Bleeding Heartland

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Bleeding Heartland A website covering Iowa politics, featuring Laura Belin (publisher and primary reporter) and many other authors

Bleeding Heartland has covered Iowa politics since 2007. Laura Belin, a longtime volunteer for Democratic candidates and progressive causes in Iowa, has been the primary author and sole editor at Bleeding Heartland since early 2008. She published under the handle "desmoinesdem" through 2018 and now writes about Iowa politics under her own byline. Belin's interests include campaigns and elections i

n Iowa, state government policies, Iowa House and Senate actions, and voting records of the Iowans in Congress. Bleeding Heartland is a community blog; readers can sign up to post their own comments or diaries, helping to keep our leaders honest and hold them accountable. Des Moines Cityview’s “Civic Skinny” called Belin “probably the hardest-working — and perhaps the best — political reporter in the state” and “one of the best investigative reporters in the state.” The Fix at the Washington Post has named Bleeding Heartland among the “best state-based political blogs” and called Belin one of the “top Iowa political tweeters.” Charles Pierce of Esquire has called Bleeding Heartland an “essential Iowa political blog.”

Laura Belin highlights the growing problem for Democrats in Iowa's mid-sized cities, which has cost the party winnable r...
17/11/2024

Laura Belin highlights the growing problem for Democrats in Iowa's mid-sized cities, which has cost the party winnable races for Congress and the state legislature.

Laura Belin highlights the growing problem for Democrats in mid-sized cities, which has led to legislative and Congressional losses.

Tom Walton: When you’re shut out of every branch of government, the only thing you have left is your message.
17/11/2024

Tom Walton: When you’re shut out of every branch of government, the only thing you have left is your message.

Tom Walton considers how Donald Trump pushes people's buttons and suggests more effective messages for Democratic politicians.

Bruce Lear: One of our first warnings for children is, “Don’t take candy from strangers.” Iowans need to remember that l...
16/11/2024

Bruce Lear: One of our first warnings for children is, “Don’t take candy from strangers.” Iowans need to remember that lesson when politicians offer their version of candy. It seems so sweet, but bitter truth lurks behind.

Bruce Lear: When politicians offer their version of candy, it seems so sweet, but bitter truth lurks behind.

Dani Replogle: A politically motivated lawsuit threatens the Midwest’s iconic prairie potholes and other wetlands across...
15/11/2024

Dani Replogle: A politically motivated lawsuit threatens the Midwest’s iconic prairie potholes and other wetlands across the nation.

Dani Replogle: A politically motivated lawsuit threatens the Midwest’s iconic prairie potholes and other wetlands across the nation.

U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks hasn't officially been re-elected in Iowa's first Congressional district.Bu...
15/11/2024

U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks hasn't officially been re-elected in Iowa's first Congressional district.

But a message to House GOP colleagues this week indicated she's already worried about the "tough road" facing incumbents from swing districts in 2026.

Laura Belin: The IA-01 incumbent is already worried about the "tough road" facing members from swing districts in 2026.

It's late but still Iowa wildflower Wednesday!This week, Lora Conrad features Sassafras, a lovely small tree with beauti...
14/11/2024

It's late but still Iowa wildflower Wednesday!

This week, Lora Conrad features Sassafras, a lovely small tree with beautiful foliage in all seasons, colorful flowers, and fruit for wildlife. (includes photos of the trees in all seasons)

Lora Conrad features Sassafras, a lovely small tree with beautiful foliage in all seasons, colorful flowers, and fruit for wildlife.

For the first time in six years, Iowa’s junior Senator Joni Ernst will not have a position on the leadership team of U.S...
14/11/2024

For the first time in six years, Iowa’s junior Senator Joni Ernst will not have a position on the leadership team of U.S. Senate Republicans.

Representative Ashley Hinson didn't compete for a spot in House leadership.

Laura Belin: Ernst lost her bid to become the third-ranking Senate Republican; Hinson didn't compete for a House GOP leadership role.

Not the high drama unfolding in Washington, but Iowa House and Senate Republicans elected their leadership teams yesterd...
13/11/2024

Not the high drama unfolding in Washington, but Iowa House and Senate Republicans elected their leadership teams yesterday. They made only a few changes (not at the top).

Laura Belin: Republicans in both chambers are staying the course, having won the party's largest majorities in more than 50 years.

Gerald Ott was puzzled by the op-ed Bob Vander Plaats wrote for the Des Moines Register after the presidential election.
13/11/2024

Gerald Ott was puzzled by the op-ed Bob Vander Plaats wrote for the Des Moines Register after the presidential election.

Matthew P. Thornburg finds that U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra slightly underperformed in precincts lying in the pat...
12/11/2024

Matthew P. Thornburg finds that U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra slightly underperformed in precincts lying in the path of Summit Carbon Solutions' CO2 pipeline.

Matthew Thornburg: Randy Feenstra slightly underperformed in the Summit Carbon pipeline precincts, compared to the rest of IA-04.

On "KHOI's Capitol Week," Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks took a close look at Iowa's 2024 elections. How big was the swin...
12/11/2024

On "KHOI's Capitol Week," Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks took a close look at Iowa's 2024 elections. How big was the swing to Trump compared to other states? Which candidates overperformed? What went wrong with that Selzer poll? Which legislative races are headed for recounts?

This is the most comprehensive summary you'll find in podcast form.

"KHOI's Capitol Week," November 11 edition

Laura Belin: One Democratic challenger massively outperformed Kamala Harris, while Donald Trump barely pulled one undera...
12/11/2024

Laura Belin: One Democratic challenger massively outperformed Kamala Harris, while Donald Trump barely pulled one underachieving GOP incumbent over the line.

Laura Belin: One Democratic challenger massively outperformed Harris, and Trump barely pulled one underachieving incumbent over the line.

Bill Bumgarner: If Republicans follow through on their campaign rhetoric, Americans will be confronted with the real-lif...
11/11/2024

Bill Bumgarner: If Republicans follow through on their campaign rhetoric, Americans will be confronted with the real-life implications.

Jason Benell: These voters are not bamboozled or swept up in the frenzy of a media blitz. They are not ignorant of the d...
10/11/2024

Jason Benell: These voters are not bamboozled or swept up in the frenzy of a media blitz. They are not ignorant of the differences between the candidates and the parties up and down the ballot. They see things that will hurt the “right people” and want them done, even if that means setting aside equal protections under the law.

Jason Benell: Iowans are not bamboozled. They are not ignorant of the differences between the candidates or the parties.

Bruce Lear: Americans ignored the warning signs and purchased what Trump was selling: simple solutions to complex proble...
10/11/2024

Bruce Lear: Americans ignored the warning signs and purchased what Trump was selling: simple solutions to complex problems.

Bruce Lear: The meanness of the campaign seeped into attacks on everyday Americans. It could have lasting consequences.

Jack Hatch: Without a strong party organization that represents our coalition, Iowa Democrats will continue to lose.
10/11/2024

Jack Hatch: Without a strong party organization that represents our coalition, Iowa Democrats will continue to lose.

Wally Taylor: The Duane Arnold plant was closed because it was uneconomical in light of growing renewable energy generat...
09/11/2024

Wally Taylor: The Duane Arnold plant was closed because it was uneconomical in light of growing renewable energy generation. Nothing has changed.

Wally Taylor: The Duane Arnold plant was decommissioned because it was uneconomical compared to nuclear energy. Nothing has changed.

Donald Trump won Iowa's ten Mississippi River counties by more than double the number of votes than he did against Joe B...
08/11/2024

Donald Trump won Iowa's ten Mississippi River counties by more than double the number of votes than he did against Joe Biden.

Ed Tibbetts reports on Trump's expanded footprint in a once Democratic-leaning part of Iowa.

Ed Tibbetts: Trump won the ten Mississippi River counties by more than double the number of votes than he did against Joe Biden.

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