[Bleeding Heartland Logo]

About
Bleeding Heartland is a community blog about Iowa politics: campaigns and elections, state government, social and environmental issues. Bleeding Heartland also weighs in on presidential policies and campaigns, federal legislation and what the Iowans in Congress are up to. Join our community, post your thoughts as comments or diaries, help keep our leaders honest and hold them accountable.
Author
- desmoinesdem
Highlights
- Iowa politics in 2008
- Iowa politics in 2009 (1)
- Iowa politics in 2009 (2)
- National politics in 2009 (1)
- National politics in 2009 (2)
- Who's who in the Iowa House for 2012
- Who's who in the Iowa Senate for 2012
- Add this blog to your list of Technorati favorites
2012 Election Previews
- IA-01
- IA-02
- IA-03
- IA-04
- Senate district 14
- Senate district 18 (2011)
- Senate district 22
- Senate district 26
- Senate district 28
- Senate district 32
- Senate district 36
- Senate district 38
- Senate district 40
- Senate district 46
- Senate district 48
- Senate district 49
- House district 14
- House district 26
- House district 28
- House district 30
- House district 40
- House district 43
- House district 46
- House district 48
- House district 55
- House district 56
- House district 57
- House district 58
- House district 60
- House district 63
- House district 64
- House district 66
- House district 68
- House district 76
- House district 80
- House district 88
- House district 91
- House district 92
Search




Advanced Search


Paid Advertising


Mobile Blog Reader - powered by Notice Orange
Bleeding Heartland
It's what plants crave.

Fong suspends campaign for governor

by: desmoinesdem

Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 12:59:38 PM CST


The only Republican gubernatorial candidate from eastern Iowa suspended his campaign today. Iowa Politics has the full press release. Here's the statement from Christian Fong's campaign website:

"The message was right, and the vision remains unclouded. Commitment to the Iowa Dream means that while practical financial hurdles may prevent a run for Governor in 2010, I will continue to campaign for the Iowa's future."

- Christian Fong

Ed Failor, Jr. of Iowans for Tax Relief reportedly promised to help Fong raise enough money for a serious campaign, and Fong raised $100,000 in three weeks after entering the gubernatorial race this summer. However, it sounds like Terry Branstad's return to politics dried up the money Fong was counting on.

Branstad was quick to release a statement today:

"I want to thank Christian for bringing his youth, energy and unique perspective to the Iowa governor's race. Christian Fong epitomizes the Iowa dream, and I look forward to working with him on the critical need for Republicans to be a relevant voice for young people. We must provide a thriving business climate in Iowa that entices young professionals to remain in Iowa and raise their families here. Christian Fong is an exciting, energetic Republican and we're fortunate to have him in our party."

Does anyone think Fong might become the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor next year? Lots of people in Polk County expect Branstad to choose Doug Reichardt for a running mate.

I am disappointed that we won't have a chance to find out whether an Iowa Republican could get serious traction using Barack Obama's playbook.

desmoinesdem :: Fong suspends campaign for governor
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , (All Tags)
Print Friendly View Send As Email
Tweet This!

Lt. Governor (4.00 / 2)
Fong would be an interesting Lt. Governor choice for any of the remaining candidates.  He could give geographic balance and some diversity to a ticket.  I don't know what kind of support Fong was receiving at the grass roots level, but if it was anything that could make a difference in a close primary i could see him being a tempting choice.  

I don't know who would consider selecting him though as he seemed more tempered in his social issues views than Vander Platts and some of the others.  I am expecting a few of the candidates to "merge" campaigns if they actually want a shot at beating Branstad.  


Christian and Terry, sittin' in a tree... (4.00 / 1)
R-U-N-N-I-N-G!

I'd bet on a Branstad/Fong ticket. Reichardt means Branstad is essentially doubling down on the "old white guy from Des Moines" card. He's too smart for that.


if Branstad's overconfident (4.00 / 1)
he will pick the guy he's comfortable with (Reichardt) and not the guy who can help him win (Fong).

The same kind of thinking prompted W. to pick Cheney for VP instead of someone who could deliver a state. At the time he was around 15 points ahead of Gore in the polls.

Invite other Iowa political junkies to join us at Bleeding Heartland.


[ Parent ]
Cheney (4.00 / 1)
True, but at least Cheney brought something to the table. He brought (I'm using 2000 thinking here) White House experience and a steady hand to Gov. Bush's campaign.

I just don't see what Reichardt brings to the table. A familiar name? Hard to get a more familiar name in Iowa than "Branstad". Moneyed connections? Pretty sure Branstad already has a fat rolodex full of bigwigs. Youth? Maybe, but a middle-ager like Reichardt doesn't really seem like a hip, young guy to me.

I could see Branstad bringing Reichardt on board somehow (campaign advisor, chief of staff, etc.) but I don't think he's getting on the ticket.


[ Parent ]
I agree with your analysis (0.00 / 0)
I don't see what Reichardt brings to the ticket either. That said, if Branstad just wants someone he's comfortable working with, he may go with a guy he likes.

He told that group of social conservatives last month that Joy Corning was a "purely political" choice for running mate. Maybe he wants to do something different this time.

Invite other Iowa political junkies to join us at Bleeding Heartland.


[ Parent ]
Menu

Make a New Account

Username:

Password:



Forget your username or password?


Iowa Liberal Blogs
- Ames Progressive
- Blog For Iowa
- Essential Estrogen
- Iowa Independent (archive)
- Iowa Liberal
- John Deeth
- Lefty Blogs Iowa
Iowa Conservative Blogs
- Hawkeye GOP
- Iowa Defense Alliance
- The Bean Walker
- The Iowa Republican
- The Real Sporer
Political Journalists' Blogs
- 24-Hour Dorman
- Eastern Iowa Government
- IowaPolitics.com
- Iowa Politics Insider
- On the Campaign Trail with Ed Tibbetts
- Newton Independent (Peter Hussmann)
- Politically Speaking
- Price of Politics, etc.
- O.Kay Henderson at Radio Iowa
Iowa Democrats
- Tom Harkin (U.S. Senator)
- Bruce Braley (IA-01)
- Dave Loebsack (IA-02)
- Leonard Boswell (IA-03)
- Iowa Democratic Party
- Iowa House Democrats
- Iowa Senate Democrats
- Iowa 4th District Democrats
- Iowa 5th District Democrats
County Democrats
- County chairs list at IDP site
- Iowa 4th District Democrats (includes contact info for county chairs)
- Iowa 5th District Democrats (includes contact info for county officers)
- Allamakee County Democrats
- Appanoose County Democrats
- Black Hawk County Democrats
- Boone County Democrats
- Bremer County Democrats
- Buena Vista County Democrats
- Carroll County Democrats
- Cedar County Democrats
- Clinton County Democrats
- Dubuque County Democrats
- Emmet County Democrats
- Fayette County Democrats
- Hardin County Democrats
- Harrison County Democrats
- Henry County Democrats
- Jackson County Democrats
- Jefferson County Democrats
- Johnson County Democrats
- Linn County Democrats
- Marion County Democrats
- Monona County Democrats
- Muscatine County Democrats
- Page County Democrats
- Pocahontas County Democrats
- Polk County Democrats
- Scott County Democrats
- Story County Democrats
- Tama County Democrats
- Wapello County Democrats
- Warren County Democrats
- Washington County Democrats
- Woodbury County Democrats
Statistics


 
Powered by: SoapBlox