Iowa GOP leaders: Branstad needs stronger stand against gay marriage

As he finished a four-day, 17-stop swing announcing his 2010 gubernatorial candidacy, Terry Branstad was taken to task by two northwest Iowa Republicans for not forcefully committing to overturning the 2009 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that established same-sex marriage in the state.

A former four-time governor who left politics a dozen years ago, Republican Branstad is seeking to unseat Democratic Gov. Chet Culver.

Speaking to three dozen people at the Wilbur Aalfs Library Friday, Branstad laid out four goals he vowed to accomplish within five years. The list included creating 200,000 jobs, increasing income levels by 25 percent, reducing the scope of state government by 15 percent and reforming education.

The fact that Branstad didn't mention overturning the Supreme Court ruling resulted in criticism from Woodbury County Republican Party Chairman Brian Rosener of Bronson and another Sioux City Republican who declined to identify himself.

Branstad defended himself by saying he supports a statewide constitutional amendment setting marriage as only between a man and a woman, and criticized statehouse Democrats for sitting on the issue.

Rosener followed a few minutes later, noting Branstad appointed two of the judges who unanimously ruled on the gay marriage case. Branstad said he'd always sought to appoint judges who had "a conservative viewpoint" and would not be a "judicial activist."

"Twenty years later, they made a decision I didn't like," Branstad said.

Rosener also was critical of Branstad because the ex-governor's former lieutenant governor, Joy Corning, in 2009 expressed support for same-sex marriage. Branstad said he chose Corning for her pro-business background, adding that his next lieutenant governor running mate will be "pro-life and pro-family."

Other Republicans competing to emerge out of the June 8 party primary include Chris Rants and Bob Vander Plaats, both of Sioux City, and Rod Roberts of Carroll.

-- Bret Hayworth, Sioux City Journal