21 Bars Get Busy

21 Bars Get Busy



Not as high profile as the Obama meeting but the committee for the 21 bar referendum got together last night. Only the Daily Iowan picks up on it - is that what we can expect for the fall? - but they did get Leah Cohen to call them "prohibitionists." Iowa City locals will recall that Cohen, owner of Bo James, fell about 50 votes short of bumping off Mike O'Donnell in 2001. Mike later switched to anti-21, which helped him beat 21 bar leader Rick Dobyns in `05 after Dobyns placd first in the primary.

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Quick links:

Edwards picks up some Vilsackers; the few big names from Johnson and Linn don't appear. Essential Estrogen says this is bad for the caucuses; I see the point but mildly disagree. I think the county chair types can be fair even if committed; we're not talking Chicago Alderman Louie Kneecaps here.

The Dems have finally found the phrase that pays: "Fully Funded Withdrawal." Some Progressive Caucus names here; will watch this one closely.

Interesting national numbers on immigration: Support for letting folks stay in the US and get on a citizenship path has stayed roughly steady in the 60% range but there's a recent spike in the GOP base, unworkable "deport everyone" position. Jonathan Singer at MyDD:

No doubt those speaking out in opposition to creating a realistic fix to the problem of having 10 million or more people living inside our country's borders unlawfully are among the loudest -- or at the least know how to play to the media to offer the portrayal that their numbers are greater than they actually are. And in fact, many in Congress -- to many Democrats, included -- have become timid on the issue of immigration reform as a result.

But the numbers speak for themselves. Americans want a comprehensive reform of the nation's immigration policy -- one that includes a path to citizenship.

It's the classic strength of position curve that drives so many of our issues: the vast majority that support a citizensip path do so mildly, while the minority have anger and energy on their side. See gun control, stem cells, choice, etc. for more examples. And get ready for that Tom Tancredo surprise.