Skip to main content

Clintons returning to Iowa amid 2016 speculation

By WTOP Staff

KEN THOMAS
Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton left Iowa on an “excruciating” night in 2008, the beginning of the end of her White House campaign. She returns for the first time this weekend, not quite yet running for president but sure to hear cheers from a crowd of Democrats hoping she will.

Trailed by White House speculation, and joined by her husband, former President Bill Clinton, the former secretary of state is trekking to rural Indianola to pay tribute to the retiring Sen. Tom Harkin at his final Steak Fry — a fundraiser and fixture of the state’s political calendar.

There will be plenty of talk about the upcoming midterm elections, especially the Senate race to pick Harkin’s replacement. But all eyes will be on Clinton, and whether she will come back soon — and often — to court voters once again in the first state to vote in the presidential campaign.

“I don’t want to be in a position of piling it on. This is a decision she has to make,” Harkin said Friday. “She knows how much I care about her and Bill.”

More than 5,000 people are expected at this year’s Harkin Steak Fry — the steaks are grilled, not deep-fried — making it the largest since Hillary Clinton’s last appearance in 2007, when she was joined by Barack Obama, Joe Biden and other Democrats running for president.

Her first run in Iowa began that year with a raucous public event where thousands packed into Des Moines’ East High School. But her campaign stumbled, dogged by questions about her commitment to the early-voting state.

In the spring, a memo written by a campaign aide suggesting she pull out of the caucuses and focus on other primary states was leaked to the media. The idea was rejected, but it implied she wasn’t fully committed to Iowa, which has played a pivotal role in every presidential campaign since Jimmy Carter’s surprise victory in 1976.

On caucus night, Clinton finished third and was critical of the process before departing for New Hampshire, noting in her speech that Iowans serving in the military and those who work at night couldn’t participate.

“The night of the Iowa caucuses, when I placed third, was excruciating,” Clinton wrote in her recent book, “Hard Choices.”

This weekend’s return is an opportunity for a fresh start, and she arrives in Iowa as the dominant figure in Democratic politics, along with her husband and Obama. A super PAC called Ready for Hillary has been encouraging Iowans to buy tickets for the event for weeks. The group planned to have a major presence at the Steak Fry, handing out T-shirts, signing up new supporters and shuttling in college students from around the state.

The group even placed a billboard near the Des Moines airport using the “Texts From Hillary” meme, featuring a photo of a stern-looking Clinton peering through dark sunglasses at her Blackberry while aboard a military plane. It urges motorists not to text and drive.

“I’ve always, in retrospect, felt there was a zeitgeist for Barack Obama. I think personally there’s a zeitgeist for Hillary Clinton,” said Bonnie Campbell, an Iowa chair of Clinton’s 2008 campaign. “The path is never a straight line. Assuming she makes the decision to run, this is a great way for her to come to Iowa.”

Don’t expect an announcement from Clinton at the Steak Fry — or many hints about 2016. Iowa figures prominently in the fight for the control of the Senate, and Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley is locked in a tight race for Harkin’s seat with Republican state Sen. Joni Ernst.

Organizers expect the Clintons to make a case for Braley to carry on Harkin’s legacy, and also stump for Staci Appel, a Democrat running for an open congressional seat against Republican David Young. No woman has ever been elected to Congress or governor in Iowa, a fact that Clinton has pointed to in the past as she has sought to become the nation’s first female president.

“This is about 2014. When was the last time we had this many close races all in a year?” said Troy Price, the executive director of the Iowa Democratic Party. “This is about Harkin’s legacy, and Harkin’s legacy includes a successful 2014.”

Still, this is Iowa, which means presidential politics are never really off the table. Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has made several trips to the state this year and Biden returns to Des Moines next week. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent, will appear at three town halls around Iowa this weekend, signaling the potential for a Clinton challenger and a sign that she can take nothing for granted.

“I think people want a broad range of choices,” said Hugh Espey, the executive director of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, the lead sponsor of Sanders’ events. “What I don’t think is people want someone to be anointed by the political kingmakers and queenmakers.”

___

Thomas reported from Washington.

___

Follow Ken Thomas on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AP_Ken_Thomas and Catherine Lucey at https://twitter.com/catherine_lucey

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote