The Week — Ways, Means, Red Carpets and Polls

WAYS JUSTIFY THE MEANS

Sometimes, when votes are slim, you gotta get shady.

On Thursday, with a gas tax increase facing defeat in the House Ways and Means Committee, House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Machiavelli, made the toughest decision a skipper has to make. The organization decided to make a change.

Or rather, a trade.

And it was a blockbuster! The Ways and Means Tax Slashers traded Rep. Jake Highfill, R-Opposed to a Gas Tax Boost, to the Appropriations Annihilaters, for Rep. Brian Moore, R-Roadbuilders' Legislator of the Year. Moore, who favors a gas tax increase, also received $10,000 in campaign contributions from the roadbuilders, aka Associated General Contractors of Iowa.

Then, in a gutsy move, Paulsen took a seat on the Ways and Means Committee, temporarily replacing Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Benched. Cappy's still got skills.

So update your lineups accordingly. Alert ESPN.

Anyhoo, in the end, gas tax hikers booted a late FG to win 13-12 in Ways and Means action. Paulsen was doused in Gatorade.

On to the Fuel Tax Bowl, presented by the Iowa Farm Bureau!

This sort of shenanigans is not unprecedented. Leaders have lots of power to reshuffle decks. And Paulsen argues that with a majority of his Republican caucus in favor of a gas tax increase, he wasn't about to let it get killed in some committee. It deserves a full floor vote. And he's right.

Apparently, it's all fun and games packing the Ways and Means Committee with anti-tax zealots until you need to pass a tax increase. Then it's Plan B.

But critics of the move have a point. It's a shady way to do business. It's bad form, like passing major legislation in the middle of the night or slyly tacking highly controversial and significant measures on to non-controversial bills or tugging on Superman's cape.

It's against the rules of polite society, not that they've ever governed the General Assembly.

Shady or necessary, the skids are now greased. Top leaders in both parties now have endorsed the dime. A gas tax increase is rolling toward Gov. Terry Branstad's desk, maybe next week. No reason to give squishy supporters a chance to change their minds.

If Branstad signs it, it will mark his first clear, definitive statement on the issue. This guy! Better late than never, I guess.

RED CARPETS LEAD TO 1ST DISTRICT

With Oscar night approaching, the early race for the Democratic nomination in the 1st Congressional District is taking on a real Hollywood feel.

Striding on to the red carpet this week was Ravi Patel, a young, 29, hotel executive and entrepreneur who announced his bid for the 2016 nomination. He's president of his family's hugely successful business, Hawkeye Hotels, and has 'funded and mentored' a dozen Iowa companies. He co-founded a business accelerator and has served on a bunch of boards and committees.

But he left out the fascinating fact that he was executive producer of the 2014 film 'The Formula.” It's a 'bromantic comedy,' according to The Daily Iowan in Iowa City, where it was filmed:

The Formula is a story of two engineers who, after failing in their own love pursuits, stumble upon a formula for picking up women. It was created by University of Iowa alumni Ravi Patel, Tim Nash, and Joe Clarke.

…

Patel, the producer, said he thinks viewers will relate to the movie's plot.

'I think anyone can at least partially relate to The Formula,” he said. 'We've all had life experiences with women or otherwise in which you have to fight tooth and nail for your desired outcome. Life isn't about the destination, it's about the journey, and regardless of the outcome, you walk away having learned and evolved during the journey.”

You can watch the film's trailer here. I have, and though I have yet to view the film in its entirety, it does not look good. Not at all.

But, hey, have I ever executive produced anything? Sadly, no.

The film does feature Reginald VelJohnson. You may know him as Carl Winslow on 'Family Matters.” Or as that one cop who helped John McClane take back the Nakatomi Plaza from Hans Gruber in the heartwarming holiday classic 'Die Hard.”

IMDb also lists Patel as the executive producer of the forthcoming holiday film 'Up on the Wooftop,' another Iowa City production.

But can someone with ties to a few films of questionable quality really make it in American politics? Up next, 'Bedtime for Bonzo.”

Also, last weekend's gala Saturday Night Live 40th anniversary bash tossed a dash of spotlight at Cedar Falls ad executive Gary Kroeger, who was a cast member from 1982-85. Kroeger is thinking about a 1st District run.

According to Rolling Stone, which ranked the top 144 SNL cast members of all time, Kroeger ranks No. 97. Better than Sarah Silverman and Robert Downey Jr. But not as good as fellow Iowan Brooks Wheelan at No. 78.

Here's what the magazine had to say about Kroeger:

Well, somebody had to play Walter Mondale. Kroeger's other highlight: Donny Osmond to Louis-Dreyfus' Marie, as they sang a duet that turned into a full-on make-out session.

So Kroeger does have experience as a fake vice president, which is not so much different from being the real vice president. Or a congressman, for that matter.

Not to feel left out, Democratic 1st District hopeful Monica Vernon received the two-thumbs-up endorsement of former Democratic candidate for governor Jack Hatch.

You might recall that Vernon co-starred with Hatch in Gov. Terry Branstad's production of 'Nightmare on Election Night 6 - Burying the Hatch.”

POLL OF THE WEEK

I would have ignored this week's Quinnipiac Poll releases if it wasn't so much gosh darn fun to say 'Quinnipiac.”

It's a good, woody word. Try it.

Here's what we know. Hillary Clinton, a political brand name well-known even to people who swore off politics for Lent in 1992 and stuck with it, leads a bunch of lesser-known Republicans. People are skittish about putting another Bush in the White House. They also don't want another Obama. And they're not crazy about the current Obama. They're satisfied with Iowa's economy, want kids vaccinated and worry about terrorism.

Here's what we knew before the poll was released. Everything mentioned above. Republicans have some work to do on becoming known and better liked. Thankfully, somebody invented the 'campaign,” used throughout history to become better-known and better liked. However, side effects may include becoming less popular, sweaty palms and defeat. Always read and follow label directions.

Also, thankfully, the election will not be held today. I for one, would be totally caught off guard.

Although, come to think of it, surprise elections would make for blessedly short, cheap campaigns (see above). Wonder if anyone agrees with me. Someone should do a poll.