Iowa Press Hosts Conlin-Grassley “Joint Appearance”
by Paul Deaton“These
two candidates are worlds apart, with Conlin working to help every day
people like us and the other whining about perceived affronts. The
choice for Iowans is clear and it is for Roxanne Conlin.”
Roxanne Conlin had incumbent Senator Chuck Grassley playing defense during the IPTV-Iowa Press “joint appearance” on Friday. One could tell that both candidates had rehearsed their lines many times over recent months. At times it was like hearing the jeremiad of a preacher, going on a bit too long, lamenting the state of society should the opponent be elected, which would naturally result in the end of life as we know it. Once the candidates got past the one liners from stump speeches the exchange got more engaging.
Dean Borg, the host, appeared to have trouble moderating the candidates. The talk was scappy and lively. Conlin had the advantage because she continuously called attention to the society and government that Senator Grassley has helped create over thirty years as a U.S. Senator.
Roxanne
for Iowa campaign manager Mark Daley was quick to claim victory,
saying, “No wonder Chuck Grassley has been dodging debates with Roxanne
Conlin. I just came from watching Roxanne appear with Chuck Grassley
this morning, and she wiped the floor with him.”
The day ended with Roxanne Conlin spending part of Friday night at a political fundraiser in Coralville, Iowa. Senator Grassley spent part of his evening a couple of miles away at the Iowa-Iowa State Volleyball match at Carver Hawkeye arena, posting scores on twitter saying “The Iowa announcer isn't very impartial. Iowa Scoring has much more volume.” These two candidates are worlds apart, with Conlin working to help every day people like us and the other whining about perceived affronts. The choice for Iowans is clear and it is for Roxanne Conlin.
Since the Iowa Press joint appearance may be the only direct interchange between Conlin and Grassley, Blog for Iowa readers should view the program or read the transcript here.
Also worth reading are Mike Glover's Associated Press post Friday night here,
O. Kay Henderson's post on Radio Iowa here,
John Deeth's post at the Des Moines Register here,
and Kathie Obradovich's post at the Des Moines Register here.
Before Labor Day, Roxanne Conlin challenged Senator Grassley to a series of Lincoln-Douglas style debates around Iowa. It doesn't look like that will happen. Instead what we got was the Iowa Press half hour “joint appearance,” the potential for a radio debate at WHO in Des Moines and a few other offers to host debates at media outlets. Senator Grassley has indicated he may participate if the senate finishes in early October. However; there is not much chance of that happening as there is a backlog of bills from the U.S. House of Representatives for the senate to work on in a lame duck session. If he and the other Republicans had been working earlier in the session instead of obstructing, they might have been able to finish in October.
During the exchange, Mike Glover of the Associated Press asked Grassley, “What about the charge that you won't debate?” Grassley responded, “That is a good question. What are we doing right here? I think we're having a debate aren't we?” Glover clarified, “No, this is not a debate, this is a joint appearance.” Whatever. It looks like the days of Lincoln Douglas style debates are over, along with other antebellum notions.
So watch the joint appearance on Iowa Public Television at 11:30 AM on Sunday or at your convenience on line. If you care about Iowa politics, and this senate race, you will be glad you did. ~Paul
Deaton is a native Iowan living in rural Johnson County and weekend
editor of Blog for Iowa. E-mail Paul
Deaton
Blog For Iowa 