You’re always the most essential source for parsing the wheat from the chaff regarding Iowa politics and politicians. Because of the thorough analysis and volume of information and coverage, it’s become necessary for me to take notes. A very good thing is this.
One comment; if Bird insists claiming an annual “full Grassley,” she better get more transparent.
Like Zach Nunn’s claims about non partisan success myths; I’m not the only person who thinks backroom deals and briefings with Mom’s for Liberty, Americans for Prosperity, The Family Leader, businesses squeezing for rulings, and other dubious meetings, constitute public or non partisan activities. She’s a hyperbolic legal marionette for MAGA Republicans, and doesn’t care who knows it.
Thank you for the coverage. I actually assumed Feenstra avoided those debates for that very reason you stated above. It almost worked. Lahn's position actually seems insane. Is COVID, MRNA or vaccines in general the problem? MRNA is such a new technology and he already knows it is worthless. I hope he told Ashley to short some biotech stocks. Anyway, I was wondering if you had or were going to post on Governor Reynolds popularity.? I was shocked to learn that she may be the least popular Governor in America because I remember where she was in 2023. Was it just a case of getting sideways with Trump?
Reynolds has always polled really poorly in the Morning Consult polling.
Her popularity has nose-dived with Republicans over the last couple of years, IMO for two reasons: she backed DeSantis over Trump and campaigned with him, and she vetoed the eminent domain/pipeline bill in 2025.
So I wouldn’t get too excited about polls showing her sinking popularity because a conservative who hates Kim Reynolds is not necessarily open to voting for a Democrat.
No, I assumed it was Republicans who had turned on Reynolds as they should because she threw away her neutrality to help a hopeless DeSantis campaign. Read the room. Am I the only person in the State who didn't mind the veto? I think it was a very difficult decision to make and she hid under her desk as long as she could before she made it. So I didn't mind the decision but I am not nominating her for any profile in courage award either.
VOTE THIS NOVEMBER SO THE DEMOCRATS CAN IMPEACH TRUMP
MAKE SURE YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE FOR THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS THIS NOVEMBER. Make sure you know how and where to vote this November.
It will take 292 house and 67 senate votes to obtain a supermajority vote. This is the key to accomplishing anything in the house or senate. The house and senate will be able to impeach Trump and his administration for their crimes and corruption.
The Democrats are the only ones that will stand against Trump. We have to vote out as many republicans as possible. The republicans have already proven they will stand with Trump no matter what.
EVERYONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE NOVEMBER 3RD MIDTERM ELECTIONS TO MAKE THIS WORK
Make sure you share this with everyone you know without social media. People without social media are unaware how corrupt and detrimental Trump’s administration really is for our country. The media outlets do not post anything negative about Trump. Some people don’t even know what the midterm elections are or how important they are.
TRUMP, HIS ADMINISTRATION, HIS BILLIONAIRE CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING NETWORK (Musk) ARE CORRUPTING THE GOVERNMENT TO COVER THEIR SEX CRIMES .
WE HAVE TO STOP THEM FROM DESTROYING THE COUNTRY
Trump is the one that called for ICE to go after every illegal in the country. He spent Billions hiring unqualified people to work for ICE. That’s why all of these problems have happened
VOTE THIS NOVEMBER SO THE DEMOCRATS CAN IMPEACH TRUMP
MAKE SURE YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE FOR THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS THIS NOVEMBER. Make sure you know how and where to vote this November.
It will take 292 house and 67 senate votes to obtain a supermajority vote. This is the key to accomplishing anything in the house or senate. The house and senate will be able to impeach Trump and his administration for their crimes and corruption.
The Democrats are the only ones that will stand against Trump. We have to vote out as many republicans as possible. The republicans have already proven they will stand with Trump no matter what.
EVERYONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE NOVEMBER 3RD MIDTERM ELECTIONS TO MAKE THIS WORK
Make sure you share this with everyone you know without social media. People without social media are unaware how corrupt and detrimental Trump’s administration really is for our country. The media outlets do not post anything negative about Trump. Some people don’t even know what the midterm elections are or how important they are.
TRUMP, HIS ADMINISTRATION, HIS BILLIONAIRE CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING NETWORK (Musk) ARE CORRUPTING THE GOVERNMENT TO COVER THEIR SEX CRIMES .
WE HAVE TO STOP THEM FROM DESTROYING THE COUNTRY
Trump is the one that called for ICE to go after every illegal in the country. He spent Billions hiring unqualified people to work for ICE. That’s why all of these problems have happened
I think he had a lot of reasons. He’s just not a good speaker and doesn’t think on his feet well, so I think there were well-founded concerns he would perform poorly. I also think his team didn’t want to help generate viral videos of Feenstra getting heckled or other candidates getting a good zinger in.
But it also allowed him to avoid saying things that play well with the base but not the broader electorate.
VOTE THIS NOVEMBER SO THE DEMOCRATS CAN IMPEACH TRUMP
MAKE SURE YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE FOR THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS THIS NOVEMBER. Make sure you know how and where to vote this November.
It will take 292 house and 67 senate votes to obtain a supermajority vote. This is the key to accomplishing anything in the house or senate. The house and senate will be able to impeach Trump and his administration for their crimes and corruption.
The Democrats are the only ones that will stand against Trump. We have to vote out as many republicans as possible. The republicans have already proven they will stand with Trump no matter what.
EVERYONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE NOVEMBER 3RD MIDTERM ELECTIONS TO MAKE THIS WORK
Make sure you share this with everyone you know without social media. People without social media are unaware how corrupt and detrimental Trump’s administration really is for our country. The media outlets do not post anything negative about Trump. Some people don’t even know what the midterm elections are or how important they are.
TRUMP, HIS ADMINISTRATION, HIS BILLIONAIRE CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING NETWORK (Musk) ARE CORRUPTING THE GOVERNMENT TO COVER THEIR SEX CRIMES .
WE HAVE TO STOP THEM FROM DESTROYING THE COUNTRY
Trump is the one that called for ICE to go after every illegal in the country. He spent Billions hiring unqualified people to work for ICE. That’s why all of these problems have happened
Again, thanks for the best coverage of the Iowa political landscape.
Very comprehensive update. Thanks for the interesting insights!
EXCELLENT recap! Thank you!
As always, Laura, thank you for your hard work and your deep dive. You are the gold standard for political reporting in our state.
You’re always the most essential source for parsing the wheat from the chaff regarding Iowa politics and politicians. Because of the thorough analysis and volume of information and coverage, it’s become necessary for me to take notes. A very good thing is this.
One comment; if Bird insists claiming an annual “full Grassley,” she better get more transparent.
Like Zach Nunn’s claims about non partisan success myths; I’m not the only person who thinks backroom deals and briefings with Mom’s for Liberty, Americans for Prosperity, The Family Leader, businesses squeezing for rulings, and other dubious meetings, constitute public or non partisan activities. She’s a hyperbolic legal marionette for MAGA Republicans, and doesn’t care who knows it.
Thank you for the coverage. I actually assumed Feenstra avoided those debates for that very reason you stated above. It almost worked. Lahn's position actually seems insane. Is COVID, MRNA or vaccines in general the problem? MRNA is such a new technology and he already knows it is worthless. I hope he told Ashley to short some biotech stocks. Anyway, I was wondering if you had or were going to post on Governor Reynolds popularity.? I was shocked to learn that she may be the least popular Governor in America because I remember where she was in 2023. Was it just a case of getting sideways with Trump?
Reynolds has always polled really poorly in the Morning Consult polling.
Her popularity has nose-dived with Republicans over the last couple of years, IMO for two reasons: she backed DeSantis over Trump and campaigned with him, and she vetoed the eminent domain/pipeline bill in 2025.
So I wouldn’t get too excited about polls showing her sinking popularity because a conservative who hates Kim Reynolds is not necessarily open to voting for a Democrat.
No, I assumed it was Republicans who had turned on Reynolds as they should because she threw away her neutrality to help a hopeless DeSantis campaign. Read the room. Am I the only person in the State who didn't mind the veto? I think it was a very difficult decision to make and she hid under her desk as long as she could before she made it. So I didn't mind the decision but I am not nominating her for any profile in courage award either.
VOTE THIS NOVEMBER SO THE DEMOCRATS CAN IMPEACH TRUMP
MAKE SURE YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE FOR THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS THIS NOVEMBER. Make sure you know how and where to vote this November.
It will take 292 house and 67 senate votes to obtain a supermajority vote. This is the key to accomplishing anything in the house or senate. The house and senate will be able to impeach Trump and his administration for their crimes and corruption.
The Democrats are the only ones that will stand against Trump. We have to vote out as many republicans as possible. The republicans have already proven they will stand with Trump no matter what.
EVERYONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE NOVEMBER 3RD MIDTERM ELECTIONS TO MAKE THIS WORK
Make sure you share this with everyone you know without social media. People without social media are unaware how corrupt and detrimental Trump’s administration really is for our country. The media outlets do not post anything negative about Trump. Some people don’t even know what the midterm elections are or how important they are.
TRUMP, HIS ADMINISTRATION, HIS BILLIONAIRE CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING NETWORK (Musk) ARE CORRUPTING THE GOVERNMENT TO COVER THEIR SEX CRIMES .
WE HAVE TO STOP THEM FROM DESTROYING THE COUNTRY
Trump is the one that called for ICE to go after every illegal in the country. He spent Billions hiring unqualified people to work for ICE. That’s why all of these problems have happened
VOTE THIS NOVEMBER SO THE DEMOCRATS CAN IMPEACH TRUMP
MAKE SURE YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE FOR THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS THIS NOVEMBER. Make sure you know how and where to vote this November.
It will take 292 house and 67 senate votes to obtain a supermajority vote. This is the key to accomplishing anything in the house or senate. The house and senate will be able to impeach Trump and his administration for their crimes and corruption.
The Democrats are the only ones that will stand against Trump. We have to vote out as many republicans as possible. The republicans have already proven they will stand with Trump no matter what.
EVERYONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE NOVEMBER 3RD MIDTERM ELECTIONS TO MAKE THIS WORK
Make sure you share this with everyone you know without social media. People without social media are unaware how corrupt and detrimental Trump’s administration really is for our country. The media outlets do not post anything negative about Trump. Some people don’t even know what the midterm elections are or how important they are.
TRUMP, HIS ADMINISTRATION, HIS BILLIONAIRE CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING NETWORK (Musk) ARE CORRUPTING THE GOVERNMENT TO COVER THEIR SEX CRIMES .
WE HAVE TO STOP THEM FROM DESTROYING THE COUNTRY
Trump is the one that called for ICE to go after every illegal in the country. He spent Billions hiring unqualified people to work for ICE. That’s why all of these problems have happened
I think he had a lot of reasons. He’s just not a good speaker and doesn’t think on his feet well, so I think there were well-founded concerns he would perform poorly. I also think his team didn’t want to help generate viral videos of Feenstra getting heckled or other candidates getting a good zinger in.
But it also allowed him to avoid saying things that play well with the base but not the broader electorate.
Thank you for the podcast. One question how did Governor Reynolds get voted if the polling was bad?
VOTE THIS NOVEMBER SO THE DEMOCRATS CAN IMPEACH TRUMP
MAKE SURE YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE FOR THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS THIS NOVEMBER. Make sure you know how and where to vote this November.
It will take 292 house and 67 senate votes to obtain a supermajority vote. This is the key to accomplishing anything in the house or senate. The house and senate will be able to impeach Trump and his administration for their crimes and corruption.
The Democrats are the only ones that will stand against Trump. We have to vote out as many republicans as possible. The republicans have already proven they will stand with Trump no matter what.
EVERYONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE NOVEMBER 3RD MIDTERM ELECTIONS TO MAKE THIS WORK
Make sure you share this with everyone you know without social media. People without social media are unaware how corrupt and detrimental Trump’s administration really is for our country. The media outlets do not post anything negative about Trump. Some people don’t even know what the midterm elections are or how important they are.
TRUMP, HIS ADMINISTRATION, HIS BILLIONAIRE CHILD SEX TRAFFICKING NETWORK (Musk) ARE CORRUPTING THE GOVERNMENT TO COVER THEIR SEX CRIMES .
WE HAVE TO STOP THEM FROM DESTROYING THE COUNTRY
Trump is the one that called for ICE to go after every illegal in the country. He spent Billions hiring unqualified people to work for ICE. That’s why all of these problems have happened