|
IowaPolitics.com: Four GOP gubernatorial candidates demonstrate style, message in first joint appearance
6/27/2009
By Lynn Campbell
IowaPolitics.com
SAC CITY -- In what state Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll called his "debut," four potential GOP candidates for governor made their first joint appearance Saturday, giving fellow Republicans a sample of their style and message on issues ranging from the budget to education, economic development and marriage.
"For me, it was a debut. You kind of speak in maybe a more broad, thematic message about who you are, some of the core values that you hold as an individual," said Roberts, who confirmed to IowaPolitics.com that he plans to form an exploratory committee for governor and is getting very close to doing so. "You're speaking to the choir. For all four of us, this is a very friendly environment."
Roberts joined state Sen. Jerry Behn of Boone, Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats and former House Speaker Christopher Rants of Sioux City in taking the stage at Saturday's Sac County Republican fundraiser breakfast at the Chautauqua building on the county fairgrounds.
"This is a good environment and I agree this should be done in every county in this state," Vander Plaats said. "It allows the people to field who are the candidates, get close-up and personal like the Iowa caucus would. But two, the candidates learn from one another as well and it makes us sharper."
The candidates each spoke for 15 minutes after about 60 people ate a $10 breakfast of pastries, fruit and cheesy hashbrowns with ham and eggs.
Behn was the only one who read his speech. Vander Plaats gave a well-rehearsed speech -- in fact, it was the same one he gave earlier this week to Mitchell County Republicans. He was also the only one who walked around and away from the podium. Rants spoke of specific legislative proposals, while Roberts spoke in the third person.
Highlights of their speeches (click the speaker icon next to each name to hear the speech):
 BEHN criticized Gov. Chet Culver for taking a $5.4 billion state budget up to a more than $6.1 billion budget. "It's not your fault," Behn told the audience. "You are paying enough money in taxes...The problem is not revenue. The problem, we have a governor and legislative body right now that are spending money like drunken sailors.”
He advocated for increasing the tuition tax credit to create more competition. "That way you don't have kids who can't fill out a job application but they can put a condom on a banana," Behn said. "Excuse me, that's not the kind of stuff that should be taught in schools."
Behn also asserted that judges are out of control and doing things that are unconstitutional. He said votes on judicial retention should be used to get those judges out of office. "If they want to make law, let's let them," Behn said. "You can decide. We can rein in the judges by simply kicking them out of office. ... You have the authority to pull those judges off the bench. If they want to make law, they can run for the Legislature. You're doing 'em a favor."
- VANDER PLAATS is the only one who used his speech to advocate for expanding Highway 20 west of Fort Dodge, which is a local issue to residents of Sac City.
He emphasized familiar themes, saying Republicans need to raise their bold conservative issues high and not heed those who say they must be more like Democrats. He said the state needs to be opened up for business with a competitive tax and regulatory structure. He said Republicans need to be trusted and need to deliver on what they promise with limited government, balanced budgets and family values.
And Vander Plaats touted his credentials as a former teacher, principal and coach. He said what teachers really want is to be allowed to teach. “No Child Left Behind should be left behind," Vander Plaats said. "The model core curriculum should be left behind. ... It’s a cookie-cutter style approach."
- RANTS said Iowa needs a governor that puts economic development at the top of the agenda and runs a campaign about creating jobs. He proposed making Iowa one of the top 10 states to run a business. Right now, he said, Iowa ranks 49th. “We ought to set our goal to be in the top 10," he said.
He proposed a "property tax reduction account" so new money that comes into the state goes first toward reducing property taxes in Iowa. "Iowa ranks third in terms of property taxes. Folks, I'm here to tell you, that is a job killer," Rants said. "It’s like pulling the plug on the drain. Everything is going to go gushing out. We have to have a plan to not only create jobs in the state, we have to have a plan to lower our property taxes."
Rants said Republicans must embrace both fiscal and social conservatives to be successful. "Ladies and gentlemen, I’m a Republican that has my feet planted squarely in both camps of our party," he said.
The speech was based on what Rants said he learned at "kitchen table conversations" after logging 14,000 miles criss-crossing the state since the end of the legislative session. "The thing that I kept hearing over and over again is the fact that they’re nervous about their jobs," he said. "Can't blame 'em. We've got 96,000 Iowans that are out of work today."
- ROBERTS said Republicans must be truthful, upfront and real about the issues Iowa is facing. He contended that Democratic Gov. Chet Culver is waiting and hoping for better times.
"We're in the midst of a significant economic recession and its effects are being felt right here at home and people are concerned. So let’s be real and admit to that," Roberts said. "And instead of wishing for a better day ... that’s not what Iowans want to hear. They want to hear from the governor and from other leaders in state government, we do have a problem and we need to address it now and prepare for the future."
He referred to an incident in the Iowa House chambers in which hundreds of people were evacuated during a public hearing over federal deductibility. "That should not have been done," he said. "Our leaders should respect the people. ... All power is inherent in the people."
Roberts said he represents the least friendly Republican district in Iowa but noted that in four election cycles, he's run unopposed. No Democrat has run against him. "We can win next year," he said. "If we nominate someone who is friendly, approachable and engaging, and willing to work with others, and do it in a way where you can still stand rock-solid on your beliefs and your convictions, then we can have a winning combination of messenger and message."
Becky Kepler of Webster City was among the 60 people who attended Saturday's fundraiser. She said she's undecided about whom she'll support in the 2010 gubernatorial race. "It's too early to say where we're at. I want to listen to everybody a little longer," she said. "There are maybe others who are going to enter. We're 18 months away. We've got a lot of candidates. Maybe they'll still come forward."
Kepler said she supported Vander Plaats last time, but isn't automatically backing him this time around. "Maybe because social issues, to me, are not No. 1 thing today," she explained. "We can win back House and Senate seats, and then we can put those social issues on the floor, get 'em passed. If we have a governor that'll sign it, then it can go to the people. We have to start by winning the hearts of independents."
In the front row listening to Saturday's speeches was a man from the Iowa Democratic Party with a notebook and hand-held video recorder in hand. Less than two hours after the event, Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan released a statement in reaction to the Republican fundraiser.
"If all Republican candidates can do is say 'no' to Iowa's families, then they shouldn't be running," Kiernan said. "Four candidates showed up today for what amounted to a rally against helping Iowa families, full of juvenile name-calling. I'm stunned that not a day goes by without Republicans candidates flailing against Governor Culver's efforts to create jobs without raising taxes."
EVENT PHOTOS
Created with flickr slideshow.
|
