Share

IowaPolitics.com: Branstad calls for throwing Democrats out of office over debt; other candidates emphasize taxes, marriage
11/8/2009

By Lynn Campbell
IowaPolitics.com

Former Gov. Terry Branstad stumbled a little Saturday night in his first major campaign event since becoming a 2010 candidate for governor, reading his prepared speech and having difficulty explaining how some people view his political acumen since leaving office in 1999.

Branstad, 62, who served as Iowa's governor for 16 years, was the second of six gubernatorial candidates to speak at the Republican Party of Iowa's "Leadership for Iowa" dinner, traditionally known as the Ronald Reagan dinner. He started off strong by saying: "It's great to be back. And I'm back raring to go. I'm here because I care about Iowa. I believe that we can do better."

But then for a minute, he seemed to lose his way when he said: "I know there are some that say, 'Well, you've been out of politics a few years, you may have lost -- a few, ummm -- you may have lost a few --- uh, of your steps. Let me tell you this, I love the Republican Party and my fervor has not waned. The fire in my belly is still burning bright. I cannot stand to see what's happening to our state today."

Branstad went on to say that Iowa is broke and people trust him to fix it. He criticized Gov. Chet Culver's 10 percent across-the-board budget cut, which he said will raise property taxes. He described the state's film tax credit scandal as "frittering away our tax dollars on Hollywood luxury limousines." He also criticized Culver's I-JOBS bonding for infrastructure program, which he called a "massive debt scheme" that will cost the state $1.7 billion.

"Too much debt is bad and those who create it should be thrown out of office," he said. "The Democrats are in power today, but with your help, they can be gone after the next election."

Branstad also pledged to follow Ronald Reagan's "11th commandment" of not speaking ill of another Republican. "I will not attack any of the other candidates. They all have my respect," he said. "I will comfortably and wholeheartedly support whoever is the nominee of this party for governor in 2010."

The other five Republican gubernatorial candidates stuck largely to their stump speeches Saturday night, calling for an elimination of taxes and a vote on same-sex marriage.

* Sen. Jerry Behn of Boone called for voting the three Iowa Supreme Court justices out of office when they're up for a retention vote next year, after their ruling in Varnum v. Brien legalized same-sex marriage. "You could make a statement that would be heard nationally if you would vote 'no' on retention," Behn said. "I promise you, that will be a shot heard around the world and you will be able to have an impact on the courts."

* Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll called for elimination of the business income tax. "Rather than the government pick winners and losers, let's level the playing field and make Iowa a business-friendly state," he said. He also took a shot at Culver's promotion of passenger rail. "When I'm governor, you won't find me riding trains around Iowa," Roberts said.

* Christian Fong of Cedar Rapids said he'd cut the size of government by 5 percent in his first year as governor, and called for fully eliminating the state income tax. "I believe that by 2020, because we're going to have more jobs and business growth, we can fully eliminate the state income tax," he said, adding later: "What I'm asking you as a candidate is that you make that future now. Let's not wait."

* Rep. Chris Rants of Sioux City said the state should not only eliminate its state preschool program to save $53 million, but "maybe we can do without the Department of Human Rights." Rants said his focus is on lowering property taxes, which he said are the third-highest in the nation and will increase even more as a result of state budget cuts. "I'm one who believes that property taxes are the biggest impediment to growth in this state," he said.

* Bob Vander Plaats of Sioux City emphasized that he'll issue an executive order on his first day in office putting a stay on Varnum v. Brien, drawing hoots, hollers and applause from the crowd. "The executive branch has a role here," he said. "And when the judicial branch drives a car without a license, they step out of their boundaries, you need the executive to step in and to hold them in place. Because if you don't, then every one of your freedoms is up for grabs."

See photos from the Republican fall dinner: http://www.flickr.com/photos/iowapolitics/sets/72157622757684894/


Printer-friendly version      Send this article to a friend      Share