Board will vote on attorney issue Nov 12, 2009
MUSCATINE, Iowa After debate and discussion, the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 Monday in favor of drawing up a resolution to make the county attorney s job a full-time position. At a Board meeting on Nov. 2, County Attorney Gary Allison, 63, had defended keeping the job he has held since 2003 as a part-time position. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Friends of the Old Barn bides time Nov 11, 2009
MUSCATINE, Iowa Emotions ran high for Friends of the Old Barn president John Haskins. Haskins requested to use and renovate the cottage located at 3300 Cedar St., a property owned by Muscatine County formerly known as The County Farm. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Guv approves earlier presidential primary Nov 11, 2009
About a dozen other states are also considering moving their primaries as well, potentially making that date the new "Super Tuesday." Also, four states - New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada - already have their primaries or caucuses scheduled before Feb. 5. But with 16 million voters, it's likely that California will have an impact on presidential politics, proponents of the new primary date say. (Yahoo News -- Arnold Schwarzenegger)
Tortured justice Nov 10, 2009
Among those Democrats voting with the GOP majority were Ohio Senate candidate Sherrod Brown (normally one of the most reliably liberal members of the House), Tennessee Senate contender Harold Ford, as well as imperiled House incumbents Leonard Boswell (Iowa) and Melissa Bean (Illinois) ... Michael Arcuri, D-N.Y. -- Nay Bruce Braley, D-Iowa -- Nay Kathy Castor, D-Fla ... -- Nay David Loebsack, D-Iowa -- Nay Jerry McNerney, D-Calif. (Salon)
ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL SPEAK TO CONTROVERSIAL MUSLIM CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP... Nov 10, 2009
I heard barrack obama's speech in Iowa after his first primary win and thought of Reagan. I'm ashamed that I made that correlation. (The Drudge Report)
What small-town America thinks of Sarah Palin Nov 10, 2009
But other voters, though taken by Palin's personality, appear less comfortable with her social politics, even in conservative regions such as northwestern Iowa ... The economy deeply concerns Terri Christensen, 38, of Iowa, who owns a machine shop with her husband but also helps out at her parents' restaurant, the B, in Rock Rapids, where Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and John Edwards stumped during the primary races in January. (Salon)
On the road to controversy-free BCS title game Nov 9, 2009
With Iowa out of the unbeaten picture, Florida and Alabama might even be able to stumble a bit down the stretch and still play for a national championship ... Iowa s 17-10 loss to Northwestern on Saturday dropped the Hawkeyes from the ranks of the unbeaten, trimming the number of teams that could go undefeated and be left out of the national title game to three namely Cincinnati, TCU and Boise State ... No. 15 Iowa at No. 10 Ohio State has no national title implications, but the winner takes the... (Hudson Register Star, NY)
Every Celtic won’t be taking part in Pagliuca fund-raiser Nov 8, 2009
Khazei s Midwest import Teresa Vilmain, the legendary Iowa caucus organizer, has all but become a resident of Massachusetts this year ... An Iowa native who now lives in Wisconsin, she is no stranger to Massachusetts Democrats ... She worked for Edward M. Kennedy in the 1980 Iowa presidential caucus, led Michael S. Dukakis s 1988 caucus effort in the Hawkeye State, and helped John F. Kerry s presidential election campaign in 2004 as strategist at the Democratic National Committee. (Boston Globe)
LETTER: Obama aggressive in dealing with dissenters Nov 8, 2009
Remember the 2 Iowa teachers, (democrats) who went to a Bush rally with Gore buttons on, the were arrested and strip searched. Question. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Historic vote looms on Capitol Hill today Nov 8, 2009
People that live in Bumtruck, Iowa will not need the same skill set as people who are going to be living in Brooklyn. With that, I agree. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Schwarzenegger Aims to Lift California's Clout Nov 8, 2009
In the primaries and caucuses, Iowa and New Hampshire have dwarfed California in influencing who wins the party nominations. Schwarzenegger is determined not just to change that situation but also to ensure that the next president will feel indebted to California and be committed to the issues that he and California voters care most about, including global climate change and the share of federal dollars the state receives. (Yahoo News -- Arnold Schwarzenegger)
We need tort reform Nov 8, 2009
My nephew's practice gave up delivering babies in a small town in Iowa. Women had to go to a neighboring town 25 miles away to have their babies. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Pawlenty Visits Iowa as Signs Point to 2012 Nov 8, 2009
Republican Tim Pawlenty is off on his first trip to Iowa as a probable but not-yet-declared presidential candidate. The Minnesota governor was lined up for a keynote speech Saturday at the GOP's annual "Leadership for Iowa" dinner ... Minnesota Democratic Party leaders have accused Pawlenty of putting his own interests ahead of Minnesota's and say the Iowa trip underscores it. (Newsmax)
Iowa's GOP gubernatorial hopefuls discuss views Nov 8, 2009
Iowa voters are ready to give the Republican Party control of the governor's office, six potential GOP gubernatorial candidates said Saturday as they focused more on Democratic Gov. Chet Culver than their possible rivals from the same party. All six potential candidates for the 2010 election spoke at the Republican Party of Iowa's big fall fundraiser, making 10-minute speeches ... "I love the Republican Party and my fervor has not waned. The fire my belly still burns bright.He accused Culver of... (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Governor Tim Pawlenty Criticizes Health-Care Legislation in Iowa Speech Nov 8, 2009
Tim Pawlenty Attacks Health-Care Bill in Iowa Speech (Update1) - Bloomberg ... Tim Pawlenty Attacks Health-Care Bill in Iowa Speech (Update1) ... Pawlentys speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines is the first high-profile event of the early try out season in the state that holds the nations first presidential caucuses. (Bloomberg -- US)
Write-in gets most votes for Oakville City Council seat Nov 7, 2009
OAKVILLE , Iowa Mary Lanz s name wasn t on the ballot for Tuesday s Municipal Election but she received 27 write-in votes which made her the top vote getter for the Oakville City Council. A neighbor thought I should run. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
It happened This Week: Nov. 4-11 Nov 7, 2009
Coach Clay Stapleton said his Iowa State University football team "was suffering the same fate this year as the Republican party." ... Ron Meierotto, 1514 Ave. G, killed a 8-point, 175-pound buck near the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant near Burlington ... "Royalty at the Richardson School Carnival included Brenda Niggemeyer, Idol Mitchell, Kim Tutle, Chuy Garcia and Denise Freel."Midnight Cowboy," starring Dustin Hoffman and John Voight, opened at the State Theater.Chester S. Gross received a... (Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IO)
Wiesel slams tea partiers Nov 7, 2009
") "Sarrasine" should obviously be made into a movie as should Th?ophile Gautier's piquant transvestite adventure, "Mademoiselle de Maupin" (1835), which Greta Garbo wanted to star in but never did. Turner Classic Movies recently showed a fantastic day-long series of Jean Seberg films. While probably known best for "Breathless" (1960), the TCM presentation showed, I think, that her true mastery is in "In the French Style" (1963) and "Lilith" (1964). I love the sophistication and silken glamour... (Salon)
'Beautiful Sight to See' Nov 7, 2009
And joining me now with more on all of this are two of the organizers of today's rally, Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Iowa Representative Steven King ... REP. STEVEN KING, R-IOWA: Well, I shook hands with people from San Francisco that comes to mind right away. (Fox News)
Lisa Borders and Kasim Reed about to sit down for a talk Nov 6, 2009
If you don t like it, then may i suggest IOWA which is 95% white. Although the good people in IOWA don t deserve to have to live around you. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Metro)
Employers in U.S. Probably Cut Fewest Jobs in a Year as Recovery Took Hold Nov 6, 2009
the worlds largest maker of agricultural equipment, said last week its recalling 452 workers, the majority of manufacturing employees dismissed earlier this year at a factory in Iowa. Cisco Systems Inc.s , one of the first technology leaders to herald the recession two years ago, said yesterday he now sees a global economic recovery, fueling a rebound in his companys sales this quarter. (Bloomberg -- US)
You, too, can be a campaign reporter! Nov 6, 2009
It has already been a year of diner food and Iowa sunsets, motel room breakfasts and three-hour bus rides at dawn ... The motto of Kum n Iowa gas station chain, is ... At this time of year in 2003, a Pew survey of Iowa Democrats and Independents asked which Democrat had "the best chance of defeating George W. Bush" in a general election. (Salon)
Gay rights rebuke may bring change in tactics Nov 6, 2009
This year, Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont joined Massachusetts and Connecticut in allowing same-sex marriage, but only through court rulings and legislative action ... This year, Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont joined Massachusetts and Connecticut in allowing same-sex marriage, but only through court rulings and legislative action. (Honolulu Star-Bulletin)
Make no mistake: He's running Nov 6, 2009
The real 2008 buzz began in mid-September when Obama was the headliner at the biggest event on this year's Iowa Democratic calendar. Harkin was not trying to create a presidential boomlet, so much as to maintain his own neutrality in a 2008 field that included Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and outgoing Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack ... The first-term Illinois senator lit up the party faithful in Iowa, igniting much speculation and securing his status as an alternative to Hillary Clinton. (Salon)
Government puts seniors at risk with flu policy Nov 6, 2009
Another reason wrote on Nov 5, 2009 1:46 PM:" When the institutional memory of a nation is gone (not books, but the actual people who lived through an event) it is very easy to "re-organize" the country.If everyone over 65 were to cease existing today, we would have no institutional memory of WWII, the Korea War, much of the Vietnam War; and the Cold War with the USSR.The present administration would really like for this nation and its young people to have no first hand (through older parents,... (Klamath Falls Herald & News, OR)
State Center foundation to recognize donors Nov 5, 2009
The other finalists announced Thursday were Illinois guard Jon Asamoah; BYU linebacker Matt Bauman; Minnesota receiver Eric Decker; Fresno State safety Moses Harris; Western Michigan quarterback Tim Hiller; Brown defensive tackle Paul Jasinowski; Morningside College receiver Beau Kildow; Northern Iowa linebacker Josh Mahoney; Tusculum tight end Jarrell NeSmith; Baylor linebacker Joe Pawelek; Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing; Hardin-Simmons receiver Zavious Robbins; Augustana College Blaine... (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Supervisors: Is it time for a full-time county attorney? Nov 5, 2009
MUSCATINE, Iowa Tighter budgets and belt-tightening in Muscatine County could mean County Attorney Gary Allison will face a choice: Keep his private practice or campaign next year to become a full-time prosecutor ... Of the 99 counties in Iowa, Muscatine is among the 41 that have a part-time county attorney. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
O'Brien sees bright future Nov 5, 2009
MUSCATINE, Iowa Mayor Dick O Brien had mixed emotions Tuesday. He was excited because it was his 83rd birthday. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Louisa County election results Nov 5, 2009
WAPELLO, Iowa The following are unofficial vote totals for Louisa County elections, as of this morning. Columbus City. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Nobody runs for mayor in Grandview; nephew, uncle vie in Morning Sun Nov 5, 2009
GRANDVIEW, Iowa In Louisa County, many city candidates were running unopposed in Tuesday s Municipal Election. But the situation was different in Grandview, where no one was running for mayor, and in Morning Sun, where an uncle competed against his nephew for the mayoral seat. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Activists rally to OK gay nuptials Nov 5, 2009
With states such as Massachusetts and Iowa now allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry, he said, people around the country are realizing there is no good reason to exclude them from marriage ... Gay rights advocates have been encouraged by the legalization of same-sex marriage in six states: Massachusetts, Iowa, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire. (Coos Bay-North Bend The World, OR)
Muscatine County Attorney Gary Allison's statement Nov 5, 2009
The Code of Iowa defines their duties ... 756 of the Code of Iowa that defines the duties of the County Attorney ... The answer is no. Approximately one-half of Iowa s counties have full time County Attorneys and one half have part time County Attorneys. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Dorothy E. Anderson Nov 5, 2009
She will be dearly missed by: two sons, Norman (Jane) Anderson, Dennis (Arlene) Anderson all of Fall Creek; five daughters, Marlene (Jerome) Hermann of Chippewa Falls, Barb (Jerry) Raether of Humboldt, Iowa, Donna (Dennis) Kehoe of Weston, Becky (Allen) Spaeth of Chippewa Falls, Laurie (El) Diaby-Gassama of Oakdale, Minn. son-in-law, Harland Jacot of Janesville; sister, Irene Clark of the Chippewa Manor, Chippewa Falls; sister-in-law, Betty Tellstrom of Boy River, Minn. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Gay Leaders Blame Obama for Loss in Maine Nov 5, 2009
In Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Iowa, gay marriage resulted from court decisions or legislation ... In Iowa, where the state Supreme Court legalized gay marriage last April, conservatives have no quick way to overturn the ruling. (Newsmax)
Maine Defeat Huge Setback to Gay-Marriage Drive Nov 5, 2009
Five other states have legalized gay marriage starting with Massachusetts in 2004, and followed by Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Iowa but all did so through legislation or court rulings, not by popular vote. In contrast, constitutional amendments banning gay marriage have been approved in all 30 states where they have been on the ballot. (Newsmax)
Gay rights advocates look past Maine's repeal of marriage law Nov 5, 2009
Five states have legalized gay marriage: Iowa, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, where its law is slated to take effect Jan. 1, 2010. In California, voters last year passed a measure widely known as Proposition 8 overturning a state Supreme Court ruling giving same-sex couples a constitutional right to marry. (Pensacola News Journal)
Pigs in Indiana Test Positive for H1N1 Nov 5, 2009
Separately Wednesday, officials said that the virus has been confirmed in a cat treated at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine ... The case was confirmed at both Iowa State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (CBS News -- Health)
Walter comes out on top in Fruitland race Nov 5, 2009
FRUITLAND, Iowa Things are going to be very different at Council meetings. Fruitland s newly elected mayor, DeWayne Walter, summed up the results of Tuesday s voting, citing the election of two first-time city council members, along with the loss of a 20-year veteran of the city council. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
When Is It Legal To Frame A Man For Murder? Nov 5, 2009
Terry Harrington, center, stands with his family and friends outside the Clarinda Correctional Facility after Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack signed a reprieve for Harrington, April 17, 2003, in Clarinda, Iowa ... In July 1977, retired police captain John Schweer was shot and killed while working as a night watchman at an Oldsmobile dealership in Council Bluffs, Iowa ... In 2003, Iowa's Supreme Court overturned Harrington's conviction, while McGhee pled guilty to lesser charges and was released. (Time.com)
Maine voters reject same-sex marriage law Nov 5, 2009
Five states have legalized gay marriage Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Connecticut but all did so through legislation or court rulings, not by popular vote. Portland resident Sarah Holman said she was torn, but decided despite her conservative upbringing to vote in favor of letting gays marry. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Defeat in Maine a harsh blow to gay-marriage drive Nov 5, 2009
"At issue in the referendum was a law passed by Maine's Legislature last spring that would have allowed gays to wed. The law was put on hold after conservatives launched a petition drive to repeal it.Five other states have legalized gay marriage starting with Massachusetts in 2004, and followed by Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Iowa but all did so through legislation or court rulings, not by popular vote. In contrast, constitutional amendments banning gay marriage have been approved in... (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Nichols mayor ready to hand over the baton Nov 4, 2009
NICHOLS, Iowa Wanted: Someone to step up as mayor of Nichols. Someone has to do the job, otherwise the work won t be done to keep the city viable, said outgoing Nichols Mayor Sonya Wilson. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
White Male Vote Especially Critical - washingtonpost.com Nov 4, 2009
But in smaller states outside the South -- such as Iowa, Kansas and Utah -- where there are far fewer minorities, Obama has done extremely well with white voters. One view in Obama's campaign is that his poor showing in Ohio primarily reflected that the state has a high number of older voters. (Yahoo News -- FYI)
Expanded Gay Rights Leading In Early Returns Nov 4, 2009
Same-sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa and Vermont, and will start in New Hampshire in January. A referendum on gay marriage in Maine was losing by a slim margin Tuesday night. (KIRO TV, WA)
Key U.S. contests at a glance Nov 4, 2009
Ron J. Corbett, a trucking firm executive, was elected mayor of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the recovery from a devastating 2008 flood was among the major issues. Former NBA star Dave Bing won re-election as mayor of Detroit, where voters were trying to put the turmoil of the past year the fall of ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and the federal conviction of a City Council member behind them. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- World)
Progress continues on construction of FM's new water treatment plant Nov 4, 2009
The council also approved two agreements between the city and the Iowa Finance Authority one for a 2 million forgivable loan to be used on the plant and another loan for 1. 3 million to cover related costs. (Fort Madison Daily Democrat, IO)
Market Forecaster Nov 4, 2009
The average Iowa-Minnesota hog weight for last week was estimated at 269 ... Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota have the largest amount of acreage enrolled, USDA said. (Midwest Bulls Eye, NE)
Guv approves earlier presidential primary Nov 4, 2009
About a dozen other states are also considering moving their primaries as well, potentially making that date the new "Super Tuesday." Also, four states - New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Nevada - already have their primaries or caucuses scheduled before Feb. 5. But with 16 million voters, it's likely that California will have an impact on presidential politics, proponents of the new primary date say. (Yahoo News -- Arnold Schwarzenegger)
Mich. looks at worst-case 20 percent budget cuts Nov 4, 2009
In Iowa, where Gov. Chet Culver just ordered an across-the-board 10 percent cut for departments getting general fund money, or in Louisiana and Wyoming, where revenues are falling by double-digit amounts, the pain is just as real. But where other states have seen their revenues fall below expectations for the past year or two because of the latest recession, Michigan has never recovered from the spiral that began a decade ago. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
After flurry of stimulus spending, questionable projects pile up... Nov 4, 2009
- $430,000 to repair a bridge in Iowa County, Wis ... "The rest of us TRIED to tell the suckers what was what, and we were ignored. Same goes for Obama in general, what with "voters in Iowa" (just read that) now having "second thoughts" and "doubts" about the man.People are so gullible, so wasteful, so outrageously out of touch with reality, it's mind-boggling to what ex 000027BD tent so many are. Correction Nov 3, 2009 "$173,834 to weatherize eight pickup trucks in Madison County, Ill. (The Drudge Report)
Schwarzenegger Aims to Lift California's Clout Nov 4, 2009
In the primaries and caucuses, Iowa and New Hampshire have dwarfed California in influencing who wins the party nominations. Schwarzenegger is determined not just to change that situation but also to ensure that the next president will feel indebted to California and be committed to the issues that he and California voters care most about, including global climate change and the share of federal dollars the state receives. (Yahoo News -- Arnold Schwarzenegger)
HBO Filmmakers Get Inside Obama Campaign Nov 4, 2009
Iowa became their centerpiece ... Through the crowds and contact, the filmmakers sense Obama catching on as he moved toward an impressive victory in the Iowa caucuses ... It was the birthplace of a movement, and whether Obama eventually won or lost the presidency, Rice and Sams felt Iowa gave them a film. (KIRO TV, WA)
Gay Marriage Foes Win Battle In Maine Nov 4, 2009
" With 87 percent of precincts reporting, gay-marriage foes had 53 percent of the vote in a referendum that asked Maine voters whether they wanted to repeal a law allowing same-sex marriage that had passed the Legislature and was signed by Democratic Gov. John Baldacci. "The institution of marriage has been preserved in Maine and across the nation," said Frank Schubert, the chief organizer for Stand for Marriage Maine, which lobbied for the repeal. For the gay rights movement, which has gained a... (Click2Houston, TX)
AP: Hardest-Hit Areas Recovering Slowly Nov 3, 2009
Midwestern and Plains states such as Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota and Iowa avoided the worst of the housing and financial crises. And Oklahoma and North Dakota have recently benefited from rising oil prices. (Click2Houston, TX)
Polling sites Nov 3, 2009
MUSCATINE, Iowa Polls for Tuesday, Nov. 3, election will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. at the following locations. Muscatine County. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
HBO’s ‘By the People’: On the campaign trail with little new to offer Nov 3, 2009
Attempts to drum up suspense - playing dramatic music, for instance, over footage of the Iowa caucuses - fall especially flat ... (In one brief scene, we see Favreau fumbling with the early stages of what would became a memorable line: What began as a whisper in Springfield soon carried across the cornfields of Iowa. (Boston Globe)
Stakes high in Maine gay marriage vote Nov 3, 2009
Five other states have legalized same-sex marriage Iowa, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. But all did so via legislation or court rulings, not through a popular vote. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Supporters seek new vote on gay marriage Nov 3, 2009
They have been encouraged by the legalization of same-sex marriage in six states: Massachusetts, Iowa, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire. They believe Oregon voters eventually will be ready to move in that direction. (KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8, OR)
Locked and loaded: Area gun manufacturers and retailers catching up with demand (10) Nov 3, 2009
MUSCATINE, Iowa Sales of guns and ammunition have leveled out since the election of President Barack Obama, who many see as a gun opponent. But it has been a busy year for gun and ammunition dealers and manufacturers while the sale of many other items from houses to cars have been sluggish. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Branstad's on the campaign trail in Wilton Nov 3, 2009
Former Iowa governor Terry Branstad addresses a crowd at the Kaufmann family farm in Wilton Saturday during a fundraising barbecue ... MUSCATINE, Iowa Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad told Muscatine County residents Saturday afternoon that he couldn t think of a more wonderful place to announce his re-entry into politics than a countryside picnic in Wilton ... Two years later, I was married, (to Iowa State trooper Robert Smith,) and moving to Durant. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Best from Sunday Nov 2, 2009
IOWA CITY, Iowa - Ricky Stanzi overcame a career-high five interceptions to throw two long touchdown passes in the fourth quarter, helping No. 7 Iowa rally for a 42-24 victory over Indiana on Saturday. OXFORD, Miss. (Athens Banner-Herald)
'By the People' captures Obama's stability Nov 2, 2009
Although the access to Obama, his family and key aides like David Axelrod and Robert Gibbs is a centerpiece of the project, the most emotional moments come from less-identifiable campaign staffers, such as Ronnie Cho, an Iowa organizer with his own remarkable story about how his parents immigrated to the U.S. from Korea. His tearful phone calls to his mother provide lump-in-the-throat moments. (Variety)
HBO filmmakers get inside Obama campaign Nov 2, 2009
Iowa became their centerpiece ... Through the crowds and contact, the filmmakers sense Obama catching on as he moved toward an impressive victory in the Iowa caucuses ... It was the birthplace of a movement, and whether Obama eventually won or lost the presidency, Rice and Sams felt Iowa gave them a film. (MSNBC -- Politics)
In Gotham, even jokers are free to run Nov 2, 2009
One step further along is a freelance writer and editor, the self-described last of the small heavyweights (Marquis of Queensberry or London Prize Ring Rules, he ll let you choose, if the do-re-mi is right) and, according to the Paper of Record, designer of his own clothing line, Joseph of Iowa. His main plank looks to be revoking the ban on smoking in bars. (Boston Globe)
Maine Voters to Pass Judgment on Gay Marriage Nov 2, 2009
Five other states have legalized gay marriage: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, and Iowa. All five of them did it by way of court or legislative action, not referendums. (Newsmax)
