Ganske-Salier primary race tighter than expected

Des Moines Register ^ | 5.30.02 | Jane Norman

[Free Vulcan]

The Republican primary race for the U.S. Senate is tighter than expected with the emergence of Bill Salier as a strong candidate against Rep. Greg Ganske, according to GOP political observers around Iowa.

Salier, a Nora Springs farmer and first-time political candidate, is attracting support with a conservative message that includes staunch opposition to abortion, Republicans say. Ganske, a Des Moines physician who also opposes abortion rights, has been tied down since Easter by an eight-week congressional session in Washington, campaigning only on the weekends.

[Coop]

Hallelujah! :-)

[CPT Clay]

This will definately be one to watch. Like a Schundler or Simon the conservative underdog wins again!!!!

[shempy]

If Ganske survives the primary, I will hold my nose and vote for him in the Fall. But I think Salier has a very real chance. He has my vote, anyway.

My only fear is that the folks that don't pay attention will show up at the primary. I wish they'd just stay home if they aren't going to be informed.

[CPT Clay]

ganske lifetime ACU rating of 68

[Free Vulcan]

I just emailed them. Many thank yous. Oh yeah, DUH, I should have given his website. He goes more in depth on issues there. It is: http://www.salierforussenate.com/

[Elkiejg]

I agree Salier looks VERY good. I read about him on FR some time ago and his views and beliefs are RIGHT ON!!!

[Elkiejg]

Sent Salier's website to WH, RNC, Sen. Frist with the note they should follow the people and support Salier - not Ganske.

[VA Advogado]

Rush talked about Salier today on his show. I hope he wins. Ganske will automatically become one of McCain's butt boys.

[Ohioan]

I hope Salier wins. I've contibuted to his campaign since he appears to be a supporter of the Constitution.

If you are right, I certainly hope that he does win. At 33, he is still young enough to have a real chance to make a major impact for our side. That is a very important plus, in my view.

I have never understood why Iowa has as many "Liberals" as it does. You would think that with all that good farm land, your people would be so aware of God's Natural Bounty, that they would laugh any Socialist humanist out of town.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site

[Free Vulcan]

They're not, mostly the problem is blue dog Dems who vote Dem because their great-grandpappy did. If most knew how radical their party was, they'd be Rep in a heartbeat.

[Free Vulcan]

Yeah, that's what we're thinking here too. At the rate he's going, in 6 years, if elected, he'll be another Jeffords. RINO's sometimes are more damaging to the conservative cause than unabashed liberals like Harkin.

[Common Tator]

I worked in DeMoines radio back in the 1960's My impression back then was that Iowa would not elect Stalin... Trotsky was more their style. Gorby was a little to far to the right.

How does one describe Iowa. I can't but they could not have gotten to where they are by inbreedng alone.

[Torie]

LOL. Inbreeding is a problem in Iowa. Many of them have that certain look. Half of my gene pool is from Iowa. Almost none of the descendants live there now. Still Iowa has a rightward trend. The issues have changed a bit, and like the other states in this belt, farm subsidies are gradually receding as a litmus test. In addition, blue collar industries are gradually receding in importance. The big change in Iowa is the Des Moines metro area, which has gone rapidly more upscale, and Dem margins have been slashed to the bone. But the main word here is "gradual." Iowa is not a precipitous place.

[Iowa Granny]

thanx for the ping, and bump to the top

[esmith]

The Des Moines Register is pushing Salier as it feels he is the weaker candidate. Here in Scott County I have seen very few Salier signs, Ganske signs are all over the place. So I don't know who that person he talked to in Scott County was. Scott County will probably go with the moderate. Hell, we were the ones who voted for gore. I will support either candidate over harkin, but I will be surprised if it is Salier. I don't think he has even been here yet, if so, they sure kept it quiet.

[Torie]

My mother grew up on Carey Street off Locust. Do you know where that is? The house is just north of Locust and has an unusual (for Davenport) faux Italianate architecture that my grandmother affixed at some point. I think the address is 2123 but my memory could be wrong. My grandmother lived in the house from about 1922 to 1984. The red farm house next to it that was there prior to the city crossing Locust I think is still owned by my mother and aunt.

[esmith]

Carey St. is on the east side of Dav. The l900 block would be l block off of locust st. I am clear over on the west side of Dav.That part of town has large homes that have been converted to mostly apartments and is kinda run down now. People have moved out north of town now. The homes on Carey used to be almost mansions they were so large and beautiful but it is now pretty close to what we now call the inner city.

[Torie]

The house is next to the inner city (which is south of Locust), and the block is not one of mansions (I think it is between Locust and Bridge, streets which my grandmother when I lived there for 6 months as a 4 year old forbade me from crossing). The rest of the houses on the block (except for the historical farmhouse) are of the usual frumpy wood old fashinoned Midwestern look variety. My grandfather was an MD who wanted to be near the hospital. You might check out the house though. It is kind of unique. My grandmother was one of those types, who in a different era, would probably have become secretary of the interior or something. Her penetrating gaze was quite frightening.

[Torie]

I checked the map. It is just north of High Street. Bridge is a north south street just to the east it turns out.

[JohnBovenmyer]

My Scott County driving experience is just the opposite, Salier signs everywhere I drive and few Ganskes. I have heard Salier speak in Scott County. I don't know if he can beat Ganske, but if we can get Salier into the Senate he'd be better than most of the guys there now. With Jesse and Phil retiring this year he might even become the best Senator there. If Ganske wins we need to rally behind him. Even if you have to hold your nose to vote for him Ganske would smell a lot better in the Senate than old Dungheap Harkin. His win would probably defeat Stonewall Daschle and thus let Bush appoint better judges and replacements for all the Clinton hangovers.

There are lots of GOP primary races here, which may increase the base's turnout and tend to help Salier. I have 5 different contested races to pick. The hot Rat primary for 1st district Congressman, featuring an alleged ex-GOP 'moderate' vs. a Rat ex-Congressman, should keep the eastern Iowa Gore voters from messing with the GOP primary.

Ganske's ads now are all running the St. Elsewhere theme song, touting his surgical background. I loved that show, but wonder if offers quite the message Ganske wants to send. Does he want to come across as William Daniels' character, staff surgeon Dr. Craig? Hardly your compassionate conservative. Or does he want to come across as Ed Begley Jr.'s bumbling resident surgeon Dr. Ehrlich? An earlier Ganske ad did make a positive note for this audience by highlighting his vote to impeach Clinton. If Ganske wins the primary it would be great to use that issue against Harkin.