John/Chet Culver

[mcd1982]

I live in Texas but found out today that I work with a relative of John & Chet!

I don't know much about either of them and I figured DU was a good place to get some info!

Anything you can share on either of them would be great!

[Debi]

1. Info on the Culvers

John Culver Bio:

http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C000979

Chet Culver Bio:

http://www.sos.state.ia.us/office/culver.html


++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Chet is probably running for Governor in 2006 - not announced yet - here's his campaign site:

http://www.chetculver.com/

[Broke Dad]

2. In Iowa ABC means Anybody But Chet for Gov

Everybody knows that Chet wants to be Governor, but nobody outside of the family thinks that he can get elected, or if he is elected that he can do the job.

The Repubs had a field day with his failure to comply with campaign finance requirements for his gubernatorial exploratory committee. Another oops like that and he can forget politics.

[mcd1982]

3. interesting

Why is there an ABC feeling? Has he not done a good job as sec. of state?

Not being from Iowa, in Texas, people screw up financial stuff all the time and it never seems to matter.

Anywho, no matter who the nominee is, I hope the Dems win! I'll be keeping an eye on the race...

[Broke Dad]

4. ABC

I can't give you all the reasons for the ABC feeling. A couple are that he can't work with legislators, he can't keep good staff, he can't give a decent speech to save his life, and he blows in the wind. When the Republicans were pushing the death penalty this session, Chet suddenly comes out in favor of the death penalty. That among other tricks has made him seem vain and shallow.

Other DU members can probably give you more reasons for the ABC feeling.

[Debi]

6. But he did stand up to Vilsack when it came to funding for voting.

He has balls, he just seems so meek right now. I think if he gets out and starts really running he can break away from the ABC thinking.

I wonder about his competition anyway. I don't really feel comfortable with the Statehouse status quo (Blouin) and I don't think Gronstal can make a Statewide race. (the same for Fallon).

[leQ]

17. i got to meet him when he was in mason city for a HAVA meeting

that was when the new voting machines were on display. he was attentive, i thought. if he ran, i'd probably vote for him. what negatives i've heard about him were tied to vilsack, or coming from sources i wouldn't put two cents in believing.

we certainly can't lose it to the redside.

[Debi]

5. It's pretty hard to screw up being SOS

Unless you live in FLA or OH - and then they just elect you to Congress!

Chet has a Statewide machine ready to run, he just needs to step it up, he's stayed pretty well under the radar so far which makes me wonder how serious he is about a hard fought primary.

[Broke Dad]

7. All true

Everything you say is true. But it also takes brains to go with your balls or you are just a bull in a china shop. I also agree with your assessment of the statehouse insiders.

[Debi]

9. I hope things solidify in the next few months

Nussle and Vander Platts may be a rough race, but we need to have a candidate the entire Dem. Party will get behind come June of 2006. Otherwise I'm afraid we'll see a Governor Nussle...ewwww.

[rurallib]

8. Old enough to remember John Culver

A truly admirable man as a US senator. Anti-war, pro-people programs. I believe he was beaten by Grassley. John Culver as I recall was out front on many issues, a true leader.
My impression of Chet is that he is not his father. Too cautious. Seems a bit unsure. But his biggest plus is those who remember his dad.
My impressions. JUst like Fox - no facts here.

[Debi]

10. He's alson never been put in a tough position

So he's untested. The only big fight he had was standing up to Vilsack (and he prevailed). This primary may bring out what we need to see in Chet (or seal is fate in a loss).

[CoffeeCat]

11. I really like Chet Culver....

I think Chet Culver would be a superb gov.

He may be a bit unseasoned as far as running for a top-level position, such as governor. But come on--do we want another "charisma candidate" who effortlessly spews vacuous soundbytes and operates like a slick used-car salesperson? Nussle is slick--but we all know what a slime he is.

I like Culver's laid-back style, and I think it's a strength. He's real and he not at all pretentious. That's refreshing and a nice change from the fake, blow-dry boys we see in politics today. Culver is a friendly, intelligent Iowan.

I think he was a decent Secretary of State. He fought like hell to ensure that Iowa elections were fair. I remember him battling it out with an Ames election official--because she did not provide enough voting machines in some of the Ames precincts. He was on Channel 8--ticked that the voting-machine shortage had happened--and he was attempting to fix the situation and fighting for the Dems. Obviously, shortages in the Ames areas meant that Dem voters would lose out.

Furthermore, I think he did an excellent job of handling Iowa's 04 elections.

Also--I think Culver is a decent man. A good family man. This is important to Iowans. If he runs against Nussle--that would be a good card to play, since Nussle has many skeletons in his "family values" closet (I don't always agree with digging into a political candidates' personal history. However, when Reps insist that they have a corner on the family-values market--as they leave their wives and children--for new wives and children--then they deserve the scrutiny).

Culver may need some polishing, but he's young--and this is his first major campaign. He's a good, liberal Dem--and with the right handlers, PR people and a take-no-prisoners campaign staff--he could win handily and be a great governor.

Just my 2 cents. :)

[Debi]

12. I like Chet as well

and want to see him do well.

I don't think running up the Family Values flag is going to work against Nussle - it hasn't yet and he's been divorced since 1996 and got married to his current lobbyist wife right before the 2002 election. If the Values snake were going to bite him I think it would've by now. (And, although Chet only has one marriage under his belt that's not true for his family and I don't think we need to open old wounds).

[Rambis]

13. Anybody see channel 9 this am?

Scott Sandborn gave Nussle a glowing endorsement-
Strong candidate, hard to beat he might as well have had his Nazi boot sitiing there on the set and licked it. Truely sickening stuff-

[Debi]

14. That's too bad

because I really like the Sandborn/Winters team on channel 9. (We ususally watch channel 7 and suffer through Chris Carter's ego for snippets of the news.)

I hope Democrats will at least be allowed to run for the seat before the local stations declare a winner.

[Rambis]

15. They did mention Democrats today

They must have gotten some interesting mail yesterday. They named the candidates at least including my guy Fallon. He played pufff the magic dragon for my kids at a fundraiser and I love his fair election reform stuff.

[Broke Dad]

16. Heard Culver clip on KUNI

Heard excerpt of Culver speech at Nevada this weekend on KUNI. He needs to hire a speech writer and public speaking coach. What was the message? I have been running for Governor for 20 years. Did he start when he was 18?