Will Branstad Peak Before He Announces?
October 16, 2009
Terry Branstad’s Campaign for Governor may have its best moments before the candidate even admits he’s in the race! As Branstad quit his post at Des Moines University today, he continued to be coy about the fact he’s running for Governor, saying only that he was “exploring” the option. At a counter press conference organized by the Iowa Democratic Party, Senator Mike Gronstal declared “he [Branstad] may have equivocated today, but he’s running for Governor.”
Iowans know better than to buy this hide and seek game. Branstad is a candidate and, so far, isn’t putting much excitement into the race. In fact, while some earlier Republican polls showed both strong name recognition and a pretty favorable outcome for Branstad in head-to-head matchups with Culver, news outlets today are highlighting a much tighter race, and one in which Branstad doesn’t crack 50 percent.
That wouldn’t be a big deal for a newcomer or an unknown challenger. But when you’re an ex-four-term Governor, you’re a known quantity. As Iowans remember Branstad and his disastrous policies in the 80s and 90s, that number will continue to soften.
Enjoy the ride, Terry. It goes one direction – down. See the news story on the Research 2000 poll here.