This week's civic skinny 04-07-06 -- Christie Vilsack for Blouin???

[Debi]

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A recent Time magazine article about GOPers not wanting to align themselves with President Bush was obviously not reading material for the Jim Nussle gubernatorial campaign. The President will appear with Nussle next week, and a Nussle insider says that the visit will help raise upwards of $1 million. "Jim's going to be tied to Bush anyway. He'd look worse, I think, if he tries to run from him," this individual said. "He has to stand up and say he's proud of his accomplishments in D.C., because if he runs from them, he loses the Republicans, and the Democrats just turn around and say, 'See? We were right all along.' Running away means you shouldn't be running at all. Let the Democrats make this race a referendum on Bush. Are they forgetting where we are? We don't exactly follow the trends here. Besides, the Democrats are killing each other for us."

Having Nussle win in November will be a huge blow to Tom Vilsack's presidential aspirations - it has been pointed out - which is causing more and more friction among the party faithful. It has become expected that nationally prominent politicians pave the way for their successors. "Having Nussle win the governorship will fuel even more doubts about Vilsack being ready for prime time, not that standing him up next to Bill Clinton last week didn't do that already," a top Democrat strategist told us. To avoid that, look for Vilsack to dump as much money as he can scrape up into the war chest of whoever claims the Democratic nomination. If Chet Culver wins the nomination, a $1 million contribution, we're told, will temporarily salve any hard feelings for Vilsack's assistance to Mike Blouin - although, we've been told to look for Christie Vilsack to come out and support Blouin in the next week or so.

In other Vilsack news, people around the statehouse and the state were shocked at the level of insensitivity the governor displayed surrounding the death of his former chief of staff Steve Gleason, a former governor's aide told us. "Instead of commenting about Gleason's many accomplishments and how he and his contributions will be missed, Vilsack attempted to tie an increase in the state's cigarette tax to his death," the person said. "The inappropriateness of that tenuous tie shocked the supporters of the cigarette tax, lawmakers, Democratic activists, statehouse press corps, as well as the governor's current staff." Said another top Democrat, "It's all about Tom Vilsack. 'Me, me, me. Look at me.' Everyone knows that has few close friends, and this display explains why."

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I hope Vilsack doesn't stoop so low as the break the promise he and his wife made to stay out of the Governor's race. However, The way he treated Gleason's death I guess I wouldn't put anything past him. Let's see how accurate Cityview's reporting is this week.....

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[progressoid]

1. Do people really think he has a chance at the presidency?

Sorry, but I just don't see it.

As for his promise to stay out of the Gov's race...Don't you think he's already been involved? I suppose publicly he has stayed out of it, but I get the feeling that he has been working this from behind the scenes for quite a while.

[Debi]

2. Do I think he has a chance in '08? HELL NO, but that doesn't mean

That all the "Yes men" he has surrounded himself with aren't pushing him toward it. He may have a different perspective after he's no longer Governor. Unless his bosom buddy Blouin becomes Governor and keeps the 'Vilsack Era' alive.

Yes, I do think Vilsack has been Blouin's puppeteer and the promoter of several of Blouin's endorsements. However, both he and his wife made a very public promise to stay out of the race - at least out of the camera and press's view - through the primary. Christie breaking that promise would be classless as well a proof that Blouin's candidacy is sucking air.

There's no guarantee that Fallon or Culver would hang a Vilsack '08 banner in the Governor's office. ;)

[progressoid]

3. Certainly seems like an entire political machine has been

working the Blouin ticket in front and behind the scenes. You can't tell me that all of those senators and reps independently chose to back Blouin! Lots of arm twisting & smokey room deals going on me thinks.

Of course, Culver couldn't raise all that cash without his own machine working overtime. His name recognition helps but I would like to think that it's more than just connections pushing him to the top of the heap. Makes one wonder.

In a perfect world, we wouldn't have to second guess all of the deals and back-scratching. We could just vote for the candidate we like. Yeah, I know, that's crazy. :crazy:

Makes the whole system a little suspect.

[Debi]

4. I would love to see publicly funded elections with a limited campaign

cycle! although I still think there would be a 'good ole boy' network out there, at least a person wouldn't have to be a millionaire just to be allowed to run. And I be upsets would occur and turnover would keep things clean.

I do doubt there is a machine around the statehouse working for Culver - he cut himself off from the Governor when he challenged the Governor on HAVA funding. He's been on his own since. I'm sure family connections and political connections are aiding his campaign. But I doubt there are any insider connections working for him. :shrug:

But it might also be people who are sick of Vilsack and his exclusive club that are hoping for a little more open gonverment. Now, when calling Vilsack, you have to try three times before gettng a staffer to return a call. And don't expect Vilsack to call you back, he's waaaaay to busy!

[progressoid]

5. What happened with the HAVA funding? I don't recall this.

Regarding Chet's campaign - I suspect the same. I don't see the 'behind closed doors' deal making so much in his race. Of course when compared to the Nussle/GOP group, we look cub scouts.

[Debi]

6. I don't have my fingertips on a story but what I remember of it

The State needed to guarantee or pony up some money in order to get $30 million or so HAVA dollars. Vilsack wasn't going to do it putting Iowa out of the running for any federal funding. Culver went ballistic and took the fight to the public (actually yelling at Vilsack at a meeting, I think). Culver won and Iowa got It's funding. Vilsack has been looking at cutting Culver off at the knees since.

I'll keep looking for articles about it.

d.

On edit, I've found some articles that discuss voting legislation that Vilsack vetoed, but I don't think that's it, although vetoing the bills did jeopardize Iowa's HAVA money his signing the bills would have jeopardized our rights. I still think this was about money....maybe I'm not searching the right way.....:shrug: