ChetChase 2010 -- The Week

Developments in Iowa's grueling race for governor.

1. I'm Gross and You're Net --You know how George W. Bush was the "Decider?" Well, Gov. Chet Culver is the "Optimister."

So when the Legislative Services Agency issued July revenue numbers showing a 6.1 percent drop in net tax receipts, and a 1.2 percent increase in gross receipts, just guess which figure the Optimister picked.

That's right, it's all about the gross.

Yeah, but the experts over at LSA say net receipts are actually a better measure of fiscal health because they show how much money the state has to spend, which is believed by some to be of budgetary importance. And a 6.1 percent drop does not rate a sunny press release.

(Radio Iowa's O. Kay Henderson has a fantastic explainer here.)

Sure, but only a pessimistic, optimism-hating Republican would buy that brand of gloomy gusism.

"Despite what some of the Democrats are saying, there is no indication that it's turning around,"Michael Gartner, noted non Republican, said at this week's Board of Regents meeting. He's talking about state revenues. "...I think it's going to be an extraordinarily difficult year."

But Republicans, surprise, also weren't feeling particularly gross. RPI Chairman Matt Strawn:

But sliding economic indicators have slowedto a low-speed careen. That could mean we've hit bottom. And, as any Optimister will tell you, that means the only way is up, up, up. Unless it's a jobless recovery. The Optimister doesn't like to think about that.

2. TerryWatch --Speculation is bordering on frenzy as Iowans wait and watch to see whether former Gov. Terry Branstad will trot grimly from the sidelines to make a fifth run for governor.

Still, Culver had little to say about the prospect of facing the legendary Branstad in next year's election.

Cagey.

But already, deep in an undisclosed location, Branstad loyalists are working on a campaign slogan Some leaked possibilities:

"TB 10 -- Break Time's Over."

"Press Reset -- Eject Chet."

"Terry's Hill 5 -- Retrobution"

"Vote for Quint-O-Gov."

Yeah, well, you just keep pluggin' away. You'll think of something.

3. Big Fong on Campus -- Republican hopeful Christian Fong of Cedar Rapids announced this week that his campaign is building a support network on the state's college campuses:

Fong's early campus support is impressive in an Obama-esque sort of way. But the campaign's fraternity outreach effort, including commemorative "Beer Fongs," has been postponed.

4. Raised by Donkeys -- Iowa Independent had an extensive interview with Iowa Democratic Party Chair Michael Kiernan this week. He said getting Culver re-elected is a priority and sustaining legislative majorities is critical etc, etc.

But it also revealed this about his childhood:

“I was born and raised on the campaign trail,” Kiernan said. “Most kids were at daycare. I was at the Iowa Democratic Party.”

While most kids were playing blocks, he was using his Fisher Price play phone to shake the money tree.

"I don't need a stinkin' nap. Get me the latest polling data in Senate 12! And some Oreos! And my binky."

5. Dogs eat Disclosures Too -- Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement filed an ethics complaintagainst the Iowa Pharmacy Association for its tardy disclosure of how much it paid to wine and dine Statehouse types back in February.

That's the same reception where State Rep. Kerry Burt, D-Waterloo, was drinking with..."the governor." Burt was arrested for drunken driving hours after the reception.

The community improving citizens looked over disclosure records for legislative receptions and found that 26 interest groups filed late.

But absent from the file was the pharmacy association's excuse note. I happen to have it:

Please excuse the Iowa Pharmacy Association from filing a timely report on its Feb. 10 reception. It got a wee bit tipsy on Heineken and ate way too many cheese cubes. And then it had to wait forever at the pharmacy to get its prescription filled. Someone should so something about that. Anyway, circumstances were beyond its control. Very sorry.

That should clear everything up.