Thoughts on the punchfest in the pavilion

So Republican Gov. Terry Branstad and his Democratic challenger Jack Hatch debated in a livestock pavilion at the Iowa State Fair this afternoon. I watched it online, so I missed out on the aroma. Shoot.

Many scribes noted the very special episode of Iowa Public Television's 'Iowa Press” program took place in the same venue as the annual Governor's Charity Steer show. This time, the winner was not put up for auction.

But was there a winner? Always tough to say. Both candidates had their moments during this battle in the barn, punch-fest in the pavilion. So much was at steak. OK, ok, I'll stop.

Hatch, his campaign running on financial fumes and down deep in the polls, probably didn't drastically change the game. But he did a better job than I expected, and may prompt a few people who bother to watch the debate to reconsider his long shot run. (It re-airs tonight at 7 p.m. on IPTV)

Branstad's experience in these rodeos showed. He unpacked a new broadband program called 'Connect Every Acre,” and even got to re-use 'Big Debt Chet.” Snort. But he also came off as cranky and irritated at times.

But as I said, thy both had key moments.

Branstad's best moment:

Very early in the debate, Hatch was asked about Iowans' preference for keeping the help around, electing and re-electing guys like Grassley and Harkin and Branstad. It was Hatch's golden opportunity to hammer home his campaign's core theme - that Branstad has been governor far too long and runs the executive branch like he owns the joint. He needs to go.

Instead, Hatch whiffed. He stumbled and looked unprepared for it, which is remarkable, and accused the governor of having 'the most scandal-plagued administration in Iowa history,” a claim so over the top that even Hatch seemed to have trouble believing as he said it. He did manage to accuse the governor of offering 'stale leadership,” a phrase that may stick. But it wasn't nearly as strong as it could have been. 'I think people feel that we need a fresh start,” Hatch said. If only he could have started the debate over again. And what about Branstad's unmet 2010 promises on jobs, income and reductions in the size of state government? Nothing.

Branstad swatted away Hatch's assertions as 'wild” and 'crazy” 'Iowans know better,' Branstad said.

So in the clash between stale and crazy, stale won.

Hatch's best moment:

Branstad was asked about his plan to pay for Iowa's increasing transportation infrastructure needs. And like the last three years of his administration, he didn't have one.

'I think we need to look to a different and better system to fund our roads in the future,” Branstad said, but offered no ideas and dodged the notion of raising the gas tax for the first time since ‘89.

Hatch favors phasing in a 10-cent gas tax increase over the next five years. He panned the governor's plan. 'I listened to it. I didn't understand it. It's not something you can just wish for,” Hatch said.

Branstad called the gas tax old fashioned and said we need something new. Again, he didn't say what that is.

'When is it going to happen?” moderator Dean Borg asked Branstad.

'Next year,” Branstad said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Maybe favoring a tax hike hurts Hatch politically, but at least he has a plan. It's a big problem, and Branstad has been playing keep-away. In multiple instances during the debate, on income taxes, state pensions, etc., Branstad said the plan is coming someday. But not today.

Disappointing:

The candidates were asked what's the biggest problem the state faces. Hatch talked about the minimum wage and Branstad railed on federal efforts to roll back the renewable fuel standard. I guess they thought the question was 'which boilerplate issue do you feel most comfortable talking about?”

Political geeks best moment:

Branstad answered speculation among politicos that if he's re-elected, he'll step down early and hand the governorship to Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. 'I'm committed to serve the entire term,” Branstad said, settling the issue once and for all. Right.

Local color:

Cedar Rapids came up a couple of times. Hatch defended Gov. Chet Culver's I-JOBS bonding program, which he said helped Cedar Rapids and other Eastern Iowa cities replace flooded public buildings. Branstad assailed the program and 'Big Debt Chet.” Snort.

'I've been the governor through a lot of disasters,” Branstad said, again drawing laughter.

Cedar Rapids failed casino bid also came up. 'I think the Racing and Gaming (commission) should make that decision,” said Branstad, adding that political interference would be a bad idea.

'I would let the market decide that,” said Hatch, who argued it was wrong for Cedar Rapids' bid to be denied in order to protect existing casinos from competition.

Time to get some dinner. Steak sounds good.