King chart-topper: Making fun of an old lady
In 2006, U.S. Rep. Steve King, a Kiron Republican, suggested that iconic journalist Helen Thomas, then 85 years old, was ugly, in a joke about radical Islam’s belief that martyrs [...]
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Posted July 31, 2013in Political Mercury
Posted July 24, 2013in Political Mercury
Harkin: Branstad speeding episode recalls Jepsen’s highway ‘immunity’ plea
The ongoing controversy over Gov. Terry Branstad’s speeding state sport-utility vehicle recalls a 30-year-old episode involving another high-profile Republican, says U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. In a media conference call [...]
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Posted July 17, 2013in Political Mercury
Was Branstad in the trunk as Car 1 Seattle Slewed the state’s highways?
Historically speaking, politicians use the trunks of their vehicles to stash cash and cold-stow any dead hookers. They don’t tend to leave the comfortable confines, the wine and WiFi of [...]
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Posted July 10, 2013in Political Mercury
Kirke calls casino ‘opportunity of the century’ for Greene County
Wild Rose Entertainment is, in the parlance of its business, “all in” with plans to develop a casino complex in Jefferson, said company CEO Gary Kirke. If Greene County voters [...]
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Posted July 03, 2013in Political Mercury
Political Siamese suicide?
Mixed in with the blonde Bond Girls and gotcha gadgets, umbrella guns and lethal cigarette lighter sneakiness, The International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. features a display with a cyanide [...]
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Posted June 26, 2013in Political Mercury
King: Immigration green flag jeopardizes American ideals
Concerned his party may be abandoning core principles in a rush to immigration reform, U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, organized a “press conference” outside the nation’s capitol last Wednesday to [...]
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Posted June 19, 2013in Political Mercury
Harkin suspects intelligence agency went too far with phone records
U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, says that most crucial of balances in democracy is now tilted too much to security and away from Americans’ civil liberties. Harkin spoke with Cityview [...]
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Posted June 12, 2013in Political Mercury
Branstad could seek two offices in ‘14
Let’s play a word-association game. When you hear “governor,” what’s the first word your mind summons? Come on, Democrats, admit it, “Branstad” is likely in the category advertising professionals term [...]
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Posted June 05, 2013in Political Mercury
Why Senator Grassley started running — really running
When Charles Grassley turned 65 — 14 years ago — the veteran U.S. senator started taking notice of the surroundings in nursing homes, watching the residents for more than just [...]
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Posted May 29, 2013in Political Mercury
Sexual assault in the military: When will they ever learn?
(Editor’s Note: This week’s guest Political Mercury column is from Breda, Iowa, native Merle Wilberding who has practiced law for more than 40 years. During the Vietnam War he served [...]
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