For those of us who have a humor impairment because of a long-term career covering politicians, there were many comical moments at the Wednesday afternoon public hearing held in Governor Branstad’s office. Ed Rethman was the last person to testify at the event, but he turned out to be the high point on the humor scale.

Rethman is a member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, a group that had hoped to flood into the governor’s office for the public hearing on the state budget, only to learn there were just 20 speaking slots available for the hour-long event — and only 10 people would be allowed in the governor’s office in the first half hour.  Rethman was part of the second batch of 10 people who were allowed in during the second half hour. 

“Governor and lieutenant governor, thanks for this opportunity. My name is Ed Rethman. I live in West Des Moines, Iowa, and I’m also a member of CCI,” said Rethman — the sixth member of CCI to testify. “And on a personal note, governor, you may remember we met — your wife and I and my wife — on this boat off the coast of Norway in October.”

(Iowa Governor Terry Branstad recently explained during a social event that the family name is Brandstad back in Norway, which is a great relief to those of us who sometimes accidentaly add a second D to his last name.)

Rethman had chuckled when he revealed he, his wife, Branstad and Chris Branstad had been cruise-mates, then he continued: “At that time I did not express the fact that I was involved in CCI. I was asked by CCI friends why I didn’t talk about this, this and this (during the cruise) and I said: ‘Well, I didn’t want to ruin his vacation and mine.’”

There was a relatively high level of chuckling at this point — remember, this is a budget hearing and chuckling is not among the things one expects at such events. Branstad, smiling, replied to Rethman’s comment about not ruining their respective vacations with a political debate. 

“Thank you for that,” Branstad said.

Rethman continued: “However, on the boat, if you would have expressed some, you know, desire, or reluctance or missing of the spotlight you get here as governor, I would have volunteered to parade around your dinner table with a sign.”

Florida Senator Marco Rubio closed his speech in Altoona, Iowa, this evening with a warming that a ”darker and harder, probably more violent” world may be ahead if America falls from its place as the world’s economic super power.

“If America declines, if the power of our example is dimmed, what takes its place? The answer is nothing takes its place…What’s at stake here is not just our country, it’s the way life is on this planet. That’s worth fighting for and what that means to me is that we need to do a better job of going out and convincing our fellow Americans who perhaps don’t see things the way we do that free enterprise and limited government is the best way forward for them.”

Rubio told the crowd of Republicans that is ”not going to be a hard argument for us to make, but we have to make it.” 

He concluded by saying he’s not had a chance to discuss his post-election views in public. “I’m just grateful you gave me a chance to share this with you today. I haven’t had a chance to speak, other than in my home, after the election, and even that’s been limited,” Rubio said, with a laugh.

Listen to his whole speech here.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio spoke for about 24 minutes to a crowd gathered in Altoona, Iowa, this evening for a fundraiser for Governor Terry Branstad.  The connection speed here is s l o w, so I’ll be back later with the audio.

AUDIO of Rubio’s speech.

Rubio, at about 18 minutes into his speech, started addressing the 2012 election, saying that among Republicans there is “a lot of frustration about the outcome of the election.”

Here’s the core of his message: “Others have suggested that maybe the American electorate has changed, that what people want from govt now is they’re just going to vote for whoever promises them more. I don’t believe that’s true…

“…I think that most people are like my parents. All they want is a job that pays them enough money so they can buy a house, take their kids on a trip every once in a while…and leave their kids better off than themselves. They problem is that those jobs aren’t being created as fast as they once were and too many of them don’t have the skills to do the jobs that are being created.

“…I don’t think that’s changed. I think what’s happened, unfortunately, is that there are those that have made promises to them who have told them: ‘You know, if we have more govt, a bigger govt program that does this or if you allowed us to tax one group of people more so we can pay for services for another group of people.’”

“…Here’s the truth: Big govt doesn’t…help the people who are trying to make it. It hurts them everywhere and every time it’s ever been tried. Big govt crushes the people who are trying to get ahead.”

Florida Senator Marco Rubio spoke briefly with reportes as he made his way through the crowd @ Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s birthday fundraiser this evening.

“I think I’ve been sensing a lot of folks who are just trying to figure out what this means in this new era, with this election having passed and we’ll have a message about that tonight as well,” said Rubio, with Branstad standing by his side. “But I think Iowa has shown and leadership here in Iowa has shown us in some ways a way forward, how govt can work with its citizens to make life better.”

He said a bit more, responding to a question about Romney’s now-controversial post-election analysis.  Listen to it all:

AUDIO of Rubio speaking for 1.17 minutes.

Republicans who’ll be serving in the Iowa House met in a private at the statehouse this morning, electing the same leaders they had when the 2012 legislature ended this past spring.  Listen to House Speaker Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) speak with reporters about the GOP agenda.

Here’s the news release from Paulsen’s office:

(DES MOINES)—Today Iowa House Republicans elected new leadership to carry them into the eighty-fifth General Assembly. 

Rep. Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) was selected to continue in the roll of the Speaker of the House.  Paulsen will be serving his sixth term.  He is an attorney for CRST International, Inc. in Cedar Rapids.  A former member of the United States Air Force, Paulsen had previously served as the Minority Whip and the House Republican Leader.

Rep. Linda Upmeyer (R-Clear Lake) was re-elected as the House Majority Leader.  Upmeyer will be serving her sixth term in the House and is a nurse practitioner.  Upmeyer previously served as the House Minority Whip for two years and the Majority Leader for two years.   

Rep. Steve Olson (R-DeWitt) was selected to once again serve as the Speaker Pro Tem. .  Olson will be serving his sixth term in the House.  He has previously served as a House Assistant Leader and was elected as the Speaker Pro Tem in May to replace outgoing Rep. Jeff Kaufmann. He is a veteran and family farmer. 

Also elected was Rep. Chris Hagenow (R-Windsor Heights) as the House Majority Whip. 

Majority Assistant Leaders are:  Reps. Matt Windschitl (R-Missouri Valley), Walt Rogers (R-Cedar Falls), Jeff Smith (R-Okoboji), and Joel Fry (R-Osceola).

“I’m honored that House Republicans have once again selected me to serve as their Speaker,” said Paulsen.  “House Republicans look forward to continuing to work on behalf of Iowans and move forward with ways to make Iowa stronger.”

The Legislature convenes on January 14, 2013.

This afternoon at about one o’clock Senate Republicans gathered in private to elect a new leader. It was unanimous on the first ballot. Senator Bill Dix of Shell Rock is the new Senate GOP Leader. Listen to Dix talk with reporters about his election, the GOP agenda for 2013.

 Here’s the news release about Dix’s election:

DES MOINES –Senate Republicans met at the Capitol today and elected leadership for the 85th General Assembly, which convenes on January 14, 2013.  Senate Republicans elected Senator Bill Dix (R-Shell Rock) as Senate Republican Leader. 

“I look forward to the upcoming legislative session and the opportunity to find solutions to some of our continued problems: reducing the size of government, creating jobs, and putting Iowans back to work,” said Dix. 

Senator Rick Bertrand (Sioux City) will serve as the Senate Republican Whip while Senators Smith (Davenport), Ernst (Red Oak), Kapucian (Keystone), Johnson (Ocheyedan), and Feenstra (Hull) were elected as Assistant Leaders.

“The group we’ve selected brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and hard work to the table.  They will all be a valuable addition to our Senate Republican Leadership team,” said Dix.  “I’m eager to continue my work in the Iowa Senate moving the state toward fiscal responsibility, meaningful tax and education reform.”

Senator Dix is a third-generation farmer who started his political career in the Iowa House where he served five terms.  He was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2010 and recently served on the Senate Appropriations, Judiciary and State Government Committee and the Senate Education Budget Subcommittee.  

Here’s a news release from former Senate GOP Leader Jerry Behn:

DES MOINES – State Senator Jerry Behn (R-Boone) today released the following statement at the conclusion of today’s Senate Republican Caucus held at the Iowa Capitol:

“I decided not to seek re-election to be the Iowa Senate Republican Leader. Our new caucus leadership has my full support and I plan to work hard to ensure that we are successful in the upcoming legislative sessions and the 2014 election.

I look forward to spending more time with my family and farming business and serving the hardworking citizens of Boone, Greene, Hamilton, Story and Webster Counties in my new district.”

Here’s a news release from Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal:

Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal issued this statement today
after the election of Senator Dix  as new Minority Leader:

“I congratulate Sen. Bill Dix on his election to be the new Minority Leader of the Iowa Senate.

“I make the same offer to Senator Dix that I have made to the other Minority Leaders I have worked with over previous sessions: To work cooperatively on the issues that Republicans and Democrats can agree upon, to find common ground whenever possible, and to make sure our differences on some issues do not prevent us from doing what is best for Iowa. 

“I also want to thank Senator Behn for his service as the Minority Leader and for his strong commitment to public service.”

GOP VP nominee Paul Ryan just rallied with about a thousand Republicans in what turned out to be a very warm airplane hangar at the Des Moines Airport.  A steady stream of Democrats are making their way into the “East Village” of Des Moines at this hour for a rally featuring “The Boss” followed by POTUS. It’s billed as President Obama’s final campaign rally.

The stage is set near the corner of Locus Street and East 4th (the Obama ’08 HQ was on this corner, next to Baby Boomers).  The statehouse is in full view toward the east on Locus Street — and, as you can see, it’s lit for the event (and that camera shot).

I’ll be tweeting later.  Putting gloves back on for a few minutes in the interim.

UPDATE:  Read about and listen to the rallies here (full audio of Obama’s speech, Springsteen’s remarks & Ryan’s speech at that link).

The following news release came from two state officials. One is a Republican (Secretary of State Matt Schultz). The other is a Democrat (Attorney General Tom Miller):

(DES MOINES, Iowa)  With Iowa already surpassing the absentee voting record set in the 2008 General Election, Secretary of State Matt Schultz and Attorney General Tom Miller remind Iowans that state voting laws set forth special deadlines and procedures for requesting, filling out, and returning absentee ballots.

“As of close of business Wednesday, October 31, 557,432 Iowa voters have cast their ballots, with several more days to go before Tuesday, November 6. This surpasses the 2008 record of just over 545,000,” Schultz said.

“Since Iowa voters are requesting absentee ballots at a much higher rate than ever before, they need to be aware of how the process works,” Miller said.  “If you’re voting absentee, make sure your vote counts.”

• Any registered voter may vote at their county auditor’s office or at any satellite voting station through Monday. County auditor offices are also open Saturday, November 3 from 9AM-5PM in all 99 counties.

• Registered voters who plan to request an absentee ballot must deliver the absentee ballot request by mail, fax, or email to their county auditor by 5 p.m. on Friday.  If a voter emails or faxes their application, they must ensure the county auditor receives their original signed request form by 5 p.m. on Friday, or it must be postmarked by that same deadline and received by the auditor’s office no later than 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

• Once an absentee voter fills out their ballot, they can mail or deliver the ballot in the sealed return envelope to their county auditor’s office.  The sealed envelope must be received in the county auditor’s office by 9 p.m. Tuesday.  If voters mail the sealed return envelopes, they must be postmarked (by an authorized postal service) by Monday, November 5 and the auditor’s office must receive the mailed ballot by noon on Tuesday, November 13.

A voter who received an absentee ballot and then decides to cast their vote at the polling place instead of voting absentee, loses their absentee ballot, or misses the absentee ballot return deadline, should keep these procedures in mind:

• A voter who received an absentee ballot and misses the return deadline may bring the absentee ballot to the precinct polling place on Election Day, surrender the absentee ballot to precinct officials, and then vote in person.

• A voter who received an absentee ballot but lost it may appear at the precinct polling place and, if precinct election officials confirm that the county auditor has not received the absentee ballot, may vote in person.

• A voter who requested an absentee ballot by mail but never received the absentee ballot, may appear at the precinct polling place and, if precinct election officials confirm that the county auditor did not receive the absentee ballot, may vote in person.

• If precinct election officials are unable to confirm whether an absentee ballot has already been cast, the voter should cast a provisional ballot at the precinct polling place.  A provisional ballot is given to a voter whose eligibility is uncertain, and the ballot is counted only after the voter’s eligibility has been later verified.

“If anyone is not sure about how to handle their absentee ballot, they should contact their county auditor’s office,” Schultz said.  “Voters can also find voting information on our website at www.sos.iowa.gov, or download our free ‘Iowa Secretary of State’ app for Android, iPhone, or iPad. Whether you vote absentee or vote at the polls on Election Day, the important thing is to cast your vote.”

Tomorrow night Iowa’s Republican governor and lieutenant governor are holding a fundraiser in Cedar Rapids.  Terry Branstad was elected to a fifth term as governor in 2010.  The money Branstad will be raising tomorrow night isn’t for the 2012 election. It will go into Branstad’s campaign fund. This morning during his weekly news conference, Branstad said this about whether he’s raising money for race #6: “Let’s just say, we’re keeping our options open.”

Here’s the invitation for tomorrow night’s event: 

Branstad said Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is returning a favor.

“First of all, you may recall back before the recall election in Wisconsin we held a fundraiser in Dubuque for Governor Scott Walker and I was delighted with the response we received and Governor Walker has offered to reciprocate and support the lieutenant governor with this event,” Branstad said this morning.

You may also recognize the name of the host of this event.  Steve Gray is trying to rust up a group of investors for a casino in Linn County. 

Branstad described Gray as “a long time friend.”

“I’ve known him because of his business experience in Cedar Rapids,” Branstad said. “With regard to the gambling license issue, I think that’s an issue to be resolved by the Racing & Gaming Commission. It’s always been my position not to take a position on those things. I think the most important thing is to look out to protect the integrity of the state and everybody that I’ve appointed to the Racing & Gaming Commission I’ve said, ‘Your responsibility is not to promote gambling, but to look at what is going to be best for protecting the integrity of the state and making sure that is paramount.”

You may also notice on the invitation above the name of Gary Kirke, the driving forward behind the Wild Rose casinos in Emmetsburg & Clinton.  I asked Branstad this morning if the prospect of a casino license for Cedar Rapids would come up tomorrow over cocktails.

“I don’t expect that it will,” Branstad said. “First of all, this is really an opportunity for us to spend some time with a great friend, Scott Walker, who has shown great courage and has made a real difference in his state of Wisconsin. He inherited an even bigger financial mess than we did and he’s made great progress in turning that around, as we have.”

Here’s an email outlining the restrictions which will forbid anyone outside of the room from directly hearing what former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has to say tonight in Sioux City, Iowa:

Dear Siouxland Media –

Thank you for your continued support and coverage of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.  We are grateful for your efforts to cover this event each autumn.

We remain most appreciative of your interest in this evening’s speaker. As you may recall, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s keynote address is entitled “America’s Promise in Uncertain Times.” He is expected to speak for approximately 40 minutes and he will then take questions from the audience.

Governor Bush will not be doing any interviews this evening.   While still photographs are permitted throughout his presentation, no audio recordings whatsoever are permitted and B-roll video (no audio) is permitted for the first three (3) minutes of his presentation.  

…Please understand that these are stipulations and obligations from the speaker’s agency representing the Governor, and the Chamber is contractually required to adhere to them. 

….We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Mary Koster
Executive Secretary
Siouxland Chamber of Commerce

Paul Ryan is campaigning through eastern Iowa, visiting key cities along the Mississippi River (Dubuque, Clinton, Muscatine & Burlington).  Ryan’s stop in Clinton highlighted his wife’s connection to Clinton. Paul Ryan’s mother-in-law grew up in Clinton.  Janna Ryan’s maternal grandparents were Adelaide and Vernon Petersen of Clinton. Vernon was a doctor in Clinton. 

Janna Ryan’s mother, Prudence Petersen, graduated from Clinton High School, went on to Wellesley, then graduated from first in her law school class at the University of Oklahoma.  Janna Little Ryan attended Wellesley, too, and earned her law degree from George Washington University.  Below is the obituary for Janna’s Ryan’s mother. 
 

Prudence Mae Little
November 16, 1942 – May 22, 2010

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