More than 140 authors contributed to the 313 guest posts Bleeding Heartland published during 2020–a record number for the fourth year in a row. I’m proud to provide a platform for a wide range of progressive views and grateful for the hard work that went into creating these articles and commentaries.
In the 25 years I’ve been writing about politics, no event has ever dominated people’s lives and headspace like the COVID-19 pandemic. The unfolding disaster inspired many of the posts linked below. Authors raised concerns about the response by state leaders, local officials, or corporate managers. They critiqued excessive secrecy, misleading presentations of data on virus spread, and the public’s detachment from the reality of death. They shared the voices of educators whose work was upended and their own stories of personal grief. Dr. Greg Cohen’s view of the pandemic through the eyes of a rural Iowa doctor was not only the most-viewed Bleeding Heartland post of 2020, but the most-viewed in this site’s fourteen-year history.
Naturally, the election year inspired many commentaries endorsing presidential contenders before the Iowa caucuses, or discussing other state or federal campaigns. After November 3, several authors sought to identify what went wrong for Democratic candidates here and how the party can build support, especially in rural areas. The Iowa legislature’s actions (or lack of action) provided more source material.
Other authors felt compelled to write about the systemic racism, persistent inequities, and police violence that inspired a summer of protests, but left some politicians silent.
A few authors reviewed little-known or rarely remembered events in Iowa history.
Please get in touch if you would like to write about any topic of local, statewide, or national importance during 2021, or if you have wildflower photos or memories to share about an Iowa political figure. If you do not already have a Bleeding Heartland account, I can set one up for you and explain the process. There is no standard format or word limit. I copy-edit for clarity but don’t micromanage how authors express themselves.
Although most authors write under their real names, pseudonyms are allowed here and may be advisable for those writing about sensitive topics or whose day job does not permit expressing political views. I ask authors to disclose potential conflicts of interest, such as being a paid staffer, consultant, or lobbyist promoting any candidate or policy they discuss here.
For the third year in a row, Ira Lacher (who writes under the handle “BronxinIowa”) was the most prolific Bleeding Heartland guest author. His 33 posts from 2020, in chronological order:
Pete’s “gay problem” that isn’t
The terrible, horrible, no good, very bad way to pick a nominee
News you cannot, should not use
Should it stay or should it go?
Warning: Journalists doing deference
The divide that’s conquered . . . us
The virus: Trump’s Fifth Avenue?
Bumper cars as Tuesday approaches
Caucus postmortem: Don’t blame the DNC
Dan Guild wrote 25 posts:
Four weeks left to the Iowa caucuses: Fasten seat belts
Iowa caucuses: Very close and never more important
With Iowa as unsettled as it has ever been, a critical debate
Democratic presidential primary schedule needs serious evaluation
10 days left: Will someone break out?
Expectations: Yes, they REALLY matter
How close was Iowa? Florida 2000 close
The road after Iowa and New Hampshire
Yes, Bernie Sanders can be stopped. But…
Super Tuesday: A reversal of fortune
Denial, economics, and COVID-19
With four months left, Donald Trump follows in Jimmy Carter’s footsteps
Does a presidential nominee’s choice of running mate matter?
Joe Biden got small bounce but has commanding lead
The wrong message at the wrong time
Trump’s long shadow and Iowa’s pivotal Senate race
Presidential debates: Candidates in search of that magic moment
When it comes to the Senate, all roads lead to Iowa
Donald Trump’s last, best hope?
Youth vote could be decisive in Iowa, other states
Why the Selzer poll may be wrong
A race that ends where it began
Herb Strentz was the author of 24 posts:
Trump valiant in fight against virus — April Fool!
“We the people” or “We the phonies”?
Truth gets a head start (for a change)
Two takes on Trump and the religious right: A farce or fright?
Perhaps Justice should rear its head, too
1642: “Walls do not a prison make.” 2020: Neither do they make a church
An Iowa angle on Trump’s clash with military leaders
No end to the bizarre antics–and the irony–of Donald Trump
July 4th provides a route to November 3rd
Being objective about “objectivity”
A study in contrasts: Donald Trump and communities
We deserve a break today. Two folks well worth “hooray”!
The Joni Ernst/Chuck Grassley combo in Iowa’s U.S. Senate races
Politicians rearrange deck chairs as the S.S. Iowa hits COVID-19
There will be no presidential libraries for Obama, Trump
Hoover Library and Museum–Nothing to be depressed about
Trump food program letter: Treat or trick?
For those who deplore hatred, an alternative to hating Trump
Iowa’s unstrung quartet — Chuck, Joni, Kim, and Terry
Norman Vincent Peale talked the talk. Dietrich Bonhoeffer walked the walk
Aides don’t say Trump is above the law. They say he is the law
Perspectives on our election, our future
Bruce Lear wrote 20 posts during 2020:
No crystal ball needed to predict Iowa legislative moves
Binge-watching West Wing and why I support Joe Biden
Iowa needs level playing field for collective bargaining
Easter story, pandemic story share common themes
Celebrating teachers through actions
Return to Learn: Voices from the classroom
Denial is not a strategy for opening Iowa schools
It’s time for Iowa schools to step up
Iowa governor ignores health experts
An open letter to Governor Kim Reynolds
It’s time for the education and medical communities to unite
Musical chairs and other bad ideas during a pandemic
An unfortunate October surprise
Messaging matters in political campaigns
An open letter to Iowa school boards
It’s time for some soul searching
Two authors wrote or contributed to seven posts each. In alphabetical order, they are Tyler Granger:
Inaction on climate change in 2019 will be costly for Iowans
The looming environmental catastrophe
Cindy Axne overtakes Chuck Grassley as Iowa’s renewable energy champion
Joni Ernst has failed Iowans on trade
Chuck Grassley sees electric vehicles as threat, not opportunity
Iowa’s looming water and drought crisis
Emma Schmit:
Iowa deserves to be more than just a feedlot between two rivers
Iowa lawmakers chose corporate agriculture and factory farms again (with Ava Auen-Ryan)
Ignoring Iowa’s factory farm crisis is a big mistake
Iowans lose out to industrial ag in 2020 legislative session
Senator Rozenboom’s conflict of interest on Ag Gag couldn’t be clearer (with Adam Mason)
Iowa’s water can’t wait (with Danielle Wirth)
Four authors contributed five posts to Bleeding Heartland during 2020. By Richard Lindgren:
The misleading math of rural coronavirus
Living Shirley Jackson’s story ‘The Lottery’ in real time
When Chuck Grassley was “pwned” by the televangelists
Donald Trump’s tax problems revisited
Chasing Benford’s Law down an election rabbit hole
Susan Nelson:
Homemade anti-virus hardware: Make your own face shield
Admiral Mike Franken: A candidate for an extraordinary time
Dark money stains the Senate primary
A clear choice: Todd Prichard over Craig Clark in Iowa House district 52
The art of showing up: J.D. Scholten in Iowa’s fourth district
Dan Piller:
Thoughts on a post-Trump agenda for Democrats
When Iowa farmers took to the streets–and got results
Donald Trump’s farmers: A diminishing political asset
Randy Richardson:
Iowa needs one insurance plan for all public employees
Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and coronavirus
Iowa governor’s proclamation creates confusion for schools
Five authors wrote four posts each. Charles Bruner:
Child poverty and the country’s future
As ambitious as the New Deal: Biden’s plan for caregivers, educators
Relational campaigning and our roles as influencers
Matt Chapman:
Why I will caucus for Elizabeth Warren
Iowa House, Senate have dueling bills on public assistance
Republican bill to protect housing discrimination part of a pattern
Highlights, dog whistles from an Iowa Senate debate
Paul W. Johnson:
Make Iowa great again: Yes, we can
Iowa agriculture, climate change, and “SWAPA”
Tanya Keith:
Don’t make Iowa families suffer through a constitutional amendment on abortion
All I wanted was to scream at a billionaire
Iowa is running out of time to avoid the pain I’m living
James Larew:
Chet Culver challenges Kim Reynolds’ COVID-19 workplace rules
Chet Culver to Kim Reynolds: Have Test Iowa contract independently audited
Letter from disappointed Iowa Democrats to Senator Chuck Schumer
Six authors wrote three posts. Brett W. Copeland:
Randy Feenstra is at the center of Iowa’s failed policies (with Mitch Day and Laura Hoffman)
Change in the Iowa Democratic Party must start at the top
Trust, confidence, and progress
Glenn Hurst:
COVID-19 crisis unmasks health care system’s failures
Iowa Democratic Party vs Democratic voters: Can the shepherd find the sheep?
The long game: Where does winning in rural Iowa begin?
Julie Ann Neely:
Yearning to return to the 1950s? You may get your wish
Rural hospitals: Our canary in a coal mine
We can run. We can try to hide. But there is no Planet B
Carl Olsen:
Why I’m asking Iowa to seek an exemption from federal drug laws
State seeking federal exemption for Iowa’s medical cannabis program
Feds deny exemption for Iowa’s medical cannabis program
C.J. Petersen:
Why I hope you’ll vote by mail in the Democratic primary
Remembering Stonewall in western Iowa
We live here, too: Dirt road Democrats in the arena
Marty Ryan:
Minority impact statements in Iowa: History and continuing efforts
Nineteen authors wrote two posts each. John Aspray:
Governor Reynolds is missing in action on water access
Big Ag’s “Too big to fail” fails us all
“Bill from White Plains”:
Regarding the fate of the Iowa caucuses, the real point has been missed
An open letter to Iowa GOP lawmakers and Governor Reynolds
Katie Byerly:
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Rough blazing star
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Purple rattlesnake-root (Glaucous white lettuce)
Jim Chrisinger:
Do Republicans even know what socialism is?
Asymmetry: When one side cheats
Randy Evans:
COVID-19 crisis underscores how vital information is
State Fair meeting was affront to open government
Amber Gustafson:
One suburban caucus chair’s experience and what it means for Iowa
Theresa Greenfield respects all Iowans
Shawn Harmsen:
Out of good group, Warren is my pick
A State Central Committee member’s thoughts on Troy Price resigning
Laura Hubka:
One Iowa Democratic county chair’s view: The work, worksheets, and disaster
Andy Johnson:
Girls can wrestle, and a woman will win
OMG the sky is falling, says MSNBC
Emilene Leone:
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: A lawn-to-native plant garden conversion
How to make your own pallet flag yard sign
John Norwood:
Comments on the governor’s Invest in Iowa Act
We need a two-pronged COVID-19 strategy
Dave O’Connor:
Science and the governor’s Return to Learn proclamation
An open letter to the Des Moines School Board
Preethi Reddi:
Rural Iowa schools must proactively promote racial equity
Here’s why Iowa’s COVID-19 approach needs to change
Katie Rock:
Keep the lights on for our kids
Iowans deserve a plan from MidAmerican to phase out coal
J.D. Scholten:
Rural America needs reinforcements to fight COVID-19
Where Iowa Democrats go from here: Thoughts for the next party chair
Ras Smith:
Essential doesn’t mean expendable
A call for responsibility, accountability, and compassion in the new year
Patrick Swanson:
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: A DIY bee house using native prairie plants
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Downy yellow painted cup
Stacey Walker:
The true cost of incrementalism: defeat
Where are the freedom fighters? A plea for help from a beleaguered Black man
John Whiston:
Deaths of despair in Clinton, Oelwein, and elsewhere
Another 101 posts were by writers who contributed once to this site during the year.
Anonymous legislative staffer:
An open letter to Speaker Grassley and Majority Leader Whitver
Angelisa Belden:
When is it safe to get in the water?
Aaron Belkin:
Path to Iowa caucus victory hidden in plain sight
Nancy Bobo:
Why I support Mike Franken for U.S. Senate
Ruby Bodeker:
A rural strategy we can work with
Bill Brauch:
Eight lessons of election week 2020 in Iowa
Norman Brewer:
Erika Brighi:
My awakening moment in the fight for justice
Rachel Bruns:
Maternal health in Iowa: You don’t know what you don’t know
Bridget Carberry Montgomery:
Bill would allow more guns in Iowa’s local government buildings, parks
Jeffrey Cárdenas:
Educating Rhonda: Law enforcement challenges
Leslie Carpenter:
What would Jesus do about Iowa’s broken mental health system?
Daniel Clark:
The T in LGBTQ has never been silent…and neither should we
Greg Cohen:
The COVID-19 pandemic through the eyes of a rural Iowa doctor (most-viewed post in Bleeding Heartland history)
Edward Cohn:
Why I support Elizabeth Warren
Lora Conrad:
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Pawpaw
Chad Cooper:
Sydney Devine:
Nate Boulton and the party that promoted him
Bruce Dickerson:
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: A walk around my pasture
Eric Donat:
The Disability Caucus: Fighting for inclusion
Don Doumakes:
“DougJ”:
How Polk County’s COVID-19 map skews perception of virus spread
Leslie Dow:
Jeremy Dumkrieger:
The case for a simpler, values-driven Democratic Party platform
Sue Dvorsky:
Theresa Greenfield is our choice to defeat Joni Ernst
Jim Eliason:
Khadidja Elkeurti:
Christina Blackcloud would fight for the underrepresented in IA-01
Casey Erixon:
How prison abolition could save rural America
“Fake Adam”:
A queer perspective on Iowa’s U.S. Senate primary
TJ Foley:
What I learned talking to a Trump supporter for five minutes
Jerry Foxhoven:
I am pro-life. That’s why I’m a Democrat
Caleb Gates:
Why Bernie Sanders is the only candidate who can beat Donald Trump
Eric Giddens:
Reflection on the 2020 legislative session
Athena Gilbraith:
Colin Gordon:
What should Iowa’s recovery look like?
Joe Gorton:
Flawed assumptions, missing elements in Kim Reynolds’ COVID-19 plan
Jon Green:
Iowa Senate Democrats’ wrongheaded thinking
David Grussing:
Thoughts on removal of Confederate monuments
Neil Hamilton:
Tamyra Harrison:
Why should Iowans care about D.C. statehood? The truth is, we always haved
Joe Henry:
Des Moines hiring practices don’t reflect community’s diversity
Mitch Henry:
Joe Biden, Theresa Greenfield best to confront challenges facing Iowa
Bill Jackson:
Why this Republican will caucus for Pete Buttigieg
Mike Jacobsen:
From the chair: Reflections on the 2020 Iowa caucuses
Rob Johnson, Al Womble, and Eddie Mauro:
No Justice No Peace: Elections, actions, and activism
Skip Kaltenheuser:
Mary Krieg and Janet Metcalf:
Broadlawns board endorsement: Bill Taber and Kavi Chawla
Yoni Libbie:
Governor Reynolds, learn their names
Beth Lynch:
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: Iowa golden saxifrage
Erin Madsen:
To prevent Trump’s 2nd (and 3rd, and 4th) term, Democrats need Elizabeth Warren
Nick Mahlstadt:
Response to Senator Julian Garrett’s racist dog whistle
Elizabeth Marilla:
Iowa wildflower Wednesday: A tour of spring flowers in southeast Iowa
Mike McCarthy:
Iowa Republicans fail to uphold promises of Older Americans Act
Brian McLain:
The Progressive Caucus: In solidarity we rise
Tyler Mills:
Kevin Warth offers unique perspective for Iowa Senate district 44
Morgan Kent Molden:
Suburban insight: Karin Derry over Eddie Andrews in House district 39
Nate Monson:
Transforming Trauma: Meeting the challenges facing youth
John Morrissey:
Iowa State Fairgrounds closed; Polk County rents dorm for COVID-19 recovery
Jon Muller:
How delaying property tax enforcement affects Iowa taxpayers, local government
John Murphy:
Keith Nichols:
Don’t count on a “blue wave” to deliver
Jackie Norris:
Jo Oldson:
Kim Reynolds’ pandemic secrets erode public trust (among 20 most-viewed posts of 2020)
Clay Pasqual:
Trust medical experts on COVID-19
Kyla Paterson:
I’m endorsing Elizabeth Warren for trans rights
Kay Pence:
Joni Ernst turned her back on Iowans
Elisa Hernández Pérez:
Kimberly Graham knows universal health care is our only choice
Janet Petersen:
Iowans deserve more transparency to help stop COVID-19
Susie Petra:
I am grateful to you, Senator Sanders
Raihan Rashidi:
Momentum builds for 100% DSM clean energy initiative
Amanda Rex-Johnson:
Why I am supporting Elizabeth Warren
Joan Rohlfing:
In Iowa and beyond, voters must demand answers on nuclear weapons policy
Scott Roland:
Kimberly Graham: Of the People, for the People, and by the People
Connie Ryan:
Advocate to Iowa House: “Constitution should never be used to do harm”
Anne Schechinger:
Largest farms received most trade bailout, COVID-19 payments
Sami Scheetz:
Bernie Sanders’ success in Iowa shows Democratic Party must adapt
Michael Schmidt:
Alliant takes step forward on road to clean energy
Shawn Sebastian:
Failed politicians have turned Iowa into one of Earth’s most dangerous places
Midge Slater:
Senator Joni Ernst’s stealth attack on our Social Security
Art Small:
Athena would make the best president. But our times call for Ares
Bryce Smith:
The moral leader America needs
Rocky Sposato and Marc Ward:
Broadlawns board endorsement: Emily Webb and Dave Miglin
Heather Strachan:
Iowa needs Warren’s big structural change for mental health
“Strong Island Hawk”:
Todd Struthers:
Lessons learned from our giving table
Rod Sullivan:
Ten things Iowa Democrats should do
Greg Thielmann:
How will the Democratic candidates reduce the risk of nuclear war?
Jake Tornholm:
Elizabeth Warren: Best person for the job and the woman we need as president
Jeff Walberg:
To see the racism of Kenosha, look beyond the videos
Amy L. Ward:
David Weaver:
Defeating Joni Ernst in November
Mary Weaver:
Trump’s takeover of Voice of America
John Webb:
It needs to be said: Abolish the caucus
Janice Weiner:
A decision made with head and heart for Amy Klobuchar
Jackie Wellman:
Tim Whipple:
Iowa’s municipal utilities already suspended water shutoffs
Aime Wichtendahl:
Why I’m supporting Elizabeth Warren for president
Kieran Williams:
Václav Havel’s “Letters to Olga” as a COVID-19 companion
Ann Wilson:
I know both candidates in House district 16. Jen Pellant is the correct choice
Tom Witosky:
Baseball scandal shows how low we go
Sarah Zdenek:
1 Comment
All I can say is WOW!
Thank you Laura for celebrating the cooperative effort of BH contributors. It is amazing the number of people who have poured their heart and soul into these thoughtful posts.
And finally, thank you Laura for hosting BH where you provide a great forum for all to get a better understanding of what is happening in our state.
libre Sun 3 Jan 3:42 PM