THE TWO FACES OF TERRY BRANSTAD: CANDIDATE BRANSTAD VS. GOVERNOR BRANSTAD
Iowans are quickly discovering the two faces of Terry Branstad. And as Candidate Branstad continues making promises that Governor Branstad couldn’t keep, one has to ask – if he failed in four terms as governor, why would he succeed now?“There are two faces of Terry Branstad: the Governor, who mismanaged the state government, kept two sets of books, and raised taxes, and the candidate, who’s now changing his positions in an attempt to survive the Republican primary,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan.
Kiernan continued, "Branstad may say one thing as a candidate, but Iowans know what he would do as Governor."
For instance, take the promises Branstad made when he announced his attempted political comeback last month. They are in complete contradiction to what he did as Governor.
Promise: 200, 000 new jobs for Iowans
Fact: Sound familiar? In 1994, Branstad promised hundreds of thousands jobs would be created in the next four years but in one of the best periods of economic growth in recent history, he failed to meet even half of his goal.[1]
Promise: Cutting spending by 15%.
Fact: In every year but one Terry Branstad increased the size of the budget; over his 16 years in office he more than doubled state spending from $2 billion to over $4.5 billion. [2]
Promise: Improve Iowa’s education system.
Fact: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Iowa’s reading scores dropped under Branstad and from the mid-80s to mid-90s the high school graduation rate decreased by nearly 5%.[3]
Promise: Increase family incomes by 25%
Fact: This again? Sixteen years ago Branstad promised to raise media household income to above $40,000 in four years but despite the prosperity brought on by the growing economy, he failed.[4]
“If he couldn’t get it done as Governor before, why give him a fifth term now?” asked Kiernan.
Sources:
Radio Iowa, 11/1/09
Des Moines Register, 10/6/09
National Center for Education Statistics
Radio Iowa, 11/1/09