Friday Clip Show

Skipped out on the president in Cedar Rapids Wednesday. The event seemed largely made for national cameras and I didn't feel like there was much unique that I could add to the story.

The Register did the leg work and tracked down people from the eight "missing" GOP caucus precincts. The result is a must read for any process geek and the stories are familiar to any caucus veteran.

Our local state senators come out strong against Matt Schultz's latest variation of the photo ID bill:

Sen. Bob Dvorsky, D-Coralville, said the bill would hurt many Democratic legislators' constituents.

"The bill is a ploy to cut down Democrat voting in the state of Iowa because about 20 percent of voters in Iowa are Democrats and do not own the proper identification in order to vote," he said.

He noted that there has only been one case of voter-identification fraud on record in the state's history, making the bill too harsh of a response to a small problem.

Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, said he agreed.

"The bill is a solution in search of a problem," he said. "There are virtually no cases of people trying to vote illegally. This is Schultz being cynical. This bill is preventing seniors, people with disabilities, and poor people from voting."

Coming up next week: the February 1 deadline for state senators to declare residence, at which time we'll know for sure how many senate races will be on next fall's ballot. So far it looks like 26, just one more than normal and probably some kind of record low for a remap year. All the even-numbered seats are on the presidential cycle, and the two possible pair-ups are both even: Dem Mary Jo Wilhelm and the GOP's Merlin Bartz in 26, and a Republican primary between Jim Hahn and Shawn Hamerlinck in 46. (I still bet one of those guys blinks.) That would mean the only "extra" race is in Clinton-based no incumbent Senate 49.

Up in open House District 2 in Clay and Palo Alto. Republican Megan Hess reports raising $15,945.12 to Democrat Steve Bomgaars' $7,618.