Republican gubernatorial candidates clash over issues

JOHNSTON – Two Republican gubernatorial candidates got personal Thursday in clashing over issues of budgeting, mentoring and electability while a third candidate said he was following voters' wishes in staying above the fray.

Former Gov. Terry Branstad accused rival Bob Vander Plaats of being naïve, making false accusations and outright lying as testy encounters flared during a one-hour debate sponsored by Iowa Public Television and the Des Moines Register.

For his part, the Sioux City business consultant asked Branstad “why should Iowans trust you with their wallets again” in challenging the former governor's past accounting practices. He also questioned Branstad's judgment in picking a past running mate who did not share his conservative values.

The spirited give-and-take between Branstad and Vander Plaats in the third and final GOP debate came during a wide-ranging discussion in which five-term state Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll, the third GOP candidate for governor, at times tried to steer clear of the political sniping.

“The kind of dialogue we hear today is the kind of attitude and actions that Iowans say -- we're done with that, we don't like that,” Roberts said. “We're looking for someone who can lead and look beyond personal issues.”

Republicans participating in their party's June 8 primary will choose among Branstad, Roberts and Vander Plaats as their nominee to face Democratic Gov. Chet Culver in the Nov. 2 general election.

At one point in Thursday's debate, Branstad bristled and shook his head when Vander Plaats contended he sought the former governor's advice when he was contemplating a 2002 campaign and was told by Branstad “the best way to beat an incumbent governor is not to have a political record that that incumbent governor can attack.”

Vander Plaats used the illustration in making the point that “I believe Chet Culver's only chance at re-election is if we offer up a candidate with an extensive political record” – a shot at Branstad who previously served four terms as governor from 1983 to 1999.

For his part, Branstad recalled that he advised Vander Plaats to travel to every county to make his case to Iowans.

“Obviously, your memory is not very good,” Branstad told his rival. “I never said anything like you claim that I did, that's just not true, Bob. I'm sorry but your recollection is wrong. Either that or you're just flat out lying.”

Vander Plaats said the conversation took place on March 14, 2000. “I remember it very clearly and so does Darla,” he said in reference to his wife.

In reality, Branstad said what Culver and Democrats “really fear is me, because I've got a record of accomplishment and if I go up against him, they know he's in trouble. That's why they're already attacking me.”

However, Vander Plaats refuted Branstad's claims of fiscal responsibility with contentions he “kept two sets of books,” grew government and increased taxes and fees over 30 times. “Why should Iowans trust you with their wallets again?” he added.

“Those are false accusations,” Branstad shot back.

In discussing tax policy, Roberts pledged not to raise taxes during the next four years if elected governor, while Branstad touted himself as “a proven tax cutter” who intended to reduce taxes and proposed limiting property tax increases to the rate of inflation.

Roberts and Vander Plaats said they would ban same-sex couples from adopting children or becoming foster parents. They also said they would only appoint Supreme Court justices who opposed same-sex marriage and abortion, but Branstad said Iowa's judicial nominating process limits a governor's ability to make such judgments and it was naïve to think otherwise.

Roberts broke with his rivals on the question of reinstating a death penalty, saying “even though the state has the authority to do that, my concern is the state cannot guarantee and assure that it would never make a mistake and innocent people could be executed, and that would be wrong.”

All three Republicans said they would support a requirement like one in Oklahoma that women view a sonogram before undergoing an abortion procedure.

After the debate, Donn Stanley, manager of the Culver/Judge campaign, issued a statement in which he charged Branstad “is running from his record and calling anyone that talks honestly about his record a liar.”

“Terry Branstad can't change his record by calling his critics names,” Stanley added, noting Vander Plaats' pointed out that the things the former governor were calling lies were “footnoted and true.”

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