Read David Yepsen's article - then vote for your primary choice for Gov.

[Debi]

http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050830/OPINION01/508300350/1035/OPINION

Yepsen gives the pros and cons of the four top Democratic candidates after Gronstal's departure. Who (if we were to vote today) would take the Democratic nomination?

[Debi]

1. I know I'm being snobby replying to my own post., but...

I want to clarify again that I am a Culver supporter, I still believe he carries the most weight as a Democrat who can raise the kind of money needed to compete in the General. If the primary were held today I see the results as Culver, Judge, Blouin, Fallon (with the other candidates in any order). This isn't easy, because I believe Fallon is a stronger Democrat than Blouin or Judge but I keep going back to the money question on his candidacy. Blouin and Judge will be a a battle back and forth (because of womens' reproductive health care rights and cozying up to big business) but I don't see either of them having trouble raising money.

Only my two cents worth....anyone else?

[cyberswede]

2. I still favor Fallon

I've seen all the candidates, except Culver, and I still like Fallon's support for clean elections and his stand against corporate welfare.

I've heard that Culver is hard to work with, but I have no first-had knowledge of him, his style, or his substance. I have a big problem with Blouin's anti-choice position, and I'm uneasy about Judge's past dealings with large hog operations (I believe she's taken money from them?).

Yepsen's article seems a bit unfair when it states that Fallon has trouble raising money - he only takes donations from individuals, no PAC $ or corporate donors. He had a quarter-million dollars in his chest last spring, if I recall, and all that came from small donations from individuals.

The bottom line: any democrat will be better for the state of Iowa than NUSSLE! AUGH! :)

[Debi]

5. Fallon is a very worthy candidate

but if he wants to change how fund raising occurs in elections he should do it RIGHT AFTER he gets elected. By refusing to take money that all the other candidates are willing to accept he's putting himself at a financial disadvantage (do you think Nussle or Vander Platts are going to say no to any $$?)

Can't argue with Fallon's politics though, or his awesome accordianship! :hi:

[pstans]

12. Fallon about Vander Platts

"Do you think Nussle or Vander Platts are going to say no to any $$?"

I heard Fallon speak a few weeks ago and he said that Vander Platts recieved a campaign contribution of $950,000 from the CEO of Wells Dairy. Fallon said that sounds like a bribe, not a campaign contribution.

[Debi]

15. How dare he reveal the obvious!

:rofl:

Vander Plaats must be very angry that Fallon would insinuate such a thing :eyes:

[pstans]

13. Not sure about your order

based on how much money a candidate can raise. That just throws out the most basic foundations of a democracy. Dean showed in the last presidential elecion that not getting money from large donors doesn't mean you can't succeed. Fallon won't raise as much money as the others, but that doesn't mean his message can't connect to Iowans.

[Debi]

16. I agree that Fallon IS connecting with Iowans and will have a following

through the primary.

And if people think that a grassroots message can overcome a commercial campaign like Nussle/Vander Plaats will have in the General then they should support Fallon all the way.

But I've heard more times than not that one 30-second ad wipes out all the parades walked in/doors knocked/coffees attended, etc.

And if Fallon doesn't have the $$ to compete with those 30-second ads then we're handing Terrace Hill over to the republicans.

I would LOVE to be wrong!

[pstans]

20. I see your point

But I feel that if Fallon wins the Democratic nomination, the money will start coming in more and more.

[Debi]

22. He'll get it from me if he's the nominee!

I hope that whoever is the Democratic nominee gets money from any sources available to keep Terrace Hill in our camp!

[IA_Seth]

3. I can't do it.

I want to vote, but I just gotta withhold my opinion for now.

Even after reading the article I think it's difficult to narrow down my support to one of these candidates. While it is probably more a reflection of my lack of familiarity with the candidates, I think it also reflects (at least a little) the lack of passion I have for any one of them...

I think Culver would be able to pull a lot of support, given he works on his stump speech (I hadn't heard anything about that until this article so I don't know how fair a judgement that is), but his support of the death penalty isn't real cool with me. He being one of the younger candidates also interests me.

From what I know, it seems that Blouin also has a fair level of support (it seems that he may have more in this area than the article would leave you to believe), but his anti-choice views suck (to put it mildly). I am not a supporter of abortion in most cases, but its not my call and would never try to legislate that it was. I think that will be my deciding factor for him.

Judge needs to get her name out more. I'd say with me being semi-active and not really hearing a dang thing about her it bodes ill for her to pick up many of the "uninformed" vote, which I really think is a big slice of the pie.

In a perfect world, someone like Fallon would have a shot. Sadly, this world is far from perfect. Money is a lot in elections and I don't know that Fallon could raise enough to beat the Republican machine. I praise his courage but think he is fighting a losing battle. I think he would better serve his causes by activating the left of the left and using that clout to influence someone who may win.

[Debi]

6. I respect your desire to remain neutral at this time

There is quite a bit to learn about all the candidates and plenty of time to do it!

I do have to clarify Culver's death penalty statement (at least in my opinion). His comments came after a child's murder by a convicted sex offender and some in the state pounding the death penalty drum. Until Culver stands up and says in a speech "I support the death penalty and as Governor will work to have it re-implemented in Iowa" I'm not giving the comment much weight. Maybe others out there have better info than I do, but I think his reaction was just that not a political proclamation.

I guess we'll all see where he stands during the coming debates.

[IA_Seth]

8. I have to admit...

That I am often moved by emotions to say things that I wouldn't necessarily support through legislation. I don't think that him saying that the death penalty is an appropriate penalty for especially heinous crimes would really alter my opinion of him overall as a candidate...as long as it was a personal opinion and not a political agenda.

I think its wise to realize that politicians are people with emotions and we shouldn't hold those emotions against them!

Don't worry - I am not anti-Culver! Hee hee.

[Debi]

9. Even if you were, I'd still like talking with you

I don't mind people having opinions opposite mine (believe it or don't :P) it's when people start 'just wondering' threads that are obviously biased toward or against one particular candidate (anti-republican is just fine btw).

I try to state in my posts regarding this race that I am pro-Culver, my husband and I signed on early with Chet and will support him to the end whether that be through the primary or to Terrace Hill. My misgivings about other candidates HAVE to be somewhat peppered with my pro-Culver opinion, that's why I'm honest about it up front.

However, if you ever start a post with "Nussle wouldn't be so bad" I will come after you :grr: :mad: :grr: :mad:

:hi:

[IA_Seth]

10. Lol...I just love that Vanderputz.

[Debi]

17. You're gonna get it n/t

[rurallib]

4. Still can't decide

- like Fallon's anti-corporate welfare stance and populism. Know that many Dems will never forgive him for backing Nader.
- Saw Judge, Fallon, Gronstal & Blouin at the 2nd district forum. I'll be honest, I liked Blouin's commanding presence. Am really bothered by the pro-life situation.
- Liked Patty Judge's dynamism and determination.After she spoke I was ready to follow.
- Haven't seen Culver. Insiders I know are not real high on him. Hopefully he can step up to the challenge by next June. Probably has the best name recognition to battle Nussle.
Right now I'd probably have a coin flip-off to make a pick.
One thing I will say is that all candidates are head and shoulders above Nussle and VPlaats. Sad that the thugerry on the right makes Nussle & VPlaats the only candidates "acceptable" to republicans.

[Debi]

7. Having two far to the right candidates on the republican side

bodes well for whoever the Democratic candidate is in the fall.

I will gladly take any of our candidates over their two, although it would be fun to see Vander Plaats topple Nussle in the primary!

There are two Dem candidates that I will have to hold my nose to vote for - but could still do it rather than face an R behind the Governor's name come inauguration day.

[Bluzmann57]

11. Didn't vote in your poll yet

as I am still deciding on whom to support. Culver probably has the best name recognition, but that alone won't get him elected. The first time Vilsack ran, very few people ever heard of him and he's a two term Governor who could serve a third term if he so desired. Will look at all candidates and choose, believe me. Staying neutral for now though.

[Debi]

18. I respect that Bluzemann

You're probably getting more exposure to the candidates than we are here in Waterloo.

Plenty of time to decide! :hi:

[yellowdog]

14. I voted for Fallon because I didn't vote for Kucinich.

In the run-up to the Presidential primaries I believed in what Dennis Kucinich had to say, but I worked for Dean because I thought he was more "electable". I refuse to do that again. I believe in Fallon and I will support him as long as possible. If someone else comes out of the primaries I will work for that man if I can do it with a clear conscience, but I will not compromise my principles for "electability" again.

[Debi]

19. That is part of why I refuse to support Blouin in the primary

He's been anointed as the candidate that can woo Independents and Moderate republicans. He's been selected as the candidate that can lure big business into working with progressives. Well, I can't stomach his anti-women attitude and his questionable relationship with the very people that he thinks he can use to win the election.

I want a Democrat in Terrace Hill, not a republican-lite (Ugh, did I really just use that term?)

Maybe I'm going overboard on my description of Blouin, it's probably two-fold in that I do support Culver and than I'm REALLY sick of Tom Vilsack telling me who I should choose for my candidate. Blouin has never called Vilsack on his actions and defended the people of this state the way Culver has had to do. Instead Blouin helped broker the deals that sent our tax dollars to corporations for their increased growth.

Any how, good for you, we should all stand for what we think is right.

[yellowdog]

21. I have met and talked with Chet Culver

and I think he is a very good man. He has been here in Dubuque several times. If Ed doesn't make it through this thing and Chet does I will have no problem busting my butt for him. Ed just touches all my old-line liberal buttons and is very sincere about it.

[Debi]

23. Likewise

If Chet isn't the nominee I'll work for whoever is, but I'd rather it be someone I want to work for instead of someone I have to work for.

:hi: