Culver/Judge at RAGBRAI
Posted on Thursday, July 29 at 9:16am
Here are a few pictures of Culver signs all along the RAGBRAI route. Hope everyone out there this week is having a great time!
Don't forget to join us tonight at Dos Rios!
Posted on Wednesday, July 28 at 11:08am
Tonight is our Young Professionals for Culver event! We're excited to welcome Des Moines area young professionals to mix and mingle and talk about what they can do to get Chet Culver re-elected. Des Moines area young professionals are going to be an integral part of this campaign and we want you all on board!
Meet with First Lady Mari Culver and Culver/Judge Campaign staff to find out more about Governor Culver and his plan to move Iowa forward.
Join us for a Des Moines Young Professionals event in support of Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge.
When: Wednesday, July 28
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Where: Dos Rios Restaurant
Back Room
316 Court Avenue
Des Moines, IA
Campaign Calls out Branstad's "Fun with Numbers"
Posted on Wednesday, July 28 at 10:03am
We sent out the following press release today showing just how far Terry Branstad will go to attack Chet Culver:
FUN WITH NUMBERS: THE BRANSTAD JOBS EDITION
Branstad is playing politics with the I-JOBS numbers, refusing to take the program or its success seriously. That's no surprise given how Branstad likes to play with jobs numbers to suit his purpose.
"I-JOBS is creating jobs today and creating the conditions for long-term job growth. But Terry Branstad already knows that because, in the past, he's made the case for how programs like this work," said Culver/Judge Communications Director Ali Glisson.
Back in 1983, Ed Stanek, Branstad's Director of the State Office for Planning and Programming, told the Spencer Daily Reporter, in an article entitled "Branstad Eyes 'Ripple Effects,'" Branstad was well on his way to fulfilling his jobs promise because of his investments in infrastructure. [1]
FUN WITH NUMBERS: THE BRANSTAD JOBS EDITION
Posted on Wednesday, July 28 at 7:28am
DES MOINES - Branstad is playing politics with the I-JOBS numbers, refusing to take the program or its success seriously. That's no surprise given how Branstad likes to play with jobs numbers to suit his purpose.
"I-JOBS is creating jobs today and creating the conditions for long-term job growth. But Terry Branstad already knows that because, in the past, he's made the case for how programs like this work," said Culver/Judge Communications Director Ali Glisson.
Back in 1983, Ed Stanek, Branstad's Director of the State Office for Planning and Programming, told the Spencer Daily Reporter, in an article entitled "Branstad Eyes 'Ripple Effects,'" Branstad was well on his way to fulfilling his jobs promise because of his investments in infrastructure. [1]
The Spencer Daily Reporter wrote, "As a rule of thumb, one construction job is created for every $25,000, expended on such projects…That will in turn create 70 jobs on the secondary area…"
Using Branstad's math, here's how I-JOBS stacks up:
$875 million invested into the economy
÷$25,000 in today's dollar's equals $55,145
=15,867 jobs created
"When Branstad wants to sell Branstad's jobs program, estimates are fine to use. When Governor Culver's Office actually calls the contractors and subcontractors to account for jobs created, according to Branstad, the program is somehow supposed to be considered a failure."
Glisson continued, "The Branstad campaign has refused to take I-JOBS seriously, even knocking the program with a goofy web video despite this weekend's flooding and knowing full well that more than 1/3 of I-JOBS has gone towards flood recovery and flood mitigation efforts. The fact that he ignores the I-JOBS report and claimed in his recent web video that no jobs were created is no surprise. Branstad is, after all, still the same person who cooked the books for more than a decade."
To see the full article in the Spencer Daily Reporter about Branstad's 'ripple effect,' visit ChetCulver.com.
Source:
[1] Spencer Daily Reporter, 1/24/83.
From Patty's Blog: Washington County Fair
Posted on Friday, July 23 at 7:54am
What a great way to end Thursday. Just leaving Washington County after a beautiful night at the fair.I was lucky enough to have a couple of great tour guides tonight. Bruce Watson, the director of the Washington Co. Fair and Louise Frakes with the Washington Co. Democrats were leading the way for us this evening.
We had a nice tour through the commercial building where I was able to meet some excited Washington County residents. I even ran into an old friend from my days at the Monroe County Hospital!
I also made a pit stop at the Washington County Democrats Booth were I was able to pose with some fun friends!
After a quick walk through the Ag barns where I examined the champion steer, we headed for the grandstand (which was making a lot of noise). Tonight they were having motocross races, and we were able to get in on the action! It was amazing to see these bikes zipping around the dirt track like it was nothing!
A big thanks to everyone at the Washington Co Fair. It was a great night!
Now on the road home, but will be back out to fairs tomorrow!
Until the next adventure,
Patty
From Patty's Blog: Benton County Fair
Posted on Thursday, July 22 at 7:47pm
More updates from the road on Patty's Blog below:
We're on the road and braving the heat for another day of county fairs!
Just left the Benton County Fair in Vinton and had a fun time meeting the fair go-ers.
I first stopped by the Benton County Democrats booth where I met my fantastic fair tour guide, Rosemary Schwartz.
We took a walk to meet the vendors and presenters and look over their great booths, full of outstanding work. I saw some beautiful wood working (it always amazes me the quality of craftsmanship), and it may be a good thing I left my wallet in the car!
We continued up to the livestock area (a fair wouldn't be complete without it!) where I was able to pop my head in and visit a lamb show. Our boys never showed lambs but it looked like the young 4Hers were out there working hard and there were some really high quality lambs in the show ring!
We're back on the road now, next stop: Washington County Fair!
Until the next adventure,
Patty
From Patty's Blog: 1st day of the Poweshiek County Fair
Posted on Wednesday, July 21 at 4:01pm
Posted on Patty Judge's Blog:
What a great visit to write my second official post about! Just left the Poweshiek County Fair on the edge of town in Grinnell. Had great visits with some residents of Poweshiek on this, the first day of the fair!Being a life-long fair go-er and participant, I always enjoy the atmosphere on the first day of the fair. It is especially fun to watch the young 4-Hers getting livestock moved in and get their presentations set up. Poweshiek County fair is no different it was a great day.
I even had a chance to stop in and visit with the Poweshiek County Fair Queen Candidates and told them I would see one of them in just a few weeks at the Iowa State Fair!
It looks like Powesheik is ready for a great week at the fair!
Next Stop: Jasper Co Fair!
Until the next adventure,
Patty
Patty's Judge's County Fair Tour and her new blog
Posted on Wednesday, July 21 at 12:30pm
Lt. Governor Patty Judge is launching her county fair tour this week starting Poweshiek and Jasper county fairs today.
She has also launched her new blog today so everyone can follow along, you can chek it out at chetculver.com/pattysblog. Here is the first post:
Thank you for visiting my blog!
A secret you may not know about me is that I’ve blogged before as Lt. Governor and I loved it!
That’s why I wanted to start a campaign blog. I can update you all on my travels across the state, the wonderful times out on the road meeting with Iowans who are concerned about jobs, having preschool for their children and creating a brighter future for us all.
CULVER/JUDGE CAMPAIGN SURPASSES $6.5 MILLION RAISED
Posted on Monday, July 19 at 3:24pm
DES MOINES - The Culver/Judge campaign continues on its record-setting pace and announces that it has raised more than $6.6 million dollars since the beginning of the campaign. It also maintains a strong cash-on-hand advantage of nearly $3 million.Culver/Judge Campaign Manager Donn Stanley released the statement below following the campaign's filing:
"I am very pleased that we have continued to raise the resources needed to win and maintained our strong cash-on-hand advantage.
"Despite our own campaign having to spend more than $1 million to fight back against Branstad's false and misleading campaign commercials attacking Governor Culver's record, we have nearly $3 million on hand.
"In 2002, at the same point in the race, Governor Vilsack had nearly $1.65 million on hand. Today, the Culver/Judge Campaign has $2.8 million on hand - with more than one million more on hand than Vilsack had in 2002 when he was successfully re-elected.
"With more than $6.6 million raised, we are on pace for a record-setting fundraising total for an Iowa governor's race."
Salute to the troops
Posted on Monday, July 19 at 1:48pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Iowa troops who deployed to Afghanistan this weekend.
Bill Shea at the Fort Dodge Messenger was at the send-off ceremony. Here's an excerpt from his story:
Every time their nation has needed them, Fort Dodge based soldiers of the Iowa Army National Guard have left their families and jobs to respond.
So on Sunday afternoon, exactly three years after they started a mission in Kosovo, those soldiers stood in formation during a ceremony in Fort Dodge marking their upcoming deployment for another task.
Afghanistan is the next overseas destination for the members of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 194th Field Artillery. There they will train the Afghan army and national police, according to Brig. Gen. Timothy Orr, the adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard. Orr said the troops will also conduct humanitarian missions.
During the ceremony, Orr said the soldiers' work will ''contribute to that country's long-term success and ultimately, America's security.''
''All Iowans thank you,'' Gov. Chet Culver said to the troops during the event at the Iowa Army National Guard Readiness Center attended by about 200 people.
''We pray for your safe deployment and swift return,'' Culver added.
Branstad vs. Vander Branstad
Posted on Monday, July 19 at 8:07am
It seems that Terry Branstad can't keep his own views straight and Todd Dorman, columnist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette, seems to have figured out why. Dorman wrote a great column about the two Terrys running for governor.
Here's an excerpt of the column:
Iowa Republicans have been concerned that Gov. Terry Branstad’s hopes of beating Gov. Chet Culver might be dashed by a reckless run from the right. And now it appears to be happening.
Culver is being challenged both by Branstad, a well-liked, four-term former governor, and by a new candidate who has emerged in recent days — Terry Vander Branstad.
Branstad won the Republican primary more than a month ago and has taken sharp aim at the incumbent in TV ads and on the stump, accusing Culver of budgetary blunders.
Branstad is hoping his message resonates with the vast sea of fed-up Iowa voters in the middle, looking for someone to better manage state government.
Vander Branstad, on the other hand, is still fighting the primary, determined to win over the right-est reaches of the Republican base and the endorsement of his bitter, plotting rival, even if it means alienating voters in the middle.
Des Moines Register: Branstad's views shift with the situation
Posted on Friday, July 16 at 11:15am
The Des Moines Register highlighted Terry Branstad's conflicting views on social issues today. These flip-flops follow a pattern Branstad has followed for 25 years.
Here's an excerpt of the article:
A transgender speaker and advertisements for a gay marriage advocacy group appeared on the campus of Des Moines University while Terry Branstad was its president, posing a stark contrast to the gubernatorial candidate's recent statements on the campaign trail, civil rights advocates said this week.
The head of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland also said Branstad personally welcomed her group to campus, where the group helped teach a course at the university that includes abortion lecturers.
Branstad, a Republican, recently voiced support for a process to eliminate marriage rights for same-sex couples.Read the rest of the article here
The former governor has also said in campaign speeches that he favors cutting off state money to Planned Parenthood, the state's largest contraceptive provider, although none of the money is used for abortions.
LT. GOVERNOR JUDGE AND FIRST LADY MARI CULVER WALKED IN BOONE COUNTY FAIR PARADE
Posted on Friday, July 16 at 7:22am
Lt. Governor Patty Judge and First Lady Mari Culver walked in the Boone County Fair Parade yesterday. What a great day! Thanks to all who joined us!
Governor Culver discusses health care with Genesis Health System
Posted on Thursday, July 15 at 7:13am
Yesterday, Governor Culver discussed stem cell research, Medicaid and other health care issues during a forum hosted by Genesis Health System.
Ed Tibbetts at the Quad City Times covered the forum. Here's an excerpt of his article:
Iowa Gov. Chet Culver touted stem cell research in the Quad-Cities on Wednesday as a key research tool into some of the most debilitating diseases, but he said Republican Terry Branstad “does not believe in that kind of research.”
“I want to move forward, I don’t want to go backwards,” Culver told about three dozen people at a voter education forum sponsored by Genesis Health System.
The governor took a variety of health-care-related questions at the 45-minute session.
He said his difference with Branstad on the issue is a key difference in this year’s election.
The state lifted the ban on embryonic stem cell research in 2007, with the Senate approving it by a two-vote margin.
“My opponent wants to put that ban back in place,” Culver said.
Branstad says he's going to raise the gas tax
Posted on Tuesday, July 13 at 4:15pm
Terry Branstad told reporters today that he would consider raising the gas tax if he is elected governor in November.
The Iowa Independent covered the story. Here's an excerpt:
Republican gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad said once the economic recession is over, he’d be open to considering a fuel tax increase in order to pay for transportation projects. That’s a move his Democratic opponent, Gov. Chet Culver, has staunchly opposed.
Branstad talked to reporters at a campaign stop in Atlantic Monday. The Sioux City Journal reports:
“But, it’s a user fee, as opposed to a general tax, and I believe in a pay-as-you-go system, not doing it with borrowed money,” [Branstad said]. “I don’t think it’s something that we ought to be looking at at this time, but I’m not saying that down the road that we wouldn’t look at something.”
Des Moines Register article shows Branstad's numbers don't add up
Posted on Tuesday, July 13 at 9:05am
Terry Branstad's claims that Governor Culver has been "reckless and irresponsible" are, in fact, false.Here's an excerpt from Clayworth's article:
The number of employees in the executive branch of Iowa's state government has dropped to its lowest level in 16 years.
This adds new talking points to the governor's race debate about which candidate has grown or cut the size of government.
Iowa had 18,444 employees as of June 30, the end of the state's fiscal year, according to data from the state's administrative services department. That's down 2,071 jobs from a year ago and is the lowest level since 1994, five years before former Gov. Terry Branstad left office.
LT. GOVERNOR JUDGE TO WALK IN ANKENY SUMMERFEST PARADE
Posted on Friday, July 9 at 12:14pm
Lt. Governor Patty Judge will walk in the Ankeny Summerfest Parade this Saturday with the Ankeny Democrats.SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2010
WHAT: Ankeny Summerfest Parade
WHERE: Ankeny High School
Hwy 69/N. Ankeny Blvd.
Ankeny, IA
WHEN: 9:00 AM
BRANSTAD'S NEW AD: NOT EXACTLY APPLES TO APPLES, MORE LIKE CHERRY PICKING
Posted on Friday, July 9 at 9:48am
DES MOINES - Terry Branstad began airing a new ad today entitled "Exactly Right" but what continues to be exactly right about Terry Branstad is that he wants to cherry-pick certain parts of his record."Terry Branstad wants everyone to think about the Clinton economic boom of the 1990s, when he was just in the right place at the right time. Today, Governor Culver is governing during the worst national recession since the Great Depression. Comparing the boom of 1998 to the recession of 2010 is not comparing apples to apples and it is not 'exactly right'," Culver/Judge Campaign Manager Donn Stanley.
The current unemployment percentage in Iowa is only 6.8%. The national average is 9.5%. At the same point during Terry Branstad's first term, just before the 1986 election, the unemployment rate had not yet dipped below the current rate of 6.8%.
"Terry Branstad cannot keep cherry-picking his record. When faced with the Farm Crisis in the 1980s, the major economic crisis of his Administration, Branstad failed to control the unemployment numbers - numbers that don't even include the devastation that was felt by Iowa farmers. Chet Culver, in comparision, has kept our unemployment below the national average and has fought to get Iowa workers back on the job," Stanley continued.
[1] Iowa Workforce Development, http://www.iowaworkforce.org/lmi/laborforce/etables/2005_1976seaavgr.pdf
HUPPERT JOINS CULVER/JUDGE CAMPAIGN
Posted on Thursday, July 8 at 2:25pm
DES MOINES - The Culver/Judge Campaign announced today that Peggy Huppert is joining the campaign as Finance Director."Peggy is an asset to our campaign and will make sure we have the resouces needed to win in November. She brings a great deal of knowledge and experience about fundraising but also about Iowa politics," said Culver/Judge Campaign Manager Donn Stanley.
Huppert has taken a leave of absence from her role as Iowa Director of Government Relations at the American Cancer Society to join the Culver/Judge Campaign. From 1998 to 2000, she served as co-chair of the Polk County Democrats and has continued to play a key role in Des Moines politics. Prior to her work with the American Cancer Society, Huppert worked with Iowans for Sensible Priorities/Caucus4Priorities and was Chair of the Freedom Fund.
"I have been a huge supporter of Governor Culver since he first ran for Secretary of State. When I was asked to join the campaign, it was an opportunity I could not pass up and I look forward to helping pave the way for a win in November," Huppert said.
Huppert joined the campaign effective today and she will return to the American Cancer Society after Election Day.
Branstad supports getting Oklahoma tough on Iowa women
Posted on Wednesday, July 7 at 11:38am
During the Primary Election, Terry Branstad said he would support an Oklahoma-style abortion law.
Carroll Daily Times Herald columnist Doug Burns wrote about Branstad's take on the Oklahoma law today. Here's an excerpt from his column:
A few weeks ago, in an effort to appeal to his party’s base, Terry Branstad threw uncompromising (and one suspects uninformed) support behind an Oklahoma law that requires pregnant women to watch ultrasounds of their fetuses and listen to details from doctors about the function of vital organs.
Whether they want to or not.
There are no exemptions for rape or incest, meaning women can be forced to watch a monitor showing the product of a violent attack against them.
In the Des Moines Register Republican primary debate this past May, Branstad, now his party’s candidate for governor in the fall, simply answered “yes” without qualifications when asked if Iowa women should be under the requirements of the controversial Oklahoma law.
- 07/28/10 - Des Moines Young Professionals for Culver/Judge
- 07/25/10 - FIRST LADY MARI CULVER TO ATTEND FAYETTE COUNTY DEMOCRATS ANNUAL HOG ROAST
- 07/24/10 - FIRST LADY MARI CULVER TO HOLD EVENT IN ELKADER
- 07/31/10 - FIRST LADY MARI CULVER TO TOUR MITCHELL COUNTY FAIR
- 07/31/10 - FIRST LADY MARI CULVER TO WALK IN STACYVILLE BRATWURST DAZE PARADE