Branstad's Thanksgiving message tries to advance negative political agenda
November 28, 2009
While everyone in Iowa was celebrating Thanksgiving with their families this weekend, some Republicans running for governor sent out Thanksgiving messages from their campaign. But, Terry Branstad's Thanksgiving message showed a surprising lack of tact. He included an odd bit of his agenda in his statement:
You and I both know that with recent hardships in the economy and state government, we are faced with a unique opportunity to ... change the size, scope, structure and delivery system of our state and local governments.
Does this mean that Branstad is thankful for the hardship that Iowans face, so he can take advantage of it for a political agenda he couldn't complete 12 years ago? While its doubtful he is that crass, Iowa knows better than to swallow a Thanksgiving message that touts taking advantage of a recession to forward a political agenda.
Even Bob Vander Plaats, who has been running for governor for over a decade, was more tactful in his message. Instead of looking how to take advantage of the economy, most of us would no doubt agree we should be looking to help those affected by it. Terry Branstad might want to learn a few lessons in leadership and tact before he uses the holidays to forward a political agenda again.