Vander Plaats takes aim at Branstad record, party loyalty « Des Moines Register Staff Blogs | The Des Moines Register

Cedar Rapids, Ia. — Terry Branstad would hand Democrats a 16-year record to critique, were he to be the Republicans nominee for governor next year, fellow GOP candidate Bob Vander Plaats said today.

But Vander Plaats also noted aspects of the former governor’s past that some Republican primary voters would see as liabilities, in light of Branstad’s announcement he was actively exploring running for his old office.“It’s part of the primary process, not the art of personal attack but at least full disclosure,” Vander Plaats told The Des Moines Register after an appearance in Cedar Rapids. “We need to vet our opponents.”

Vander Plaats, a Sioux City businessman, unsheathed criticism of Branstad’s past aimed at sowing doubt about his reliability as a Republican with the party’s more conservative primary-voting electorate.

Vander Plaats noted Branstad’s support for Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson for U.S. Senate in 2000. Nelson, who was elected to the Senate, was a former Nebraska governor and longtime personal friend of Branstad. Branstad hosted a fundraiser for Nelson in Des Moines in May, 2000.

“That gives us Harry Reid. That will be an issue,” Vander Plaats said referring to the U.S. Senate majority leader from Nevada.
Vander Plaats also noted Branstad’s naming of Joy Corning, a moderate Republican who supports abortion rights, as his running mate in 1994.

“His choice of a running mate who doesn’t line up with the core values of the Republican Party. That will be an issue,” Vnder Plaats said.

via blogs.desmoinesregister.com

Posted via web from Team Vander Plaats

Comments

[Los Angeles Mike]

Dear Bob,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the former governor's possible interest in running again for governor. The points that you make about Terry Branstad possibly considering running for a fifth-term as governor of Iowa are quite relevant and helpful. Indeed, this is an entirely different time and era from the time former four-term Governor Branstad governed Iowa. Also, you were kind to point out that Terry is someone some people may like very much who represents a past time in Iowa that such folks liked, but you graciously pointed out some problems in the way he governed that will only be brought to light at this time when it might be best to get behind new leadership, just as older senior statesmen must have done when Governor Branstad ran for the governorship nearly twenty years ago.

At a time when career politicians are frustrating many in our great nation, Terry must realize that he will be painted as an insular, self-centered man should he run for a fifth term at the same post. What will this do? It will enable the press to shed light on the elite members of the GOP once again and point out(falsely) 1) the GOP problem with hypocrisy; 2) the GOP problem with being unable to raise up young solid leadership; 3) the GOP problem of electing men with GOP labels on their outside, but perhaps more Democratic hearts in the inside(does Terry wish to become the Iowa version of what happened in some key states in our nation?); and 4) the GOP problem of having this perception of not knowing how to understand true community organizers like Rev. Ratliff?

Instead of running for office, Gov. Branstad has been given a golden opportunity in life as a 62-year old man, to follow the way of another soon-to-be senior citizen, Rev. Ratliff, and voice his support for Bob Vander Plaats. The courageous act by Rev. Ratliff to support Bob Vander Plaats can be followed up by Terry getting behind this move to show that a "big" guy from the GOP can embrace the bravery of such a man. This is how former Governor Branstad can really make a big difference at a time when our country is looking for heroes. He should relish in God' s mercy and reach out to an old fellow Drake graduate in Rev. Ratliff and welcome him into the tent and at the same time think of the campaigns of folks like John Kasich in Ohio and the fact that a good man in Governor DAniels in Indiana only has a max of two terms.

As the former four-term governor considers his future, now might be a good time to call in RNC Chair Michael Steele, former multi-term governor Mike Huckabee, Governor Daniels of Indiana, Bob Vander Plaats running for governor of Iowa, and John Kasich running for governor of Ohio to discuss the real issues at stake not just for Iowa, but Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and so on. They say it takes five people to start something good. These are the five people who can keep the reform effort in movement; and what better place to do it than in Iowa with such men. This might be a blessing to the Rev. Ratliff and the people of Iowa and the nation.

All the best.