Scratches, Dents and Pressure

No matter how much you shine up a classic, there are going to be a few blemishes.

You hope no one notices. But they always do.

And that's what supporters of Republican candidate for governor Terry Branstad and Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Roxanne Conlin are finding out. Their rivals are searching daily for scratches and dents.

Branstad served four terms as governor in the '80s and '90s. Conlin lost to Branstad in 1982 but is a high-profile politico and prominent attorney. With this great experience comes some heavy baggage.

Conlin tried recently to smack Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley for all his talk about “socialism” by pointing out that he receives federal crop payments. Then, one of Conlin's opponents, Clarence attorney Tom Fiegen, pointed out that Conlin's husband gets millions in federal tax credits for developing low- and moderate-income housing.

Nothing wrong with that. But it was taxing omissions that smashed her 1982 run, which Fiegen was happy to point out. And he's probably not through digging in the archives.

Meanwhile, Branstad tried to smack Democratic Gov. Chet Culver after reports that his administration may have broken federal law by requiring a top long-term care advocate to clear her opinions with higher-ups. Branstad jumped on the controversy, but it turned out that his administration had been accused of virtually the same thing in 1994.

Maybe they're just rusty. Or maybe no one told them about the era of rapid-fire, point-and-click hypocrisy.

Or maybe they drove into the lane with weak attacks and got stuffed.

Conlin could have said: “Chuck likes to talk about socialism. But much of the money Iowa gets from the fed goes for farm payments, which he gets, and Social Security benefits, which I hope he'll collect after a swift retirement in January, and credits for much needed housing projects, which is my husband's business.” Not too tough.

Branstad could have done nothing. When your rival's house is on fire, stand nearby, quietly, and enjoy the warmth.

They are probably going to be the nominees of their parties, barring a surprise. So this is only going to get tougher. Their opponents will repeated try to make their past lives flash before Iowans' eyes.

Conlin has a monumental task against a guy who won all 99 counties in his last four runs and hit 70 percent twice. Her margin for error is tiny, although Grassley has a few dings and dents of his own.

Branstad will find Culver backed into a corner and fighting for his political life. It's Branstad's race to win, but not if he's force to become the cranky guy shouting “look it up” when his record gets spun.

They each must stay focused on what the voters care about - the road ahead. Even when they "feel pressure pushing down," as David Bowie sang with Queen in “Under Pressure” - a hit way back in 1982.