IOWA INSIDER

Democrats are circulating a letter from Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean urging the presidential campaigns to follow the nominating calendar set by party that keeps the Iowa caucuses first in the nation.

The move comes after top party leaders shot down a plan by Florida to hold its primary contest earlier than party rules allow, as states have jockeyed to move closer to the front of the nominating process.

Although Florida is facing sanctions for its plans, some of the presidential campaigns have hesitated to say they would not compete in the state if it breaks the rules.

“As the leader of the Democratic Party, I strongly urge you to adhere to the 2008 Delegate Selection Rules,” Dean said in the letter.

The letter outlines the penalty for Florida, a loss of its delegates to the nominating convention, if it continues to move ahead with plans for an early primary contest on Jan. 29.

From Dan Gearino of the Lee Enterprises Des Moines bureau

Gay rights advocates won a major victory Thursday when a Polk County District Judge ruled that the state’s ban on gay marriage violates the Iowa Constitution.

“This court has yet to hear any convincing argument as to how excluding same-sex couples from getting married promotes responsible reproduction in general or by different-sex couples in particular. So far as this court can tell (the law) operates only to harm same-sex couples and their children,” said the ruling from Judge Robert Hanson.

The ruling says the law must be rewritten in a gender neutral manner to allow same-sex couples to enter into civil marriage.

“This decision brings to life the Iowa Constitution’s promise of equality for same-sex couples and their families in Iowa,” said Camilla Taylor, attorney for Lambda Legal, the gay rights group that argued the case.

Sen. David Johnson, an Ocheyedan Republican, said he was disappointed but not surprised. He was one of the co-sponsors of a bill that would have put the gay marriage ban before voters as a proposed Constitutional amendment. He said the ruling underscores the need to resolve this issue with voters, not the courts.

“We should get this issue on the ballot as quickly as we possibly can,” he said.

The case will almost certainly be appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court.

Looks like Culver wasn’t immune from taking money from fugitive and Democratic fund-raising machine Norman Hsu either.

Culver Press Secretary Courtney Greene just put out this statement:

“Today, Iowa Governor Chet Culver directed his campaign committee to give a $4,500 donation to the Iowa Homeless Youth Centers, a program of Youth and Shelter Services, Inc., which is the amount the campaign committee received from Norman Hsu over the past two years.”