Branstad vs. Vander Branstad

Iowa Republicans have been concerned that Gov. Terry Branstad's hopes of beating Gov. Chet Culver might be dashed by a reckless run from the right. And now it appears to be happening.

Culver is being challenged both by Branstad, a well-liked, four-term former governor, and by a new candidate who has emerged in recent days - Terry Vander Branstad.

Branstad won the Republican primary more than a month ago and has taken sharp aim at the incumbent in TV ads and on the stump, accusing Culver of budgetary blunders.

Branstad is hoping his message resonates with the vast sea of fed-up Iowa voters in the middle, looking for someone to better manage state government.

Vander Branstad, on the other hand, is still fighting the primary, determined to win over the right-est reaches of the Republican base and the endorsement of his bitter, plotting rival, even if it means alienating voters in the middle.

Branstad has a running mate, state Sen. Kim Reynolds, R-Osceola, who, when asked about marriage equity, said she opposes same-sex marriage but might be willing to “take a look at” civil unions. It seemed like a moment of honesty by yet another Iowan with an evolving viewpoint on an emotional issue. Back in January, Branstad himself seemed to be struggling to reconcile his basic support for civil rights with his opposition to marriage equity.

Vander Branstad has a running mate, state Sen. Kim Reynolds, who opposes marriage equity and would never, ever accept civil unions, unless she was tricked by some reporter. Her view is in lock-step with evangelical Republican orthodoxy - and had better stay that way. Ditto for the top of the ticket.

Branstad says his priorities will be creating jobs and fixing the budget. Vander Branstad says if he wins and Republicans take the Iowa House, together they'll force the Senate, likely still controlled by Democrats, to vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Branstad, asked during a GOP debate in May whether Iowa should adopt Arizona's tough stand on illegal immigration said, “We're not Arizona. We're not a border state. We ought to do something that fits the needs of our state.” That reasonable stand drew flak from the right.

Vander Branstad says anyone who gets stopped for a traffic violation had better be ready to prove their legal residency on the spot. And don't worry, the federal government surely will reimburse us for any costs that might come from turning local police into immigration enforcement officers.

The weird thing is these candidates look exactly alike. But there's no way they could be the same guy.

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