Soup's on for Democrats: Gubernatorial rivals to join for fundraiser

[IA_Seth]

Soup's on for Democrats
Gubernatorial rivals to join for fundraiser
Published: 03/31/2006 12:49 PM

http://www.gazetteonline.com/2006/03/31/Home/blouinfallonsoupfundraiser.htm

By: Rod Boshart - The Gazette

DES MOINES, IA - Two Democratic gubernatorial rivals are putting aside their differences and joining soup ladles in battling Republican Jim Nussle and President Bush.

Democrat Mike Blouin said Rep. Ed Fallon, D-Des Moines, has agreed to join an April 11 charity fundraiser designed to point up what they termed the "callous budget cuts against Iowans" being pushed by Rep. Nussle, as House Budget Committee chair, and the president.

(snip)


Fallon said today he is joining the effort to show that Democrats understand the ultimate goal is to keep the party's control of the Iowa governorship and to assist Iowans who are disadvantaged or stand to be hurt by federal budget cuts.

"We're in the middle of a tough primary race, but Ed and I recognize the end goal: Jim Nussle cannot be governor," Blouin said. "Jim Nussle is the man who has helped Bush usher in immoral cuts that affect the least among us. Ed and I want to work together to highlight that there are working Iowans in poverty because of Nussle's actions. To me that's a moral issue."

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[rurallib]

1. Hope Chet joins them

So glad to see politicians put the good of the whole ahead of their own perceived good.
Maybe VanderPlaats will join them too! I believe he had some problem with some of those cuts.

[MaggieSwanson]

2. This is great. I'd love to see

Culver there, and Mohammed and Judge too! What a great show of unity that would be.

-M

[tom2]

3. It would be great!

I heard tonight that Fallon asked Blouin if he could be a part of the event. This is the first I have heard of Fallon being interested in Democratic unity, so this is a real positive move.

I agree, it would be terrific if Culver could join in. I am sure Mohammed would come, too (maybe Sal is a little off beat, but he is a nice guy with a warm heart, and he is a loyal Dem).

I am nervous about the Democrats beating up on each other in the primary. But if they all came together for a charity event that showed the callousness of Nussle and Bush, it would really help whomever got the Democratic nomination. Actually, I think Culver could only lose the primary if there was blatant bickering between him and Blouin, so Culver should be begging to get on board with a unity event.

I think Culver is coming to our Drinking Liberally meeting next week, and we should really hold his feet to the fire about this unity event on April 11.

[MaggieSwanson]

4. Please ask him to consider it!

A lot of goodwill between the Dem candidates would also promote goodwill between their supporters.