Checks, Check, Please – A Game of Gubernatorial Proportions

Culver Asks for Checks, Please
The Culver Campaign is reaching deep. Word has it the Governor himself is calling down a list of former Vilsack donors seeking campaign contributions. Yes, money fuels a campaign, but I find it interesting the Governor is spending time cold calling for dollars. The Governor might be better off spending time raising his visibility. Poll after poll indicates Culver lacks in that department. Maybe he is the Iowa version of the groundhog – upon sticking his head out into the winter air, the Governor saw his shadow and retreated for six more weeks of phone calling before campaign season begins.

Vander Plaats Asked for Check, Please
Perennial gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats is going to be waiting tables between 3:30 and 5:00 p.m. today at the Applebee’s in Fort Dodge. As a PR guy, I know gimmicks can work. However, this one is so flawed it is laughable. According to the Vander Plaats machine, he wants to work alongside Iowans so he can better understand their jobs and concerns. OK, but I would suggest if Mr. Vander Plaats wants insight into food service, he consider sticking with the job for more than 90 minutes and waiting tables when more than a handful of diners are present. What’s next? Is he going to teach school during recess?

Branstad, Please
A couple weeks ago Todd Dorman interviewed former Governor Terry Branstad. Dorman asked what about gay and lesbian marriage made Branstad uncomfortable. Branstad responded, “Well, it’s got to do with the whole structure of the American society. And, uh, a lot of people say when other ancient societies have gone this direction, it was the beginning of the end of their society.” Awkward and odd. In answering a subsequent question, Branstad mentioned a former employee whose gay son and “friend” have adopted children. According to Branstad, the very conservative religious woman had difficulty dealing “when this became the situation.” Like the White person who wanted to be seen as open minded during the Civil Rights Movement by saying “some of my best friends are Black,” Branstad said he knows conservative religious people who are related to gays. It is possible in constructing this verbal twofer Branstad offended both gays and the religious right. I know this topic makes you uncomfortable, Governor Branstad, but please.

This entry was first published as a Des Moines Register blog entry.