Four more years? No way! It’s time for real leadership in Des Moines!
I hope you can join me in Cedar Rapids Monday evening for a Real Leadership for Iowa rally. Monday Governor Chet Culver kicks off his re-election campaign with an announcement tour across Iowa, and we plan to let him know that Iowans are ready for new, principled leadership!
In addition to happening on the same day as Culver’s campaign kickoff, the Real Leadership for Iowa rally is also the night before Vice President Joe Biden comes to Cedar Rapids to try to rally Democrats dispirited by Culver’s dismal re-election prospects.
For more than three years we’ve watched Governor Culver pile debt onto families while more and more Iowans have lost their jobs. We’ve seen him ignore all warnings and rack up bills taxpayers can’t afford, only to make careless cuts down the road. We’ve seen Democrats under Culver’s leadership waste time debating job-killing legislation instead of helping small business owners put people back to work. This has to stop! I encourage anyone who’s fed up with our failing governor to stand up for real leadership.
Bring a flag, bring a sign, bring a positive attitude, and join me in downtown Cedar Rapids. Here’s where we’ll be:
Real Leadership for Iowa Rally
Monday, May 17
5:30 p.m.
Tree of 5 Seasons park (the sculpture along the river in downtown Cedar Rapids)
1st Ave. and 1st St. NE, Cedar Rapids
Happy Anniversary to Culver’s failed I-jobs program
One year ago today Governor Chet Culver signed his signature I-jobs program, a failure that took Iowa more than a billion dollars into debt. In May 2009, Iowa’s unemployment rate was at 5.8%. Currently it is at 6.8%. Last May, 96,153 Iowans were unemployed. That number has risen to 114,556.
As a business owner, I expect results and when I don’t get them, somebody is held responsible. Iowans will hold Culver responsible for this failure that has piled $1.6 billion in debt onto our children. Not only is Iowa’s next generation in debt, but a child born today will still be paying off Culver’s debt when they graduate from college. All the while, 18,000 more Iowans are out of work.
Government spending and generational debt do not create jobs. Small businesses create jobs when government gets out of the way. The government cannot impose burdensome taxes and fees, we cannot threaten job-killing big labor legislation every session, and we cannot keep spending money that we do not have. Republicans have real solutions for putting people back to work, and I hope all Iowans spend some time getting to know our candidates running for Governor by going to www.iowagop.org.
Iowa poised to retain First in the Nation Presidential Caucuses
Late last week I traveled to the Republican National Committee’s State Chairmen’s meeting. I’m thrilled to report that a committee has recommended that Iowa be formally recognized for our unique and traditional “First in the Nation” status in the presidential selection process. Under the draft rule, Iowa will remain exempt from the requirement that no state may begin its process before March 1, 2012.
It should be noted that Iowa has been working very closely with our other “early state” colleagues on the RNC, most notably New Hampshire GOP Chairman and former Governor John Sununu and South Carolina Chairwoman Karen Floyd. We each understand the unique role, and proper order, our states and our Republican activists, play in the GOP presidential nomination process.
All Iowa Republicans owe significant appreciation to former RPI Chairman Brian Kennedy for his efforts as a member of the committee that drafted the recommendations. Brian has worked diligently on Iowa’s behalf and has been a key ally in helping educate decision makers on the Iowa Presidential Caucuses.
While much work remains to be done between now and the August RNC Summer Meeting to ensure Iowa continues its traditional First in the Nation status, Iowa Republicans should be encouraged by the draft rules presented this week to the RNC.
In the News
Iowa looks to Keep First in the Nation Status
Scott County Republicans Fired Up for Primary
Congressman Steve King stops at area schools
Upcoming Events
May 15 – Dubuque County Republican Spring Picnic
May 15 – Jefferson County Conversation with the Candidates
May 17 – Real Leadership for Iowa rally
May 18 – Woodbury County Central Committee Meeting
May 20 – Black Hawk County GOP Meeting
May 26 – Cedar Rapids Luncheon with Former Speaker Newt Gingrich
June 3 – RPI Spring Event: Night at the Zoo
For updates and local events go to www.iowagop.org
