Gingrich goes after judges, press

GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich stopped in at Tish’s Restaurant in Council Bluffs yesterday, eventually telling Iowans he thinks judges have become arrogant and too powerful.

But first, he tried to rein in the press. It didn’t work.

Gingrich found that the 84-seat room reserved for his visit was standing room only, with a crowd of perhaps 220 spilling into the next room. As he began his comments before a media throng that took the entire back row and spanned much of the two side walls, he sternly told the camera operators to get out of the way.

“Press, down! Down!” Gingrich ordered. “You have to let the people see.”

As the still cameras continued firing in long bursts, the former House speaker, already used to dealing with all kinds in a long political career, turned to audience members with a smile and said, “”They aren’t very controllable.”

Occupy arrests

Three buses carrying protesters showed up to GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann’s office in Urbandale around 1:15 p.m.

The demonstration first moved to the doors of the headquarters, blocking the entrance. Police told the protesters they had to move, citing private property.

Police told protesters to move to the sidewalk across the parking lot.

At least five were arrested for trespassing, including two minors.

Lotto weirdness

The strangest Iowa Lottery prize giveaway in state history just go weirder.

So far, at least a half-dozen people have told lottery officials that the multimillion-dollar Hot Lotto ticket — which had been held for nearly a year — was stolen.

The ticket, purchased at a northeast Des Moines convenience store, was originally worth $16.5 million and was turned in Thursday afternoon by lawyers on behalf of a New York trust, just an hour and 50 minutes before it was to expire.

Reports that a winning ticket was stolen are common, said Mary Neubauer, lottery spokeswoman.

“I think every time we've had a jackpot that had gone unclaimed for a longer than usual amount of time, we’ve had reports of the ticket being stolen,” she said. “I think with all the intrigue of this winner, it has taken (the claims) up a notch.”

There has never been a proven case of lottery ticket theft in Iowa, lottery officials said Friday.

Hawkeyes hang tight against OU

What began as a possible rout against the Hawkeyes, ended in a respectable showing vs. the Oklahoma Sooners. Last night's Insight Bowl pitted Iowa against a team that spent the first 6 weeks of the football season ranked #1 in the nation. The Sooners led the Hawkeyes 21-0 before Iowa's 2-touchdown rally, making it 21-14. Oklahoma went on to win 31-14. The Hawkeyes' season ends with a 7-6 record.

Newt still leads S. Carolina, Florida; Can it hold?

With minimal funds and falling Iowa poll numbers, can former Speaker Of The House Newt Gingrich hold his South Carolina and Florida support until primary days arrive there? That's a big "if", as a 4th place showing or lower could dramatically drop his level support. The latest Gallup poll shows Gingrich falling behind Romney 26% to 24% nationally, but maintaining leads in the 2 southern states of South Carolina and Florida, according to Real Clear Politics. A competitive showing in Iowa could go a long way in keeping Gingrich competitive in the early states ahead.

Who's dropping out Tuesday night?

Can republicans expect fewer candidates after Tuesday's caucuses conclude? CNN recently asked that question, based on heavy advertising and organizational spending across the state by Rick Perry, Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann. Governor Perry's funds seem to be holding up enough for him to continue on to South Carolina, where conservative voters may be more sympathetic. Sen. Santorum, with recent momentum in the latest Iowa polls, may be able to advance to future primaries with a strong showing on Tuesday. CNN's Wolf Blitzer says that Rep. Bachmann "needs to show something positive next Tuesday" and that voters should "be ready for a dropout speech or two...next week."

Obama to address Iowa Dems

Republicans aren't the only ones organizing Iowa these days. President Obama, who won the Iowa caucuses 4 years ago, will address Democrats across the state, via a live video feed on Tuesday night. The president has opened 8 offices in Iowa so far, from Dubuque to Council Bluffs. Wasting no time, the re-election campaign has already placed over 350,000 calls to supporters here.