Culver Briefing Book 'Leaked'

Politico has posted a copy of a confidential campaign briefing book prepared for Gov. Chet Culver's weeklong re-election tour.

You can find the post and a link to a pdf of the book here.

What else can go wrong for this Big Lug of ours?

Republicans are already crowing about data in the book showing how much I-JOBS bucks the Culver administration has pumped into counties on the tour alongside gloomy  rising unemployment numbers. It's ready made fodder for the Republican argument that his big, bonded stimulus package isn't doing much stimulating.

I'm sure Culver's people will point out that a lot of the money has been allocated but not spent. Millions have been pledged to flood-related Cedar Rapids projects, for example, that are just getting underway. Still, as a response to a downturn, I-JOBS has been slow-acting medicine. And that's a  problem for Culver.

Actually, it is good to know that Culver is getting real numbers from his staff, even if they're not rosy. At least we know they're not creating a sugar-coated Lug bubble around the guv.

I glanced through the book. If you're a political geek like me, you'll enjoy a rare glimpse into all the logistics and stagecraft that go into these events. Few details are left to chance. Politico's Ben Smith notes one instruction to Culver to make sure and wear a tie when he appeared with the vice president in Cedar Rapids.

The red-necktied governor complied.