Doug Gross is quickly becoming an embarrassment to Iowa Republicans. The former gubernatorial candidate has been relentless in his quest to find a candidate for Governor that he finds acceptable. However his search has not yielded the results that he has hoped for. And to top this off he has been constant in his lecturing of the party faithful that they need to compromise their beliefs in order regain the seats of power in Iowa government. And time after time he has been dealt setback after setback. I applaud Mr. Gross for his desire to be involved in the Republican Party, but the time has come where his efforts have become more of an embarrassment rather than an asset.
The names of several of his potential candidates for Governor have found their way into the public light. Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstead is one of those names. And yet when questioned by the media Branstead has denied any interest in running for Iowa’s highest office again. Another was Vermeer Manufacturing CEO Mary Andringa. She too has denied any intention or even interest in running for Governor of Iowa. And now the latest name added to the fray is Dubuque University President Jeff Bullock. He has not stated whether he intends to run for the office but his candidacy would most likely be a no go due to donations to Democrats.
I find it difficult to believe that Mr. Gross’ intentions are pure. However it requires no stretch of the imagination to view his actions as a self-serving ego boost. It is also relatively easy to see that his efforts are a way to boost his presence in Iowa political news. In my opinion Mr. Gross is blind to the harm that he causing to the party by his ill-timed power trip. I urge Mr. Gross to reconsider his strategy before he ruins the chance of any Republican to win election in 2010.
Filed under: Abregar, Politics | Tagged: Doug Gross, Governors Race 2010, Mary Andringa, Republican Party of Iowa, Terry Branstead
I happen to catch Mr. Gross on the news last night where he keeps pointing to his little survey like a third grader. He keeps spitting out that his survey says that people don’t care about the social issues such as same-sex marriage.
What he fails to mention, however, is that this survey was done before there was even a whisper of the Supreme Court handing down a ruling on marriage.
Using the results of this survey right now would like be using the results of a survey taken on Sept. 10, 2001 asking Americans how safe they felt. I wonder if those results would still be accurate two months later?
Good post, abregar.
BTW, I have been liking your added touch of photos
Why thank you IR. If anyone is dividing the Republican Party of Iowa it is Mr. Gross.
I agree with the added photos. It is a very good touch.