Terry Branstad — the four-term governor who is the Republican nominee for governor in 2010 — is the guest on this weekend’s edition of “Iowa Press” on Iowa Public Television. After the program, Branstad was asked for more details about his opposition to “free” preschool.
Another question was about conservative groups that cast the GOP primary as a battle for the heart and soul of the party. Did Branstad see it that way and has that battle been won?
“I see this as a party that’s open to all and I’m real excited about the amount of independents that joined our party…at the Primary Election. You know, we increased participation dramatically; 226,000 people voted in the Republican Primary. The Democrats had their lowest turnout in 60 years so I’m encouraged about that and I want everyone to feel welcome and participate…I want to include those people that ran and weren’t successful. I want them to feel included and welcome. We need their participation as well.”
What about groups like the Iowa Family Policy Center and its political action committee, which endorsed Vander Plaats?
“Well, everyone’s welcome, but I want to be governor of the whole state and all the people of Iowa and I want people to know that I’m really running for governor of the whole state of Iowa and that I think the governor needs to be somebody that meets with and listens to all kinds of people,” Branstad said.
About O.Kay Henderson
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award.
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