During the Democratic NPR radio debate held here in Des Moines the candidates were asked one question they don’t have the answer to.

John Edwards answer revealed all I need to know from him…

“Who I would chose as my vice president and whether to consider any of these people sitting at the table,” he joked. “But seriously, restoring democracy and giving it back to the American people.”(From Cameron’s Corner FoxNews Blog)

Senator Edwards, of course you don’t have the answer to “Restoring Democracy.” But you do use some shiny keywords that I’m sure resonates with your voter base, regardless of the substance. So good for you! Thanks for stopping by in Des Moines.

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, the guy who originally ran on the “Turn the lights back on” policy has officially endorsed Senator Obama.

From the AP:

Meeting with reporters, Obama introduced Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, who was overwhelmingly re-elected for a second term last month.

“Senator Obama has made a promise and is willing and open-minded enough to listen to the mayor of the capitol city of Iowa,” Cownie said. “Together we can make change in Iowa.”

While endorsements traditionally don’t play a heavy role in Iowa politics, Cownie has proven to be a popular leader of the state’s largest city, and his focus on environmental issues by making the city more green has sold well with voters.

“As many of you know, Mayor Cownie has shown extraordinary leadership on environmental issues,” Obama said. “Hopefully, you will give me some tips on how you get 80 percent support. I’ve got a more modest target in the caucuses.”

I know how Frank Cownie got re-elected. It’s called having no real opponent and the local media totally glossing over the election. Unless Obama somehow manages to be the only candidate running for President I highly doubt this endorsement is going to mean a thing here in Iowa.

….

More from Frank Cownie on BarackObama.com:

“The real promise of Senator Obama’s presidency isn’t just the plans he’ll bring with him into the White House, it’s the visionary leadership he’ll demonstrate once he gets there. Barack Obama will put an end to the bitter partisanship that’s stopped us from making progress on the urgent challenge of global warming. He’ll tell the American people what they need to hear, not just what they want to hear. As President, he’ll restore America’s standing in the world and lead a global effort to meet this challenge once and for all.”

I believe when Frank Cownie means by challenge is Obama’s Global Warming plan. Maybe I missed something but I doubt the environment revolution here in Des Moines has anything to do with Frank Cownie. There might be a national/global campaign that might be pushing that along. Like I said prior, Frank Cownie is the guy who turned the city street lights back on - not entirely a “environmental friendly” move if you believe in the hype. Cownie along with other environmental activist are going to participate in a “Polar Bear Plunge” into the cold waters of Grey’s Lake. Maybe this is supposed to boost their health care initiative too?

CrazyDrumGuy.com writes:

All in all, a great day for Barack Obama. This kind of momentum is going to make a big deal in the Iowa caucus in January.

(WASHINGTON) Nine of 11 Egyptian exchange students who recently entered the United States and failed to appear at their college program were in custody Saturday after three were arrested in Des Moines, Iowa, officials said.

17 students fly to the US

6 end up in Boseman, Montana

2 end up in New Jersey

1 ends up in Minnesota

1 ends up in Chicago

2 end up in Maryland

3 end up in Des Moines, after traveling to San Francisco.

They scattered, why?

Technorati : Egyptian Students, Eleven Egyptians

Brian over at IowaVoice had such a brilliant idea that I decided to blatantly rip it off and make it my own! Yes that’s right, I’m a capitalist pig at heart. Actually the splash page is something I’ve been wanting to do for awhile now and Brian’s post just motivated me to create what is now known as the Front Page. The page itself is nothing more than a simple html file who’s design was inspired by the DrudgeReport and Page 2 with of course a little Iowa flare.

Update:It’s been a week since I switched to HTML-ing the front page. While it was a unique product it just takes way too much time to continually edit. For a week I was able to understand exactly what Drudge goes through! I’ve returned the blog to the forefront. From now on the “Front Page” will be referred as “News and Feeds“. Normal blogging will resume

If you would like to display the Iowa Blogroll on your own website just add the following code snipet anywhere between the ‘head’ tags.

Click to View

If you would like to be added to the Iowa Blogroll shoot me an email or leave a comment!

In Today’s Des Moines Register is a hilarious look at Granny Basketball:

Cedar Rapids, Ia. — Betty Vieman, 71, playing center despite being the shortest and one of the oldest members of the Cedar Rapids Sizzlers, paused while holding the basketball in the middle court.

“Yoo-hoo!” called a teammate wearing black bloomers, a white middy blouse and striped knee-high stockings. “Over here. Just hand it to Mommy.”

The practice dissolved into laughter.

This is Granny Basketball.

It’s just what it sounds like: a gentle game for women of a certain age — and with a certain attitude.

Their motto: Die with your tennies on.

“My kids say this keeps me off the streets,” said Vieman, a Cedar Rapids widow who played forward for Ellsworth High School 55 years ago.

“I have to play center now because I don’t have the strength to get the ball up to the net. But it’s fun, reliving the old memories.”

DesMoinesRegister.com

Downtown Des Moines parking rates will increase up to 50 percent in the next three years, largely to pay off debt from past garage construction, under a recommendation to the City Council.

The plan would also require taxpayers to pump another $5 million into the system, which city leaders say has fallen into poor financial shape since the last rate increase four years ago.

The daily cost to park in the city-owned ramp near Fourth Street and Grand Avenue, for example, would gradually be pushed from $5 to $7.50. Many parking meter rates would rise over time from $1 per hour to $1.25.

DesMoinesRegister.com

Let’s go over this plan; in order to payoff debt for constructing new parking garages the rates in those garages and others around the Des Moines metro will increase their rates. Seems logical too me! Paying off the debt is a good thing.

Some business owners say the increases will stall downtown development and cripple blossoming retail districts, such as the East Village.

“They’re Nazis,” said Tim Rypma, who co-owns several buildings in the village. “You miss it by 10 minutes, and you’ve got a ticket. I understand it’s a tight market, but you don’t see meters all over West Des Moines.”

Somehow I doubt a quarter increase in hourly parking rates is going to cause business in the East Village to decline.