Republican ‘Coup’
Mary Lundby became one of the most powerful Republicans in Iowa yesterday, as Yepsen babbles. Republicans want us to think that this means they’re “not your father’s Oldsmobile anymore.” I never thought that to begin with; but still, this isn’t going to change my mind about them. If Yepsen is to be believed, we do have something to look forward to:
This is no guarantee of GOP success in November. While replacing a floor leader in the midst of a session is a big deal in the political community, it’s doubtful anyone about to vote for a Democrat in an Iowa Senate race this November will change their minds as a result of Lundby’s coup.
And if you think she’s going to be better at campaigning around the state, think about it: this is seen as a coup precisely because of how different she — a city slicker — is compared to the typical Iowa Republican model of rural conservatism. She’s going to get to the one restaurant in Barnes City (it’s across from the grain elevator, if you want to go) and balk. Republicans are trying to cast her as a McCain. Making this woman their mouthpiece for the elections won’t necessarily make their powerful grassroots base (i.e. religious conservatives) happy.
Update: LyingAroundIowa reports that there has already been a staff resignation in connection with this (and that there will be more). Although they also erroneously claimed that Iverson was going to quit the legislature completely, and they are sometimes narrowminded.
2 comments April 12th, 2006
