It's Branstad-Reynolds

The tweet has arrived. Terry Branstad has made his running mate pick. It's state Sen. Kim Reynolds, R-Osceola.

Now the state can get back to its business, being the Saudi Arabia of wind or energy capital of the central upper Midwest etc. At least until 5 p.m. Friday, when Bob Vander Plaats goes on WHO radio to speak of his future, which might include an independent run for gov.

So Reynolds. This certainly is a pick. So what's the reax?

Craig Robinson at The Iowa Republican:

Reynolds has proven to be a good campaigner, holding public office for 15 years and getting elected to the State Senate in a year that overwhelmingly favored Democrats. Reynolds has managed to maintain her successful political career despite some substantial personal liabilities. Reynolds has two convictions for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, the most recent occurring in 2000.

Reynolds is relatively unknown, which will create an opportunity for the Branstad campaign to mold her image across the state. She carries herself in a very professional and impressive manner, which will likely excite potential supporters. However, while she doesn't have a record that appears hostile to socially conservative issues, she will likely do very little to appeal to values voters who supported Rod Roberts and Bob Vander Plaats in this post-primary season.

Also at TIR, the blogger known as "Emily Geiger:"

Chances are, by the time you're reading this, you'll know who Terry Branstad has picked for his running mate. If the rumors are true and it really is Kim Reynolds, I have to say I'm a little disappointed.

I said before that Branstad needed to pick someone based on qualifications other than just having ovaries. I'm not sure a first-term state senator meets those standards. But, I'm going to try to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Linn County Supervisor and Branstad-backer Brent Oleson is more bullish:

I campaigned with Kim in her primary and spent a few long car rides with her during the general election. I think she will be a great running mate for Branstad, bringing a fresh outsider perspective to the ticket, she is everyday Iowan who knows how to overcome professional and personal obstacles and persevere with focus, determination and pure hard work. She is so modest and it took a long time to persuade her to run for the Senate. She is like so many Iowans, who put others first and shy away from self-congratulation or promoting one's self. That's what I love about her. It's about those she serves and not about herself or her political career.

You can't fake that.

Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, will miss her. He may have to fill her seat in a swing district.

“It's been an honor to serve with Kim for the last two years in the Iowa Senate. She has truly emerged as a leader not just in our caucus but also for the entire state. We will miss her presence in caucus and her leadership in the Senate, however, I feel I can speak for all Senate Republicans when I say we will do everything in our power to ensure she will be the next Lieutenant Governor of the state of Iowa.” 

Branstad-backing Iowans for Tax Relief's Ed Failor Jr. is pleased:

“Her dedication to streamline government and reduce the tax burden on Iowa families has always been a priority for Kim as a County Treasurer and as a State Senator. Kim Reynolds has been a long-time friend of Iowans for Tax Relief and all Iowa taxpayers. Her actions and voting record illustrate her commitment to lower taxes and limited government.

“The ticket of Terry Branstad and Kim Reynolds is good for Iowa taxpayers. This leadership team, on day one, will lead a pro-taxpayer agenda through the Iowa Legislature, and will lead Iowa forward.”

Jeff Angelo, who used to hold Reynolds' Senate seat, offers praise:

Having people like Kim (er...Senator Reynolds) be willing to put themselves out in the public eye in order to work with her friends and neighbors toward a higher quality of life is why I continue to believe in the process.

And Senator Reynolds, if you need someone to door-knock on your behalf on a hot summer day in a town where all the houses are uphill...you have my number.

And my fervent support and friendship.

On the left, desmoinesdem at Bleeding Hearland seesDoug Gross' pocketbooks-over-social-issues strategery at work:

From that perspective, Reynolds is a perfect choice. Her political career has focused on fiscal and economic issues as a county treasurer and member of the IPERS board. I see no sign of moderation in her voting record; she has stuck to the party line in the Iowa Senate. Scanning the list of bills she has sponsored, I see one anti-abortion bill but otherwise nothing that screams "religious right." Google searches of her name with keywords like "abortion" or "gay marriage" don't bring up much. So, Reynolds fits the Gross model of being socially conservative but not talking about it in public.

With this sort of thing, occasionally there are big surprises. But mostly there are safe picks that make some political sense but don't exactly drop jaws. This would be the latter.

It's  a very Branstady decision. He's never been flashy or dramatic. He takes advice but, in the end, usually trusts his own political instincts, which have been pretty good so far. This fits his history.

He's also making it clear that he's the nominee and he's not going to let the Vander Plaats agitators push him into appeasement. Rather than trying to solve his immediate intraparty problems with this pick, he's betting Reynolds will be good for the long haul.

The Branstad-Reynolds ticket makes its first Cedar Rapids appearance at 4 p.m. today at Landmark Aviation.

Here's the Branstad campaign press release:

Branstad names state Sen. Kim Reynolds as his choice for lieutenant governorFor more information on the Governor Branstad 2010 campaign, please visit www.GovernorBranstad2010.com.

(ANKENY) – Gov. Terry Branstad today announced that state Sen. Kim Reynolds will be his running mate in the Nov. 2 general election.

Citing her as a person who shares his core values and passion for leading Iowa's comeback, Branstad welcomed her to the ticket during a 7-city statewide tour.

“It is with great pleasure I introduce you to the next lieutenant governor of the great state of Iowa, Kim Reynolds,” said Branstad. “She is a passionate advocate for rural development and is committed to helping bring jobs and economic opportunity into every corner of Iowa. For the past two years she has served in the Iowa Senate and many have praised her as an intelligent and articulate up-and-coming new leader in Iowa.”

In accepting Gov. Branstad's offer, Reynolds noted the challenges Iowa faces and pledged to assist him with his job creation goals and balancing the state's budget.

“Today we stand at a cross roads,” Reynolds said. “We have a state with more than 115,000 Iowans out of work and the highest unemployment rate in decades. We have a projected state budget gap of nearly $1 billion dollars. And we have seen a dramatic slide in student test scores and teacher layoffs in school districts across the state. We can do better. We must do better. And, as Terry Branstad's running mate, I will dedicate my every waking minute to sharing with Iowans his ambitious goals for our future.”

Reynolds will be nominated and voted on at Saturday's state Republican convention in Des Moines.