Branstad’s Baggage: Doug Gross
- Monday, October 5, 2009, 4:22
- Iowa, News Center, Top Story
- 1,602 views
- 24 comments
It is likely that sometime this month, probably after Des Moines University’s Board of Trustees meets, former Governor Terry Branstad will enter the gubernatorial race. The instant Branstad enters the race, he will be the clear frontrunner. However, the primary will be no walk in the park. While Branstad will undoubtedly have advantages like high name recognition and a campaign flush with financial resources, he also has the most baggage of any candidate in the race.
Having previously served 16 years as governor, Branstad’s record will provide ample material for his opponents to exploit. His record, however, cuts both ways. For all the bad stuff that we have already started to hear, there are an equal amount of positive things to build a campaign around. There is no doubt that Branstad will have to defend his record, but a seasoned politician like him expects that. What Branstad might not grasp is the toxicity of his protégé and former chief-of-staff, Doug Gross, and the negative impact Gross could have on the primary.
If you think that the loathing of Doug Gross by some conservatives is only coming from a small but vocal group of individuals, you are mistaken. The closing moments of the Iowa Christian Alliance’s fall dinner provided an indication of how Doug Gross is viewed by the most loyal constituency group within the Republican Party.
As the event came to a close, Pastor Mike Demastus of the Fort Des Moines Church of Christ took to the stage to offer the closing prayer. Before he got to the prayer, Pastor Demastus commented on David Barton’s presentation and how his church is teaching Barton’s “America’s Godly Heritage” series. Then he looked out at the crowd, pointed his finger and said, “Doug Gross is wrong.” Pastor Demastus was commenting on how Gross wants the Republican Party to moderate on social issues. Many in the crowd cheered.
Doug Gross used to be the ultimate powerbroker in Republican politics in the state. The height of his power came in 2002 when he jumped into the gubernatorial race just five months before the primary. Gross defeated Steve Sukup and Bob Vander Plaats, and for a while, it looked as if he had then-Governor Vilsack on the ropes. Vilsack defeated Gross 53% to 45%.
Since his 2002 campaign, Gross has seen his influence fade. In 2006, Gross was making the moves for another run at governor. He had hired staff and paid for opposition research, but it was clear early on that Republican donors and many activists had rallied around Congressman Jim Nussle instead of a second Gross campaign. Gross didn’t run for governor that year, and he also wasn’t involved in helping Nussle’s campaign.
Gross isn’t even much of a donor. Besides a $1000 contribution to Senator Grassley earlier this year, Gross hasn’t contributed to a federal candidate in Iowa since 2004. On the state level, the only contribution that comes up when you search his name is a $100 contribution to Iowans for Tax Relief in 2004.
Outside of being involved in Mitt Romney’s 2008 Iowa caucus campaign, a position for which he was paid, Gross hasn’t played a critical role in any of the state’s major campaigns for quite some time. Instead, he has chosen to declare war on social conservatives within the Republican Party. Despite his own polling data which shows that a majority of self-described social conservatives think that candidates should focus on economic issues, Gross continues to blame social conservatives for the recent losses of the Republican party, thereby infuriating many of the party faithful.
While Gross has every right to advocate for the issues and positions that he feels strongly about, there are consequences for his behavior. Most noticeable will be the impact he has on Governor Branstad’s campaign, and ultimately Branstad’s legacy.
Gross’ association with Branstad will make it more difficult for Branstad to court social conservatives across the state. The Republican gubernatorial primary looks as if it’s going to be a close contest, and thus, every single vote will matter. If Branstad can’t garner the support of some social conservatives, his primary campaign will struggle. In talking to a number of social conservatives around the state, it seems that most of their hesitation about Branstad is founded on his association with Doug Gross, not his record.
Governor Branstad has a lot of expectations he will have to meet once he becomes a candidate. He will have to defend his 16 year record as governor. He will have to defend the budgeting practices that he used while governor. He will have to show that he still has the passion and drive to campaign all around the state. While none of those things are easy, they are all things that Branstad can overcome.
Branstad’s most difficult test will be what does he does with Doug Gross. Gross’ negatives outweigh the positives he can bring to Branstad’s campaign. He is the arch enemy of the state’s social conservatives. His fundraising ability has been severely diminished, and most of those donors would contribute to Branstad anyway. In fact, a good question to ponder is, what positive attributes does Gross provide to Branstad that Branstad couldn’t find elsewhere?
If Branstad does become a gubernatorial candidate, he will obviously be in it to win it. Yet, to be successful, Branstad will have to distance himself from Gross. If he doesn’t, the former Governor’s legacy will be severely tarnished, especially if he gets beat in a primary.
About the Author
Craig Robinson has written 700 stories on this site.
Craig Robinson serves as the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheIowaRepublican.com. Prior to founding Iowa's largest conservative news site, Robinson served as the Political Director of the Republican Party of Iowa during the 2008 Iowa Caucuses. In that capacity, Robinson planned and organized the largest political event in 2007, the Iowa Straw Poll, in Ames, Iowa. Robinson also organized the 2008 Republican caucuses in Iowa, and was later dispatched to Nevada to help with the caucuses there. Robinson cut his teeth in Iowa politics during the 2000 caucus campaign of businessman Steve Forbes and has been involved with most major campaigns in the state since then. His extensive political background and rolodex give him a unique perspective from which to monitor the political pulse of Iowa.
24 Comments on “Branstad’s Baggage: Doug Gross”
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Why blow Gross up to be bigger than he is? He’s no more than one vote and probably has very little influence on anything.
Craig, even you say the influence of Gross has diminished, so is Gross a factor for Branstad, or not? I don’t have the slightest idea and it’s also likely if there is a negative impact for some, there may also be a positive impact for others.
Craig, your premise is contradictory and really doesn’t say much in the end.
Who is Doug Gross and why does he deserve this much attention?
No, Pastor Demastus, it is you who is wrong. You and your noisy self-righteous sliver of the electorate have alienated the vast middle where elections are won. Republicans have an opporntunity to regain some of the ground lost in the last two elections by pursing an agenda that focuses on responsible fiscal stewardship, good schools, good roads and safe streets. Instead, we have those that wish to witness their faith through the politicial process that in the end results only in losses. I hoped Craig you might have learned something from the HD-90 debacle. The religious right’s in your face approach to campaigns doesn’t work. Gross is right in focusing on moderates.
Mod: This is not an either or. We need both. Most of us are both. Both is a winning strategy. We do not exclude one at the expense of the other. Admittedly, the fiscal issue should dominate because it is not controversial but we do not exclude the social issues. Let’s not blow this by forming a circular firing squad. We all need each other.
“If you think that the loathing of Doug Gross by some conservatives is only coming from a small but vocal group of individuals, you are mistaken. The closing moments of the Iowa Christian Alliance’s fall dinner provided an indication of how Doug Gross is viewed by the most loyal constituency group within the Republican Party.”
Are you kidding me? The ICA is the very definition of “small but vocal”!
I happen to agree with a lot of what Gross says about why Republicans have been losing elections in Iowa, but that view sure isn’t popular among the GOP base.
On a slightly related note, has anyone else heard that Branstad will supposedly announce his running mate when he announces his campaign? It will be interesting to see whether he throws down the gauntlet by naming a moderate or whether he tries to cut off criticism from the right by naming a social conservative.
“The instant Branstad enters the race, he will be the clear frontrunner.”
I wouldn’t bank on that anymore, Craig. The ‘Draft Branstad’ movement is starting to wear on people, including the other candidates, and the whole orchestration smacks of desparation and weakness.
Peggy, you must be joking. Branstad is going to have more money and institutional support than all the other candidates combined. He won’t be able to coast to the nomination–he will have to fight for it. But he will certainly be the clear frontrunner.
Craig asks, “what positive attributes does Gross provide to Branstad that Branstad couldn’t find elsewhere?”
Branstad and Gross have a close working relationship that goes back many years. Branstad may have a comfort level with Gross and his counsel that he couldn’t fine from anyone else. As an unnamed “political junkie” advised Branstad, via Cityview’s Civic Skinny column, “You assembled wise counsel when you were governor who helped you avoid many pitfalls and kept you focused. But Marvin Pomerantz is gone. While Doug Gross may become your new Marvin Pomerantz, who is your new Doug Gross? You’ll need superb staff — something recent Iowa governors have not enjoyed.”
Why are you doing this Craig/ICA? Doug Gross has a great family and comes from a great family in Defiance, Iowa. I got to know him in 2002 when he ran for governor. Running for office is a tremendous sacrifice both on a family and financially. I’m Catholic and think that it’s absolutely outrageous that these “pastors” can get married and make money. What would Jesus do? Let’s not forget that Jesus is Jewish and not a member of the Fort Des Moines Church of Christ. Jesus teaches us how to love and care for everyone, not how to vote and who we should like and not like. Please read the bible and the gospels and ask yourselves what would Jesus do!
Give me Christopher Rants’ passion over Brandstad’s money and political handlers any day.
Rants is the only candidate who acts like he really wants the job. He’s the only one advancing ideas and it would be a shame for a young, energetic candidate to get snubbed simply because he doesn’t have TB’s name recognition and Polk County connections.
I’m not sure TB can beat Culver. When it comes down to brass tacks, all those “moderate conservatives” will pick a social liberal. They want to pretend like economic issues rule the day but it’s just the opposite.
Doug Gross never misses an opportunity to stick his finger in the eye of social conservatives, even though almost all social conservatives are also fiscal conservatives who he should agree with.
On top of that, he is just not a nice person. That is why people don’t like him.
He bring this on himself.
Peggy: I do agree Rants would be the one I would appoint to lead us out of this economic morass. He has to have the best understanding of the details. When he speaks, he’s all substance–no fluff.
Peggy..
Where was Rants “passion” back when he was leading the House Republican caucus? Didn’t see a gay marriage amendment introduced by him back then…..Where was Rants’s leadership when he created the strategy that led the GOP to losing control of the House majority in the first place? Those are questions he needs to answer to GOP voters.
Branstad has something that not a SINGLE one of the current GOP candidates can claim. Every single liberal that he’s gone up against in a general election…he’s defeated with ease…the list is long and illustrious..
Roxanne Conlin….Lowell Junkins…Don Avenson…Bonnie Campbell……He’s got the track record in elections that’s going to be difficult for any of the other candidates to attack.
Peggy…you better get something clear here..its going to take a TON of money and skilled political work to take down Culver. He might be an incompetent leader..but he’s a skilled politician..very much like his father before him.
So we vote for a candidate just because he or she can win at the ballot box???
Funny, my civics classes taught me to vote for the candidate that is best qualified for the job, and best represents my values and views.
I thought Rants did pass the marriage amendment in the House, but it was held up in the Senate thanks to Stu Iverson not wanting to press the issue.
Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s how I remember it.
This is the first time I have commented on this site.I have only lived in Iowa for seven years now,so I don’t consider myself to be an authority on iowa politics.I have also never been a huge fan of Doug Gross though i did vote for him in the final in 2002.That being said,I do have to agree with him that the iowa republicans are doomed to failure if they don’t find a way to attract moderates.I do have to agree that the iowa christian alliance which makes up a large portion of active republicans in this state are killing us with their our way or the highway attitude.When I first accepted Jesus Christ as my lord and savior,I was taught that my walk with the lord would progress in baby steps.some things would change right away but other behaviors and attitudes would change gradually the more I got to know the Lord.The pastors need to realize that They are not going to change peoples minds by going against every candidate that may take a slower walk to achieve the social issues that are near and dear to us all.I am pro life but I am also a realist that abortion will never be illegal in this country.The ICA though will shun any candidate that doesn’t take a hard line on that even though a more moderate republican may be the one who has ideas to slow the number of abortions each year and slowly change minds one at a time.I’m also anti gay marriage but again without the moderates who feel the same way as i do who may just stop out of state couples from coming in first as they work to bring a vote to the people would be shunned by the ICA because they won’t adopt the all or nothing stance that these people seem to push.The pastors have to realize that right now many moderates convictions are strong but there are more pressing issues out there that affect our everyday lives than those social issues.Many in our state are going broke ,and fighting to save their families ,jobs and homes.Because this is more important to me right now than social issues to get our house in order the ICA shuns me and says I have no place in the party.They need to wake up and smell the coffee that they are drawing people away rather than bringing people in.I have great reservations about branstad as going back to the old brings the impression that we have nothing new to offer.i would vote for him though any day over culver.I hope the ICA comes to their senses one day that without bringing new people in and a fresh exchange of ideas they will cripple the kingdom that they are trying to save.
Amen Stenny! God and Jesus love everyone equal. No where in the bible does it say Republican or Democrat. “We love Him because He first loved us.”
~1 John 4:9-10~
“Then said Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do …”
~Luke 23:34~
No offense, but I don’t think you have to be very far along in your walk to realize that killing defenseless babies is wrong.
This seem like a bit of an excuse and cop out to me.
Bottom line, there is no excuse for treating with disdain people who advocate for both pro-life and fiscally conservative policies, unless you’re not really all that pro-life.
The irony of this whole thing is that there is a good argument to be made that Doug Gross isn’t all that fiscally conservative either. Wasn’t he pro-project Destiny and for taking private property to give to others for private economic devolopement?
I just don’t see how Doug’s “conservative” on just about anything.
Well Bunce..when we pick a nominee…people vote for the person who they want to represent them in November to WIN at the ballot box. It seems pretty foolish to me to pick someone who you wouldn’t want to win at the ballot box in November.
If you don’t want to support that nominee…that’s fine..but its also alot like cutting off your nose to spite your face. Doesn’t it make more sense to work to hold the nominee of your party once elected to office to support those issues that you care about….instead of being completely shut out by the other party’s candidate if they get elected to office?
I mean lets think here…Do you think Chet Culver is going to do anything that conservatives are going to like about gay marriage…abortion….taxes? Of course not! You wouldn’t get the time of day with people like Culver, Gronstal, etc on our issues….
So whomever our nominee is….its going to be someone who’s going to be far and away a better leader on our issues than what Chet Culver or the Democrats would have ever been.
What YOUR job as conservative activists is to work to insure that 1. once elected, our leaders follow through on our issues. That means doing—2. Actually standing up and having their back when its time to make those decisions in support of our issues.
More often than not….once the election is over…those people who were on the phones in October and November…are no where to be found come April-May…when its the end of the legislative session..and our elected folks are getting battered all over by the media and our opponents. That’s when those elected officials who support your issues need YOU the most.
The entire “social conservative” brand name really isn’t accurate. We’ve already established on this site that the vast majority of social conservatives are fiscal conservatives as well. But that the opposite isn’t true as often. So really the social conservatives are the real conservatives. Everyone else is pretty much worried about their wallets and making sure that they can live any type of life they want, moral or not.
God does love us all, but that does not give us the green light to go and live any way we want. Nor does it give us the go ahead to advance policies that go against what he wants. Nor does it give us the ability to compromise with evil in order to possibly make things a little less evil.
Moderates will vote Democrat in a general election. McCain v. Obama proved that flat out. They would rather the Democrats take more of their money because the Dems won’t hold anyone accountable for poor and immoral choices.
“Everyone else is pretty much worried about their wallets and making sure that they can live any type of life they want, moral or not.” — Tyler
Excellent point, Tyler!
“Peggy…you better get something clear here..its going to take a TON of money and skilled political work to take down Culver.” — HawkCR1
And all this time I thought it took more votes.
Can we all admit that it’s not about ideas anymore but who can round up the most foot soldiers (ACORN) and who can bus more unemployed hacks in to collect absentee ballots?
What a turnoff.
Peggy..
To get the votes to WIN campaigns…..you need $$ and skilled, grassroots campaign work to get people organized to vote for your candidate.
If all it took were just “great ideas” to get people to vote for our candidates…we’d have a lot of different people in office today.
Great ideas alone don’t get a person elected. Money IS the lifeblood of politics…If a candidates has no $$, they have no advertising, no mailings, no radio spots…They may as well be standing on their roof waving signal flags to get their message out.
A candidate for high office is also only as good as the staff around them directing strategy and campaign tactics. A staff strong in grassroots organization, communication, and fundraising are worth their weight in GOLD to a political candidate…especially to one seeking high office.
Now..that being said…one of the major reasons in my mind, why the GOP has had such problems in recent elections is that we’re not doing HALF of what we should in training the next generation of campaigners/grassroots activists.
Why do you think Branstad won all those elections? Same with Grassley……both of them always had political staff around them strong in organization, fundraising and communication.
RPI used to have field staff spread across the state who’s job it was to help counties get precincts organized, identify donors, and spread the message to the masses. Guess what…RPI hasn’t done that in years..and the effects can certainly be seen..
All we do now is say hey..here’s our 72-Hour program..and voila those votes are gonna appear because our candidates has the best ideas, so of course people are gonna vote for them. Well..look where that’s gotten us….Democrat Governor, Democrat Legislature–how’s that workin out for Iowa?
Chet Culver may be an idiot when it comes to leading this state..but one thing is for sure…When it comes campaign time, Culver surrounds himself with campaign staff who are going to take no prisoners and do and say whatever its going to take for Culver to win.
We can have the BEST candidate..with unquestioned conservative credentials…but if that candidate can’t raise $$ or is able to run an effective campaign …Culver will win in a cakewalk.
Yeah, yeah, yeah…I know. But what you’re still saying is ideas don’t matter for much. It’s all in the packaging.
The majority of Americans are too busy making a living and raising their families to follow the political scene day in, day out – so they have to be wowed with great commercials and a pretty face.