Give Conlin chance to represent Iowa

I looked up the voting record of Sen. Chuck Grassley on Project Vote Smart. When you scroll through all his recent votes, it's a pretty consistent “no” to everything the Obama Administration might want, even if some of those things might benefit Iowans:

No to extending unemployment benefits (June), no to establishing a bipartisan Federal Budget Deficit Commission (January), no to Agricultural Rural Development (October 2009), no to health care reform (March), no to immigration reform supported even by President Bush (June 2007), no to the EPA greenhouse gas rule (June), and no to nearly every non-Republican nominee to federal posts since the election of Barack Obama.

Surely we can also expect him to vote no on the upcoming confirmation of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court.

Who does Mr. Grassley represent? The Republican Party, or the citizens of Iowa? If it is the former, he is not serving most Iowans. If it is the latter, his voting record needs a lot of explaining to voters this November. The Democrats are offering Iowa voters an experienced and dynamic alternative to Grassley: Roxanne Conlin. It's time to recall Dr. No, and give her the chance to serve.

Jim Conger

Iowa City