Branstad defends conservative credentials

JOHNSTON – GOP gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad defended his conservative credentials on the issues of abortion and gay marriage Friday as he faces a three-way primary fight for the Republican nomination.

Branstad has failed to gain the backing of one leading conservative group, the Iowa Family Political Action Committee. The group has endorsed  rival Bob Vander Plaats of Sioux City and indicated they will not back Branstad if he is the nominee unless they see changes in his campaign.

Branstad commented on to the issue Friday during a taping of Iowa Public Television's “Iowa Press.”

“As governor, I want to be governor of all the people. I don't want any single special interest group saying they're going to dictate policy,” Branstad said. “But I think if they look at my whole record, they'll see I've been consistently conservative, pro-family, pro-life.”

The former governor served four terms from 1983 to 1999 and is seeking to regain the governor's mansion after serving as president of Des Moines University, a medical school.

Branstad highlighted work as governor to legalize home-schooling in Iowa and his signature on the state's defense of marriage act, which defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman. An Iowa Supreme Court ruling issued last year made same-sex marriage legal in Iowa.

Branstad also cited restrictions on “partial-birth” or late-term abortion that he signed into law as well as requirements for statistical reporting on abortions.

Branstad said having him and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley at the top of the ticket this year would be a great opportunity for Republicans because people are sick of what the Democrats are doing.

“They have spent the country into deep trouble,” Branstad said.

He said Iowans want a governor that is focused on the future and will lead an economic recovery in the state.

“I did that before. I know we can do it again,” Branstad said.

During the taping of the show, Branstad announced he will be hosting an “Iowa Vision 2020” policy conference on May 15 to bring together leaders to help formulate new policy ideas for him to use while in office.

Iowans can submit their ideas at www.TerryBranstad.com/vision.