Posted on 06/01/2005 11:02:53 PM PDT by iowamark
Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Nussle made his run for governor official this morning, kicking off his campaign in his hometown of Manchester to begin a seven-day tour of the state.
In prepared remarks, Nussle said his vision would offer “no more excuses for Iowa’s lack of progress” in education and economic development.
“Iowa is a great state filled with good people, but like many of you, I’m just not satisfied with our direction or our progress,” Nussle said.
Nussle is expected to make an appearance in Davenport at 2:30 p.m. today at the Steeplegate Inn, Williamsburg Room, 100 W. 76th St.
Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack, who was first elected in 1998, is not seeking a third term in 2006, leaving the race wide for his replacement.
Nussle said if he is elected governor, he would set goal of making Iowa a leader in math and science education in the next 10 years.
“Catching up to or being just a little better than Minnesota is not good enough with the global competition we face, and either is just leading America,” Nussle said.
On economic development, Nussle argued against a “top down” approach, saying the state should nurture the 75,000 small businesses in Iowa that employ 20 people or fewer.
“Economic development occurs every morning when a local store owner turns the key in the lock and opens the business for the day and pours her heart and soul into making that venture successful,” he said.
He also advocates a restructuring and streamlining of state government, which he argues spends 175 percent more than 25 years ago, but stopped short of calling for a reform of local governments.
“Iowa has just too much government. We can’t afford it,” Nussle said.
Nussle’s announcement tour includes scheduled stops in 50 Iowa cities.
The Iowa Democratic Party is seeking to neutralize Nussle’s announcement by holding news conferences in many of the same towns where Nussle is appearing.
Nussle began his public career as Delaware county attorney and was just 28 when he announced he would run for Congress from his eastern Iowa district.
His election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990 made him the youngest member of Congress, and he rose through the ranks to become chairman of the powerful House Budget Committee.
Nussle said he used that position to fight for “responsible” budgets and to hold down taxes, as well as to advocate for better federal funding for education.
He also touted his efforts to open up markets for Iowa’s manufactured goods and farm products, including ethanol.
Nussle used his speech to blunt criticism the nation has seen a record budget deficit while he has served as budget chairman. He attributed the deficit to terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and the war on terrorism.
“While no one is surprised that we are running a deficit because of September 11th, a global war on terror and the gut punch our economy took, it’s the budgets I wrote the last two years that are getting us out of the red, while strengthening our economy and protecting our freedom,” he said.
Nussle has already earned the backing of 60 Republican state lawmakers in his bid for governor.
But he’ll face a primary challenge from Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats. Vander Plaats sought the nomination in 2002 but finished last in a three-way GOP primary.
Several Democrats have announced their candidacies or say they are contemplating running for governor.
State Rep. Ed Fallon of Des Moines has already jumped into the race, and Secretary of State Chet Culver is expected to run.
Still weighing their options are Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs and Michael Blouin, a former congressman and director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development. Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge said she’s thinking of running.
Lesser known Democrats, including Sioux City engineer Sal Mohammed and Shenandoah Mayor Gregg Connell, have both said they’ll seek their party’s nomination.
ping
Nussle seems like a good option for guv, and I wish him well -- it would be nice if we could also break that unfortunate tie in the state Senate, and strengthen our majority in the House. Then, Nussle could really accomplish something.
Any informed comment on what might happen to the vacant congressional seat? It's quite competitive, isn't it?
No informed comment from me, I'm afraid. I was just pinging someone I thought might be interested in the article.
There will be a 3 way Republican primary for Nussle's Congressional seat.
State Representative Bill Dix, who is the House Appropriations Chair
Former State Party Chairman, Brian Kennedy, most recently of Washington DC
Mike Wheelen, owner of the wildly famous Iowa Machine Shed Resturants.
Of the three, Wheelen is most able to write his own checks, Kennedy is the better politically connected but Dix has raised the most money and really shows promise.
The district is pretty much a toss up and will be targeted by both parties.
I sense a story behind that tagline.
Just what in the blue hell does a 29.1% increase in "General Government" spending have to do with homeland security and the WOT.
The fact to the matter is that Nussle voted for the prescription drug bill, federalizing airline secutity, the Department of Homeland Security, and has presided over the most obvious spending orgy since LBJ.
The absolute last thing we need in Des Moines is another big spender. Vander Plaats for Governor.
Nussle looks to be an excellent candidate and should make a fine governor for Iowa. Finally someone who understands that small business is where it's at, not giving away the farm to big businesses! Assuming he gets elected Nussle goes on the short list for VP.
I have an extensive flower garden. We are bone dry with cracks in the earth. I drag hoses all over the property to keep my flowers alive.
That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
Watch for the Club for Growth to get involved in this one, if there's an economic conservative in the race. My guess is that the Appropriations committee chair would not be much of an economic conservative, but maybe I'm wrong. I would also be doubtful about a businessmen. Most businessmen don't understand politics and are susceptible to liberal brainwashing. Without knowing much, I'd go with Mr. Kennedy ... though the home folks might not like him if he's "most recently from Washington." But my response to that would be: if he's been in Washington, he knows something about the enemy.
I know very little about the businessman Wheelan, but between the former state party chair "recently of DC" and the Appropriations Chair, I'd take the Approps chair. I watched him fight his caucus to hold back spending. I think he's the proven conservative spender, of the three.
Yes, I expect the Club for Growth to get involved, and I would expect them to back Dix, the Approps Chair.
The last 3 way primary we had in Iowa for a Congressional Seat produced Congressman Steve King, District 5. Club 4 Growth was involved in that race. Backing King.
Yeah, King was one of the Club's success stories. He's an immigration hawk, too, if I'm not mistaken.
If Dix used his chairmanship to fight spending, more power to him. Sounds like the right guy. What we don't want is someone who's untested against the enemy. Most "businessmen" fit that description.
The businessman moved his corporate headquarters out of Iowa, into Illinois to gain some kind of tax advantage. That isn't going to play very well with Iowans. It won't matter how wonderful the food is at his resturant when it's all over.
Yeah, that does sound like a death knell for him. The idea that he would even think of running for Congress from Iowa under these circumstances suggests that he's probably too stupid to serve in Congress -- or to hold a not-very-Republican district for the GOP.
My father is addicted to Hostas. They are everywhere.
Looks like things are going to get REAL interesting! :-)
Things will be very interesting in the race to fill Nussle's Congressional seat. It will definitely be one to watch.
On the D side, Mike Blouin and Patty Judge are still pondering whether or not to run for Governor. It will be especially interesting to see if one of them announces and forces Chet Culver into submission. The D Primary for Governor will be fun to watch.
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