Congressman Jim Leach says President Bush faces a challenge tonight when he speaks in New York City at the G-O-P’s National Convention. Leach says every politician faces the same dilemma of how to explain the economy in ways that fit the times. Leach says the President has an opportunity to make it clear that the economy’s growing and more jobs are being created – especially as more folks start businesses in their own homes – jobs that aren’t immediately on the radar screen because they’re non-traditional jobs. Leach, one of the leading moderate republicans in Congress, says the party moderates who’ve been given big, prime-time roles in the G-O-P’s national convention got those roles because they’re national figures. Leach says movie star and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani are truly interesting characters. Leach says Giuliani and Schwarzenegger were picked to speak because they’re strong leaders, not because they’re pro-choice. Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, part of the “democratic response” at the convention, says the republicans have trotted out speakers who do not back President Bush’s call for a ban on gay marriage and abortion.

Senator Charles Grassley says perception is becoming reality when it comes to the nation’s economy, and Grassley is advising President Bush to counter democrat attacks that blame Bush for job losses. Grassley says the terrorists are to blame for the one million jobs that were lost after September 11th. Grassley says Bush should clearly outline a withdrawal strategy from Iraq, but Grassley says Bush shouldn’t divert from the new foreign policy objective called “pre-emption.” Grassley says “a President of the United States can’t let Americans be sitting ducks for anybody that wants to attack us.” Grassley says it’s a “no-brainer” to say, as John Kerry has said, that if America’s attacked, we’re going to defend ourselves. “You know, that doesn’t take any brains at all,” Grassley says. “What takes brains is what are you going to do to make sure Americans aren’t attacked?”

There’s a saying: it’s good to be king and Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is a king, or sorts, in Congress. He is chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. The committee drafts tax policy and some of the businesses seeking to get in Grassley’s good graces are paying for some fancy receptions here in New York City. On Wednesday morning, the Aegon company paid for a breakfast spread “honoring” Grassley. The senator and the other delegates at the convention were treated to free, made-to-order omelets and cappuccinos as well as a smorgasbord of other breakfast fare.

“It’s an opportunity for us, as Iowans, to enjoy fellowship with each other, but also as individual Iowans…to think about the greatness of Iowa and that is our good corporate citizens that we have,” Grassley said. Aegon’s Pat Baird even presented Grassley with his own Wheaties box, with his picture on it. Afterwards, Iowa Congressman Jim Leach joked with Grassley about the event, and pulled the invitation out of his pocket.

“Chuck, I’m wondering if you could autograph my invitation,” Leach said, as Grassley, Leach and the crowd of reporters around Grassley started laughing.

“The most significant thing out of this news conference is not anything that’s been said, but do you realize that a member of the House of Representatives asked a Senator for his autograph? I can’t believe that. If I didn’t have a strong heart, I wouldn’t be able to take that,” Grassley said.

This morning, Prudential will host another event for Grassley that’ll provide breakfast for the Iowans at the convention. This evening, Amgen – a pharmaceutical company — will host another reception for Grassley and his Iowa guests. Earlier this week, Verizon hosted an ice cream social at the Plaza Hotel for Grassley and his Iowa delegates, and it wasn’t just any ice cream. It was Hagen Daas. The wining and dining at both political conventions is nothing new, although the companies know better than to serve hooch at a Grassley event. One oil company executive says his firm used to set up a free martini bar for breakfast for delegates from Louisiana and their infamous leader Huey Long.

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