Branstad, Culver trade charges over budgets. Really

A 69-word ad from former Gov. Terry Branstad's campaign prompted a 630-word “fact-check” from incumbent Gov. Chet Culver's campaign June 21.

In a 30-second spot entitled "Really," Branstad, Iowa's governor for 16 years and now seeking a fifth term, responds to Culver's criticism of his budgeting practices. The ad compares the four-term Republican's record to Culver's first-term record. Culver, according to the ad, has “has spent $2.5 billion more than he's taken in, creating a nearly billion-dollar deficit and forcing a $500 million property tax hike.”

Culver's campaign responded with criticism of the Branstad campaign for failing to include citations in the ad, which can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV7iZkKarOQ.

“The Branstad campaign is lodging misleading, false attacks on Governor Culver,” said Culver/Judge Campaign Manager Donn Stanley. “Their ad has no citations or background to back up their claims. If they were telling the truth about Chet Culver's record, perhaps they could manage to find citations.

The issue, according to Branstad Campaign Manager Jeff Boeyink, is Branstad's record versus Culver's in dealing with “adverse and difficult circumstances.”

“Branstad cleaned up Iowa's finances and instilled open and honest budgeting, leaving the state with a $900 million surplus and an unmatched record of fiscal stability,” Boeyink said. “The results of Terry Branstad's tenure vs. Governor Culver's could not be more different. We need real leadership in the governor's office again.”

The Branstad camp relies on State Auditor David Vaudt's praise of the former governor as “open and honest.” Vaudt has been critical of Culver's budgeting.

Much of the Culver camp's criticism relies on former State Auditor Richard Johnson, a longtime critic and political foe of Branstad.

Culver's response can be found at

www.chetculver.com.