Word: whalens
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...September Des Moines Register poll showed Democrat Bruce Braley leading by seven percentage points over Republican Mike Whalen. Both are personable political newcomers who won fiercely contested primaries in a politically divided district with pretty river towns and old industrial cities, including Davenport, Bettendorf, Clinton, Dubuque and Waterloo...
...Braley, a Waterloo trial lawyer and legal aid attorney, is presumed to have the slight lead over Quad Cities businessman Whalen thanks largely to President George W. Bush's low approval ratings. A self-described progressive Democrat, Braley has criticized the President's handling of foreign and domestic concerns, from the Iraq War to the economy, and dubbed his opponent a potential "rubber stamp" for the Administration...
...part Whalen, who calls himself a "consistent conservative," hasn't shied away from the Bush Administration but is portraying himself as an ordinary citizen, successful businessman and independent voice. A Harvard Law School grad, Whalen founded the Machine Shed restaurant chain (famed locally for its huge pork chops and cinnamon rolls) and owns the Heart of America Restaurants and Inns...
...Whalen, like so many Republicans across the country, has tried to focus more on the war on terror than the war in Iraq. But he has argued that troops must remain in Iraq until the country has moved to true independence. Republicans have attacked Braley for having a "cut and run" policy and suggesting he would cut off funding for war supplies and risk soldiers' safety - a reference to an earlier comment Braley made noting Congress' option to cut off war funds to pressure a withdrawal of the troops. Braley denies the Republican charge, saying he'd consider cutting funds...
...Despite the injection of national party politics and foreign policy issues, both candidates have sought to emphasize domestic economic issues, with Braley touting his working-class background and Whalen his entrepreneurial experience. Both talk of voters' concerns about security - physical (protection from terrorists) and economic (jobs, wages, health care costs...