Branstad formally enters governor's race

Are you ready for a comeback?

Terry Branstad is and he's ready to lead the way, the four-term Republican said Tuesday as he kicked off his – and Iowa's – comeback tour.

“I truly believe Iowa is poised for a historic comeback,” Branstad told more than 100 supporters on hand at the State Historical Building in Des Moines to hear him officially begin his campaign for governor. “Together we can bring Iowa back to the greatness we know we have in us.”

Branstad made no mention of the race he faces for the GOP nomination to be the party's challenger to first-term Democrat Gov. Chet Culver. Instead, Branstad, 63, contrasted his results as the state's longest serving governor with Iowa's current condition. He promised restore fiscal responsibility in state government, create 200,000 new jobs, lift family income by 25 percent and provide children the best education in the country.

“How are we going to do it?” asked Branstad, surrounded by his wife, Chris, their children and grandchildren. “The way we have always done it. Setting ambitious goals. And we won't stop working until we get them done.”

Before joining Branstad's comeback, however, Iowans might want to ask themselves whether the Branstad years were as good as the former governor makes them sound, said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan.

Iowa Democrats kicked off their “Terry vs. Terry” tour upstairs in the State Historical Building, highlighting what they call inconsistencies between Branstad's record as governor and his record as a gubernatorial hopeful.

Kiernan said Branstad for raising taxes, followed policies that led to a $431 million deficit and bonded for $1 billion in today's dollars.

“I agree with Terry Branstad on one thing: he made mistakes as governor,” Kiernan said. “Iowans cannot afford him to make more, and we've learned some things over the past 12 years: we're better off without him and his mistakes.”

Branstad, however, contrasted the state's $900 million surplus when he left office with Culver's projected $1 billion deficit.

“So, balancing the state budget and restoring fiscal discipline to government is our highest priority,” Branstad said. “When we get that done the rest of our dreams and goals are possible.”

He'll approach the job with the same kind of “personal, hands-on” approach that worked during his tenure as governor. He set a goal of achieving those goals in five years – not to suggest he would run for a sixth term, but because a five-year plan makes sense, Branstad said.

Before he can lead Iowa's comeback, Branstad has to make it through a four-way primary that looks to be a fight for control of the Republican Party. Social conservatives are lining up behind Bob Vander Plaats of Sioux City and have indicated they won't support Branstad if he is the nominee. Former House Speaker Chris Rants of Sioux City and Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll also are seeking the nomination.

Regardless of who the nominee is, Kiernan expects Iowans will prefer Culver's continued leadership and his focus on “moving the state forward” and balancing the budget without raising taxes.

He said the election will be a choice of how to solve Iowa's problems.

“If you want to raise taxes to solve the state's problems, then you probably want to vote for Terry Branstad,” Kiernan said.