IOWA INSIDER

Former Lee Enterprises Bureau Chief Todd Dorman has a new blog to go along with his new, cushy gig as a columnist for another Iowa newspaper. It’s 24-Hour Dorman.

His debut post predicts “a small but devoted following of at least 9 readers.” Fans of Todd’s irreverant sense of humor have a chance to prove his low expectations wrong.

Dorman’s blog promises to focus on “Cedar Rapids-area issues, politics at all levels, food, music and his infinitely fascinating life.”

Dorman in his own words:

“On one hand, this blog’s name conveys the notion that I’ll be working 24-7 to dig up interesting, provocative fodder for the site,” Dorman said.

“But it also conjures up images of a man oddly dressed in a fake military uniform standing outside a door, or maybe even visions of a 24-hour convenience store, with stale donuts, bitter coffee and old, warmed-over spinning hot dogs. I think all three images fit,” he added.

The campaign for John Edwards unveiled a Web site Wednesday asking voters to pledge not to support candidates who accept money from political action committees or Washington lobbyists.

The campaign has a goal of getting 1 million people to sign on at AmericaBelongsToUs2008.com by Feb. 5.

“What we want to do is make sure that the Democratic Party, once and for all, says to the world that it’s the party of the people, not the party of corporate power,” Deputy Campaign Manager Jonathan Prince said in a conference call unveiling the Web site.

Edwards has been critical of rival Hillary Clinton for her ties to lobbyists, and has refused to take money from PACs and Washington lobbyists.

“Imagine what would happen if Americans all across the country said, we’re not going to vote for people who don’t take lobbyist money anymore. You would change politics overnight,” Prince said.

Lee Enterprises’ Dan Gearino reporting from Iowa Public Television studios –

U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley looked into his crystal ball Monday and saw Mitt Romney winning the Jan. 3 Republican caucuses.

Interviewed on the Iowa Public Television program “Iowa Press,” Grassley said Romney will likely win because he has the money and organizational clout to come out on top.

He thinks Mike Huckabee will come in second because he’s good at relating to everyday Iowans.

And he expects Rudy Giuliani to finish third because “he’s waking up
and decides he’s got to do third in Iowa if he’s going to have a national chance.”

Grassley also had quick assessments of two candidates he expects to finish fourth or lower. He said Fred Thompson got into the race too late and John McCain spent his money too fast.

On the Democratic side, Grassley expects Hillary Clinton to win. But
he thinks she needs to win convincingly over Barack Obama and John
Edwards.

“If she comes out 1 percentage point ahead of Obama or Edwards, I
don’t think it’s a victory for her,” Grassley said.