Zogby Poll

[blueloo]

http://www.whotv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3972189&nav=2HAB

Is Blouin's biggest hurdle name recognition?
Could the same be said of Vander Plaats?

[Debi]

1. GOOD NEWS FOR CULVER!!!

I've wanted some good news for him!!!

Interesting that Nussle isn't performing better. Maybe Vander Plaats will surprise him in the primary and we'll be rid of the jerk for good! Then Chet Culver can go on to beat Vander Plaats and all will be well in Iowa. (Except for in the Democratic Legislature who all followed the pied-piper Vilsack into supporting his candidate in the race).

[IA_Seth]

2. Polls Shmolls

Not to discount this poll completely, but I have a real hard time relying on any type of poll these days.

Who are they polling? Most people that are near my age, especially those younger, use cell phones as their primary (sometimes and in my case - only) phone. I can tell you that I haven't been polled - ever. I would like it if these polls gave some data as to the age range of their sample.

Anywho...In this case, I am not sure that age would truly make a big difference, as I don't see young people really connecting with anyone in particular in this race...Blouin least of all.

[Rambis]

3. Ed Fallon

He is a young person's candidate I think. His hero is Paul Wellstone he and plays guitar:)
I have seen everyone speak and Ed is my guy. There are those in the legislature that don't like Culver because he is "hard to work with" ABC (Anybody but Chet). Whether that is a right wing sabotage or just the truth I don't know. I would support Blouin if he was for choice but when it comes down to Nazi/Fundieplast vs the Dem I will vote for whoever.

[IA_Seth]

4. Ed Fallon

Oh I don't know. I suppose he speaks to a certain group of younger voters, but I don't think he is a "young person's candidate" really.

Ed has great ideas and is the most progressive of the candidates out there, but he isn't real 'hip' so to speak, and I don't think he has the charisma of a young person's candidate. I am not saying that charisma should be a deciding factor, but I think it is A factor, especially with the younger crowd.

But that could just be me...I am 27 so maybe I am getting too old to be able to tell.

[blueloo]

5. um, but

Not that you were making a comparison but I don't care who Ed Fallon's hero is. W's hero is Jesus Christ, btw. Could Fallon even win a county in the general election (besides Johnson)?

[Rambis]

6. I know one thing

I am sick and tired of Republican lite and that is all the candidates except Ed,Sal and Patty.

[Debi]

8. What makes you think Culver is republican lite? n/t

[rurallib]

9. Really looking forward to Chet getting out

So far I know little about Culver except what others say. Hope he jumps in soon so we can have something to go on. I know he's sec'y of state, but I am hoping to hear what he has in mind as governor.
As of right now I like Fallon with Judge second. I just have a hard time with Blouin and his anti-choice. Of course if it's Blouin, I'm 100% behind him in any race against a repub.

[Debi]

12. I agree and wish Culver would get on the stump so people can

get to know him better.

Any one of our candidates would be better than the two republicans in the race.

Blouin and his position on choice scares me, and his 'well, it's because I'm Catholic' doesn't sit well with this Catholic pro-women's reproductive health care woman. Since he follows his faith so strictly is he also anti-gay? Will he work with the republicans to make a divorce harder to get in Iowa? I mean, if he's so strong on one issue because of the church, where is he on others?

Okay, I'm off my rant, I'm a Culver supporter and I still think he's the best choice for Governor.

[rurallib]

13. I was raised Catholic so don't take offense at this

I have found that american catholics generally pick and choose which tenets to follow. I would say that is probably true of at least most Christians I have met. The fundies are the perfect example. I don't know about Islam and Judaism.
The reason I say that is that there are examples all over the country of catholic politicians who may disagree with abortion on a personal level but do not tell others how to run their lives. Nor do they try to turn their religious beliefs into law. Given that background, I tend to find using the catholic church as an excuse a bit ingenuous.
Maybe I am wrong. I have two daughters and I want them to have the option available. On a personal level I do not like abortion, but that is the woman's decision and probably the most dificult decision she will ever make.
When I was in college, pre-Roe, I had an acquaintance who died at the end of a coat-hanger. What a waste. And if blouin thinks making abortion illegal will stop it have him call George Bush and ask Bush about his girlfriends abortion. It will be available for a price.
Sorry to rant. Men controlling women's reproductive choices bothers me. (In a related story, Jim Bob Dugger and wife have 16th child)

[Debi]

14. Your point is exactly what I mean (I think)

Blouin using "I'm Catholic" is a cop-out for his anti-abortion stance. John Kerry & Ted Kennedy are Catholic and believe in women's reproductive health care rights (and they don't seem to do too well with the divorce thing either - then again, neither did I).

If Blouin is against abortion, then he should just say so. To use his religious beliefs for that stance puts into play all the positions of the Catholic Church (I mean if he's such a good Catholic to be anti-abortion then he must also be anti-divorce, and anti-gay to name the most inflammatory stances the Church has).


He shouldn't hide behind his religion to espouse his personal beliefs unless he's willing to follow all the Church's teachings - which I don't think will fly.

[IA_Seth]

16. Blouin

I guess I never realy thought of Blouin's stance in that way. When I attended the little meet-and-greet with him I arrived late and he had already talked about his anti-abortion views. It was brought up again while I was there, but mostly by people that were giving him suggestions as to how to frame it minimize the impact on progressive Dems, but he never really gave his reasoning behind his view.

If he has in fact stated it's because he is Catholic, I guess I have to agree with you. Where is he at on the other issues that are supported by the Catholic Church? Can we look forward to anti-gay and anti-divorce legislation?

I have a little question for him the next time I attend one of his meet and greets!

Oh - and if he is anti-divorce then he wouldn't want my vote either!

[Debi]

18. I'm not trying to shout from the roof-tops "Blouin is a phony"

But I am trying to shine a light on a bullshit argument that his being Catholic has anything to do w/his anti-women's reproductive health care rights. He's just being a chauvinist.

If we truly believe in the separation of church and state, then having a Governor that is going to govern because his religion teaches that women should not be allowed to legally and safely terminate a pregnancy is not going to fly. (And what about equal rights legislation or stricter divorce laws?).

George Bush chose to enter an illegal war because God told him to. He has selected Harriet Miers to be our next Supreme Court Justice in part because of her religious beliefs.

I am not comparing Bush to Mike Blouin, I have MUCH too much respect for Blouin to do that. But what difference is there when he uses that baloney excuse to be anti-abortion?

[Rambis]

10. Pro death penalty and pro big corp giveaways

Corp giveaways don't creat jobs in the long run and the death penalty well..... There are companies and entities that don't need taxpayer help it is insurance providers, health care/drug companies, oil companies and meat packing plants. How about forbiding insurance companies from "investing" our money. It seems to me when they lose money on a venture I get a rate increase letter.

[Debi]

11. Blouin is the corporate giveaway guru

I haven't heard or seen where Culver is for giving our tax dollars to Wells Fargo (ala Blouin) or Principal (like they needed it). Maybe you could enlighten me.

Culver's pro-death penalty stance was a knee jerk comment with regard to the Jetseta Gage story. Although I believe he has stood by his comments, I don't think he's gung-ho on killing. And according to recent polls - May of 2005 by the Des Moines Register - 67% of Iowans support the Death Penalty. Now, I'm not one of them and Culver hasn't said that he would sign any legislation that came across his desk regarding reinstating the death penalty in Iowa. I don't believe one off the cuff statement (that the candidate refuses to weasel out of) should keep me from supporting him.

[pstans]

15. If this becomes a big issue in the campaign

Fallon is positioned on the opposite of Blouin. Fallon has been against Blouin's corporate welfare from the start and supports investing in small business.

Channel 13 out of Des Moines one of the big surprises from the Zogby was Fallon doing so well. His stance on money, gives him a little steeper hill to climb, but his message can resonate with people who tend to not vote.

[Debi]

17. Fallon seems to be speaking closest to the platform our Party

put together at the State Convention. I continue to worry about his ability to raise competitive funds. I hate the amount of money spent on campaigning in this state and across the US. That being said, you have to get in to office in order to begin making changes.

[Debi]

7. Heh heh n/t