Three in Third District Improve Republican Hopes in Iowa

Sometimes it feels good to be proven wrong.

I have said many times that both political parties in Iowa lack solid candidates. My favorite sports analogy was to say neither has a deep bench. However, it looks like the Republicans had a few star players hiding in the locker room I did not know about. I watched the Republican debate for the Third Congressional District this morning. The GOP has three well spoken, thoughtful and prepared candidates vying to face Rep. Leonard Boswell in November. Dave Funk, Brad Zaun and Jim Gibbons are all capable of putting together a strong general election effort. Too bad Republican Party officials didn’t talk them into running for different jobs instead of facing each other.

I have known Brad Zaun for many years and have always liked his style. He is confident and comes off as sincere. He is a proven hard worker who understands how to win elections. Zaun did well in today’s debate and scored a few points that play to Republican voters. He also showed his every guy style that will win over some independents and others, should he have the chance.

Jim Gibbons has the support of many powerful people and appears up to the job. He has impressed many with his fundraising prowess. He did not stumble today, but he did not win any new voters either (if there is any chance they were actually watching). He seems comfortable playing the moderate in this field of seven candidates, but he failed to give a compelling argument for why somebody should vote for him. He walks away from this debate unscathed and has the persona and ability to be a contender now or in a future contest, but he is going to need to up his game a bit.

The real surprise for me was Dave Funk. He was the clear winner of the debate. Funk knows how to take command in such a format and is very good at making his case. His no-nonsense and well articulated style allowed him to position himself as well read and prepared. He would provide an interesting contrast to Boswell who generally seems unfocused in a debate.

Gibbons, Funk and Zaun are three good examples that the Republican bench is improving. The smart leaders in the Party need to make sure that regardless of who wins the District 3 primary in a few weeks, this is not the last Iowans hear from this trio.

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