In the case of the 4th District, Jerry Behn and Larry McKibben and Tom Latham will all fire up their machines early as they rely as usual on reliably large campaign reserves and backers, and so we must fire up Dem campaigns even earlier. I remember witnessing the disastrous 4th District Central Committee giving Spencer $2,000 THREE WEEKS before the election instead of what should have been something like three MONTHS ahead. Latham was already unbeatable by that point, as were Behn and the rest of the crazy 4th candidates.

Rich Olive’s campaign was the perfect example of campaigning EARLY, before the Republicans had even gotten out of the primary–he was therefore able to campaign like an equal instead of a challenger and was treated in the media with even more credibility than his opponent.

The Zaun seat is safe for as long as he wants to run in that district.

Zaun is talented, runs a terrific campaign with a strong experienced staff, works harder in campaigns than nearly any candidate in the state, and has strong support from republicans and democrats alike in his district.

Don’t be surprised to soon see Zaun at the top of the list of leadership of his peers. Zaun knows how to win elections (remember, he knocked off Urbandale Mayor Giovanetti after 20 years in office) and republicans statewide would do well to adopt his strategies.

Frankly, Zaun may be the least vunerable seat on either side of the aisle for the forseeable future.