On the Campaign Trail with Ed Tibbetts

“There’s a tremendous amount of people, everywhere you go.”

That’s how Porter McNeil, an activist from Moline, described the scene in Washington, D.C., at today’s inaugural.

McNeil, like dozens of other Quad-Citians, sought out his spot in history — which, as I’ve heard it described, was a small, barely maneuverable patch of ground in the two-mile space between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol, where President Barack Obama took the oath of office.

Each person staked their spot and soaked up history.

Here’s the story I posted earlier with reaction from QC folks at the inaugural, and those who watched it from here.

For Iowans, I’m sure there’s a tremendous sense that a circle has been closed today. In a state where presidential campaigning is near-perpetual, this one has clearly been a marathon.

Yet today, with the swearing-in, it felt as if there was a clear line drawn between the campaign and what comes next, governing.

Now, we move on.

“Today the General Assembly determined what I and an overwhelming majority of Illinoisans believe: Governor Blagojevich is unfit to serve our state. I urge the Senate to reach its verdict in a fair and timely fashion.”

Illinois Reps. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, and Pat Verschoore, D-Milan, both voted today to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Here’s what both had to say in statements sent after the vote:

Verschoore: “It’s about time we do something. … It’s a sad day for Illinois, but as shown in the committee’s report I think it’s time he’s gone.”

Boland: “I believe he has used his office for personal gain, traded state business for political contributions and greatly abused the powers of the office of the governor. I wish he would have resigned to spare the state the embarrassment of an impeachment trial, but he remains too self-centered to do what is best for the state.”

The New York Daily News, citing an anonymous source, said Monday night there was some consideration being given to substituting Tom Vilsack for Bill Richardson as Commerce Secretary in the Obama administration. Vilsack has already been nominated to be the new Agriculture Secretary. Richardson dropped out amid a grand jury probe.

The Daily News called the source “well-placed.” And the story’s gotten some play on the blogs.

Matt Paul, a former Vilsack chief of staff who’s served at times as a spokesman, didn’t lend much credence to the idea today. He called it the product of too many idle hands.

It does seem strange. Vilsack met Monday with Sen. Chuck Grassley about the Ag post, and Sen. Tom Harkin’s office said this morning his hearing, slated for the 14th, is still on.

If this were to happen, some folks would sure have some whiplash.

U.S. Rep. Phil Hare’s office announced today that he’s been picked to be on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The congressman said Amtrak in the Quad-Cities, expanding highways 336, 34, 30 and 67, as well as the I-74 bridge and implementation of the Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Plan are projects he’ll focus on.

“These initiatives and so many others will now have a voice on the panel responsible for writing our transportation policy,” he said in a statement.

Tim Schlittner, a spokesman, said the Rock Island Democrat is seeking a waiver so he can continue to serve on the Education and Veterans Affairs committees. House rules only allow a congressman to sit on two committees.

Hare’s slot on the commitee will help the Quad-Cities if Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, drops from the panel. The Iowa congressman was picked to sit on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which is considered an exclusive panel.

Braley, too, had expected to seek a waiver but it’s likely he’ll let go some of his committee work to sit on Energy.

Hare’s spot on the committee comes as the Congress moves closer to a multi-year highway bill, which QC leaders are looking to for money. The coming stimulus plan, too, is expected to be stocked with infrastructure projects.

UPDATE: Braley’s office just confirmed that the congressman won’t be on the Transportation committee this session.

Here’s a link to the story I wrote for Tuesday’s Times about a new political group aiming to recruit women to the state Republican Party.

The group, dubbed PURSE PAC, was formed last October. The idea, they say, is to try to rebuild the Iowa GOP by attracting women. They say they’re going to do that by focusing on what unites them (tax cuts, limited spending, education) rather than what divides (social issues).

The group’s leaders are touring the state to recruit.