Hey, DU9598 - went to a Bruce Braley event in Black Hawk County last night

[Debi]

WOW.

We didn't stay for the speech unfortunately, but did see who was there openly supporting Bruce.

He has quite a following in his home county.

Any word on how he's doing $$ wise? Not that we'll have to wait much longer for the quarterly reporting.

Debi

[Wapsie B]

1. Who is he?

I've not heard of him. What office is he running for?

[pstans]

2. He is running for US House as a Dem for Nussle's vacated seat

I think he is a lawyer from Waterloo and is running for US House as a Dem. He has a website and from what I have heard he is doing a good job raising money.

[Debi]

4. Correct you are!

Although to be fair he was the only one last reporting period hitting the fund raising hard. The July 15th report will give us all a little more information on who has the fund raising ability.

I'm in Braley's county so I've had more exposure to him (well, and Gluba was the 2004 candidate so I know his positions pretty well), I'm waiting for Dickinson to make some appearances in Black Hawk County so we can see where he stands.

This will be a good race for the 1st District.

[Debi]

3. One of three Democrats running for Iowa's 1st Congressional District

Bruce's web site:

https://www.brucebraley.com/default.asp

Here are his opponents:

Bill Gluba

http://www.glubaforcongress.com/

Rick Dickinson

http://www.rickdickinson.org/

Jim Nussle is not running for reelection in order to run for Governor - there are three republicans running for the seat as well.

The district runs slightly Democratic and should be an easy pick up with the three knuckleheads the republicans have running.

Each of our candidates have different qualifications. Braley is the only one this cycle that has had an event in Black Hawk County, I'm waiting to see Dickinson and Gluba (although Gulba ran last cycle so I'm pretty clear on where he stands).

[Wapsie B]

5. Thanks.

I hope we've got a strong candidate for guv. Amazing how Jimmy's sexual impropriety's just fly right under the radar.

[Debi]

6. I don't know what to think of the Governor's race right now.

We do need someone to break from the pack. I think the Values Fund will be one telling issue that will separate the candidates.

Nussle is amazing in his ability to have mud slide right off of him. But I can't just give him credit. Not one Gubernatorial candidate has mentioned his flag burning amendment vote or his vote against funding public broadcasting. (I've said it before, what does the guy have against the First Amendment?) Either they don't want to give Nussle any press and keep the race between him and Vander Platts or they aren't paying attention. Beats me.

Do you have a favorite in the race? Or are you still waiting to meet them all?

Anything going on with Latham's District? (what is that...the 4th?)

[DU9598]

7. Hey Debi

I spent last friday with Bruce in Council Bluffs. He had a fundraiser in western Iowa. I think Bruce is going to have a very good fundraising quarter once again. He has been working in DC quite a bit and hopefully he will be having some major endorsements from various groups before the end of the summer. I hear that this congressional seat is a top target of the DCCC - so, lot's of money will be flowing in here sooner or later. Did Bruce provide his version of a stump speech? What did you think? I think he is able to connect with any audience, much like Edwards or perhaps Clinton. His intelligence just floors me, he knows so much about so many issues that I have never considered.

As for the Governor race I am becoming more and more confident - hopefully with good reason. I think we have a great collection of candidates. I am very intrigued with Judge and Blouin, but I have always liked Chet Culver. I think any of those three will have a good shot in 2006. I think the R's race will be expensive and dirty before it is overwith. I would also not be surprised to see someone like Gross jump in at the end, especially if Nussle gets a bit bloody or muddy with the religous factions of the party - well, that is the Iowa R party, but you know what I mean.

Have a great Holiday Weekend - I am off to Chicago for a much needed 5 day vacation.

[Debi]

8. We didn't stay for the speech as we needed to get home to our son

So I'll have to wait to see him again. The Iowa Fed has Its convention here in August and I'm certian all three candidates will speak there (we usually get an invite to stand in the back of the room for the speeches, hopefully it will happen again this year).

Although I think the Party will have to make some hard choices in the Governor's race I do think the republicans will have a bloodier battle - Nussle hasn't been known to fight clean. Either way the GOP's choice is farther right than I hope this state wants to lean.

Have a great trip to Chicago, have only been there once to see Jimmy Buffet (so I obviously don't remember much of the trip).

Debi

[Wapsie B]

9. I have no favorite in the race for guv.

Don't know how many Dems are running. Latham is doing what he's always done, march lockstep with the neocons. The only repugs from Iowa I could stand were Grandy when he was in and Leach. Yeah, this is the 4th district up here.

[Debi]

10. Leach has done a good job of securing his position in the 2nd

With his recent votes. I really like David Loebseck and would love to see him make the race, I just don't know if anyone can beat and incumbent who continues to appeal to the moderate no-party voters of the District. :shrug:

[IA_Seth]

11. I agree

From what I know of Loebsack he is a great guy, very intelligent, and has done a lot for the dems in the past.

That said, Leach has a hell of a lot of name recognition and is portrayed as moderate way too often. He will be a tough egg to crack.

Which is only more of a reason to help Loebsack if you can!

[rurallib]

12. Leach throws a crumb out to the moderates

and they eat it up. All the while he's pretty much right there with good old Tom DeLay (85% of the time). For some reason I just get ill when I see praise for Jim Leach on this site. Why get an occassional crumb from Leach when we could have a real Democrat representing us?If it be David Loebsack - and I really like his positions - I intend to bust my butt for him and I hope every DUer in the 2nd will do so also.
Remember when Leach was one of the decisive votes passing the Bush budget? Or the bankruptcy bill?

[NeoTraitors]

13. Saw Braley at the Stugis Falls Parade in

Cedar Falls last weekend. When the Democrats were announced they got a good reception, (same as most other floats) but when the Republicans were announced you could hear a pin drop!

I couldn't believe it since CF is a fairly Republican town, but the lack of even polite applause was very telling. Republicans are on the way out.

BTW, nothing would make me happier than to see Jim P Nussle lose! I am still close to Dave Nagle and know (some) of the dirt on Pnussle. As scumbags go, Pnussle is one of the lowest.

[Debi]

15. Please be openly vocal about Nussle's hypocrisy!

People who don't pay attention to his voting record still see him as a nice guy who's really a moderate. It's unbelievable that he continues to get cross-over votes and no-party votes. I don't want to think what he'll do to the state of Iowa if he's living in Terrace Hill.

Tell us the campaign promises he's made and broken.

Tell us the slimy, underhanded, dirty things he's done in past campaigns.

Most of all, don't stop talking about him.

[Debi]

14. I don't support Leach - and don't praise him

What I do say is that Leach votes somewhat like Nussle votes (he acts and speaks moderate and votes far right). Leach acts moderate (and sometimes even Liberal) and then votes right....except when the cameras are on him, then he votes Liberal to keep his seat.

How the 2nd District could succumb to that I will never know, more people need to be educated on his entire record, not just the one or two issues that make the papers and make him look like a Liberal.