Iowa’s democrat U-S Senator today formally announced his bid for a fourth term in the Senate. Standing in front of his childhood home in Cumming, Iowa, 62-year-old Tom Harkin spoke to about 100 supporters, saying his priorities were more jobs, safe streets, retirement security and education reform. Harkin’s targeted by republicans, including President Bush, but at four separate points in his 10-minute announcement speech, Harkin stressed bipartisanship. Harkin said the “old politics” of partisan bickering have no place in Iowa’s future. Harkin also said the federal government needs to do more to ease the shortages of nurses and teachers. Harkin suggested the federal government should forgive up to $17,500 in students loans for those who teach or take a nursing job in an underserved area of the country. Harkin’s republican challenger in November will be either Congressman Greg Ganske of Des Moines or Bill Salier, a northern Iowa farmer.
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