Iowa Progressives: Go Impactful or Go Home When It Comes to Governors

I have been a follower of Iowa politics since I moved to the state in 1999 and cut my teeth at the Cedar County Democrats caucus in 2000. No doubt about it, I understand why some folks have a love/hate relationship with politics. It is messy business when it should be about choosing leaders that exemplify our better natures. But here is the thing, we could end up with a known quantity who is objectively horrible in acting Governor Kim Reynolds, we could put up a slightly left-centrist to run against her, or we could stand up for what we believe Iowa needs in a leader. As is the nature of politics, the best-organized campaigns have a substantial leg up and, as it shapes up, there are four choices among the Democrats in that department.

• Nate Boulton: A state senator and labor attorney who is backed by labor, and a rising star among young Iowa Democrats, currently, he is trailing in the polls within his party and among all Iowans. He has said reversing the collective bargaining agreement is a key part of his run for Governor. Living in Des Moines, but raised in Columbus Junction, Boulton has the story that many Iowans are familiar with and comfortable.

• Fred Hubbell: Political newbie with deep pockets and the lead in public polls for the governor's office among Democrats, Hubbell has a unique story and brings the business acumen that Iowans are comfortable. He is Pro-Choice, Pro-Business, Pro-Iowa and another Native Son. He is for sensible gun laws given he was once held hostage overseas.

• Andy McGuire: Former head of the Iowa Democratic Party, medical doctor turned healthcare executive with Wellmark and American Enterprise, McGuire is for bringing healthcare back under state government and assisted by private insurers, is pro-choice, and feels that listening to the needs of rural Iowa is the way to go in addressing water and air quality issues. Another native of Iowa from Waterloo who has lived in other states.

• Cathy Glasson: Another labor candidate who is also a labor leader, but with a larger agenda that Boulton, McGuire, or Hubbell. She wants to make $15 the state minimum wage, she wants a single-payer public healthcare system, she wants polluters to pay for cleaning up the air and water quality mess. She wants to restore union bargaining rights, she wants to raise the legal age to own a gun in Iowa to 21 and wants to improve public education in Iowa. None of these are small things. 

The two other candidates, Ross Wilburn and John Norris both seasoned in the political arenas and more left-centrist (Wilburn) or rural-rooted progressive (Norris) than the above but trailing badly in the money game with no time to change the game. Their hopes lie in none of the top four candidates garnering the magical 35% they need to win the primary outright and force the choice to a state convention where compromise could work to at least one of their favors as either queen/kingmaker or possible Lt. Governor prospect. 

While any of the six candidates would be head and shoulders above Reynolds, there is always the chance that they will turn out to be the next Chet Culver, hurting the very people that got them there and being blander than margarine so as not to offend. My hope is that the Democrats choose to think impact over the lackluster "aw shucks, I'm just plain folks" approach that has failed them election after election.

I think that it is actually time that Iowans elect a leader who has impact in mind and is willing to work hard and connect with people to make that happen. For me, Cathy Glasson is that type of candidate. She swings for the fences in her goals and in a place where we like our field of dreams, she might be the right person, in the right place, at the right time to get it done. Of course, she'll need help down the line in the House and Senate, but that will come from the one trait that any of these folks will need to win, the ability to organize and turn out the vote. 

Iowa the Clock Is Ticking: More School Shootings

This morning a 17-year-old, male student in Santa Fe, Texas armed with pipe bombs was armed with his father’s Remington 870 short-barreled shotgun and a .38-caliber Rossi revolver, a law enforcement official told NBC. shot and killed 8 students and 2 teachers at his high school. Earlier this week, a 19-year-old male former student opened fire at a public high school in Dixon, Illinois which fortunately no one was injured by, but was shot by a School Resource Officer. Last Friday, a 14-year-old boy in Palmdale, California with  an SKS-style carbine fired about 10 shots and injured another student who was later operated on and is recovering.

   In two of the cases, the suspects surrendered themselves to police and were taken into custody. The third was treated and remanded into police custody. With these incidents, 22 school shootings have taken place in 2018, so far or 1 per week. President Trump issued the following statement: "My administration is determined to do everything in our power to protect our students, secure our schools, and keep weapons out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves and to others. Everyone must work together at every level of government to keep our children safe. May God heal the injured and may God comfort the wounded, and may God be with the victims and with the victims’ families. A very sad day, very, very sad." VP Mike Pence said, "We're with you. You are in our prayers and I know you are in the prayers of the American people."  Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas released this statement, "Once again, our Nation grieves another mass murder. Heidi and I are keeping the students and faculty of Santa Fe High School in our fervent prayers."

   So far, the President, Vice-President and Senator's words and actions have been in direct opposition of what they have said. So far, Trump's administration has paid lip service to the lives lost. In fact, the President has walked back most every hopeful word he has offered to students and families of students, teachers, and staff who have sought action resulting in sensible gun laws being taken up by Congress.

But how about a proactive approach in Iowa? Will our acting Governor and future leaders have to offer up such statements to the parents of students, teachers, and staff? Or will we bide our time until such event happens here and then offer "thoughts and prayers" when better laws would have been more effective?

   It won't likely happen with acting Governor Kim Reynolds at the helm. Radio Iowa reported that she has said "the Republican-led legislature has already passed a bill that requires all Iowa school districts to have a safety plan and conduct yearly active shooter drills. As for new gun regulations, Reynolds is opposed. She said the priority should be enforcing the laws already on the books and updating the existing federal background check system."

   Senate President Charles Schneider, again according to Radio Iowa "said the Iowa legislature is setting aside $35 million in grant money to help schools pay for safety upgrades to buildings, like lock down systems or stronger classroom doors. But Schneider, like the governor, suggested new gun regulations are not on this year’s agenda. “We always have to take into consideration the balance of school safety and the balance of constitutional rights as well,”"