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CNN
18 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
Iowa Democrats face long odds to regain their top spot ahead of the 2028 primaries
Primary elections US elections Democratic Natl Committee Democratic Natl ConventionFacebookTweetLink Follow Ahead of the 2024 presidential primaries, Iowa Democrats launched a Hail Mary to save their status as an early nominating state. Chastened by the disastrous rollout of an app in 2020 that delayed the results of that year's caucuses, the state party switched to a vote-by-mail primary and made its pitch alongside dozens of other states vying to go first. It also warned that moving Iowa out of first would give Republicans an opening to claim Democrats had abandoned the state. It didn't work. And two years after the Democratic National Committee made South Carolina the first primary state, overhauled the early nominating state window and demoted Iowa at the behest of former President Joe Biden, the future of Iowa's Democratic caucuses looks bleaker than ever. Iowa must now compete against dozens of other states when the party begins its deliberations on the 2028 calendar, a process that could begin as early as later this year. The state party has lost its voice on the DNC's powerful rules and bylaws committee that runs the process, while rival early states Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina gained a seat each, as did Michigan, which moved up the calendar in 2024. The final makeup of the 2028 primary calendar will be critical to what strategies presidential campaigns employ and which candidates gain traction. Iowans are quick to note that their caucuses boosted the campaigns of former presidents Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama as well as former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Republicans are expected to keep the start of their primary calendar in Iowa. Critics of the caucuses, however, argue that the early states should reflect the diversity of the nation and overlap with the swing states Democrats need to win the general election. Even Democrats who support Iowa having an early say in the process are willing to let go of the caucus system, which critics say lacks the accessibility and flexibility of primary elections. Under the traditional caucuses system, voters physically gather in places such as schools and churches the evening of the election and go through a series of votes, weeding out candidates who fail to gain enough support. The process can take hours. 'A generation of us have a lot of romanticism about the Iowa caucuses, and I do mourn that in some ways, but I think in the interest of fairness, making people stand for three hours in a gymnasium is just probably not the fairest way to do things,' said one Democratic strategist who has worked on several Iowa political campaigns. DNC officials have insisted that the process to apply to be an early state will be open. Chairman Ken Martin said throughout his campaign to lead the committee that the calendar criteria should be to design a schedule that's rigorous, efficient and would battle test candidates. 'The DNC is committed to running a fair, transparent, and rigorous process for the 2028 primary calendar. All states will have an opportunity to participate,' DNC communications director Abhi Rahman said in a statement. 'Iowa's DNC members and Chair Rita Hart are fierce advocates for Iowa Democrats and they will have their voices heard during that process.' Hart, the Iowa Democratic Party chair, said her current focus is on winning elections in 2026, when her party will contest an open governor's seat, a US Senate seat, and the state's four congressional seats, at least two of which are competitive. 'I do expect to have tough and direct conversations with the DNC regarding our Iowa caucuses and the serious concerns surrounding the Biden 2024 calendar,' Hart said. 'National Democrats let Trump get a head-start in the 2024 campaign by excluding Iowa.' The uncertainty hasn't stopped potential 2028 Democratic presidential candidates from adding Iowa to their early-state tours. Buttigieg held a May town hall in Cedar Rapids, where he reminded the crowd of his narrow 2020 caucuses win five years earlier. Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego will appear at the Iowa State Fair, long seen as a rite of passage for presidential hopefuls, in August. And former US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, who is now a CNN commentator, will be the guest of honor at a party fish fry in September. 'People default to what they've done in the past,' said Molly Magarik, an outgoing DNC rules and bylaws committee member from Delaware who doesn't support keeping Iowa first. 'And so absent an alternative process, it doesn't surprise me that people are still going to run the old playbook.' Within Iowa Democratic circles, there has been some debate about how hard the state should fight to keep its early-state status or if Democrats there should just ignore the DNC altogether. Pete D'Alessandro, a longtime Iowa Democratic strategist who worked on Bernie Sanders' presidential campaigns and supports either caucuses or a primary, argued that Iowa Democrats should just set their date and ignore any potential consequences from the DNC, including a loss of delegates. Candidates, he said, would likely still show up, especially as the Republicans' caucuses draw media attention. 'I'm gonna let you down a little secret, as someone who's worked on these campaigns: They're not coming here for the delegates,' he said.
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
A big chunk of Ozzy Osbourne's legacy? Biting the head off a bat in Middle America
Ozzy Osbourne biting the head off of a dead bat became a big chunk of rock history, and his own. The Grammy-winning Prince of Darkness and legendary rocker died at 76 on July 22, just weeks after reuniting with his band Black Sabbath for a final show in England. "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy has passed away this morning," Osbourne's family said in a statement. "He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time." But decades ago — in front of an audience of around 5,000 people — the legendary rocker chomped and chewed on a dead, flying mammal at Veterans Memorial Auditorium (now Iowa Events Center) in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 20, 1982. More: Ozzy Osbourne was rock 'n' roll's 'Prince of Darkness.' How he got the twisted nickname "The name of the town of Des Moines is embossed in my head!" Osbourne told The Des Moines Register, part of the USA TODAY Network, in November 2001, on the eve of his first concert since the incident. "I've had some mileage from Des Moines!" The Des Moines bat was dead, according to Mark Neal, who was 17 at the time. His younger brother had brought the bat home from school, alive and flapping, about two weeks before the concert. Neal believed the bat was dead, but Osbourne argued he felt the head twitch in his mouth − leading him to suspect it was alive when bitten. Carmen Kelly, one of Neal's friends, suggested keeping it for the upcoming Osbourne show, so he stored it in a freezer. Rock star Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76, weeks after final Black Sabbath show On show night, after winning Osbourne tickets from a local radio station, Neal tucked the bat into his pocket, found a close enough spot to the stage, and chucked it toward the band. "It landed in front of Rudy Sarzo, the bass player," Neal said. "He looked down at it and motioned to Ozzy and, as they say, the rest is history." "It really freaked me out," Neal told a reporter in 1982. "I won't get in any trouble for admitting this, will I?" After the concert ended, Osbourne was treated at a local hospital with rabies shots. Then, years later, a different Osbourne settled down in Iowa, years after her father bit the bat. What led to Ozzy Osbourne infamously biting the head off a bat in Des Moines? Kelly Osbourne, Sid Wilson get engaged in front of her parents Ozzy and Sharon: Watch "Fashion Police" alum and podcast host Kelly Osbourne, 40, lives part-time outside Des Moines, Iowa, with her fiancé Sid Wilson, 48, of Slipknot, whom she got engaged to at her dad's farewell tour earlier this month. The daughter of Ozzy and TV personality Sharon Osbourne, 72, also parents to 39-year-old Jack Osbourne, revealed on Instagram last year that "a lot of people don't know this about Sid and I, but we do actually live in Iowa. And I love being in Iowa. love Iowans." This time, Des Moines is embossed on her father's heart. Contributing: Kyle Munson, Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez, Matthew Leimkuehler, The Des Moines Register
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Top WH officials encourage Ernst to run again in private meeting
Top White House officials privately met with Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa this week encouraging her to run for reelection in an effort to preserve the GOP majority. The Tuesday meeting was held at the White House and included President Donald Trump's chief of staff Susie Wiles and deputy chief of staff James Blair, according to two White House officials granted anonymity to discuss details of the meeting. The two implored Ernst to run for a third term, telling her the White House would 'love to have her in the Senate,' though she has not definitively reached a decision yet, according to one of the officials. The meeting comes as Senate Republicans have braced for Ernst, 55, to retire. Despite saying last year she intended to run for reelection, she has faced recent setbacks: losing her bid for the No. 3 spot in Senate GOP leadership and facing scrutiny from MAGA allies for voicing early concerns about Trump's pick for Defense secretary, Pete Hegseth. She also earned a spate of harsh media coverage when she responded to town hall attendees angry about Medicaid cuts by saying, 'Well, we all are going to die.' Bryan Kraber, her campaign manager, said Ernst has no plans to tap the brakes. 'Senator Ernst has been proud to partner with President Trump,' he said. 'She will continue to work with him to deliver for Iowans. With over $3.4 million cash on hand and the strong support in every corner of the state, Joni isn't slowing down anytime soon.' Iowa would not be an easy win for Democrats – Trump carried the state by 13 points in 2024 – regardless of Ernst's decision and the Trump administration is confident they will keep the seat. 'If she chooses not to run then we'll be fine, " said one of the White House officials. 'We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.' Ernst would be the fourth Senate Republican to call it quits ahead of 2026, joining Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, who is running for governor. The White House and Trump intend to be involved in 2026 midterm races, said the same official. The White House recently held private conversations about a backup candidate for Sen. Susan Collins in case she decided not to run for reelection in Maine.
Politico
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Top WH officials encourage Ernst to run again in private meeting
The meeting comes as Senate Republicans have braced for Ernst, 55, to retire. Despite saying last year she intended to run for reelection, she has faced recent setbacks: losing her bid for the No. 3 spot in Senate GOP leadership and facing scrutiny from MAGA allies for voicing early concerns about Trump's pick for Defense secretary, Pete Hegseth. She also earned a spate of harsh media coverage when she responded to town hall attendees angry about Medicaid cuts by saying, 'Well, we all are going to die.' Bryan Kraber, her campaign manager, said Ernst has no plans to tap the brakes. 'Senator Ernst has been proud to partner with President Trump,' he said. 'She will continue to work with him to deliver for Iowans. With over $3.4 million cash on hand and the strong support in every corner of the state, Joni isn't slowing down anytime soon.' Iowa would not be an easy win Democrats – President Donald Trump carried the state by 13 points in 2024 – regardless of Ernst's decision and the Trump administration is confident they will keep the seat. 'If she chooses not to run then we'll be fine, " said one of the White House officials. 'We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.' Ernst would be the fourth Senate Republican to call it quits ahead of 2026, joining North Carolina Senator Tom Tillis, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell and Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, who is running for governor.
Newsweek
18-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Risks Turning Iowa Into a Swing State: 'People Are Pissed Off'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Donald Trump's once-solid grip on Iowa may be loosening, as voters voice concerns over his policies on healthcare, renewable energy and agriculture — signaling the "first in the nation" presidential nominating state could again become a battleground. For nearly a decade, Iowa has leaned Republican. Trump carried it by 9 points in 2016, 8 points in 2020, and about the same in 2024. "Iowans understand that President Donald Trump is the most consequential president of our lifetimes," wrote Joe Mitchell, a former Republican state lawmaker, in the Des Moines Register. "We would vote for him three more times if we could." But national polls and local sentiment suggest his margin of support is narrowing. Democrats and independents argue that key parts of Trump's agenda — from cutting Medicaid to promoting cane sugar over corn syrup — are alienating voters in this farm-heavy state. Ben Nuckels, a Democratic strategist, told Newsweek that Trump and his allies are "gutting health care, decimating Iowa's rural hospitals, cutting food assistance, exploding the federal deficit, and raising costs — all to give massive tax giveaways to their billionaire coastal donors." Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledges supporters during his caucus night event at the Iowa Events Center on January 15, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa. Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledges supporters during his caucus night event at the Iowa Events Center on January 15, 2024 in Des Moines, Iowa. Photo byHe cited an analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation showing that Iowa's rural hospitals — which make up nearly 68 percent of the state's community hospitals — stand to lose $4.45 billion in Medicaid funding under Trump's policies. "Republicans talk about rural values, then cut the clinics and hospitals rural families depend on," Nuckels said. Rural Discontent Grows Iowa hasn't been considered a swing state in years, but that could be changing, according to Julie Stauch, an Iowa Democrat and former gubernatorial candidate. "People on the ground here are definitely very angry about a wide variety of things Republicans are doing," she told Newsweek. "They're allowing themselves to be intimidated by a bully... but voters feel the impact of those decisions." She hears daily concerns about Medicaid cuts, clean water problems, and declining support for public schools. Trump's push for Coca-Cola and other companies to replace corn syrup with imported cane sugar has sparked particular outrage in Iowa, where corn is a cornerstone of the economy. Farmers fear the move not only undercuts one of their key markets but also shifts economic benefits to Florida — the nation's top cane sugar producer — at Iowa's expense. "All of our corn sweetener comes from American farms, raised by American farmers and processed in American plants," said Mark Mueller, a corn and soybean farmer from Waverly, Iowa, who told Newsweek the move was "a betrayal" of Trump's own "America First" pledge. Cameron Sorgenfrey holds a tall corn stalk next to a short corn stalk along one of his fields, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Wyoming, Iowa. Cameron Sorgenfrey holds a tall corn stalk next to a short corn stalk along one of his fields, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, in Wyoming, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall/AP "What happened to the 'Make it in America' mindset?" Mueller asked, warning that even a small hit to corn prices — just a nickel or dime per bushel — could crush farmers in an industry already operating on razor-thin margins. The Corn Refiners Association, an industry trade group, backed Mueller's concerns, estimating that eliminating high-fructose corn syrup from U.S. food and beverage supply chains could cut corn prices by up to 34 cents a bushel and result in a $5.1 billion loss in farm revenue. "The resulting economic shockwave would lead to rural job losses and significant economic consequences to communities across the country," the group said in a statement. Stauch likened the voter mood to a tsunami gathering offshore. "By the time we get to the election, I think we're going to find out we have a tidal wave on our hands," she said. "People are pissed off. They're angry." Republicans Remain Confident Still, Republicans remain publicly confident in Trump's standing. Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann told Fox News in July that Trump "hasn't forgotten who brought him to the dance," calling his return to the state for Independence Day celebrations "very symbolic." Republican strategist Nicole Schlinger added, "From the day his helicopter first landed here in 2015, Trump has had a special connection with Iowa. He's straight-talking, hardworking, and unapologetically proud of our country — just like Iowans." While many Democrats believe these controversies present an opportunity to flip the state, others caution that partisan identity remains strong in rural Iowa. "Even when farmers were upset in 2020 over ethanol waivers and trade wars, Trump still carried the state comfortably," University of Northern Iowa political scientist Christopher Larimer told Newsweek. Yet Trump's antagonistic stance toward wind energy — a powerhouse industry in Iowa — has also added to the sense of broken promises among some voters. Iowa generates more than half its electricity from the 6,000 wind turbines that dot its fields and pastures, and employs thousands in the sector. Yet Trump recently called windmills "big, ugly" and rolled back federal incentives for renewables. His rollback accelerates the phase-out of wind tax credits, requiring projects to be completed by 2027 instead of the 2030s, and halts new wind leases on federal lands. The American Clean Power Association warns these policies could threaten more than 130,000 jobs tied to wind energy nationwide, many in Iowa. While Democrats are hopeful that discontent over Trump's policies could reopen Iowa as a battleground, there is still a long way to go to turn it blue. The GOP, for its part, appears unconcerned for now about losing Iowa's six electoral votes, which were last won by a Democrat when Barack Obama carried the state in 2012.
