Will Branstad keep two sets of books on job numbers like he did with the budget?
February 1, 2010
Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan accused Taxin’ Terry Branstad of playing politics with job creation numbers in an effort to mislead Iowans as he campaigns around the state.The centerpiece of candidate Branstad’s campaign is a promise to create 200,000 “new” jobs over a five-year time period. In his announcement speech, Branstad called the number a “goal.”
”It’s disappointing Taxin’ Terry Branstad has tried to score some cheap political points with Iowa voters anxious about the state’s economic future,” Kiernan said.
“I’m sure he already has a plan to use different sets of books to hide the truth about jobs, just as he did with the budget.”
Kiernan said the historical record shows job-creation during Branstad’s tenure as Governor took place at a much slower rate than what candidate Branstad promises. If he fails to create the jobs promised, he may keep two sets of books to hide what’s really happening from Iowans.
Kiernan predicted Iowans would see through the outlandish promises. “Iowans know this is a false idol.” Kiernan continued, “It’s almost mean-spirited at this point: a candidate telling people what they want to hear knowing full-well that, even as governor, he couldn’t get the job done. Why should Iowans believe he can do something today that he couldn’t do before?”
Kiernan listed a series of questions he‘s challenging the Branstad campaign to answer about the jobs pledge:
- What constitutes a “new” job? Do you count jobs that are “saved” by your actions?
- Do you count farm jobs or only non-farm jobs?
- Is there a target wage for these jobs?
- Will the jobs be done by existing Iowans who are retrained, or are they for others?