog, OnPolitics. Link to article

UI poll shows McCain trailing (Phoenix Business Journal, Oct. 29)
Arizona Sen. John McCain sits in fifth place among Republican presidential contenders in the early battleground state of Iowa, according to a new poll. The UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll released Monday gives McCain 6 percent in the 2008 GOP presidential field. Link to article

Biden sees boost in latest UI poll (News Journal, Oct. 29)
Sen. Joe Biden got a small boost in the latest UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL, moving from less than one percent support in March and August to 5.3 percent this month. The Delaware Democrat came in fifth when Democratic respondents were asked who they would support for president if their caucus were held today. He fell behind Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, former Sen. John Edwards, and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. The newspaper is based in Delaware. Link to article

UI poll cited (CNN.com, Oct. 29)
A new survey of Iowa Republicans out Monday puts Mitt Romney more than 20 points ahead of his closest rivals. The former Massachusetts governor is at 36 percent in the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the GOP front-runner in most national polls, places second at 13 percent and is in a virtual tie with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Link to article

UI poll cited (Guardian Unlimited, Oct. 29)
A good result in Iowa is vital for the Democratic candidates. Both Barack Obama and John Edwards need a win to challenge Hillary Clinton's status as frontrunner for the party's nomination for the presidential election. The three Democratic candidates are pouring money and staff into the small state, where polls show the race is tighter than it is nationwide. A poll published today by the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA has Ms. Clinton on 29 percent, Mr. Obama on 27 percent, and Mr. Edwards on 20 percent in the state, compared with the 20 percent lead that Ms. Clinton averages nationwide. Guardian Unlimited is the Web page of the Manchester (U.K.) Guardian newspaper. Link to article

Redlawsk: No one will catch Romney (Boston Herald, Oct. 29)
With just over two months until the Iowa caucus, former Bay State Gov. Mitt Romney continues to lead the field although a new player is emerging, as Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has gained significant ground, according to a new poll. Romney, who has campaigned relentlessly in Iowa and spent millions on ads there, tops all Republicans with 36.2 percent support from likely caucus voters, according to the University of Iowa Hawkeye poll. University of Iowa professor DAVID REDLAWSK, who conducted the poll, said the results show that Romney remains the clear favorite in Iowa. "We see no . . . candidate catching up to Romney," Redlawsk said. Link to article

UI poll captures opinions on immigration (New York Times, Oct. 29)
Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group in Iowa, but still represent just 3.8 percent of Iowa's population. By most calculations, there are some 37,000 registered Hispanic voters in the state. Yet, as the population has grown, so have concerns. A Hawkeye poll conducted by the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA in August showed that immigration was a "very important" issue to 43 percent of Democrats and 58 percent of Republicans. Those polled had a broad range of ideas about what should be done, from those who supported efforts to make illegal immigrants citizens to those who favored mass deportations. Link to article

UI poll cited (Washington Times, Oct. 29)
A new UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL says the Republican field for that state's caucuses boils down to Mitt Romney and everyone else. Polling for caucuses is difficult, but these results are pretty easy to read. Romney holds a commanding lead, with 36 percent of likely GOP caucus-goers, almost equal to the next three combined. Those three -- Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee and Fred Thompson -- are all bunched together at between 11 percent and 13 percent. Link to article

Redlawsk comments on poll findings (Bloomberg News, Oct. 29)
Democratic senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are in a statistical tie in Iowa among the party's likely caucus-goers, a UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll found. Clinton of New York received 28.9 percent support compared with 26.6 percent for Obama of Illinois. The gap is within the poll's 5.5 percent margin of error for Democrats. In a similar August poll, former North Carolina Senator John Edwards was backed by 26 percent, a near-tie with Clinton's 24.8 percent. Obama received 19.3 percent support in August. In the latest poll, Edwards garnered 20 percent support. "After trailing during most of the year, Clinton is now leading with Obama close behind," said David Redlawsk, director of the poll, during a news conference in Washington. This article also appeared on the website of the OMAHA WORLD HERALD. Link to article

Redlawsk: Obama's youth focus could backfire (Wall Street Journal, Oct. 29)
Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois is in a dead heat with front-runner Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York in the latest Iowa caucus poll, but numbers aside, Iowa polling pros say there are some parallels to be drawn between Obama and 2004 candidate Howard Dean. Obama's polling strength, 27 percent to Clinton's 29 percent, stems significantly from support among 18- to 30-year-olds in the state. "The problem, of course, for Barack Obama is the question of whether these younger people will, in fact, go out to caucus," observed University of Iowa political science professor DAVID REDLAWSK. At a news conference today to unveil the latest Hawkeye Poll numbers, Redlawsk noted that turnout for the nominating vote among younger voters is historically very low, and that the average caucus-goer is "substantially older" and more likely to support Clinton, who leads among Iowans 45 and older. Complicating Iowa for Obama is Sunday's decision by Iowa Democrats to hold the caucus on Jan. 3 -- the earliest ever for the state and at a time when the state's colleges and universities are on winter break, Redlawsk said. "The interesting question becomes ... are they going to schlep back to Iowa to caucus on Jan. 3? I think that's a seriously open question," Redlawsk said, adding that getting students to caucus while at home depends to a large extent on whether their parents will caucus. Link to article

UI poll sees Clinton, Romney winning (ABC News, Oct. 29)
The UNIVERSITY OF IOWA Hawkeye poll sees Clinton and Romney as the winners in the Iowa caucuses. Link to article

Brokaw comments on Brocade (CNN Money, Oct. 29)
The University of Iowa has implemented Brocade Storage Area Network (SAN) directors and switches, and the Brocade Fabric operating system. "At the University of Iowa, we depend on scalable, high-performance storage systems to provide our user community with smooth, uninterrupted access to academic and administrative applications," said PETER BROKAW, Manager of UNIX Systems Administration for UI Information Technology. "Brocade lets us meet current capacity requirements with room to grow as we add new servers and storage devices." Link to article

UI poll cited (MSNBC/New York Times, Oct. 29)
Democrats are being careful in reaching out to Iowa's growing Hispanic population. A poll conducted by the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA in August showed that immigration was a "very important" issue to 43 percent of Democrats and 58 percent of Republicans. Link to article

Anderson met with Obama (New York Times, Oct. 29)
In a reversal from past election cycles, Democratic candidates for president are outpacing Republicans in donations from the health care industry. A photo shows Barack Obama in May with Dr. MARK ANDERSON at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Link to article

UI poll shows tight Democratic race (MSNBC, Oct. 29)
A new UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll shows that Iowa is a dead heat for the top Democrats. Clinton is at 28.9%; Obama is at 26.6%; and Edwards is at 20%. Link to article

UI poll sees Huckabee surge (Time, Oct. 29)
The UNIVERSITY OF IOWA Hawkeye Poll shows that John Edwards is losing steam on the Democratic side while Mike Huckabee is charging at the GOP frontrunners. Link to article

IEM sees Giuliani/Clinton race (Reuters, Oct. 29)
"Traders on the IOWA ELECTRONIC MARKETS, which have been predicting U.S. elections with surprising accuracy for 20 years, are expecting a tight presidential vote next year, with the Democrat narrowly defeating the Republican. And the most likely match-up? Hillary Clinton vs. Rudy Giuliani. The nonprofit market, run by professors at the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA in the key early voting state and allowed to operate since 1988 by special permission, is unique in the United States because it is the only one where investors put real money -- small amounts under $500 -- on the line." Link to article

Romney could win but lose (The New Republic, Oct. 29)
What happens if GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney wins Iowa and he still isn't the big story going into New Hampshire -- because Mike Huckabee's surprisingly strong second-place finish is? The latest UNIVERSITY OF IOWA HAWKEYE POLL suggests that could happen. Link to article

Obama campaign targets UI (Politico, Oct. 26)
University of Wisconsin students traveling to Iowa and manning phone banks for Democratic hopeful Barack Obama will target students at the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA. Politico originates in Washington, D.C. Link to article

Covington comments on Richardson (Albuquerque Tribune, Oct. 26)
CARY COVINGTON, an associate professor of political science at the University of Iowa, said Bill Richardson has reason to be hopeful -- at least that he can come in at the top of the second tier -- in the Iowa Democratic caucus. "He's got a good chance at fourth," he said. Link to article

Redlawsk: campaign harmed by perceptions (Washington Post, Oct. 26)
In some of the early primary states, the Rudy Giuliani campaign's embrace of the conservative establishment and resulting distance from the Republican Party's grass roots -- such as evangelical Christians, who have reacted with suspicion if not hostility to Giuliani -- has looked like a political risk. The campaign in Iowa, said DAVID REDLAWSK, a political scientist at the University of Iowa and the director of the Hawkeye Poll, has been harmed by a perception that it is out of touch, a view that "is partly a consequence of having a campaign that operates from a top-down, East Coast perspective." Link to article

UI poll: gender could be problem for Clinton (Hartford Courant, Oct. 25)
When John F. Kennedy ran for president in 1960 and for years afterward, political analysts disagreed on whether his Catholicism helped him more in northern industrial states than it hurt him in the rest of the country. What his victory did was eliminate Catholicism as an issue, although neither party nominated a Catholic over the next generation. A similar debate is taking place this year over Hillary Rodham Clinton and, if she becomes the first major party female nominee, whether her gender will help or hurt. The latest USA Today/Gallup poll shows she attracts 55 percent of women, compared with 44 percent of men. By contrast, Sen. Barack Obama gets 23 percent of women and 20 percent of men. Still, questions remain. In a UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll last spring, 51 percent of likely Democratic caucus voters said Clinton's gender "will be a problem for her." Link to article

Impact of winter break on caucus unclear (CBS News, Oct. 24)
College students in Iowa may need to snap out of their New Year's Day hangover extra early this year if they want to participate in the state's presidential caucuses. With the Iowa Republican caucuses moved up to Jan. 3, and the Democratic contests possibly happening in the first week of January as well, Iowa students will have to brave the Midwestern winter right after the holidays to vote. Kelsey Sloss, a UNIVERSITY OF IOWA junior who volunteers for the Edwards campaign, will caucus from her campus address in Iowa City regardless of the date. She says that her home precinct is already leaning toward Edwards, but Iowa City is Obama country -- so her vote will add more value there. Link to article

Redlawsk incorporates caucuses into class (New York Times, Oct. 23)
Stepping into a polling booth and pulling a lever or pushing a button is too easy for Iowans. Instead, the state's leadoff presidential caucuses are more of an event, complete with labyrinthine twists and turns that begin a year or more in advance of the chilly winter night when Democrats and Republicans gather separately in their precincts to vote. Two Iowa professors are helping make sense out of the caucus process that often puzzles voters, candidates and political operatives. At the University of Iowa in Iowa City, professor DAVID REDLAWSK is teaching courses and a seminar that focus on the caucuses. Among those courses will be an intensive three-week course that starts Dec. 26, just as interest in the caucuses will likely be peaking. That course is also open to students and non-students. "We'll be stumbling over candidates," Redlawsk said. "It's going to be very, very exciting." The same story appeared on the Web sites of the SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER and WASHINGTON POST. Link to article

Squire: Voters may vote on appearance alone for lack of information (USA Today, Oct. 23)
Candidates campaign on the issues, but new research shows some people are swayed by looks alone. Although rendering a snap judgment on a candidate's competence with just a quick glance may seem a superficial way to judge people, a Princeton University study finds that such reasoning accurately predicted election outcomes in about 70 percent of gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races last year. PEVERILL SQUIRE, a political science professor at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, says people make such judgments in their personal lives but are less likely to do so in voting unless they don't have much information. "For the most part, people vote on the basis of their party identification," he says. "But when you don't have any other cues to guide you, then you seize on what's available, and personal appearance is. Most of the time you have additional information." Link to article

Gronbeck discusses Iowa caucus campaign (Minnesota Public Radio, Oct. 22)
BRUCE GRONBECK, director of the University of Iowa Center for Media Studies and Political Culture, was a guest on the Minnesota Public Radio Midday to discuss the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary campaigns. Link to audio file

Leicht comments on campaign styles (Boston Globe, Oct. 20)
Presidential candidates take different tacks to connect with Iowa voters. "The voters here like personal connections. They like to see you, to see how you answer questions, how you connect with a crowd," said KEVIN LEICHT, a professor of political sociology at the University of Iowa. "You don't have to go out of your way to come across as one of them to do that, and I think to some extent Giuliani and Romney have different takes about how to do that, and are clearly playing to their strengths." Link to article

Squire comments on caucus-date move (ABC Australia, Oct. 19)
The decision by the Iowa GOP to move its caucus date to Jan. 3 will push the campaign back into the holiday season, with the possibility of voters receiving more campaign literature than Christmas cards. PEVERILL SQUIRE, a visiting political scientist at the University of Iowa, said, "The candidates are going to have to try to figure out how best to intrude on this holiday season. I think they're going to have to resist the desire to attack their opponents, and they're probably going to be reluctant to try to make too many phone calls or have too many attempts to try to interpose themselves into the holiday season." Link to article

Redlawsk: all three candidates still in contention (MSNBC, Oct. 18)
National opinion polls make the race look like a foregone conclusion, with Hillary Clinton supported by nearly half of likely Democratic voters, compared with 21 percent for Barack Obama and 12 percent for John Edwards. But the contest is much closer in Iowa, where Clinton is backed by about 29 percent of Democrats, compared with 24 percent for Obama and 21 percent for Edwards. DAVID REDLAWSK, political scientist at the University of Iowa, says the situation remains "extremely fluid," with all three main candidates still in contention. "A lot of caucus-goers do not make their decision until the last couple of weeks," he says, referring to Iowa's unique caucus voting system. Link to article

Redlawsk comments on caucus date (Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise, Oct. 18)
Iowa Republicans on Tuesday moved their presidential caucuses ahead to Jan. 3 and said they would not push the contest into December, even if another state tries to jump ahead. The date means there will be a lot of holiday-time campaigning in Iowa. "A very early January caucus clearly means that instead of taking a break during the holidays and then having two more weeks to ramp it up, candidates could have no choice, I think, but to be in Iowa Dec. 26 on through," said DAVID REDLAWSK, a University of Iowa political scientist. This paper is based in Oklahoma. Link to article

UI Hawkeye Poll cited in column on Clinton (Dallas Morning News, Oct. 18)
In a UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll last spring, 51 percent of likely Democratic caucus goers said Mrs. Clinton's gender "will be a problem for her." Others say she still has a polarizing image. Link to article

Squire: endorsement benefits Giuliani (Austin American-Statesman, Oct. 18)
Texas Gov. Rick Perry's endorsement of Rudy Giuliani for president Wednesday could help the moderate ex-mayor of New York strengthen his claim to conservative credentials, though it's not likely to have a dramatic impact on the Republican campaign outside the Lone Star State, three authorities speculated. "Giuliani does benefit from the endorsement," said PEVERILL SQUIRE, a political analyst at the University of Iowa, "because it is another signal from a prominent conservative that the former mayor is an acceptable candidate. This helps Giuliani shed his moderate image and gives Iowa conservatives another reason to consider his candidacy. Link to article

Giuliani speaks to UI students (Agence France-Presse, Oct. 18)
As the wind howled and rain poured outside, Giuliani stepped into the Iowa Memorial Union late Wednesday with dry shoes and a winning smile for the hundreds of locals waiting for their first glimpse of the Republican front-runner. The city slicker happened to be in arguably the most Democratic county in Iowa. But the candidate wasn't worried. Signs posted on the wall reminded him that he is 'America's Mayor.' "There are more Democrats here than in New York," he joked to the crowd of about 600. Giuliani ended his day of campaigning across the state in Iowa City, home to the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA and also one of the largest student chapters of 'Students for Rudy. Link to article

Election roundup notes Giuliani's UI stop (MSNBC, Oct. 18)
The candidate did something he hasn't done a lot of so far this fall: visit Iowa. Rudy Giuliani's visit to the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA campus "was his first this election season and the first by a Republican candidate in the 2008 race. Giuliani has held 34 events in the state of Iowa since January, second only to New Hampshire, where he's held 38," according to the Washington Post. He's also the only GOP contender with an office in Iowa City. Link to article

Analysis includes quote from Obama's UI visit (The New Republic, Oct. 17)
"We've become so accustomed to just assuming that 45 percent of the country is red and 45 percent is blue. . . . Even if we [eke out a victory], we can't govern. There's gridlock," Sen. Barak Obama told a crowd at the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA. "My belief was that I could change the political map and end gridlock." He added: "If we could gain a 60 percent majority on any of these issues, we could actually get something done. My goal . . . is finding that 60 percent majority." Link to article

Iowa Republicans reschedule caucus date (MSNBC, Oct. 17)
Iowa Republicans on Tuesday rescheduled their presidential nominating caucuses to Jan. 3 in response to other states scheduling early contests. The new date means a lot of holiday-time campaigning in the state. "A very early January caucus clearly means that instead of taking a break during the holidays and then having two more weeks to ramp it up, candidates could have no choice, I think, but to be in Iowa Dec. 26 on through," said DAVID REDLAWSK, a University of Iowa political scientist. "I guess we could imagine candidate-based New Year's Eve parties." The ASSOCIATED PRESS article also appeared on the Web sites of the TOLEDO (Ohio) BLADE, ARIZONA DAILY STAR, WASHINGTON TIMES, BALTIMORE SUN, FOXNEWS.COM, BALTIMORE SUN, and several other media outlets. Link to article

Squire notes impact caucus date change (Detroit Free Press, Oct. 17)
Ready for presidential politics in the middle of Christmas? Campaign volunteers elbowing carolers off the porch? That's the prospect facing voters in Iowa now that the Iowa Republican Party moved Tuesday to hold its presidential precinct caucuses Jan. 3, the earliest by far in history. It's far from certain the campaigns can get volunteers to knock on doors and make phone calls during the holidays. Many are college students who will be on break. "It certainly complicates things for the campaigns," said PEVERILL SQUIRE, a University of Iowa political scientist. The article also appeared in the SEATTLE TIMES and MIAMI HERALD. Link to article

Redlawsk comments on caucus date change (CBS News, Oct. 16)
The Iowa Republican Party is shifting its first-in-the-nation caucuses from Jan. 14 ahead to Jan. 3, which means that Iowa Republicans will be gathering in school lunchrooms, libraries, and living rooms while still recovering from New Year's revelry and the college football marathon. "I think part of what it means is that Iowans are going to be having candidates over for Christmas as well as their families and friends," University of Iowa professor DAVID REDLAWSK told CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield. This new date could prove most troublesome for long-shot candidates who need time for their under-funded retail campaigns to connect with voters. "For those long shot candidates they've got to push even harder during that holiday season and I think that's going to be very, very difficult for them," Redlawsk said. Link to article

Covington stresses value of party leaders in caucuses (USA Today, Oct. 16)
Iowa's caucuses are tests of grassroots organizing because it's harder to motivate people to spend hours on a cold night listening to speeches about candidates and choosing which to support than persuading them to spend a few minutes voting. Campaigns spend millions of dollars to identify supporters and ensure they are enthused enough to show up. That's why the investment the campaigns are -- or are not -- making here might provide clues to their strength across the state. At this stage of the campaign, candidates are recruiting party leaders and activists who in turn can influence their acquaintances, says CARY COVINGTON, who teaches political science at the University of Iowa. "It's never too early," he says, and successful candidates usually decide "wherever there are delegates, that's where you go." Link to article

Edwards discusses SEIU endorsement at UI (Chicago Tribune, Oct. 16)
Unable to secure an endorsement on the national level, Democratic presidential contender John Edwards was still able to gain the backing Monday of 10 state councils of the politically powerful Service Employees International Union, including those of Iowa, California, Michigan and Ohio. "I didn't just appear before them to try to get political support. I've been out there in the trenches with them for the cause," the former North Carolina senator said at a rally of supporters at the Eckstein Medical Research facility at the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA. Link to article

Gronbeck explains low Richardson poll numbers to New Mexicans (ABC News, Oct. 15)
Almost every week, voters in New Mexico make concerned phone calls to a small office on the campus of the University of Iowa. They're worried about the low poll numbers in the state for their favorite son, Gov. Bill Richardson, and they want political science professor BRUCE GRONBECK to explain the discrepancy between the presidential candidate's popularity at home and in Iowa. "They know him and like him and they don't understand why he's not doing better," Gronbeck said about Richardson, who consistently polls fourth in Iowa. "Well, there's a reason for that. Richardson spent the first few months going around Iowa giving us his resume -- 'Look how good I am' -- and that turned some people off." Link to article

Redlawsk: race, gender matter in election (Detroit Free Press, Oct. 14)
DAVID REDLAWSK, a University of Iowa political scientist and pollster, says race and gender do matter, even with the success of Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. A University of Iowa poll conducted in March found that 90.9 percent of likely Democratic caucus-goers said a candidate's race wasn't important to them; 92.9 percent said gender was irrelevant. But when asked whether Obama's race or Clinton's gender could hurt them in a general election, 40.4 percent said yes for Obama and 51 percent said yes for Clinton. Link to article

UI poll cited (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Oct. 14)
A UNIVERSITY OF IOWA poll conducted in March found that 90.9 percent of likely Democratic caucus-goers said a candidate's race wasn't important; 92.9 percent said gender was irrelevant. Link to article

UI retiree comments on Republicans and Clinton (Journal News, Oct. 14)
A story about Hillary Clinton's health care proposal notes that many are skeptical of Republicans' characterization of the plan as socialized medicine. Janice Carpenter of Iowa City, a retiree from the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA who is leaning toward supporting Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois for the Democratic nomination, said, "I just think the Republicans and the right wing hate Hillary so much, no matter what she said would be disagreeable to them. ... And that's leftover from her husband's administration. She managed to conjure up some really hard feelings." The Journal News is published in Westchester County, N.Y. The same story appeared on the Web site of the ITHACA (N.Y.) JOURNAL. Link to article

Gronbeck warns about attack strategy (UPI, Oct. 13)
If he continues to attack Hillary Clinton in the weeks ahead, Barack Obama threatens to erode his image as a positive campaigner and risks alienating his base, said BRUCE GRONBECK, director of the University of Iowa Center for Media Studies and Political Culture. This story is appearing widely. Link to article

Squire comments on impact of Clinton's vote (Boston Globe, Oct. 11)
For months, Hillary Rodham Clinton's Democratic rivals watched in frustration as she smoothly pivoted away from her 2002 Senate vote authorizing military action in Iraq. Now her vote on a measure designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization has raised new concerns among anti-war activists. And it has given her opponents, especially Barack Obama, a fresh chance to question the former first lady's judgment on matters of war and peace. Even so, PEVERILL SQUIRE, a political scientist at the University of Iowa, said he didn't think Clinton's vote would hurt her chances in the long term. This AP story appeared on the Web sites of YORK (Pa.) DAILY RECORD, THE HINDU, India's national daily newspaper, FOX News and 40 other news organizations. Link to article

Squire comments on Michigan primary field (Los Angeles Times, Oct. 10)
Half of the Democratic presidential candidates withdrew from Michigan's Jan. 15 primary Tuesday, leaving Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York as the only top-tier candidate still on the ballot. It was unclear whether the four candidates who withdrew had coordinated their decisions in hopes that Iowa and New Hampshire voters, who take seriously their "first in the nation" nominating contests, would be influenced by Clinton remaining in the Michigan race. PEVERILL SQUIRE, a visiting professor and political analyst at the University of Iowa, doubted that such a strategy would sway many in Iowa. "Most people don't pay attention to what's happening in Michigan and Florida," Squire said. "You have to take good care of your scorecard to make sure you know who's doing what, where. So I don't think Iowans will be out to hold it against her if she's on the [Michigan] ballot, particularly if she doesn't campaign there." Link to article

Candidates advertise in Iowa (Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 9)
For years, the rationale for starting the presidential selection process in Iowa and New Hampshire has been that their small populations encourage "retail politics," allowing personal contact between voter and candidate. But one of the other prime attractions of Iowa and New Hampshire -- one that politicians rarely discuss -- is the relatively low cost of airing television commercials. "You need a ground game, and you need to be on the air," said PEVERILL SQUIRE, a visiting professor of political science at the University of Iowa. Link to article

Redlawsk comments on Democratic candidates' strategies (Capitol Hill Blue, Oct. 8)
A story about Democratic presidential candidates' strategies to set themselves apart from apparent front-runner Hillary Clinton notes that John Edwards mentions only her, and none of the other candidates, in attacks. "He wants to make it Clinton (versus) Edwards," said DAVID REDLAWSK, a University of Iowa political science professor and Johnson County Democratic Party organizer." He doesn't want to give Obama anything else at this point." Link to article

Squire: Iowa GOP wants to like Thompson (San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct. 8)
A story about criticism of Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson's lack of specifics in detailing his proposals notes that his vagueness isn't hurting his appeal among Iowans. "There are Republicans who are adrift right now and don't find the other candidates very appealing," said PEVERILL SQUIRE, a political scientist at the University of Iowa and longtime observer of the Iowa caucuses. "They very much want to like Thompson. He has a certain persona that can be comforting to people who want to like him. . . . He makes people feel comfortable and content without necessarily having a lot of substance to his comments." Link to article

Story notes UI influence on Obama caucus support (New York Times, Oct. 8)
A story about Barack Obama's appeal to youthful voters discusses the probability that the Iowa caucuses will be held in early January next year. The original take was that, given the assumption that Obama does better with that age cohort, he would be hurt in places like Iowa City, home of the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, which has just under 30,000 students, if school was out. But because of the way caucus results are tallied, it might actually be better for Obama if students are back home (assuming they live in Iowa, and actually go home for winter break) going to caucuses in local communities where support for Obama might not be so high. Link to article

Redlawsk says Clinton is underperforming in Iowa (New York Journal News, Oct. 6)
The Hillary Clinton campaign is hitting high gear in Iowa. "You'd have to say that in Iowa she's underperforming compared to anywhere else," said David Redlawsk, an associate professor of political science at the University of Iowa. "Which is why you see them ramping up now." Link to article

Squire comments on Thompson campaign (Boston Globe, Oct. 5)
GOP presidential hopeful Fred Thompson has been spending some time in the early voting state of Iowa. PEVERILL SQUIRE, a University of Iowa political expert, said he has received mixed reviews. "I think there are some people who find his sort of lackadaisical style sort of appealing, but I think it worries others," said Squire. "He probably needs a bit more work on his campaign before he's ready to really hold his own with the voters." Link to article

Covington comments on Obama strategy (Politico, Oct. 5)
Barack Obama is getting tough on Hillary Clinton in recent Iowa speeches. "He can't just be negative. He can't say Hillary Clinton is a bad candidate, because that's not going to sell well, and it's just going to make him look bad," said CARY COVINGTON, a political science professor at the University of Iowa. "He does have to start talking about -- and you're seeing this happening -- 'What are my advantages over her?'" Politico originates in DC. Link to article

Squire comments on reasons for Obama's stagnant poll numbers (CNN, Oct. 4)
PEVERILL SQUIRE, University of Iowa visiting political science professor, weighed in as part of a dialogue facilitated by Candy Crowley, CNN senior political correspondent, that included discussing factors contributing to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's stagnant national poll numbers. Link to article

Redlawsk questions payoff of endorsements for Biden (NY Metro, Oct. 4)
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden remains mired in single digits in Iowa polls, but he's racking up support from the state's legislators. Biden has the backing of 10 legislators, including the House majority leader. That makes him at least competitive with top tier rivals Barack Obama, who has one more endorsement, and Hillary Rodham Clinton, who garnered the most endorsements. He also has more endorsements than John Edwards, who is vying with Obama and Clinton for the lead in Iowa polls. Such endorsements can give candidates a boost, but University of Iowa political science professor DAVE REDLAWSK questioned the payoff when Iowans meet for the caucuses, which lead off the nation's presidential nominating process. This ASSOCIATED PRESS story appeared in NY METRO, a global free daily newspaper designed for young professionals that is published in New York, Boston and Philadelphia in the United States as well as in other countries. Link to article

Obama discusses plans in Iraq during UI visit (SouthCoast Today, Oct. 4)
Republican Rudy Giuliani compared Hillary Rodham Clinton to 1972 Democratic nominee George McGovern on Wednesday and chided his rival for adding a Southern lilt to her voice as he intensified his criticism. In early voting Iowa, rival Barack Obama announced a plan to force Iraq war contractors to follow federal law. "We cannot win a fight for hearts and minds when we outsource critical missions to unaccountable contractors," the Illinois senator said at the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA in Iowa City. This ASSOCIATED PRESS story was published in SOUTHCOAST TODAY, based in New Bedford, Mass. Link to article

Obama announces contractor plan at UI (The Times Picayune, Oct. 4)
In early voting Iowa, rival Barack Obama announced a plan to force Iraq war contractors to follow federal law. "We cannot win a fight for hearts and minds when we outsource critical missions to unaccountable contractors," the Illinois senator said at the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA in Iowa City. This Associated Press story also appeared on the Web sites of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, the BAYTOWN (Texas) SUN, the KNOXVILLE (Tenn.) NEWS SENTINEL, the NORTH COUNTY TIMES of San Diego, Calif., THE LEDGER of Lakeland, Fl., and many other news organizations. Link to article

Obama discusses Blackwater during UI visit (Baltimore Sun, Oct. 4)
Sen. Barack Obama charged today that a private security firm operating in Iraq has acted "with reckless disregard to Iraqi life," as he called his proposals to better monitor such contractors the toughest reforms offered by any candidate in the presidential race. Although Obama has previously mentioned Blackwater USA, the Illinois Democrat drew greater attention to the firm's actions in an extended discussion on the UNIVERSITY OF IOWA campus. "Most contractors act as if the law doesn't apply to them," he said. "Under my plan, if contractors break the law, they will be prosecuted." Link to article

Gronbeck: war 'centerpiece' in voters' minds (RealClearPolitics.com, Oct. 4)
Obama's focus on Iraq has not been entirely of his own choosing. "For better or worse, the war is going to be the centerpiece" in voters' minds, University of Iowa Professor BRUCE GRONBECK said. But any campaign needs to expand its repertoire. "As we move into the fall and the war theme gets beaten to pieces, candidates have simply had to open up the domestic side of their agenda." Link to article

Redlawsk: Obama speaking to 'wrong audience' (Campaigns & Elections, Oct. 3)
Recent conventional wisdom has held that Barack Obama is stuck in second place behind U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and that the Illinois senator with the optimistic, unifying rhetoric needs to take her on directly to make headway, which Iowans heard more of yesterday. "The people who go to caucuses aren't particularly interested in [unifying rhetoric]. They're much more interested in red-meat Democratic issues," said University of Iowa professor DAVID REDLAWSK. "And it isn't, 'we're going to win by reaching across to Republicans.' He's speaking right now to the wrong audience... He's got to nail down the nomination first." Link to article

Candidates court UI Democrats' leader (Chronicle of Higher Ed, Oct. 3)
Democratic presidential candidates who want to succeed at the University of Iowa are "sucking up" to ATUL NAKHASI, a junior who is president of the institution's student-Democrats group, reports The Wall Street Journal. In the article, headlined "Iowa's Campus Kingmaker," the Journal describes how Mr. Nakhasi has revitalized the group and is making sure it plays a prominent role in candidates' campus visits. So far he has given Hillary Rodham Clinton an awkward onstage hug, received a handwritten thank you from her husband, and lunched privately with Joseph R. Biden Jr., the newspaper reports. Mr. Nakhasi also facilitated a campus visit by Bill Richardson and is scheduled to be onstage today when Barack Obama shows up at the university. Link to article

Hagle comments on 'Camp Obama' (Chicago Journal, Oct. 3)
Camp Obama is a two-day training session for people who wish to become organizers for Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Some experts say it's incredibly important to utilize grassroots campaigning in advance of the primaries since candidates won't receive assistance from their respective parties until they've been chosen for the general election. TIM HAGLE, an associate professor of political science at the University of Iowa, said Camp Obama has followed the right idea by grouping volunteers and teaching them the important basics of political campaigning. "You want to have some consistency to how the message is approached," Hagle said. "The trick is making it fresh." The CHICAGO JOURNAL is based in Oak Park, Ill. Link to article

UI Democrats president noted as campaign player (Wall Street Journal, Oct. 3)
A hand-written thank-you from Bill Clinton and a private lunch with Sen. Joe Biden are becoming normal fare for UNIVERSITY OF IOWA junior Atul Nakhasi. "They're sucking up to me," the 19-year-old pre-med student said with a chuckle, "and I don't mind it." The ambitious, energetic president of the University of Iowa Democrats has cleverly plotted to turn his once-moribund organization into a sought-after player in the Iowa caucuses, where the first delegates in the 2008 presidential campaign will be chosen. Today (Wednesday, Oct. 3) Nakhasi will be on the stage when Barack Obama speaks to the campus. While the spotlight is on the candidates, Nakhasi's tale is one of how peripheral players around the country are seizing on the sprawling race for the White House to advance their causes. "He knows every single organizer of the campaigns," marveled Mark Bowers, 19, president of Hawkeyes for John Edwards, "and they all, obviously, want him to support that candidate." Link to article

UI in the National News Archives