By Craig Robinson
Despite making the egregious error of criticizing one of Iowa’s largest employers in John Deere, Congressman Dave Loebsack won re-election defeating John Archer 55.7 percent to 42.5 percent.
Many believed that Loebsack was susceptible to defeat because the newly reconfigured 2nd Congressional District is significantly different from the district Loebsack was successful in winning in 2006. One of the reasons Loebsack was able to withstand Archer’s challenge is because President Obama ran strong in the district winning 12 counties, but dominating in along the Mississippi River counties.
Loebsack’s victory might be bittersweet for Iowa Democrats. The decision to run Christie Vilsack in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District instead of the 2nd District where she has legitimate roots would have been an easy win. Many in the media obsess about the fact that Iowa has yet to elect a woman to congress, but the decision not to run their best female candidate on her home turf is something that should not go unnoticed.
Archer wasn’t necessarily the most polished candidate or put together the most formidable campaign, but he is one of the friendliest and outgoing candidates to come along in quite a while. While some will criticize his effort, winning a district where Romney got shellacked was ultimately an impossible task.
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