Saw Ed Fallon and Mike Blouin last night

[Debi]

at Don Shoultz's Flag Day picnic in Waterloo.

Interesting because they are on opposite sides of the Values Fund debate. Fallon against it and Blouin supporting it.

What do you think about the Values Fund and about the two candidates?

Debi

[IA_Seth]

1. Fallon

I've only heard Fallon speak out of the two, and to be quite honest he appears to be a sincere, good guy...but not the type to be elected as governor of Iowa. To me he doesn't seem to have the charisma needed.

I have heard a lot of good things about Blouin, and from talks I have had with a few people here in Cedar Rapids, it seems that Blouin has some labor support.

I am hoping to see a lot more of our candidates before too long!

[Debi]

2. I think he has more than Labor...he has the Governor

but this is just my musings.

I agree re: Fallon. He just doesn't seem to have it in him to run a statewide campaign for Governor. But I think the same for Gronstal and Judge. I don't understand the desire to enter into such a large field.

Oh, I forgot, Mike Malloy (sp?) was there considering a run for Secretary of State. He's the Polk County Auditor. Don't know anything about him after that.

:shrug:

[rurallib]

3. Have met Fallon and like his views.

Blouin has been mostly behind the scenes recently but sure has the respect of many on the inside.
Maybe one reason I like Fallon is that I have never been convinced that corporate welfare in the form of a 'values fund' or whatever it is called is a particularly good idea. But if we don't get in and play this dirty little game that all other states play politicians get accused of not caring about jobs.
I like Fallon's 'Main Streets' program that funnels money to local start ups etc and avoids throwing millions at the likes of Wells Fargo. Personal opinion is that good schools, good roads and good living conditions and perhaps reasonable health care might make Iowa more attractive in the long run.
Whoops dinner time.

[Debi]

4. I agree with you on Values Fund

I'm not a big fan of TIFs or bonuses given to multi-million dollar businesses just to steal them from another state (when the TIF is up they just move to the next state).

I just wish Fallon had more state-wide appeal. I'd rather have him continue in the legislature than to lose him to a Gubernatorial primary.

[pstans]

5. I heard Fallon speak

and I love his ideas. They are truly Progressive. He seemed like a genuinly nice guy, but might not be smooth enough to campaign for Governor.

I'd wish Fallon would run for US House against Boswell, but he'd have to do it as an Independent cause the Democratic Party would support Boswell. Boswell really disapointed me when he voted for the Bankruptcy bill.

[Debi]

6. Boswell's a Blue Dog Dem

He called all the Union leaders that helped him get elected to tell them he was headed over to the DLC side. They were not happy with him.

[DU9598]

7. Fallon's seat

Do not fear losing Fallon in the state house. His seat will obviously stay Democrat. There is an exciting candidate who will fill his spot - Des Moines School board member Aku Abdul Samad. He was an early supporter of John Kerry and has been a vocal advocate for inner city and east side students in DSM.

I like Fallon, but I do not want him to be our nominee. I do not see him being successful outside of DSM. Fallon could become more of a front runner if the crowd gets to 5 or more in the Governor race.

For workers' rights and civil justice issues it is imperative that we keep Terrace Hill.

[Debi]

8. Good to know there is someone in the wings - any chance of a primary?

Hope not!

We keep coming back to the fact that Fallon has good ideas and is a Democrat that works for the Party, but we don't think that he can make the leap to the Governor's office.

What do we do?

[IA_Seth]

9. Aku Abdul Samad

I think I met Aku at the state convention last year...from what I recall he ran for something (maybe a Kerry delegate?) and I talked to him briefly as he made his rounds on the floor.

I talked to quite a few people that day that really liked him and he seemed like a pretty good guy from what I remember.

Do you know anything more about his politics?

[pstans]

10. I think Fallon will get the Progressive vote

If there ends up being 5-6 people running, the others will cut into their each others vote. Culver will split votes with Blouin, Blouin from Judge, etc. I don't see Fallon having his supporters leave for another candidate. You either agree with his Progressive stance or don't.

With that said, it might work in a primary, but it probably won't work in a general election.