Paint Iowa Red

Moral Issues Win Every Time

redcentral — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:58:34 +0000

I’ve been reading the blogs and comments over at The Iowa Republican and over 50% of the comments are about how the “religious right” or “right wing nutjobs” aka (Christians) are destroying the Republican party. Some claim that they are trying to create a theocracy and others claim that the GOP will lose if we nominate a “religious right” candidate whose moral values might be offensive to the rest of the general electorate. In this blog, I will debunk the myth that the “religious right” is to blame for the downfall of the Republican party. In fact, I will argue that they were the ones that brought victory since Reagan.

For those of you who label Christians as “theocrats” or “nutjobs” need to read the book “In Defense of the Religious Right” by Patrick Hynes. The author is not a member of the “religious right,” rather he is a historian and gained some insights on the “religious right” by being a campain operative and consultant. He discovers that “some Republican bigwigs regard Christian conservatives to be a useful part-time ally, good for churning out votes, but hardly worth placating.” He discovers that if these bigwig Republican ignore the “values voters” or “Religious Right” they do so at their own peril. He states ”the GOP would never have obtained power in Congress in 1994, and they never would have reasserted their control over Washington in 2004. And yet GOP congressional leaders appear to have forgotten who put them into power. And this obstinately dismissive attitude might cost them that power.” If the GOP dismisses their base, they will be as relevant as the Whigs who focused soley on fiscal issues and ignored the uprising of the new GOP party who focused on moral issues of freeing slavery.

Our Founding Fathers would be Considered “Right-Wing Nut Jobs” and “Theocrats” if they were around today.

John Adams: “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate for any other.”

Abe Lincoln: Abe Lincoln is perhaps the greatest president the United State ever had, and yet, if he were alive today he would be labeled as a “Theocrat” or “Religious nut job.” He pointed to biblical passages to explain why the Civil War was necessary. The following passage is Lincoln explaining the terror of way and why it was required by God for the nation’s previous sins.

The Almightly has His own purposes. “Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but who to that man by whom the offense cometh!” [Mathew 18:7 KJV]. If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as thw woe due to those by whom offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said “the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether” [Psalm 19:9 KJV].

The 2004 Elections: Why Bush won a 2nd Term

Hynes also points to the 2004 Election exit polls where John Kerry walloped George W. Bush in all the issues except moral issues. Those concerned about the war, the economy, education and healthcare went for Kerry; however, those that voted on Moral Issues voted for Bush 80-18%. 48% of the people who voted for Bush in 2004 defined themselves as “values voters.” Purging these values voters who be the end to the GOP.

The Moral Majority in 1994

The 1994 election was the first election in which a voter’s religious faith was a greater determiner than his class or income of how he would vote on election Day. With issues facing the country such as gay marriage, stem-cell research, and the decline or moral values in America, Christians decided not to stay on the sidelines anymore and in 1994, Republican took control of congress with even a popular Democratic President. Hynes writes, “The growth of the Religious Right’s political strength and its subsequent ’take over’ of state and local Republican Party committee led to the overwhelming revival of the Grand Old Party, which, in 1993 and 1994, had precisely zero power in Washington DC. Moreover, to deny the Religous Right its due with regard to the GOP revolution in 1994 is to ignore election data and to discount some of the most observant liberal political reporting during that time.” Journalists reported from accross the nation after the loss in 1992, that “Christian Conservatives” were ”taking over” local Republican Party committees across the country-Much like the Iowa GOP are claiming the pary is being overtaken by them now. Calls for the GOP to rid themselves of these new Christian Conservatives were at an all-time high. John Danforth warned against the possibility of the Religious Right taking over the GOP. He said the GOP should rid themselves of the Religous Right “if you want to be a majority party.” However, the GOP became a majority party less than two years later with the “overtaking” of the GOP by the religious right. State who reported to be overtaken by the religious right prior to the 1994 elections had a greater number of new congressman that brought the GOP takeover in Congress in the 1994 elections. In Texas, 62% of white evangelicals helped put George W. Bush in the governor’s chair and shocked the nation by upsetting the popular Anne Richards. In Oklahoma, Democrats controlled the executive, legislature, and enjoyed a 5-3 majority in the congressional delegation. However, after the 1994 election, the GOP had won the governor’s office, and gained seats in both chambers of the state legislature, and they won all but one seat in the congressional legislation all because of Christian Conservatives. These Oklahomans were none other than Steve Largent, Tom Coburn, J.C. Waats, and Frank Lucas were commited Christian conservative candidates. Also, States like Michigan, Minn, IOWA, California, and Washington saw the number of GOP in their legislature increase after 1994. Journalists who were predicting that the Religious Right takeover would result in huge Democratic victories were dead wrong. At a speech at the National Press Club in June of 1994, Rep. Vic Fazio, former head of Dem. Congressional Campagin Committee, lambasted Christian Conservatives and predicted they would cost the GOP votes in November. He said, the Democrats would be “picking up seats that are being fought out over issues of intolerance, issues related to the agenda of the radical Right as the agenda of the Republican Party.” Hynes said that the Democrat’s message was clear: “vote Republican in 1994 and you are voting for the ‘radical Religious Right. However, Americans voted Republican anyway…Democrats had spent the entire summer attacking Republicans for being puppets on Christians’ string, and by the end of the summer most Americans told pollsters that’s exactly what they were looking for.

Moral Values Win Every time

Hynes states that conservatives succeed when they “talk more about those dreaded social issues than when they promote a small government philoophy or advocate spending cuts.” In 2005, Texas voted to ban gay marriage. 3/4 of people voted to ban it, and only 1 county voted against it. Also, in California, in 2008, voters rejected gay marriage. California!-The most liberal state!

Hynes best sums up my attitude towards GOP moderates who want to purge the Christian Conservatives from their party.

But woe unto them who any longer try to win election by making Christian Conservatives into politcal scapegoats and convenient whipping posts. They are left only to pray for an act of God to alter the polical environment to their benefit. And sincerely asking God for guidance is something they are disinclind to do. -Patrick Hynes

Bob Vander Plaats, Chris Rants, Terry Branstad, Jerry Behn, Rod Roberts, Paul McKinley should talk about moral issues if they want to win in 2010. It is a winning issue.

Gov. Culver–Sign This Executive Order!

redcentral — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:58:55 +0000

Bob Vander Plaat’s team of legal experts drafted this executive order that Gov. Chet Culver could sign. Gov. Culver, it is your constitutional duty to sign this. Do the right thing.

PROPOSED EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER ONE

WHEREAS, on Friday, April 3, 2009, the Supreme Court of Iowa rendered its opinion in Varnum v. Brien In His Official Capacities as the Polk County Recorder and Polk County Registrar (No.07/1499) that Iowa Code section 595.2 violates the “equal protection provision” of the Iowa Constitution and,

WHEREAS, the Court has unconstitutionally exercised legislative power in that its opinion purports to order that “the language in Iowa Code section 595.2 limiting civil marriage to a man and a woman must be stricken from the statute”; and {NOTES: Article III, Section 16 “Every bill which shall have passed the general assembly, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor. If he approve, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it with his objections, to the house in which it originated, which shall enter the same upon their journal, and proceed to reconsider it; if, after such reconsideration, it again pass both houses, by yeas and nays, by a majority of two thirds of the members of each house, it shall become a law;”}

WHEREAS, the Court has unconstitutionally exercised executive power in that its opinion purports to order that “the remaining statutory language must be interpreted and applied in a manner allowing gay and lesbian people full access to the institution of civil marriage”; and {NOTES: Article IV, Section 1 “The supreme executive power of this state shall be vested in a chief magistrate, who shall be styled the governor of the state of Iowa.” Article IV, Section “He shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed.”

WHEREAS, the court has unconstitutionally exercised the power of the people to amend the Constitution, in the opinion purports to rest upon the justices’ evolving “doctrine of equal protection,” a doctrine that changes the meaning of “equality” with “each generation,” in conflict with the enduring principals of the equal privileges and immunities guarantee, as established by the People in Article I, Section 6 of the Iowa Constitution; and {NOTES: Article I, Section 6 “All laws of a general nature shall have a uniform operation; the general assembly shall not grant to any citizen, or class of citizens, privileges or immunities, which, upon the same terms shall not equally belong to all citizens;” Article X, Section 1 “Any amendment or amendments to this constitution may be proposed in either house of the general assembly; and if the same shall be agreed to by a majority of the members elected to each of the two houses, such proposed amendment shall be entered on their journals, with the yeas and nays taken thereon, and referred to the legislature to be chosen at the next general election, and shall be published, as provided by law, for three months previous to the time of making such choice; and if, in the general assembly so next chosen as aforesaid, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be agreed to, by a majority of all the members elected to each house, then it shall be the duty of the general assembly to submit such proposed amendment or amendments to the people, in such manner, and at such time as the general assembly shall provide; and if the people shall approve and ratify such amendment or amendments, by a majority of the electors qualified to vote for members of the general assembly, voting thereon, such amendment or amendments shall become a part of the constitution of this state.” WHEREAS, neither Brien, in his official capacities as Polk County Recorder and Polk County Registrar nor any other County Recorder and Registrar has any constitutional or legal authority to strike language from Iowa Code section 595.2 nor to apply said Code section in any manner except as it is enacted into law by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor, nor otherwise to comply with the Court’s unconstitutional amendment to the Constitution; and {NOTES: Article III, Section 16 “Every bill which shall have passed the general assembly, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor. If he approve, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall return it with his objections, to the house in which it originated, which shall enter the same upon their journal, and proceed to reconsider it; if, after such reconsideration, it again pass both houses, by yeas and nays, by a majority of two thirds of the members of each house, it shall become a law. notwithstanding the governor’s objections;” Article X, Section 1 “Any amendment or amendments to this constitution may be proposed in either house of the general assembly; and if the same shall be agreed to by a majority of the members elected to each of the two houses, such proposed amendment shall be entered on their journals, with the yeas and nays taken thereon, and referred to the legislature to be chosen at the next general election, and shall be published, as provided by law, for three months previous to the time of making such choice; and if, in the general assembly so next chosen as aforesaid, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be agreed to, by a majority of all the members elected to each house, then it shall be the duty of the general assembly to submit such proposed amendment or amendments to the people, in such manner, and at such time as the general assembly shall provide; and if the people shall approve and ratify such amendment or amendments, by a majority of the electors qualified to vote for members of the general assembly, voting thereon, such amendment or amendments shall become a part of the constitution of this state.” }

WHEREAS, the Court has misused its judicial power, by unconstitutionally exercising: (a) legislative authority vested by Article III, Section 1 of the Iowa Constitution in the General Assembly; (b) the supreme executive authority vested by Article IV, Section 1 of the Iowa Constitution in the Governor; and (c) the constitutional amending authority vested by Article X of the Iowa Constitution in the People; and {NOTES: Article III, Section 1 “The powers of the government of Iowa shall be divided into three time of making such choice; and if, in the general assembly so next chosen as aforesaid, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be agreed to, by a majority of all the members elected to each house, then it shall be the duty of the general assembly to submit such proposed amendment or amendments to the people, in such manner, and at such time as the general assembly shall provide; and if the people shall approve and ratify such amendment or amendments, by a majority of the electors qualified to vote for members of the general assembly, voting thereon, such amendment or amendments shall become a part of the constitution of this state;” Article X, Section 3 “At the general election to be held in the year one thousand nine hundred and seventy, and in each tenth year thereafter, and also at such times as the general assembly may, by law, provide, the question, “Shall there be a convention to revise the constitution, and propose amendment or amendments to same?” shall be decided by the electors qualified to vote for members of the general assembly; and in case a majority of the electors so qualified, voting at such election, for and against such proposition, shall decide in favor of a convention for such purpose, the general assembly, at its next session, shall provide by law for the election of delegates to such convention, and for submitting the results of said convention to the people, in such manner and at such time as the general assembly shall provide; and if the people shall approve and ratify such amendment or amendments, by a majority of the electors qualified to vote for members of the general assembly, voting thereon, such amendment or amendments shall become a part of the constitution of this state. If two or more amendments shall be submitted at the same time, they shall be submitted in such a manner that electors may vote for or against each such amendment separately.”}

WHEREAS, by supplanting the General Assembly and the Governor by its exercise of the powers vested in the legislative and executive departments, the Court as a member of the judicial department has breached Article III of the Iowa Constitution which states that “no person charged with the exercise of powers properly belonging to one of these departments shall exercise any function appertaining to either of the others”; and {NOTES: Article III, Section 1 “The powers of the government of Iowa shall be divided into three separate departments – the legislative, the executive, and the judicial: and no person charged with the exercise of powers properly belonging to one of these departments shall exercise any function appertaining to either of the others, except in cases hereinafter expressly directed or permitted.”} WHEREAS, by supplanting the right of the people to amend the Constitution, the court has breached Article I, Section 2 of the Iowa Constitution which states that “All political power is inherent in the people” who alone have the right to “alter or reform” there government “whenever the public good may require it.” {NOTES: Article I, Section 2 “All political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, security, and benefit of the people, and they have the right, at all times, to alter or reform the same, whenever the public good may require it.” NOW THEREFORE I, Governor ________________,by the power vested in me under Article IV, Section 1 of the Iowa Constitution, as chief magistrate with the supreme executive power of the State of Iowa; and, {NOTES: Article IV Section 1 “The supreme executive power of this state shall be vested in a chief magistrate, who shall be styled the governor of the state of Iowa”} PURSUANT to Article 4, Section 9 of the Iowa Constitution charging me as Governor with the solemn duty to take care that the laws are faithfully executed, {NOTES: Article IV, Section 9 “He (the Governor) shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed.”} IN ORDER TO preserve, protect and defend the distribution of the powers of government into three separate departments the legislative, the executive and the judicial secured by Article 3 of the Iowa Constitution; {NOTES: Article III, Section 1 “The powers of the government of Iowa shall be divided into three separate departments – the legislative, the executive, and the judicial: and no person charged with the exercise of powers properly belonging to one of these departments shall exercise any function appertaining to either of the others, except in cases hereinafter expressly directed or permitted.” IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the opinion of the Supreme Court of Iowa in the case of Varnum v. Brien(No.07,1499),not be enforced as law; and, {NOTES: Pursuant to the powers of the Governor; Article IV, Section 1 “The supreme executive power of this state shall be vested in a chief magistrate, who shall be styled the governor of the state of Iowa;” Article IV, Section 8 “He (the Governor) shall transact all executive business with the officers of government, civil and military, and may require information in writing from the officers of the executive department upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices;” Article IV, Section 9 “He (the Governor) shall take care that the laws are faithfully executed.”} IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the 99 Iowa County Recorders comply with Iowa Code Section 595.2 as enacted into law by the General Assembly on the fourteenth day of April, nineteen hundred and ninety eight and signed by the Governor on fifteenth day of April, in the year nineteen hundred and ninety eight. {NOTES: Article III, Section 16 “Every bill which shall have passed the general assembly, shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the governor. If he approve, he shall sign it” Original bill: House File 382: Was passed by the Iowa House by a vote of 86 – 8 on March 11th, 1998. Passed the Iowa Senate by a vote of 40 -9 on March 26th, 1998. Signed by the Speaker of the House and Senate President on April 14th, 1998. Signed by the Governor of Iowa on April 15th, 1998.} IN TESTIMONY WHERE OF, I have here unto subscribed my name and caused the Great Seal of Iowa to be affixed. Done in Des Moines this twenty third day of April, in the year of two thousand nine. ______________________________________________________ Governor of Iowa

Bob Vander Plaats Holds Rally Tomorrow Night in CR

redcentral — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:42:34 +0000

From Bob’s Blog:http://bobvanderplaats.squarespace.com/

Join Bob Vander Plaats tomorrow night, Tuesday April 21st as he joins with Republicans from across Iowa for a rally in Cedar Rapids at Kirkwood Center for Continuing Education located at 7225 Kirkwood Blvd SW. Doors open at 6:30 pm with a reception for guests with the Linn County Republican Central Committee. The program will begin promptly at 7:00 pm.

Join us tomorrow night and hear Bob Vander Plaats as he casts his vision of conservative principals and responsible Government in Cedar Rapids. This event is free and open to the public, so bring your friends and neighbors to hear Iowa’s next Governor, Bob Vander Plaats.

Bob Vander Plaats: “I Will Lead”

redcentral — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:21:06 +0000

Bob Vander Plaats responds to Gov. Chet Culver’s statement or flip-flop on the marriage ammendment.

“Chet Culver’s inaction and self-serving political double talk on one of the most fundamental issues in our state – the definition of marriage and the defense of our culture – is truly one of the most astounding political reversals I’ve ever seen in my life. Just over two years ago, he took an oath to defend our constitution. Just over a year ago, he promised to defend the institution of marriage from the full frontal assault of narrow interests who would destroy the bedrock of 5,000 years of human culture.

Yes, Bob you are right. The governor should be the first person to make a statement and he didn’t. He hesitated all weekend. If you have convictions, you don’t hesitate, you make a statement based on conviction. If he stuck to his convictions, he would have marched into the legislature and demand that the marriage ammendment would be debated in the house and senate, but he didn’t. He caved in and gave a response that he thought would please both sides and respect religion, but he didn’t. Bob also wrote,

“Leaders do not cut and run when the pressure is on. Leaders do not abdicate their responsibility. As governor, I will do what Chet Culver has not, cannot and will not do. I will lead. I will work to ensure that Iowans are allowed to vote on this most fundamental issue and that the law of the land – the majority voice of Iowans — prevails. Despite the Iowa Supreme Court’s opinion last Friday, we can have a constitutional amendment upholding the only real definition of marriage – the union between one man and one woman. It’s time for Chet Culver to get out of the way and let real leaders take charge so Iowans finally have a voice in this matter.”

Bob is also right about leaders don’t cut and run. Bob already had convictions because he showed up at the supreme court last Friday and stated his opinions right away after the ruling. He went on WHO radio and demanded that Culver make a statement and telling him to show leadership and not back down from his statement, “I will do everything I can to protect marriage as between one man and one woman” that Culver made in Janurary of 2008. Culver did respond to Bob 2 hours later and basically said, “Screw you Iowans, you will not get to vote on this issue and I didn’t really have any convictions in the first place.” Well Chet, if we don’t get to vote on this, then don’t expect us to vote for you in 2010. I will vote for a leader that has convictions and doesn’t base his decisions on the way the politcal winds blow. I will vote for someone who shows leadership and doesn’t wait 4 days to decide what he’ll do. I’ll vote for someone who only took 1 minute to respond after the Supreme Court of Iowa made its decision. Bob showed more leadership this past week then Culver did and he did it while he was going through the loss of his father and that’s leadership Chet.

Chet Culver “The Flip-Flopper”

redcentral — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:27:47 +0000

Our Governor, Chet Culver, released a press release stating that he will not press for a constitutional ammendment banning same-sex marriage. He is a flip-flopper. Last year, he said, “I will do everything to protect marriage between one man and one woman.” Chet, Good luck on your next election in 2010. Bob Vander Plaats is right when he released a statement saying Chet should show leadership. Chet is basically folding to the true leader of the Dems in Iowa, Mike Gronstall. Speaking of Bob, Bob Vander Plaats lost his father last night. Everyone should pray for his family. Read Culver’s release below:

GOVERNOR CULVER ISSUES STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT’S DECISION

DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver today issued the following statement after reviewing the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision in Varnum v. Brien:

“I have carefully reviewed the Iowa Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on civil marriage and discussed it with the Attorney General.

“Let me begin by saying that I recognize that the issue of same-gender civil marriage is one that evokes strongly held beliefs and strong emotions both for and against. These beliefs and feelings need to be respected. I hope that the views of those on all sides will be treated respectfully and will not be subjected to name-calling or fear-mongering, but instead will lead to rational discussion.

“At the outset, I want to emphasize that the question before the Iowa Supreme Court was one of civil marriage only – a state-recognized legal status constituting a civil contract. Civil marriage always has been, and will continue to be, separate from religious marriage that takes place in churches and places of worship.

“As I have stated before, I personally believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. This is a tenet of my personal faith. The Iowa Supreme Court’s decision has, in fact, reaffirmed that churches across Iowa will continue to have the right to recognize the sanctity of religious marriage in accordance with their own traditions and church doctrines. The Supreme Court’s decision does not require that churches recognize marriages between persons of the same gender or officiate over such unions. The Court does not have, nor should any court ever have, that kind of power over our religious lives. Our churches and places of worship are free to decide for themselves, as they were before, who may enter the sacred covenant of marriage. As the Supreme Court’s decision states, ‘The sanctity of all religious marriages celebrated in the future will have the same meaning as those celebrated in the past.’

“Yet, the Supreme Court of Iowa, in a unanimous decision, has clearly stated that the Constitution of our state, which guarantees equal protection of the law to all Iowans, requires the State of Iowa to recognize the civil marriage contract of two people of the same gender. The Court also concluded that the denial of this right constitutes discrimination. Therefore, after careful consideration and a thorough reading of the Court’s decision, I am reluctant to support amending the Iowa Constitution to add a provision that our Supreme Court has said is unlawful and discriminatory.

“As Governor, I must respect the authority of the Iowa Supreme Court, and have a duty to uphold the Constitution of the State of Iowa. I also fully respect the right of all Iowans to live under the full protection of Iowa’s Constitution.

“I urge Iowans who hold beliefs on all sides of this issue to exhibit respect and good will. Our state faces many serious challenges. We are in the midst of a serious economic recession. Tens of thousands of our fellow Iowans are without work. We have suffered the worst natural disasters and most difficult recovery our state has ever faced. We must join together and redouble our efforts to work toward solutions that will help Iowans in this time of uncertainty. That is where, I believe, my focus and energies should lie.

“Let us not lose sight of the fact that we are all Iowans, all neighbors, united in the promise and faith of a brighter future for our state. Let us all work together toward that common goal.”

Iowa House Could Vote on Marriage Amendment by Tuesday

redcentral — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 04:20:36 +0000

From the Iowa Defense Alliance Blog:

URGENT: IOWA HOUSE COULD VOTE ON MARRIAGE AMENDMENT MON. OR TUES.

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Iowans Rock

I received an email from the Iowa Christian Alliance that there could be a vote in the Iowa House as early as Monday or Tuesday for a Marriage Amendment to be placed on the ballot. It is urgent that you call your representative and let them know that the people of Iowa deserve the chance to vote on this important issue. You can find out who your representative is here along with their contact information. Spread the word.

Why Iowa Dems Will Lose in 2010

redcentral — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:38:49 +0000

I was reading the paper and watching the news today about how Iowa is now a more liberal state than California because of today’s Iowa Supreme Court Ruling allowing gay marriage. According to the Des Moines Register’s poll, 62 percent of Iowans said they believed marriage should be only between a man and a woman. Thirty-two percent said they believed same-sex marriages should be allowed, while 6 percent were unsure. The only way to change the ruling would be if an ammendment to the state’s constitution in favor of traditional marriage would be added and it would have to be voted on by the legislature and put on Iowa’s ballot. This probably won’t happend until 2012 since the Dems rule the house and governorship. In this case, 2010 will be a turning point for the Iowa GOP. This will be THE ISSUE. They have 62% of Iowans on their side. Governor Chet Culver and Tom Harkin said they both oppose gay marriage and would support a constitutional ammendment in support of traditional marriage. However, both guys risk the outcry of their liberal base and will probably not press for a change this legislature session. They are stuck, and this paves way for Republican leadership. Gubornatorial candidates such as Bob Vander Plaats, who is a strong social conservative, could actually be now considered the frontrunner. The GOP should run strong social conservatives in 2010 in the local house and senate races. 2010 looks to be a year for the GOP in Iowa, and 2012 is the year where Iowa once again becomes a battle ground state.

Get Out The Pitchforks!

redcentral — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:02:14 +0000

Hey Iowans,

Remember the three-pronged tool that made Iowa famous in Grant Wood’s painting, “American Gothic?” That tool symbolizes Iowans. We come from generations of hard-working families. Most of us can track back to our farm-owning ancestors. We were self-sufficient and didn’t rely on government for anything. The pitchfork was our most useful farming tool.

This pitchfork has been associated with being a weapon. When hard-working farmers didn’t have access to guns or swords to defend themselves, they grabbed their trusty pitchfork to fight. The pitchfork, today, symbolizes the people’s anger. It seemed that last night, Iowans grabbed their trusy pitchforks and carried them into the Iowa State Capitol. They spoke out against the Tax on the Tax (The elimination of federal deductibility). Their pitchforks were taken away when Senate Majority Leader, Pat Murphy (D) ordered them out. The people that were dragged out of the capitol weren’t the crazy “pink ladies” protesting some random issue, but they were normal Iowans. Iowans who wore their local feed-store caps, business suits, University gear, and Bugs-Bunny and NASCAR sweaters. They were voicing their opinions on the issues being addressed in a PUBLIC DEBATE. In the words of Ed Failor, “The employees kicked their employers out tonight.”

Pat Murphy may have thought that he could stop the chaos, but after watching the videos and comments in the Des Moines Register, I think that chaos is only going to grow faster than Iowa corn in July. 2010 looks good for Iowa Republicans and the people of Iowa. Instead of wearing Culver for Gov. buttons, or sporting Culver for Gov. bumper stickers, or staking Culver signs in their yards and along fields, the people of Iowa will get out their pitchforks and march to the capitol demanding change, and this time change will come from the people, not government.

Bob Vander Plaats to Host Press Conference @ State House

redcentral — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:42:25 +0000

Gubernatorial Candidate, Bob Vander Plaats will host a press conference at the Iowa State Capitol building at 9:00 AM in room 19 concerning the federal deductibility issue. State Rep. Jodi Tymeson and state Senator Randy Feenstra will be at Bob’s side. If you are in the Des Moines area stop by.

Obama’s Leno Gaffe: Compares Bowling Score to Special Olympics

redcentral — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:12:02 +0000

Obama should never be without a teleprompter. In tonight’s Leno appearance, Obama was talking to Jay about his bowling score that he got recently in bowling at the White House. He got a 129. Obama replied that it was still there and he had been practising. “I scored a 129…I know, it sounds like the Special Olympics.” Too bad the major media outlets will not cover this as much as they would if Bush said the same line.