I encourage activists to take notes on political surveys and share what they’ve heard. Bleeding Heartland user corncam did a great job. -promoted by Laura Belin

We can add one more name to the list of presidential candidates who may compete in the 2020 Iowa caucuses: former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe. I completed a phone survey on January 14 that was ostensibly neutral, but I’m pretty sure it was sponsored by McAuliffe. I’ll tell you why below.

Earlier this evening, the U.S. House tried to limit the scope of the NSA's domestic spying, but this amendment failed by 205-217.  It was an unusual cross-party vote, with Democrats voting 111-83, and Republians voting 94-134.  (Here is the full roll call vote).

Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack voted Yes (to restrict the NSA), while Steve King and Tom Latham voted No.  I haven't been able to find any more detailed statements from any of Iowa's congressmen.

Does anyone know where the 1st district candidates stand on this issue?  It would be a good debate topic.

I live in Johnson county (IA-02), and I just got a strange poll.  It was very short – they asked whether I plannned to vote, Obama vs. Romney, how I voted in 2008 (Obama vs McCain), and then came the surprise.  They asked how I viewed Colin Powell – very favorably, somewhat favorably, somewhat unfavorably, very unfavorably.  It's hard to believe that Powell still has national political aspirations, but I can't figure out who else would be asking that question.

Has anyone else gotten a poll like this? 

The most exciting race in Johnson county isn't the 2nd Congressional District, or even State House District 73 – its the race for county auditor.  

Yesterday's Burlington Hawkeye had a story that Gene Fraise will not seek re-election in 2012:

Friase decides not to seek eighth term

Sen. Fraise is 79 years old, and he has been in the Senate for 26 years.  Before that, he was a Lee County Supervisor.  Fraise has been known for his work on criminal justice and education.

One Repulican has announced that he will run for this seat – Lee County Supervisor Larry Kruse.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette said that Rep. Dave Loebsack is considering extending the Bush tax cuts for everyone, not just the middle class.  Here's the money quote:

…what do we do about those making over $200,000 a year and couples making over $250,000?  I've said all along that I didn't want to extend those tax cuts, but I'm rethinking that at the moment.

This is so out of character for Dave that its hard to believe he is serious.  Is there something in the water in DC?

Anyway, I have written him about this and I encourage any other second district voters to do the same.  Here is his congressional website:

              http://loebsack.house.gov/

 (The original Gazette article is “Loebsack considering extension of Bush tax cuts” by James Q. Lynch, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Sept. 11, 2010, p.7.)