From the National Journal - Governor's Race rankings

[Debi]

http://nationaljournal.com/racerankings/governor/



4. IOWA (Open-D) Tom Vilsack is retiring Last Ranking: 4

Now that the Dem primary is essentially a two-man race between Culver and Blouin, can Blouin finally start raising decent scratch? If he can't, Culver's going to win the primary without the support of the Des Moines Democratic establishment. Anyone else think Vilsack may regret his early support for Blouin? How about all those state senators who got behind Blouin before the guy ever proved he could really raise money?

[tom2]

1. Vilsack and Blouin

They are saying that Vilsack will regret his early support for Blouin, but I thought that support was behind the scenes.

At the Story County Dems event last weekend, Blouin was a surprise visitor (not on the program). Perhaps Blouin was encouraged to show by the featured speaker, Gov. Vilsack. But I did not see the two of them together and did not hear any support for Blouin from the governor. None of the other governor candidates showed.

If Culver pulls out the primary win, I am not clear how that will hurt Vilsack. Vilsack may want Blouin, but to me the more important thing for Vilsack's presidential interests would be that the nominee beat Nussle.

[Debi]

3. Vilsack's support of Blouin is one of the worst kept secrets in Iowa

Blouin keeps crowing that he received all the legislative endorsements because he's a 'man of the people' when the worry was that Vilsack would hurt any Dem's chance of legislation going through Dem avenues if they didn't support Blouin. They endorsed Blouin to save their skins during the 2005-2006 session (and then Vilsack sold them out anyway :eyes: what a guy.)

[rurallib]

2. With Judge out it is making Fallon's scheme less probable

I kind of feel like we will end up with a race between the radical regressive and a republican light for governor. Given those choices I guess it's another Repub-lite.

[Debi]

4. I'm sorry you think Culver is a republican-lite

Other than his stance on the death penalty his policies seem very much progressive. (Yes, I don't like the death penalty position, but I REALLY don't like corporate welfare, neanderthal ideals when it comes to women's rights and anti-advancement of medical technology). :shrug:

[iowasocialist]

6. Culver

I am also hearing that Mr. Culver is the weakest GLBT-rights supporter of all the Dems running now.

[Debi]

7. I think that is a good question to ask him about

I hope you attend a gathering or two and ask him where he stands on GLBT-rights. I have never specifically asked him myself only because I always thought he was and equal-rights person (maybe I'm making an assumption). If you hear more from Chet or his campaign I hope you'll post it here.

How do the other candidates stack up on GLBT issues? I have to believe Fallon is for equal rights for all, he's dead-on on every other issue. Blouin? I'm pretty anti-Blouin because 'his religion' keeps him from supporting women's reproductive health care rights and stem-cell research - of course his religion is also anti-GLBT so I don't know how he can go against the Catholic Church on this and not on the others. :shrug: Hmmmmm.

[pstans]

5. 2 person race?

Yea, Judge is out, that leaves Fallon and who? Did Blouin or Culver leave too?

[Debi]

8. Ignore the press and keep supporting your candidate of choice

:bounce: