Roving Citizen's First Report

[Update -- picture added by Bell Curve. Roving Citizen is kinda new at this ;)]

Dear Readers,

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Roving Citizen. I am The Citizens' virtual election correspondent. I will report on local political races in any area that one of The Citizens (or one of our friends) has personal experience.

My first report is from the Second Congressional District of Iowa. This is a solidly Democratic district that includes a college town (Iowa City) and lots of union voters (especially in Cedar Rapids). Despite this, the Iowa Second is represented by a "moderate" Republican, Jim Leach (good name for a Bush/De Lay/Cheney Republican). Here is what issues2000.org says about Leach's ideological position. Leach is adept at appearing less extremist than the Party to which he belongs. However, when it comes down to it, Leach is a party man. When it comes to reigning in abuses of power by the Bush administration, he's as loyal as the most frothing at the mouth Christian Fundamentalist Jihadist. Leach also never saw a tax cut or a spending bill he didn't like. A balanced budget is not his primary concern. Finally, Leach is a strong supporter of privatizing Social Security.

Leach is being challenged by Dave Loebsack, a political science professor from Cornell College - a small, private, liberal arts college outside of Cedar Rapids. Loesback doesn't have enough of a political record to show up on issues2000.org. However, I've heard the man speak and he's got a real Horatio Alger story. He grew up very poor in Sioux City, IA. I have to say I was not impressed with this personal presence or charisma. But in today's climate, I would say the make up of the district will be his greatest asset. People around here are mad as hell about Bush. Even the once omnipresent "Support Our Troops/God Bless America" bumper stickers are nearly completely absent now. At a local Democratic Party Caucus the delegates were unanimous in their desire to see Bush impeached. That won't happen with so called "moderate" Republicans like Leach representing them.

The feel of the district is that Republicans are a little down in the mouth and Democrats are fighting mad. In a district where turnout could really dominate an off year election, Leach could be in real trouble.

That's my first report in. I'm off to my virtual time/space machine to report on another district!