2008 Woodie Awards
'Government reform is not a sexy issue'
Iowa gubernatorial candidates point out differences in governing tactics
Andrew Madsen and Dane Schumann
Issue date: 12/1/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Pictures of Iowa's 2006 Republican gubernatorial candidates
Shortly before the start of Thanksgiving break on Nov. 22, and again seven days later, the Kirkwood College Republicans hosted two Iowa gubernatorial candidates in Congressman Jim Nussle and Bob Vanderplaats for "round-table discussions."
The informal, discussion-oriented forums were held in the old Cyber Café in Iowa Hall and at a local coffee shop on Boyson Road in Marion.
Both Republican candidates focused conservative issues. The two blasted the state's involvement in business via the Iowa Values Fund, calling it detrimental in the long-run effort to make Iowa a more business-friendly state.
The candidates also discussed domestic and national issues like the Iraq war, border security and Social Security. Nussle and Vanderplaats both focused on government efficiency within Iowa.
"Government reform is not a sexy issue," Nussle said during the discussion.
The Manchester Republican opened the forum with a short speech and later opened things up to roughly 30 students in attendance, asking what their future plans were with regard to staying in or leaving Iowa.
Tax reform and education in the name of retaining the "best and the brightest" made up much of Mr. Vanderplaats's talking points with the young GOP members.
The Sioux City businessman and former educator revealed some differences that exist between him and Nussle.
One contrast Vanderplaats pointed out was in the No Child Left Behind Act, passed by the federal government in 2001.
Vanderplaats said Nussle was "a co-sponsor of that bill" and that more local control would do more to improve curriculum standards in Iowa schools.
Vanderplaats said "we have too many schools [in Iowa]" and explained to fellow Republicans that school districts should have the option to regionalize with others but state government should not get in the way of such prerogatives.
The two candidates will face off next year in a battle for the party's nomination to replace Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack.
It was clear after the discussions that many of the young GOP members have yet to make up their minds.
"He [Vanderplaats] just made my decision that much harder," said Jared Cox, a Kirkwood Republicans member.
Ben Johnson, the chairman of the Kirkwood College Republicans said the group is able "to get people like [Nussle and Vanderplaats] to come and talk because of what's at stake in [political] races. They also need volunteers for their campaigns, and they want to connect with younger voters."
Shortly before the start of Thanksgiving break on Nov. 22, and again seven days later, the Kirkwood College Republicans hosted two Iowa gubernatorial candidates in Congressman Jim Nussle and Bob Vanderplaats for "round-table discussions."
The informal, discussion-oriented forums were held in the old Cyber Café in Iowa Hall and at a local coffee shop on Boyson Road in Marion.
Both Republican candidates focused conservative issues. The two blasted the state's involvement in business via the Iowa Values Fund, calling it detrimental in the long-run effort to make Iowa a more business-friendly state.
The candidates also discussed domestic and national issues like the Iraq war, border security and Social Security. Nussle and Vanderplaats both focused on government efficiency within Iowa.
"Government reform is not a sexy issue," Nussle said during the discussion.
The Manchester Republican opened the forum with a short speech and later opened things up to roughly 30 students in attendance, asking what their future plans were with regard to staying in or leaving Iowa.
Tax reform and education in the name of retaining the "best and the brightest" made up much of Mr. Vanderplaats's talking points with the young GOP members.
The Sioux City businessman and former educator revealed some differences that exist between him and Nussle.
One contrast Vanderplaats pointed out was in the No Child Left Behind Act, passed by the federal government in 2001.
Vanderplaats said Nussle was "a co-sponsor of that bill" and that more local control would do more to improve curriculum standards in Iowa schools.
Vanderplaats said "we have too many schools [in Iowa]" and explained to fellow Republicans that school districts should have the option to regionalize with others but state government should not get in the way of such prerogatives.
The two candidates will face off next year in a battle for the party's nomination to replace Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack.
It was clear after the discussions that many of the young GOP members have yet to make up their minds.
"He [Vanderplaats] just made my decision that much harder," said Jared Cox, a Kirkwood Republicans member.
Ben Johnson, the chairman of the Kirkwood College Republicans said the group is able "to get people like [Nussle and Vanderplaats] to come and talk because of what's at stake in [political] races. They also need volunteers for their campaigns, and they want to connect with younger voters."