ChetChase 2010 - The Week and Poll

Iowa's race for governor, with an oversampling of snark.

1. Chetfusion -- Gov. Chet Culver seemed a bit confused at a reporters' gaggle Thursday following the ground-breaking at a new, green and energy efficient headquarters for the Iowa Utilities Board.

When the state budget tanked, Culver put the lid on new state building projects. So how exactly are we paying for this one?

Culver mumbled about lawmakers providing the bucks. Then, Lee Enterprises Statehouse scribe Charlotte Eby informed the governor that the building is being paid for with bonds. And those bonds will be paid back with fees from utility companies.

"Even better yet," Culver said to this revelation.

The video of this  curious exchange has now gone "viral." Republicans have gone all gleeful.

But there's  no word on whether Eby will get a couple minutes worth of high-priced gubernatorial advisor pay. I'd take it out of the salary of whoever lets Culver attend these events without his thinkin' cap.

I remember when Gov. Tom Vilsack used to lecture us know-nothing reporters on wonky policy details. Now we've got reporters briefing the governor. Yikes.

2. Polls, and the Polling Pollsters who Poll them -- The Iowa First Foundation, Doug Gross' 527 group, has been tossing out poll numbers left and right this week. The Republican group's Republican pollster has shocking news - the Democratic governor is in trouble.

Kathie Obradovich over at the DMR deftly detailed the poll's strengths and weaknesses, including its oversampling of Republicans.

Still, the partisan poll raises red flags for the Lug. The 500 polled by Texas-based Hill Research Consultants say that although 52 percent have a favorable view of Culver, only 31 percent say he deserves re-election over someone "better." Forty-nine percent gave Culver a C or D grade. His athletic eligibility may now be in question.

Iowa First will release more numbers, including, brace yourselves, head-to-head match ups.

3. TerryWatch- While Culver was getting whacked by the poll, former Gov, Terry Branstad was being bathed in the sunshine of glowing popularity.

The Iowa First poll found that 68 percent view Branstad favorably. They like his background. They know his name. They like that he hasn't been governing them for 11 years.

In contrast, 28 percent had a favorable view of Bob Vander Plaats.  BVP, even after three runs, still can't touch TB's 90 percent name recognition. And, if you dug deep in the numbers, you found that 20 percent thought Vander Plaats is a delicious brand of fish sticks. OK, I made that up.

I bet Branstad does just super in the head-to-heads, and in the talent portion of the competition. That will only pump up the volume as some GOPers desperate for a winner will be begging Branstad to seek a fifth term. 

Last week's ChetChase poll found an even split between those who think Branstad will jump in, 41 percent, and those who think he will stay out, 42 percent. Ten percent said they thought Branstad was still governor. You jokesters.

ChetChase Poll

The economy promsies to be a huge ChetChase 2010 issue. Unemployment in Iowa hit a 23 year high this week, but there are also signs the economy may be reviving. At this point, are you optimistic or pessimistic about Iowa's economic prospects?

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