(3 of 5)
Jim Nussle's dramatic gestures could do him in. Not the 1991 House speech he gave with a bag over his head (to make a point about government secrecy), but his "Lead or Leave" pledge to resign if the deficit wasn't halved by 1996. Voters may be dissuaded from holding his feet to the electoral fire by considering Nussle's dedication to a balanced budget and lower taxes.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "This is not about numbers, this is about people and families. We can do better. Our [budget] plan helps, because we allow people to earn more. We allow families to earn more, and we allow them to keep more so they can do more."
DONNA SMITH (D) District 2
BORN: March 24, 1941, Epworth EDUCATION: Loras College, B.A., 1992; U of Iowa, 1994- FAMILY: Husband, Patrick; four children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Real estate broker POLITICAL CAREER: Dubuque County Supervisor, 1979- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1136, Dubuque 52004. Tel.: 319-582-4280
County supervisor Donna Smith went door to door to publicize the Democratic Party's Families First agenda--promising tax breaks for education and child care and protection for pensions, Medicare, Social Security and veteran's benefits. Instead of lumbering Iowa farmers with a full load of property and production taxes, Smith, who is endorsed by labor, would raise the fees charged to corporate ranchers for grazing cattle on public land.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion YES Guns YES Gays NR Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I will fight to create jobs and preserve the family farm, fight crime for safe neighborhoods, preserve Medicare and Social Security for seniors and protect our environment."
LEONARD BOSWELL (D) District 3 (South central--Ames; Burlington)
BORN: Jan. 10, 1934, Harrison County, Mo. EDUCATION: Graceland College, B.A., 1969 FAMILY: Wife, Dody; three children RELIGION: Mormon MILITARY: Army, 1956-76 OCCUPATION: Farmer POLITICAL CAREER: Iowa Senate, 1985-; Iowa Democratic Central Committee, 1992- ADDRESS: 1401 North Jefferson, Suite D, Indianola 50125. Tel.: 515-962-0212
In the battle for the seat being left by Republican Jim Lightfoot, Boswell has been endorsed by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, only the second Democratic congressional candidate in this decade to get such an endorsement. But higher office has eluded Boswell--a state Senator for a decade. He ran for the House in 1986 and Lieutenant Governor in 1994--and the federation endorsement may be just the kick he's needed.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense NO Abortion YES Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "We are at an important time. Our country must balance its budget--but it must do it with common sense, not extremism."
MIKE MAHAFFEY (R) District 3