Tag Archives: Dean Phillips

Eminent domain could hurt Trump in Iowa

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There’s no doubt Donald Trump will win the Iowa Caucuses. With Ron DeSantis in free fall, I’ll go out on a short limb and predict Nikki Haley finishes second.

It could be a strong second if Haley capitalizes on Trump’s support for eminent domain.

Here’s what Trump said a few years back: “Eminent domain is something that has to be used, usually you would say for anything that’s long, like a road, like a pipeline, or like a wall, or a fence.” (Washington Post)

Here’s Trump’s more recent, completely nonsensical response to an Iowa voter concerned about the threat of eminent domain to build CO2 pipelines: “Well you know we’re working on that, and you know we had a plan to totally … uh … it’s such a ridiculous situation, isn’t it. But we had a plan and we would have instituted that plan, and it was all ready. But if we win, that’s going to be taken care of. That will be one of the easy things we do.” (Forbes Breaking News, July 7, 2023, 2-minute mark)

Huh?? If Haley doesn’t jump all over that and Trump’s previous pro-eminent domain comments she’s missing a huge opportunity. Continue Reading →

Tuesday’s election, Biden’s polls, and my presidential prediction

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We’re a year out from the 2024 presidential election, yet I’m ready to pick a winner. My prediction might surprise you. But first, some thoughts on Tuesday’s election:

DES MOINES. Some say voters rejected the message of progressive candidates for Mayor and City Council. I don’t see it that way. Candidates’ messages were fine, for the most part. But it’s hard to beat an incumbent. Between name recognition and the big money it often attracts (it did), incumbents and defacto incumbents won all five races.

Speaking of being outspent, I hadn’t intended to be the only public voice opposed to spending $350 million to expand the airport. It turns out I was. I spent $0. Airport proponents spent at least $30,000. My side lost 80%-20%. Ouch.

The biggest news locally was the suburban school board elections. The candidates supported by a far-right “Christian” organization lost. All of them. Yup. The radical religious right got its clock cleaned and its Bible thumped. Good to know that Iowans aren’t inclined to live in a theocracy. Continue Reading →