Gronstal Nears Decision On Run For Governor

[Blue Gardener]

Senate Democratic Leader Michael Gronstal, of Council Bluffs, said Friday he's thinking about it and he'll make a decision this summer.

The field is beginning to take shape. On the Democratic side, possible candidates include Secretary of State Chet Culver and Rep. Ed Fallon, of Des Moines.

On the Republican side, Congressman Jim Nussle is interested. Sioux City businessman Bob Vander Plaats, who ran in 2002, said he'll run again.

http://www.theiowachannel.com/news/4276737/detail.html

[Rowdyboy]

1. Is Chet Culver the son of John Culver?

I had an enormous amount of respect for him back in the 1970's before he lost his senate seat to that prick Grassley in the Reagan landslide of 1980. That year cost us many good liberal Democrats, George McGovern, Birch Bayh, and a host of others.

[ISUGRADIA]

2. yes, he is

[Counciltucky]

5. Grassley's a joke.

He referred to himself as "Bush's chief tax mechanic," as if that's something to be proud of. If only Art Small actually knew how to run a Senate campaign...

[rurallib]

7. Don't knock Art Small

He knew he was a David against a real Goliath. He only ran because no one else had the balls to stand up to an almost certain defeat. For several reasons most Iowans (i'd guess @75%) are satisfied with Grassley. Most never go beyond the headlines in the register to get info. Folksy ol' Chuck and his 1986 Dodge, Chuck at the girls' tournament, Chuck cutting his own grass etc.
I admire Art for at least making an effort when absolutely no one else would. I also have a lot of admiration for Dave Franker for standing up to Mr. Integrity, Jim Leach.

[progressoid]

3. I don't know about Mike's chances in the rest of the state, but here on

the western side he's well respected, and does well even in this red area. Reupubs vote for him even though he's a Democrat. I not sure they would for Gov, however.

This should be fun.

[Counciltucky]

4. Gronstal told me personally he's running.

I'm from Council Bluffs and I flat-out asked him during the campaign if he was going to run, and he pretty much said yes.

I like Sen. Gronstal -- he's a nice guy, a decent guy. Perhaps he comes off too much as a career politician, but that's probably his worst downfall.

I seriously doubt he can overcome Culver, though, simply because Culver's already known throughout Iowa, whereas Gronstal's mainly only known around southwest Iowa.

Of course Vilsack was only a state senator and managed to ascend all the way to governor -- hopefully we can make Nussle the 2006 version of Jim Ross Lightfoot.

[cothomps]

8. A Bare Knuckles Campaign Against Nussle.

With Nussle, we just need to keep hittng on his record in Congress - and the type of stuff that he constantly went along with. (Maybe bring up "Mr. Paper Bag" willing to rubber stamp the horrible fiscal policy of the Fed.)

I'd also like to collect any information that Nussle has said/done regarding this bankruptcy bill, or (and especially) Social Security.

[Rambis]

6. Nussle interested?

He has 290,000$ left over from the fed campaign I would say he is interested alright.