Hogg starts an uphill campaign

WATERLOO - Just 20 miles from New Hartford, where U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley famously farms, mows his lawn and crafts his brand of 'common sense” without benefit of a law degree, a potential challenger threw down a gauntlet Wednesday.

State Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, stood on the steps of the public library to explain why he's seeking his party's nomination for U.S. Senate, with hopes of denying a seventh term to Grassley, a Republican. Seven people showed up, including three of his legislative colleagues, a retired lawmaker, a Black Hawk County supervisor and a guy from Martin O'Malley's presidential campaign. Three journalist-types also looked on. Other folks walked by, some curious, a few clearly annoyed at this political obstruction between them and the front door.

So this was a less-than-ideal-sized political groundswell, even for 9 a.m. on a Wednesday.

'It is definitely an uphill battle. I am the underdog,” said Hogg, who arrived alone in his Prius. 'I recognize that. I would say what it really gets down to is voters get to make the choice. It's not a lifetime achievement award.”

Hogg has a decent chance of winning the Democratic nomination in a three-way race with Tom Fiegen and Bob Krause, both of whom ran for and lost the same nomination six years ago. But he has no chance of beating Grassley, an Iowa political icon.

I say that because, at this moment, that's what I believe. I also say it so, if lightning strikes, Hogg can stand before his victory party and credibly say there were people who said he had no chance. You're welcome, senator-elect.

Truth is, there are incredibly thin, almost invisible, threads of faint hope for Hogg's campaign.

Iowans might notice Grassley is among the most powerful and longest-serving members of one of the nation's least effective and most unpopular institutions, the U.S. Congress. Maybe some of the many folks so weary and wary of career politicians will balk at Grassley's request to serve 42 years in the Senate.

Democrats who previously voted for Grassley because he was balanced by former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin may recall Harkin has been replaced by Republican Sen. Joni Ernst. It might just make 'em squeal. Long shots, all. Most Iowans are more than comfortable with Grassley for many reasons, political and personal. I'm not sure what, short of the senator going on a surprise crime spree, would change that much.

So challenging him is dumb, right? Not really.

It takes courage to challenge an icon and give voters a choice. A lot of 'smart” Democrats won't do it, because, apparently, 'smart” now means being too timid to stand up to politicians who directly oppose the core values of your party. See Gov. Terry Branstad, now enjoying his sixth term after a weak, underfunded challenge.

Hogg says he's going to talk about the threat of climate change, the destructive effect of unfettered money in politics, civil rights and job creation. All important stuff Democrats care about. Will they get to work behind a nominee or passively watch him get mowed down from the sidelines? We'll see.

l Comments: (319) 398-8452; todd.dorman@thegazette.com.