Candidates argue over lobbying histories - DMR

[Debi]

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060507/NEWS10/605070342&SearchID=73243940032652

At a forum, Chet Culver and Mike Blouin spar over how they are presenting each other's records and positions.

Candidates' past lobbying positions became part of the debate Saturday in the race for the Democratic Party's nomination for governor, with the two front-running candidates taking swipes at each other's job history.

<snip>

"You (Culver) spent two years as a paid lobbyist for them (Iowa Beef Packers), and now you're taking shots at many of the things they are doing to people in terms of the equivalent of 21st-century slave labor," Blouin said. "Your signature is on the lobbyist form."

<snip>

Culver said that he never did any lobbying work for the company and that the only reason his signature is on a state record indicating he lobbied for the company was because he worked for a person whose lobbying firm did Statehouse work on behalf of the company.

"I was required as part of my job to register, under Iowa law, as a lobbyist to report all of the clients" his employer represented, Culver said. "I never lobbied for Iowa Beef."

<snip>

He (Culver) pointed out that while Blouin worked as the head of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, a business advocacy group, he had registered against project labor agreements and spoken out against increasing the minimum wage.

<snip>

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Poor Ed and Sal won't get any press if these two keep bickering!!

[IA_Seth]

1. My favorite line...

"If we all had to account for what we did 25, 30 years ago, none of us would be fit to run. That's not a personal concession of any kind. It's just a general observation," Fallon said to a round of laughter.

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I wish this sort of sniping would end and we would hear more about issues, plans, and how they intend to pay for their plans, but I won't hold my breath. June 7th is a ways away!

If Blouin keeps this sort of crap up he stands a chance at losing those voters he's already swayed. I mean, come on, Culver was 22 years old. If I had to air out everything I did when I was 22 it would be far worse than working for a registered lobbyist!

[Debi]

2. It's too easy to pile on about Blouin, but what did he believe in when he

was 22? As a Devout Catholic he didn't believe women were capable of making their own intelligent reproductive health care decisions (a position he continued to hold while in Congress, while working for CR's Econ. Dev, DM Econ. Dev. and IDED. He only switched his position when he decided to become Governor). Blouin believed in the minimum wage and agreed with Labor (after all he had a stellar 81% AFL-CIO voting record in Congress) but changed that position when he began working with economic development groups...that is until he changed THAT position to go BACK to his original position of being pro-Labor. Are you dizzy from the spin yet?

ANYWAY

Fallon is coming out the winner with all the back and forth. I still like Culver to finish in first, but man, I wish he'd just laugh at Blouin and his BS attacks. Just look over at Blouin and say, "Mike, stop being so silly, these people don't care what we did 15-20 years ago. They care about what we're going to do for Iowa NOW. I have a plan...don't you? Or, have you already changed yours...Again?"

Seth...are you going to spill your guts to your closest friends here on DU? I'm all ears!!!

d.

[IA_Seth]

3. Um...no!

Not only because I know there are quite a few lurker types out there that read the forum, but because I think I would really like to someday represent fellow Democrats in some capacity or another and I don't need any Blouin-types bringing up my past dealings...besides that, I am really not overly proud of some of the things I did as a youth!

But yeah, I agree that Fallon comes out ahead when Culver and Blouin carry on the way they have. In all fairness to Culver, it seems that Blouin was first to bring up the lobbying information, but along the same lines, if Blouin's past is brought up in regards to his abortion stances, I think it opens up everyone else's past to scrutiny as well. That being said, I think voters can see the difference between a youthful job choice and a former congressman's votes.

[CornField]

4. Ooooooo...

I think I would really like to someday represent fellow Democrats in some capacity or another

Seth for State Central Committee!! :) I'd vote for ya. Unlike me, you have the wonderful talent/skill of keeping your mouth shut. (Shyness and tact aren't a Southern woman's strong suits.) Frankly, I look forward to seeing what you might do in the future.

[IA_Seth]

5. Lol..

"Shyness and tact aren't a Southern woman's strong suits."

Don't I know it! My mom is from Arkansas!

Hee hee.

Really though, I think you will be perfect for the State CC, I am excited. It's about time we had someone that was interested, involved, and willing to speak her mind representing Linn County. Besides, it's cool we have a DUer there! I can't wait to hear how you are making waves (in a good way) at the State Level. Thanks for representing me!

[Debi]

6. Seth, is Cornfield one of THOSE lurkers you were talking about???

:hi: Just kidding!!! d.