Countdown to Octoberplaats and the Wait for Pate

To swipe a phrase from David Yepsen, we're having a week of "great mentions and trial balloons."

According to a report this week posted at BuzzFeed, tucked between some really awesome cat videos and a timely feature asking "Who Were the Sexiest U.S. Presidents?," it seems that Bob Vander Plaats may be preparing for another statewide campaign in Iowa.

According to the site, the "key social conservative powerbroker" will start mulling a possible U.S. Senate run in October.

The Hill follows up:

I assume one of those people is Bruce Braley. He's a master of disguise.

So we'll find out in Octoberplaats, or Vandervember or on Bobmas Eve. At some point, a decision will come. I'm sort of skeptical he'll jump in, but who knows?

It's true, he's thrice a gubernatorial loser, twice in the GOP primary, once as second fiddle on a losing Republican general election ticket. But a crowded, little-known Republican Senate primary field, potentially headed toward a chaotic convention clash, just might be his best chance to lose a general election in his own right. Dare to dream.

Meanwhile, in our very own First Congressional District, former Secretary of State Paul Pate is "likley" to join the race for the GOP nomination, according to Kevin Hall at The Iowa Republican.com:

Rod Blum and Steve Rathje are already in the race, running, apparently, on bald tires, according to Pate.

Rep. Walt Rogers, R-Cedar Falls, is exploring a congressional run. And former state Rep. Renee Schulte has been drafted, and is thinking it over at last report.

Pate, Rogers and Schulte would be formidable contenders. Unfortunately, they have, in the past, aided and abetted some actual governing. Have they, or have they not, ever associated or collaborated with members of the Democratic Party? They may try to deny it, but the answer is undoubtedly yes.

At this point in history, that could be a deal breaker in a primary. Blum is certain to

dub them each a "compromiser."  Shudder.