Political foes should wish each other well in transfer

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier

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Gov. Chet Culver did not go quietly as his administration ended this month.

He launched a multicity “Thank You Iowa Tour” and used his final “Condition of the State” speech to tout his administration's accomplishments. .

A day after his speech, the outgoing governor was prominently visible behind Iowa Chief Justice Mark Cady as Cady defended the judicial selection process and a high court ruling allowing gay marriage in the state.

Culver was so visible his final few weeks in office that he will be conspicuous in his absence at the inauguration of his successor, Terry Branstad, who defeated him in the Nov. 2 general election. .

Culver declined an invitation from Gov. -elect Terry Branstad to be part of today's inauguration ceremonies at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines.

It was because Branstad declined Culver's invitation to attend Culver's final “Condition of the State” speech before the Legislature this week.

“The invitation was declined by Branstad because he didn't think it was appropriate to be in attendance. We are disappointed,” Culver spokesperson Jim Flansburg said in a prepared statement. “As a courtesy to Branstad to have his own day without distractions, Gov. Culver will not be attending inaugural activities.” .

Clearly both Culver and Branstad were doing a bit of a dance here.

It's likely that Branstad wasn't about to sit and applaud the record of an administration he attacked during the campaign.

It's also pretty clear Culver, with his “thank you” tour and speech, is trying to put a positive spin on his administration, possibly to position himself for future opportunities - perhaps another run at Branstad in 2014, or maybe a run at the U.S. Senate in 2012 if Tom Harkin retires.

Still it's kind of sad these two public servants couldn't stand up in front of their fellow Iowans and wish each other well with the transfer of power.

It would have been a welcome distraction from politics as usual.