People are talking, but odds are against it

According to a top philanthropist/ business type and another top government source, Downtown Des Moines could try to swing for the fences with regard to the Rain Forest project. Here's what we know: First, federal legislation mandating that the Rain Forest project be built in Johnson County (essentially on the Coralville site, which the city is now backing away from) is due to change to include all of Iowa. Second, Sen. Charles Grassley has "no intention of getting egg on his face" with regard to this project after taking so much heat, and is reaching out more than ever before to make it happen. Third, after hinting around to a few business types that the project may be interested in trying to make it work in Des Moines (as originally planned) and getting rejected, we're hearing that a number of Des Moines players who once wrote Ted Townsend off as "crazy" are starting to come around. Described as a "long shot," but also a "sure-fire way to make Des Moines a destination," a plan is being quietly discussed regarding a scaled-down version of the Rain Forest project (but likely without David Oman involved) that is across the river from the new Science Center of Iowa. Also in the mix, we're told, would be the zoo. The idea, our business insider told us, is to have these attractions feed off of one another and create a tourist attraction that would rival Omaha. "Des Moines would be the destination it has always wanted to be," our source said, adding that the zoo is hoping to go through some ambitious changes, has a list of heavy hitters backing it up and many aren't sure if a South Side expansion is the best idea. Just one problem: hundreds of millions of dollars. "You guys have been hard on the project, and so has just about everyone else, but that's just because people have trouble getting their arms around it," our source said. Good reason for that, another community leader answered: "Because it won't ever happen. Dress it up any way you want, there will never be support for the Rain Forest project in this town. The only way it could happen is if Townsend decides to foot the bill himself."

According to a Mike Blouin campaign insider, "The campaign organization is a mess, there's no one in charge and we can't agree on how he should respond to issues, particularly the abortion issue." Another top Democrat insider told us he thinks there will be one more entry into the gubernatorial race, and that he and others still think the ultimate choice will be made at the convention. They also think Ed Fallon will get as much as 10 percent.

Who exactly knew what and when may not ever be completely known regarding The Register's epic on the Ankeny interchange deal, but much has happened in its wake. The court of public opinion has already tried, convicted and hanged Bill Knapp, Dennis Elwell and Mark Wandro, but a handful of people in state government say it's only the beginning. Whose head might be in the noose next? According to one insider: Tom Vilsack's. Vilsack, back when the deal was facing scrutiny by legislators like Fallon (who now wants a formal investigation launched) and Jack Hatch, told them that if they fought it, they would not only "look foolish" but that he would line-item veto their proposed legislation on the budget bill. "The governor had Wandro and Knapp's back on this," we're told. "And whether there was anything dirty going on, you can't help but see that with every situation explained away there are also facts that are pretty hard to ignore."

Elsewhere, a letter by a developer, whose plan to build homes on Des Moines' way-north side was rejected by the city council, sent a letter to the group asking if it would change things if he could get Knapp and Elwell involved... Don't look for an insider to replace Richard Tapscott, a Gannett insider said... Datebook staffers are hearing the rumors of that publication being phased out again, as it shares cover "story" ideas with its little sister Juice and some employees are being forced to blog... Nationwide (Allied) has all but made its deal with the city to build an addition to its downtown building. Doug Gross represented Allied, we're told, and squeezed some extra bucks out of the city... The Polk County Supervisors are holding strong on not bringing up the PLA issue for the new jail, despite labor wanting to know who its friends are on that board... Des Moines City Councilman Mike Kiernan is telling people he raised $100,000 for his race against Edwin Fruit... And lastly, it took nearly two hours for Sen. Jack Hatch to relinquish the microphone to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom at his Monday event, despite political operative Cornell Fowler repeatedly giving Hatch the "throat slash" signal. "Hatch was having too much fun playing MC," an attendee told us. While another pointed out that Vilsack's not wanting to rub elbows with such a well-known activist for gay rights will be duly noted by the LGBT community when he tries to run for president as a true Democrat. Another top political consultant said: "Of course any chance of running for president and winning went out the window when he snubbed Newsom." Why? "Only Jimmy Carter won the nomination (his re-election against Ted Kennedy) without winning the California Primary; and no one has won California without winning San Francisco. Not that he has a chance in hell anyway." CV

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