Culver looking for game-changer in Coe debate

Trailing in the polls by double digits, Gov. Chet Culver needs a game-changing performance to turn around his campaign for a second term.

Where better to do it than on his home turf.

The first-term Democrat and his challenger, four-term Republican Gov. Terry Branstad, will meet for the second of three scheduled debates at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 in Sinclair Auditorium at Coe College in Cedar Rapids.

Culver can't wait.

“I love Cedar Rapids. I have a passion for the people of Cedar Rapids,” Culver said while in Cedar Rapids Wednesday to accept the endorsement of the Iowa Professional Fire Fighters. “On top of that, it's my hometown.”

“So I'm looking forward to having this important debate in Eastern Iowa because Terry Branstad has to explain to the people of Palo, Cedar Rapids, Oakville, Iowa City, Coralville, Charles City (and) Elkader why he's against $325 million in flood recovery projects,” he said.

It's Culver's parents' hometown, Branstad pointed out Wednesday evening while campaigning in Marion. As a lifelong Iowan, Branstad said, he's looking forward to working with Cedar Rapids to rebuild and revitalize the community as well as all of those damaged in the 2008 flood.

“I'll be glad to compare my record and my results,” he said. “I've got a record of achieving things.”

Culver calls flood recovery the “defining issues” of the race and intends to use the debate to drive home the stark contrast between his approach to rebuilding Iowa and that taken by Branstad after the 1993 floods.

“It can be a game changer,” Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky predicted. The Corridor, specifically Cedar Rapids, “is a terrific venue for the governor. If you're looking for the contrast between these two candidates, the backdrop of the Corridor will certainly highlight those differences.”

The Branstad campaign realizes Culver will enjoy something of a home field advantage, but notes Branstad won four terms as governor by playing everywhere.

And as far as flood recovery, “we think he's winning that argument now,” said spokesman Tim Albrecht. “Folks are seeing that Gov. Culver's solution is more debt and now he's advocating a tax increase.”

He's referring to Culver's backing of a proposal to let Cedar Rapids raise it hotel/motel tax to fund flood recovery. Branstad said raising taxes during a recession is not a good idea.

Branstad won't be bashful about contrasting his record with Culver's, Branstad said.

After the flood, Culver's approach has been to create a new agency – “a typical liberal reaction” – and put a young political staffer with no experience in emergency recovery in charge “and they spent $19,000 on office carpet.”

Culver's effort has lacked coordination and Branstad claims only 34 percent of the funds have gotten to flood victims more than two years after the flood.

Matt Strawn doubts the debate will change the outcome of the race, however, the Republican Party of Iowa Chairman says “27 days is an eternity in politics, so we're taking nothing for granted.”

Given there has been no movement by Culver in the polls, Strawn expects his to continue to attack Branstad.

“The clock is ticking. Gov. Culver will come out swinging even more than he has been,” Strawn said.

The clock is winding down toward the Nov. 2 election, Culver campaign manager Donn Stanley agreed, but he thinks his candidate is peaking at the right time.

“I think things are going our way and I think the debate will sharpen this a little more,” he said.

Culver takes a swell of union endorsements in recent days as a sign that the tide is turning.

“This race is far from over,” he said. “We've got four weeks and we're going to win this race because I've got the people of Iowa and the people of Cedar Rapids behind our campaign.”

“The truth is,” said Branstad, who proudly noted he has won 11 straight elections, “it's results that matter, not political rhetoric.

“You can't make up in the last 30 days what you haven't done in four years,” he said.