Comments on: Atlantic Monthly Pooh-Poohs Our GOTV Efforts, Blames Secretive Gay Agenda Conspiracy

By: JW

JW — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 23:15:34 +0000

I’m no Danny Carroll fan, but I find this sort of outside influence of money in politics distressing. It happens in both parties and often. I can’t understand why anybody wouldn’t be distressed by huge chunks of outside money being contributed to what is basically a local race in the Grinnell area. I would rather that the students of Grinnell College swayed the election, even if they are going to be gone before Eric Palmer’s first term ends.

By: Making a difference at Political Forecast

Making a difference at Political Forecast — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:32:38 +0000

[…] read this Iowa Progress post. Danny Carroll originally blamed the Grinnell College Democrats for his loss in HD-35, where Eric […]

By: Cathy

Cathy — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 03:30:11 +0000

If Danny Carroll is called a rising star then I’d hate to see what they call a sinking ship.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 18:17:39 +0000

It was an interesting article, to be sure. Personally (as someone who was directly involved in the Palmer campaign) I think it was much more than “dollars” that made the difference.

Grinnell College students were instrumental in helping recruit volunteers, set-up phone banks, and canvass throughout Mahaska & Poweshiek County. They also contributed heavily throughout the entire 3rd CD.

Yet, when you get down to it - Rep. Carroll couldn’t carry his base. Mahaska County is HEAVILY Republican, but Rep. Carroll only carried Mahaska County by less than 100 votes. For a Democrat to nearly WIN in Mahaska County really says something. Mr. Palmer outperformed both Governor Culver and Congressman Boswell in Mahaska County.

Now, for JW - the influence of money in politics is troubling. The interesting comparison is the number of INDIVIDUAL vs. PAC donors to the Palmer and Carroll campaigns. Rep. Carroll was heavily favored as an incumbent and member of the Republican leadership. He raised over $100,000 in this race - and the majority was PAC money.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 23:53:37 +0000

As IDP Regional Field Director, I agree with Mark. Eric’s peformance in Mahaska County really made the difference, helped a lot by Mark’s hard work. Also, the huge Cedar-White Oak absentee numbers didn’t hurt. Mark’s also right that Grinnell College students made a huge contribution too.

But, in the end, only reason that Danny Carroll lost was Danny Carroll. He was out of touch with his district and was a symbol of the Republican culture of corruption in Washington and in Des Moines. People were ready for a change and Eric Palmer offered that change. Danny Carroll just offered the continuation of a legacy of failure and divisiveness.