Saw Chet Culver in Cedar Rapids Sunday...and WOW!

[Debi]

Now it's only fair to state up front that I'm in Culver's camp already, but Sunday I was reminded why I trust him to be my Governor.

Chet talked to the crowd, instead of giving a written/read speech, about his desires for continued educational growth in the state (and reminded us that he's got a Masters in Education and has taught in the public school system). I think he was a Government teacher.

He talked about being a progressive and what Harold Hughes (Iowa's last progressive Governor) might be thinking about our community college tuition costs (and frankly the costs to attend any in-state university these days). He talked about the fact that he has two children in the early childhood education system right now and the fact that he wants all the children in Iowa to have equal opportunity to receive a quality education.

Culver talked about several things that are important to our state, but his conversation on education stuck out in my mind. Something he talked about with passion and excitement. Glad we made the trip.

[pstans]

1. I don't know much about Culver

I really like Fallon's ideas and heard him speak for the 2nd time on Saturday. I fear that Fallon might be too Progressive.

Blouin is coming to Marshalltown on Wed and I am going to go and hear him. I think he might bend over for Corporate interests.

I want to hear more from Culver. I am going to be a teacher, so the education thing is important. Thanks for the post.

[Debi]

2. You're welcome...and check out Culver's site if you want.

I like Fallon as well, but I don't see him able to run against Vander Plaats or Nussle (and now that there is a divide between the two republicans regarding No Child Left Behind it is great to see a candidate speaking out about quality education).

http://www.chetculver.com/

[DU9598]

3. Thanks Debi

I am still a fence sitter in the Governor's race. I have not been out to hear the candidates yet, but I have been trying to learn as much about the Iowa governor candidates as possible. At this point I think I am split evenly between Culver and Judge. Blouin still interests me a bit, but I think he is too cozy with the big business interests for my tastes. I am not a fan of Fallon because he would not stand with Al Gore in 2000. I cannot forgive Ed for that.

[Debi]

4. I forgot about Fallon and 2000 - thanks for the reminder

I don't think I have to reiterate my concerns about Blouin here...it seems that several people on this board feel the same about his corporate love affair!

What do you like about Judge? No one has said anything about her on this board (I think).

Good to see you posting again!

Debi

[election_2004]

18. If Culver wins the nomination in '06...

Perhaps Patty Judge could run for Chuck Grassley's seat, if Grassley retires in 2010?

[Debi]

19. I kind of agree with some other people on this board that Vilsack

should chuck the idea of running for President and start the build up to challenging Grassley.

[Bluzmann57]

5. Still somewhat undecided but Culver sounds good

No matter who the Democratic nominee is, he or she has to be better than Nussle, if he gets the nomination. I believe that Culver may have better name recognition and therefore may be more "electable". I know, Iknow, that isn't the best quality for a candidate but it helps. Wish I would have known he was in CR, as I was there Saturday and stayed over until Sunday. Oh well, if any candidate hopes to win, they will be in Davenport sooner or later so there will be a chance to meet them. Thanks for the post.

[Debi]

6. Thanks, Bluzmann

It was great to hear Culver really speak out about why he wants to serve (not just the typical mumbo-jumbo that we've all heard too much).

Nussle could have an uphill battle if Vander Plaats (am I spelling that correctly?) continues to disagree with him (gasp :wow:) It's about time someone took on Nussle's record! (I don't think Democrats should waste too much time going after Nussle right now - why MAKE him the front-runner? Let the anti-Nussle republicans beat him up for awhile).

We just got (mistakenly) invited to a Whalen reception up here....do you think I should show up? :P

[Bluzmann57]

7. You asked if you should show up for a Whalen reception

NO! That is all I can say. Except that you should not eat at Heart of America restaurants because Whalen owns the chain. It's damn fine midwestern food, but one has to make sacrifices sometimes.

[Debi]

8. The person who called to see if we were attending wouldn't listen

when I said he'd gotten the wrong # - He even told me the name of the people he was calling (which wasn't my name) and when I told him my name he said he'd never gotten anything wrong in his entire life (this would've been the perfect time to quip about his voting republican..but I did not). Rather than admitting that he had the wrong telephone number, he asked for my address so I could receive an invitation. :eyes:

I won't be going and I promise not to eat at any Heart of America restaurants (anyway, Whalen hates trial lawyers...and we know my affinity for trial lawyers :P)

Thanks, Bluzmann :hi:

[ISUGRADIA]

11. When I lived in Ames I enjoyed going to Republican Presidential

candidate events to eat their food and (sometimes) free liquor. Events were free (otherwise I'd never go) and a great chance to do opposition research and see that type in action.

Repub Straw Poll in 1999 was such wretched excess with tons of free food. Oh, and campaigns were giving tickets away to get people there.

[Debi]

12. republicans serve better food

maybe I shouldn't say better as much as fancier...shrimp and stuffed mushroom caps and crepes compared to pulled pork, sweet corn and potato salad.

Now I'm getting hungry!

[IA_Seth]

9. Let me guess....Bluesmore?

I should have guessed you would be there and arranged to meet ya!

I was actually only able to go on Saturday night and didn't get there until pretty late, but it would have been nice to meet a DUer and share a few cold ones!

[Bluzmann57]

10. Right you are!

Bluesmore it was. Decent show. Renee Austin's band took the show, imo. Yes indeed, it would have been nice to meet another DUer and drink to Cindy Sheehan and DU in general.

[Debi]

13. We all live within two hours of each other

We need to start alerting each other when we're headed to events (Oops, I knew about the Culver event last week, should have posted it). Then we need to seek each other out at the events....we need DU buttons to wear to events.

I'll put this on my to do list.....close to the top ;)

[rurallib]

14. Will see the whole group in West Liberty Saturday

This will probably go a lomg way towards my pick of a candidate. The chance to see them all at the same time will give me a chance to compare them more easily. Should be an exciting event (2nd district meeting)

[Debi]

15. PLEASE give a follow up report here

and tell us what we can do to help Loebsack's campaign as well!

[rurallib]

16. Will do - I'll file a report Sunday.

[cyberswede]

17. Six gubernatorial candidates in West Liberty Saturday 8/13

For all Iowans in the 2nd congressional district, there's a workshop and dinner this Saturday, August 13th.

The workshop is from 11:00am-5:00pm, followed by a reception from 5:00-6:00. There's a $10 fee for the workshop, and lunch is available on site (I think for $6 more).

The dinner is at 6:00, and 6 (six!) candidates for governor will be present to give remarks. They are: Chet Culver, Michael Blouin, Patty Judge, Ed Fallon, Sal Mohamad, and Mike Gronstal. Tickets for the dinner are $40.

More here:
http://www.idp2nd.org/

Maybe some DUers can make it! :)

thx - cs