IOWA INSIDER

“On a day when major news organizations across the country are taking Sen. McCain to task for a steady stream of false, negative attacks, his campaign has launched yet another. Or, as some might say, ‘Oops! He did it again.’ Our dependence on foreign oil is one of the greatest challenges we face. In this election the American people have a real choice — between Obama’s plan to provide tax rebates to American families while creating a renewable energy economy in America that frees us from our dependence on foreign oil, and Sen. McCain’s plan to continue the same failed energy policies by handing out nearly $4 billion in tax breaks to oil companies while investing almost nothing in the new energy sources that represent our future.”

– Obama campaign spokesman Jenni Lee

A new television ad from John McCain tries to turn Obama’s popularity, on display during his world tour, into a negative for the candidate. The ad intersperses flashes of much-maligned celebrities Britney Spears and Paris Hilton with images of Obama.

It goes on to accuse Obama of supporting higher taxes and the importation of more foreign oil and criticizes his position against off-shore drilling.

Cedar Rapids attorney Greg Seyfer was voted in today as the new chairman of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission.

Seyfer, a Republican, is serving his third year on the panel, and said he doesn’t see the commission moving in a new direction under his leadership.

The commission currently is studying the possibility of issuing new gaming licenses to allow more casinos to open.

“I think that will probably be what we’ll be looking at for the immediate future,” Seyfer said.

Seyfer succeeds Kate Cutler of Council Bluffs, who served two years as chairwoman and will remain on the commission. Rules limit the length of a chair’s tenure to two years.

Diane Hamilton of Storm Lake was voted in as the new vice chair. She previously chaired the committee.

One position on the commission remains open until Gov. Chet Culver makes an appointment.