Democratic gubernatorial candidates focus on economy

[Debi]

By TIM HIGGINS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
October 22, 2005

<snip>

Michael Blouin on Friday highlighted his close connection to Vilsack and defended the state's top economic development program, which has become a campaign punching bag for candidates such as state Rep. Ed Fallon, who call it a corporate giveaway.

Blouin was Vilsack's economic development director when the so-called Iowa Values Fund was created. He called it "the most successful job creation program in the history of the state."

<snip>

"The 90 percent of us on the bottom are not being served by government. At the top are the very rich and their corporate allies who control the political process through campaign donations and high-priced lobbyists," Fallon said. "Our common good suffers tremendously when political decisions benefit the rich at the expensive of the rest of us."

<snip>

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Patty Judge talked about a new idea to give Iowa college students partial school-loan forgiveness if they stay in the state five years after graduation. "If we can get those Iowa-educated young people to stay in Iowa for five years, they'll put down roots and stay. Period," she said.

<snip>

"I don't believe it's time for Republican-light. I think its time to stand true to those proud progressive values like a woman's right to make her own health care decisions," Culver said.




http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051022/NEWS09/510220320/1056

[pstans]

1. I like Judge's idea about getting college students to stay in Iowa

However, do most college grads leave Iowa because of money? No. If money was a big issue then they would stay in Iowa because they can buy a home at a decent price, car insurance is cheaper, etc. Her idea is similar to the one of people under 30 paying no state income tax that ws proposed by a Republican in the state legislator last spring.

As for Blouin, he is pro-corporate giveaways and he is anti-choice. And he is running for the Democratic nomination?

[Debi]

2. I'm a Culver supporter, so take my words w/a grain of salt

But I can't stomach this part of Blouin's speech:

We've begun the rebuilding process," Blouin told a crowd of about 250 people. In a reference to the three decades during which Republicans occupied the governor's office before Vilsack and Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson, Blouin said: "I don't want to go back to that. I don't want Vilsack-Pederson becoming a comma in the history between two 30 dynasties."

So, if we don't vote for him the republicans win? Aren't there five other Democrats running?

[IA_Seth]

5. Salt taken...

But I agree with you. I have heard him say this 30 year comma comment at least 3 times now and its getting old. No one he is talking to wants Vilsack and the Dems to be a comma in the history between Repub dynasties. How about he starts to differentiate himself (besides the fact that he is anti-choice).

[IA_Seth]

3. I like Judge more and more...

I really like the prospect of taking Iowa back to it's educational roots. A forgiveable college loan program is an excellent idea and one that a state such as ours would really benefit from. Not only would it increase the number of well-educated people staying in Iowa, but I think it wouldn't hurt the prospect of luring business if we had an increase in the number of home-grown college graduates.

I am still undecided, but Judge is lookin good to me. Culver sounds like he is building steam. Blouin is pushing me further and further away... He needs to come out with some new ideas that will resonate with voters instead of trying to rely on past successes.

[IA_Seth]

4. Gregg Connell

"Shenandoah Mayor Gregg Connell proposed the use of renewable fuels to make Iowa an energy-self-sufficient state. He proposed a mandate that all gasoline be 10 percent ethanol, a corn-based fuel additive, by 2007, and that tax revenue from casinos be used to build a $1 billion state-owned wind farm that could power 1.2 million homes."

I like the Wind Energy idea, and am very interested in his idea. I've always thought bringing in a Wind Energy component to the CR-IC Rail Project would make it more 'Technology Corridor' compatible..and think Wind Energy is the way to go for a lot of things.

But I don't know much about this guy in general, and there has been little talk so far here about him. Anyone have the low down on him?

[Debi]

6. I've heard him talk a few times now

And am impressed with his ideas. I think as an unknown it will be difficult to break through the Culver/Blouin/Fallon/Judge grid-lock, but I hope the nominee takes his ideas to heart and works with our (hopefully) newly elected Democratic Legislature to implement them!

Better to use gambling dollars to help ALL of Iowa than just a few already wealthy corporations.