Round 2 for GOP gubernatorial hopefuls in May 1 debate

By James Q. Lynch

Three Republicans hoping to win their party's nomination for governor will square off in a 90-minute televised forum May 1 in Cedar Rapids.

The Iowa Broadcast News Association's forum with former Gov. Terry Branstad, Rep. Rod Roberts and Bob Vander Plaats will be carried live at 3:30 p.m. on IPTV World, and rebroadcast at 9 p.m. on Iowa Public Television. In addition, the program will be replayed during May on Mediacom MC22 and via Mediacom on Demand. It will also be streamed live at www.IBNA.org and www.IPTV.org.

 Due to space limitations at the association's annual meeting, the event is not open to the general public.

 The debate comes less than 40 days before the June 8 primary to determine which Republican will face fist-term Democrat Gov. Chet Culver.

 For the candidates, it will be their second side-by-side appearance before a statewide audience. Branstad, who has debated opponents in 10 contested elections, said debates probably aren't the most important aspect of the campaign, but can't be overlooked.

“They're something you need to do and you have to take them seriously,” the four-term governor said. “I've always felt that if you're running for public office you have an obligation to the public to debate your opponents so the voters can get a chance to see and contrast your knowledge and your vision with that of your opponents.”

The debate may be the most important event in the campaign so far for Roberts, who is making his first bid for the GOP nomination. He's still introducing himself to Iowa voters, so the debates are “strategically important,” Roberts said.

“As the new candidate in a field with two individuals with higher name identification, it provides me with three opportunities to raise my name ID,” he said. “I can tell you, the first debate benefited me greatly.”

Branstad believes the debate gives him an opportunity “to demonstrate my knowledge and my passion for Iowa and my commitment to achieve ambitious goals we've set.”

Roberts sees the debate as “one more platform to introduce myself to even more Iowans as to who Rod Roberts is and why he is a credible candidate for governor.

 Three Republicans hoping to win their party's nomination for governor will square off in a 90-minute televised forum May 1 in Cedar Rapids.

The Iowa Broadcast News Association's forum with former Gov. Terry Branstad, Rep. Rod Roberts and Bob Vander Plaats will be carried live at 3:30 p.m. on IPTV World, and rebroadcast at 9 p.m. on Iowa Public Television. In addition, the program will be replayed during May on Mediacom MC22 and via Mediacom on Demand. It will also be streamed live at www.IBNA.org and www.IPTV.org.

Due to space limitations at the association's annual meeting, the event is not open to the general public.

The debate comes less than 40 days before the June 8 primary to determine which Republican will face fist-term Democrat Gov. Chet Culver.

For the candidates, it will be their second side-by-side appearance before a statewide audience. Branstad, who has debated opponents in 10 contested elections, said debates probably aren't the most important aspect of the campaign, but can't be overlooked.

“They're something you need to do and you have to take them seriously,” the four-term governor said. “I've always felt that if you're running for public office you have an obligation to the public to debate your opponents so the voters can get a chance to see and contrast your knowledge and your vision with that of your opponents.”

The debate may be the most important event in the campaign so far for Roberts, who is making his first bid for the GOP nomination. He's still introducing himself to Iowa voters, so the debates are “strategically important,” Roberts said.

“As the new candidate in a field with two individuals with higher name identification, it provides me with three opportunities to raise my name ID,” he said. “I can tell you, the first debate benefited me greatly.”

Branstad believes the debate gives him an opportunity “to demonstrate my knowledge and my passion for Iowa and my commitment to achieve ambitious goals we've set.”

Roberts sees the debate as “one more platform to introduce myself to even more Iowans as to who Rod Roberts is and why he is a credible candidate for governor.

Vander Plaats campaign manager Eric Woolson agreed the debate will be an opportunity for Iowans to contrast the candidates and their views.

“It's another opportunity for Iowans to see Bob Vander Plaats, some for the first time, and see the differences between the three of them,” Woolson said.

Vander Plaats, he said, will be talking about those issues that distinguish him from his rivals – immigration, economic development and education, for example.

Looking beyond the primary, Vander Plaats will emphasize his differences with Culver “and why he is the best Republican candidate to challenge the incumbent,” Woolson said.

Roberts likes the 24-question, 90-minite format of the IBNA debate,

“That's ample time for most people to get a pretty good sense of how we are different as candidates,” he said. “With that many questions, it provides enough opportunity to distinguish yourself from the others that viewers will be able to see contrasts between the three of us.”

A third debate, sponsored by the Des Moines Register, is planned May 20.

Roberts likes the 24-question, 90-minite format of the IBNA debate,

“That's ample time for most people to get a pretty good sense of how we are different as candidates,” he said. “With that many questions, it provides enough opportunity to distinguish yourself from the others that viewers will be able to see contrasts between the three of us.”

A third debate, sponsored by the Des Moines Register, is planned May 20.