Sticking with history, Branstad for governor

When a gubernatorial race is dominated by two men, Republican Terry Branstad and Democrat Jack Hatch, who have each served more than a third of their lives in state public office - 50 years combined - it is foolhardy to completely separate the past from the future.

History tells not only where we've been, the challenges we've faced, but is often the best indicator of how future struggles will be addressed.

In the fall of 2010 this Editorial Board simultaneously praised former Gov. Chet Culver for the 'permanent, positive” marks his administration made as part of flood recovery efforts and derided his team's struggles with oversight, especially in light of misused film industry tax credits. Ultimately, and with a nod to a lackluster jobs market alongside significant civil rights cautions, we endorsed Terry Branstad, who was seeking his fifth term after voluntarily vacating the office in 1999.

His election night victory has made him the longest-serving governor in state history and, depending on your exact definition, perhaps the longest-serving governor in the nation. Branstad has spent 29 years in Des Moines, first as a state representative (6 years), then as lieutenant governor (4 years) and finally as chief executive (19 years).

Iowans are no more shocked to see Branstad in Terrace Hill than they are to see corn and soybean fields along the interstate. And it's perhaps that comfortable familiarity that's prompted Iowans to largely shrug at the fact Branstad has missed meeting his lofty 2010 campaign promises.

Should Branstad be credited with reducing the size of government or reducing the cost of government? Iowans are simply pleased by the use of 'government” and 'reduction” in the same sentence.

Should he be judged by gross or net state job gains? Iowans point to relatively low unemployment numbers and smile.

Despite partisan attacks to the contrary, Branstad is a hardworking public servant who has generally served Iowans with distinction, often joining or leading national organizations while advocating our state's best interests. For instance, it is at Branstad's invitation and urging that the National Governors Association will hold their 2016 summer meeting in Des Moines.

Only weeks ago the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association, an economic collaborative comprised of nine states, converged in Iowa to discuss economic development opportunities - an extension of the trade foundations Branstad began laying in the 1980s, which continue to pay significant dividends, especially in the agriculture sector. In Branstad, Iowa finds a tireless salesman.

Despite a rather rocky, nasty legislative start to his fifth term, Branstad can be credited with smoothing the most extreme edges of both political parties to mark a path forward on Medicaid reform, commercial property tax cuts and private-public economic development initiatives, accords that have benefited Iowans in all walks of life. Branstad was able to set aside his own strong opposition to health care reform, including joining a failed legal challenge to the federal law, to forge a welcome compromise.

If partisan differences are set aside, you're hard-pressed to find everyday Iowans willing to genuinely question Branstad's devotion to Iowa. The optimism he embodies is infectious and, absent any other government action, holds an intrinsic potential for economic progress.

It is through the filter of this simmering and yet untapped potential that recent detractions become all the more troubling.

Branstad's overall approval numbers, as recorded in The Register's Iowa Poll, have plummeted in the past few months - a situation that can hardly be placed at the feet of a cash-strapped and widely ineffective Democratic campaign push. The Branstad administration is suffering from reputation death by a million cuts, and the Governor is holding the blade.

While no single scandal has fueled widespread outcry, the number of times Branstad or members of his administration have been called on the carpet for acting unilaterally and potentially illegally is concerning. Taxpayers have and continue to shoulder the expense of too many lawsuits that stem from an apparent culture of single-mindedness and cronyism.

Federal review of allegations that Iowa Workforce Development officials illegally tilted appeals of unemployment benefit cases in favor of business interests, and Branstad's own public claim that his administration sought the termination of the Workers' Compensation Commissioner at the behest of a business advocacy group, have stained Branstad's reputation.

It is disingenuous to promote and tout bipartisan accomplishments when a litany of examples show a pattern of politically-motivated appointments throughout state government. Iowa law already provides a great deal of latitude to the executive branch and Iowans are right to question additional and unnecessary power-grabs.

Even in a time when these serious missteps have hit the front page faster than the Governor's SUV travels Hwy 20, we aren't comfortable switching lanes. And frankly, if reckless behavior results in an accident, we believe it is this administration's responsibility to clean it up.

With optimism tempered by our misgivings, we once again endorse Terry Branstad for Iowa Governor. Without a significant change in the culture fostered by his administration, however, we believe our generosity has run its course.

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