Branstad tells Newton why he wants his job back

Citing “mismanagement and one scandal after another,” former Governor Terry Branstad told almost three dozen people at the DMACC campus in Newton Thursday why he deserves to have his old job again.

Taking first-term Democratic Gov. Chet Culver to task on issues from state spending to the recent 10 percent across-the-board budget cuts to a lack of interest in meeting with private education institutions, Branstad and his Lieutenant Gov. running mate, Kim Reynolds, both tried to reassure voters that things were better back when Branstad was calling the shots. They added that Iowa could return to prosperity if they are elected in November.

But Thursday’s meeting wasn’t a one-way conversation; it also featured the Republican running mates listening to voter’s concerns, which touched on a variety of topics — improving the education system, attracting more businesses to Iowa as well as moving from a manufacturing economy to one focused on information technology.

One attendee gave his thoughts on what the state should do about balancing future budgets when no federal stimulus money will be available.

“Maybe it’s time for another Fisher Commission,” audience member Bill Vernon said, referencing a committee Branstad formed while in office to examine government spending and reform.

“We have already informally started working on that,” Branstad answered.

As much as the event was about reintroducing Branstad to voters, it was also about giving people a chance to meet Reynolds, a first-term state senator from Osceola elected just two years ago. Reynolds formerly served as Clarke County’s treasurer.

Repeatedly touting her efforts as a senator to push through policies that make it easier for her constituents to attain drivers licenses while living in rural areas, Reynolds also said her main role as Lt. Gov if elected would be to act as a facilitator between local and state government.