Branstad’s stand questioned
From the Omaha World-Herald
When former Gov. Terry Branstad began an exploratory campaign for Iowa governor, he was immediately hailed as the big-name answer to a crowded field of Republican hopefuls vying for the nomination.
And when the latest Iowa Poll showed Branstad leading Gov. Chet Culver, a Democrat, by 24 points, he seemed golden.
But Branstad is already getting resistance from some in the Republican Party who question his credentials as a social conservative on such issues as gay marriage, gambling and abortion.
Social conservatism has become more important in Iowa Republican politics in the 15 years since Branstad last ran for office. During that time, moderates have been ousted from party leadership positions, and Iowa caucus-goers have anointed social conservatives such as Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee over other presidential candidates.
Branstad, who could not be reached for an interview, has said the idea that he isn’t conservative enough is ridiculous. “Gov. Branstad’s conservative credentials are without question,” said Tim Albrecht, his spokesman.Branstad says those who make such claims just don’t know him. But those raising concerns say the problem is they know him too well.
“Christians and conservatives are evaluating his past track record, and that track record isn’t resonating well at this point,” said Bryan English, spokesman for the Iowa Family Policy Center.
Branstad’s career as a statewide leader began in 1978, when he was elected lieutenant governor under the popular Republican Gov. Robert Ray. In 1982, Branstad was elected governor at age 35.
He served four terms, making him both Iowa’s youngest and longest-serving governor. Although he espoused conservative principles, Branstad was viewed as a moderate — partly because he worked well with a Democratic legislative majority through most of his tenure.
After leaving office, he served as president of Des Moines University from 2003 until this fall, resigning to explore another run for governor.
English’s group has been at the forefront of those asking Branstad to distance himself from moderate Republicans and Democrats with whom he worked in the past.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats even gave partial blame to Branstad for a vote cast by U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., on the Senate health care bill — because Branstad had endorsed Nelson for the Senate in 2000.
Branstad’s relationship with former Lt. Gov. Joy Corning, a pro-choice, moderate Republican, also came under fire after she recorded robo-calls asking Iowans to support marriage for same-gender couples.
After those calls went out, both the Iowa Family Policy Center and the Iowa Christian Alliance released statements condemning both Corning and gay marriage.
The center asked Branstad to clarify his stance on same-sex marriage, which has been a hot-button issue in the state since the Iowa Supreme Court’s April ruling overturned a law limiting marriage to heterosexual couples.
Branstad, 63, has pledged to push the Legislature to allow a statewide vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-gender marriage. But he would not condemn Corning, leaving English unnerved.
“Unless he’s willing to come out and distance himself, people are left to wonder,” he said.
Those concerns are unfounded, Albrecht said. “Out of everybody running, he’s done more to advance one woman-one man marriage,” he said, noting that Branstad signed the 1998 law banning same-gender marriage that was overturned by the high court.
English and State Rep. Chris Rants, R-Sioux City, another candidate for governor, both made hay of an old Des Moines Register article in which then-columnist David Yepsen called Branstad “one of the best liberal governors” Iowa ever had.
The column, which came during Branstad’s last year in office, referred to two sales tax increases, an expansion of gambling and increased spending by the state.
If that view becomes the reigning narrative surrounding Branstad, it will be a problem for the former governor when the June primary rolls around, said Dennis Goldford, a Drake University political scientist.
“Social and religious conservatives by themselves are not enough to elect anybody to statewide office, but no Republican is going to be elected to statewide office without them,” Goldford said.
Said Albrecht: “I wouldn’t base campaign tactics on one headline in a newspaper,” adding that Branstad also cut income taxes and left the state with a $900 million budget surplus.
Not all social conservatives are challenging Branstad.
Steve Scheffler, president of the Iowa Christian Alliance, said choices Branstad made almost two decades ago are “irrelevant.” What Scheffler cares about now, he said, is getting promises of action from Branstad, not just assurances of shared beliefs.
“We want someone who will exert leadership as opposed to saying: ‘Yeah, I’m with you on taxes; I’m with you on marriage; I’m with you on life, don’t worry about it.’”
Scheffler said social conservatives want someone who will not let the Legislature go home until agreeing to let the people vote on an amendment banning gay marriage.
Others want the party to become more welcoming to Republicans with varied stances on social issues.
Branstad’s former chief of staff, Doug Gross, for example, has been calling on the GOP to be more inclusive. For like-minded Republicans, Branstad is their candidate.
“Before last November, many who were much more traditionally centrist — their view was that social and religious conservatives had driven the party into a ditch, and it was time for a reckoning,” said Goldford.
“A Branstad candidacy is a move by many Republicans who want to take the party back from social and religious control.”
Ann Trimble-Ray, a self-described religious and fiscal conservative, said she doesn’t believe that would happen. Branstad shares her beliefs, said the chairwoman of the Sac County Republican Central Committee.
And, regardless, she said, the important thing is putting a Republican in Terrace Hill.