Roberts Shines at Saturday’s Convention
- Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 3:45
- Iowa, News Center, Top Story
- 1,638 views
- 56 comments
When I left college in 1999, I was armed with degrees in history and political science. My college education has prepared me well, but I still shake my head at my political science degree. I’ve read and studied some of the great thinkers throughout history. I learned a lot about polling and statistic. Still, the greatest lesson that I learned is that the science in politics sometimes doesn’t make any sense at all.
Confused? Join the club. Only in politics can the person who wins the election lose out in the long run, and the guy who finished way back in the pack come out smelling like a rose. For example, if Terry Branstad wins in November many Iowa Republicans will celebrate his victory. Yet, the pomp and circumstance of his inauguration will quickly fade once he has to start cleaning up the mess left by Governor Culver and the Democrats.
Then there are candidates like Rod Roberts, who only garnered nine percent of the vote in the June 8th primary. Roberts leaves the campaign trail with increased name ID, a ton of good will because of the style of campaign he ran, and a bright political future ahead of him. He also will not have to cast any difficult votes that may be necessary to turn the state around. Not a bad conciliation prize, especially if you have an eye on a future race.
While everyone was focused on Bob Vander Plaats at Saturday’s Republican convention, it was Robert’s who gained the most politically of any Republican politician. The funny thing is that it would not have been possible without Bob Vander Plaats trying to force his way on the Republican ticket.
Before the nominations for lieutenant governor took place, I saw Roberts chatting with another former gubernatorial candidate Christian Fong. I interrupted them for a brief second, shook both of their hands and continued on my way. I remember thinking to myself that Roberts looked exhausted. Looking back, it never crossed my mind that Roberts would be the one to steal the show later that day.
After Kim Reynolds, Vander Plaats, and Roberts were all nominated to be Terry Branstad’s running mate, all three of them where asked to meet behind the stage to communicate whether or not they would accept the nomination. It was then announced that each would be allowed to speak for three minutes, with Roberts going first, followed by Reynolds, then Vander Plaats.
I had assumed that since all three were speaking that each had agreed to accept the nomination. Roberts took to the stage, and once again, he looked as good as he did on the campaign trail. He then said (and I paraphrase), “On June 8th, the voters made their decision. The voters chose Branstad for governor. I respect that decision. Branstad has the right to choose his own lieutenant governor. I endorse both Terry Branstad and Kim Reynolds. I respectfully decline the nomination.”
The convention hall erupted before Roberts could even finish his simple statement. It wasn’t Roberts’ choice of words that moved many of the delegates; it was the honesty and sincerity of the man who delivered the words that made the impact.
In what has been a negative gubernatorial primary that refuses to end, Roberts has provided some much needed grace and class to the process. While he wasn’t rewarded in his gubernatorial campaign, Roberts has elevated himself to a place where his name will be linked to any major race that he is eligible to run for in the future.
For that reason alone, Roberts may likely emerge as the biggest winner from the 2010 elections. At the age of 53, Roberts’ political future didn’t come to an abrupt end when he lost to Branstad in the primary and wasn’t selected to be his running mate. Roberts has successfully introduced himself to Iowans all across the state. The next time he throws his hat in the ring, there is no doubt in my mind that he will be a contender.
The goodwill that Roberts was able to generate at Saturday’s convention by simply doing the right thing is priceless. While Bob Vander Plaats has burned through all of his political capital in his 2010 campaign, Roberts has stockpiled it and can use it down the road – a wise move by a savvy politician.
Some have questioned why Roberts stayed in the race when he was only able to garner nine percent of the vote. By seeing the race through to the end, Roberts now helps Iowa Republicans replenish the bench of potential candidates that has been non-existent in recent years. Robert’s might not have won the nomination, but there is no doubt that he still found a way to emerge with his head held high and a bright future ahead of him.
Photo by Dave Davidson
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.
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I had a chance to speak with Rod after this and he indeed was about the classiest man in the room!
BVP had a golden opportunity to follow his lead and restore his reputation with the rest of us, but proved yet once again it was all about HIM. Whatta dick!!!
Knowing Rod personally, before all this happened, I congratualted him on they way he had conducted himself during the campaign.
I was shocked and surprised when his name was placed into nomination for lt. gov. BUT when Rod got up there and gave the three minute speech that will always be remembered by those at the convention, it was just awesome. I thought it had been planned as a way for Rod to give his stamp of approval on Branstad’s choice for lt. gov.
Later I saw Rod again and again congratulated him. It was then that I found out that he had no idea this was going to happen. It was spontaneous and not planned.
Folks, this is what statesmanship looks like. Rod Roberts is pure class.
Timmy – Can you please get over your obsession with BVP? You have a great line about Rod, then you ruin the whole post with another shot at BVP. Get on with your life, man, it’s time to move on!
The nomination of Roberts and his speech to decline the nomination and endorse Reynolds was pure Branstad stagecraft. The Branstad folks WANTED Roberts to get nominated so that he could turn it down and show what losers are supposed to do. It was great political theater, but about as spontaneous as Branstad’s initial campaign announcement after a 6 month tease. Kudos to the Brannstad folks for thinking this one up.
RD: You owe Rod Roberts an apology. I talked to him afterward and I’m telling you this was NOT planned. It was spontaneous and you must resent the fact that one man on that stage showed the convention what class looks like and another one showed the convention what classlessness looked like but I GUARANTEE you that was not planned!!!!
Rorkes-or maybe it was true that Roberts really did not know he was going to be nominated, just like he said. He showed class during his campaign and that is just the way he is. Too bad some people can’t see someone for the good qualities that they really have….but insist on trying to be negative.
“bgunzy wrote on 29 June, 2010, 7:23
Timmy – Can you please get over your obsession with BVP? You have a great line about Rod, then you ruin the whole post with another shot at BVP. Get on with your life, man, it’s time to move on!”
bgunzy: You need to give BVP these words: “Get on wih your life, man, it’s time to move on!!”
When that happens you will not see him being talked about here any longer. We’d all like to be rid of him.
I knew Roberts name was going to be placed on Thursday and people told me that it was all to get Roberts to decline the nomination and support Branstad. AKA, be a team player and pressure Bob from not accepting the nomination. I don’t know why all you fixate on Bob, when 44% of the delegates went against branstad. Actually, I heard Bob would have won; however, some supporters didn’t want Bob anywhere near the ticket.
Oh that is rich. Now the excuse is pro-BVP people voted for Reynolds over Bob because they didn’t want him on the ticket. I have heard everything now. Does anyone actually believe this garbage?
Stacia: You just can’t accept the fact that BVP has been rejected time and time again. The man is becoming a laughing stock and if you care about him, you will tell him to move on. He has a family to worry about.
This is just plain funny how other people’s minds work…..Everyone has the right to their own opinion, but you really don’t need to keep making up stories to make yourself feel better.
Well I was there and microphone 1 was right at the end of the Lee county row. Linda Harrington stood up and nominated Roberts. I don’t know who seconded. No doubt it was planned because Linda was pushing him before the convention.
That is was a conspiracy of the Branstad team is yet another delusional conspiracy of the Cult of Bob group, who attacked nearly every governor candidate in the primary as well as most of the GOP, and are in attack mode again trying to yet again smear someone else ridiculous rumors.
What a bunch of hooey.
B V who???
Call me a cynic, but I simply don’t believe the nomination of Roberts came out of the blue. Politics aint beanbag, and this was a brilliant stroke by the TEB brain-trust. Its not a “conspiracy”, it was politics. Hats off to the Branstad folks — they made BVP look bad and will paint him as a sore loser. Well played.
lmao @ stacia. wow. you really are a true believer. lol.
There was a nominate Roberts push before the convention and I fully expected him to be nominated, especially if BVP was nominated. I know because I and the chair were contacted personally by them to support the move. People have been talking about Roberts for LG since at least April. You’re going to have to show me a great deal more than gut instinct to make the case there was Branstad fingerprints on something that was already in the works before the Primary.
Matt, I was responding to DVFO who was “shocked and surprised” that Roberts name was put into nomination. I wasn’t surprised at all, and I just observe politics from afar. What was in the works was that Brandstad WANTED Roberts name to be put in nomination, knowing that he would turn it down and endorse Reynolds. That way TEB can contrast good loser (Roberts) with bad loser (BVP). Anyone who thinks Branstad was surpised by this turn of events at the convention and Roberts’ decision to endorse Reynolds came out of left field is deluding himself. Stevie Wonder could have seen this coming.
RD: Call me stupid because I did not see it coming and when it happened I wondered what the heck was going on. Then I thought perhaps it was staged until I talked with Rod afterward and he assured me he did not know it was coming.
Regardless if the Branstad campaign knew about it or not, it showed the convention a stark contrast in character of the two men. Roberts was the big winner–not Branstad. Maybe Branstad wanted to elevate Roberts and if he did, good for him.
Stacia, is it dark in there? Have you determined yet just how far a person’s head can can be inserted into BVP’s caboose?
BVP played this one to win. He went all in, pushed every chip on the table. And he lost. You think he was done in by his own supporters who didn’t want him defiled by being on the ticket? Wow, that’s loyalty. They conducted a public intervention, then… “Bob, it’s time to put down the crack pipe, you can’t taint yourself with this ticket.”
That’s quite possibly the most asinine statement I’ve heard out of you – in an exceeding long line of asinine statements. You’ve really outdone yourself.
bgunzy and Stacia: I’m going to give you a prediction. If BVP does decide to go this insane route of an independent bid, he will be doing it because he has NO principles. He will be doing it for the money and the Democrats will be financing him. He will have sold out.
Follow the money!!
DVFO, I sure don’t think you are stupid. The Robertys event did show the difference in party loyalty between the two men, and will help Roberts in the future if he has higher aspirations. As for BVP, he needs to fish or cut bait on this third party thing. While he and his followers have a sizeable amount of support within the party, they don’t have a majority. Rather than start some third party movemnet, I suspect the BVP folks will start voting for the R’s they deem worthy in the down-ticket races and ignore the races like governor where the choice in their minds is the “lesser of two evils”. It will cut into TEB’s votes but in a year like this one TEB should still win.
Roberts was nominated by Linda Harrington. When she took to the microphone I thought she was going to nominate Jonathan Narcisse, who was freeloading at the convention all day long. It also took a long time for Roberts to be seconded. If this was “Branstad Stagecraft,” I’m sure he would have been nominated by one of the many county chairmen that signed on to the draft effort.
So the question now is, what’s next for Rod Roberts?
Does he serve in a potential Branstad administration? How?
Does he make another run in 2014?
Does he make a run at something else, like running against Harkin in 2014?
Does he take a leadership position within the GOP?
Or does he simply happily retire from politics?
RD, Branstad may have wanted that but I don’t think he was pulling strings to make it happen. I think he gambled just like he gambled on Reynolds winning.
As far as BVP running indie, I want him to do it. He won’t get enough votes to derail Branstad, and it will put a final nail in the coffin of how irrelevant the Cult of Bob is. Maybe some will come to their senses and use their energies for good, and the rest of the meglomaniacs can go off and form a commune somewhere in Idaho if that suits them.
The delegates at the convention are the grassroots everyone talks about. The grassroots voted and Reynolds (0 name ID) beat BVP (10 years of name ID) lost by 11 percentage points. This was not a close race. In politics a close race is 1 to 5 points. In politics an 11 point win is a strong win. Stacia, why don’t you get that? Is this your first rodeo?
SharpHawkeye,
I would gladly support Roberts against Harkin in 2014.
Stacia,
You have lost all credibility. Yesterday, you tried to claim that Kent Sorenson was used and abused by the Branstad campaign in that his written statement in support of Kim Reynolds was not used as he intended it to be. Of course, you ignore the fact that Kent’s signature was at the bottom of the statement addressed to the “Convention Delegates.” How else is a statement like that supposed to be used? I’ve also heard from a friend of Kent’s that this is exactly how his statement was intended to be used. Furthermore, if you know Kent Sorenson, you’d know that he’d be raising holy hell if he felt his statement (and his name and reputation) had been misused.
Now you’re back today spewing some conspiracy theory that Branstad was behind the Roberts nomination. You of all people should understand that Roberts had a few loyal followers who just wanted to keep their guy in the mix. Given the not-secret “draft Roberts” movement initiated by his supporters, I don’t think it was a surprise that some individuals decided to nominate him, but that doesn’t mean Branstad had anything to do with it.
You need to let go of your black helicopter conspiracy theories.
Rod Roberts is a good man, and he has a bright future ahead of him.
@Matt Green – being one of the leaders of the Roberts for Lt. Gov campaign, our plan was to persuade Branstad to add him to the ticket, not force a vote at convention.
I talked with Roberts as well, and this was not planned. Mrs. Harrington approached him afterwards to apologize – she didn’t know he wouldn’t accept.
Yes, what a *conspiracy*.
While Rod Roberts gesture may have been classy he has no future in winning a state wide election in Iowa politics. He couldn’t hardly bring himself to differentiate differences between him and favored candidate, you have to draw differences and attack the other person’s political record. He had absolutely no fire or zeal in his campaign. He was never entered as a candidate to win the race-he was quoted the day after the race that he was discouraged he only received 9% of the vote, but rather he had hoped to end up with 15-20%. Further showing he was only in the race to deter from other challengers.
I don’t belong to the so-called “Cult of Bob.” If he didn’t stand up for conservative principles like being against the courts or speak out about illegal immigration, ending the beauracracy in education, standing up for states’ rights, or bringing businesses back to the states, then I would not be a supporter of his. Branstad could easily bring this party together if he actually took a stand on these issues. However, he refuses to make any stand and blames Bob and his supporters for not jumping on the bandwagon. I’ve seen Branstad’s commercials. I especially like the one where he says “Change is comming”—Not. He copied that from Obama–that is so two years ago. All Branstad runs on is I’m not Chet Culver and Remember te good ol’ days. Seriously, what are his issues? Branstad better start taking stands on issues, because “I’m better than the other guy” will not cut it.
And for those who think I will not support Funk or Sorenson just because Funk supported the ticket or Sorenson supported Reynolds is not accurate. I will support both these guys again because politics isn’t about personalities, it is about issues and what they stand for. Both these guys, if elected, will be very conservative.
Rod Roberts is a class act and the state is better off with his service. He ran a great campaign against all odds. Branstad and BVP both have much greater name recognition so it is no wonder they did better in the ballot box. Rod was the big winner last Saturday and continued to show his class. He is what this state needs, someday the state will know this.
Branstad is 100% on with the issues. He just disagrees with an illegal executive order (Governor’s don’t have that kind of power and nor should they) and wants to make jobs and higher salaries a priority because that’s how the state is going to succeed. His policies created 400,000 new jobs in the 80’s and 90’s and left Iowa with recorde EMPLOYMENT. Yes I said 400,000!!! Good jobs will keep people in Iowa and make every family stronger. Why don’t you see this? He’s for a vote of the people on gay marriage not a costly, crazy, uneducated, stupid move to halt by executive order. Is David Barton a Supreme Court Justice? In fact, who the hell is David Barton? Does he have a Harvard law degree? Or any law degree for that matter?
I am not aware if David Barton holds any law degree, but he is a scholar of history and by history I don’t mean the last 40 years of revisionist history our education system likes to teach. Here is a link, http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=1464#R9
scroll down to #3 The judiciary is not the sole branch capable of determining constitutionality. He actually provides historical quotes from some of the patriots/leaders that were close to the consititution and what they actually had to say about this issue rather than just allowing one of the branches of our govt. declare themselves powers our constitution never intended them to have.
commonsense
Perhaps you will answer my very simple question that no one has yet to answer. If the Governor issues an executive order suspending Varnum, what specifically do you propose that the Governor do when County Recorders ignore that Executive Order, and issue the marriage licenses anyway? And what would the legislative authority for that action?
awk in the first sentence …no one has answered
Chris, Then let me turn the question around to you. What do you propose happens now to a county recorder that refuses to issue a marriage license to a man and man, or a woman and a woman now?
@Shane VH – that is good to hear, I am glad Linda acted on her own and not at the behest of the group. If figured someone would do it if BVP opened the door regardless, but glad you guys hands were clean.
I went to the David Barton Bio and it say’s he has done research on founding fathers but no mention of education. Would you go to someone who has done a lot of medical research but never gone to medical school? Would you go to someone to help you with legal matters if they’ve never been to law school? He’s a televangelist just like BVP who can skew and spew whatever crap he wants from out of context quotes!
There’s no way that Roberts will simply retire and go home. He’s going to be involved in some way shape or form.
Now that being said…I think a run for Senate against Harkin might be a very interesting proposition for someone like Roberts. Granted, the Governor’s race will be up again in 2014, however, so that will be an interesting decision for one to make.
There is one person who you can almost bet will run against Harkin in 2014 and that’’s Bill Salier. He’s already stated that he’s got a personal, deep seated loathing of Harkin and that’s the only seat he’s even remotely interested in running for.
Now wouldn’t that be an interesting potential primary—Rod Roberts vs Bill Salier
Scarface-so a degree is more important than the content of his research and applying the quotes from the debates of the founding fathers at the time our constitution was written? If your a constitutional conservative you might realize it doesn’t take a law degree to study history and look at the intent of what our founders had in mind. Unfortunately, you find it convenient to ignore or don’t want to take the time and effort to look at actual history. Are you saying the education system the last 30-40 years gives an unbiased political view of history?
CVN are you serious? Your hope for a republican victory would be a candidate that pulls 9% in a statewide primary? Rod Roberts is no match for a Tom Harkin. I’m a constitutional conservative but Bill Salier is not a good option.
I imagine King or Latham will not risk their seats so one person who could would be Brad Zahn especially if he won. Iowa is going to lose one representative anyway, his district could be eliminated, combined or made unfavorable.
CVN, there might be a Congressman(probably not the one you think) that very possibly might take a closer look at the job……..
Bill Salier is as dead politically as IFPC, he will get ZERO traction in a statewide campaign!!!
Commonsense, we will be losing a Congressional seat in 2012 so most likely either King or Latham will be looking for a job.
“commonsense”…
I find it funny you have that name because you display little of it.
David Barton is NO legal scholar by any mean, shape or form. He puts forth ridiculous notions that have no foundation in law or in the state or federal Constitution. Yet, he’s held up as some great constitutional and historical expert.
Hell, Barton’s even been caught RED HANDED and had to admit that he was making up completely fabricated quotes he attributed to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in trying to advance his positions.
He even has gone so far in his book the “The Myth of Separation” to state that only Christians should be the ones allowed to hold public office. That Jews, and those of other faiths shouldn’t be allowed to hold public office.
To hold this guy up as some sort of paragon of virtue, is a huge mistake in of itself.
Timmy..I agree with you that Salier is dead politically…but “commonsense”….Rod Roberts by no means is dead politically.
If anything, Roberts has done more for himself to prepare for a future political run than any other current potential candidate has. Roberts burned no bridges. He stayed above the fray, kept it classy and made it clear where he stood on the issues.
Look at the last thing Craig wrote in this article….if there is one thing that Republicans need to do a better job of–is to help create a bench of potential candidates for down the road.
Trust me..Iowa hasn’t seen the last of Rod Roberts..
YOU DO NEED A DEGREE!!! You bonehead! A degree gives you a foundation of knowledge. I am a Catholic and went to Catholic school my entire life. Do you know what a Catholic education does in terms of theology? It teaches you about the history of all religions, not just Catholicism. It’s this type of education that gave me the foundation to understand religion as a whole and led me to my devout faith in Catholicism. Because David Barton can skew and spew a stump speech similar to BVP, certainly doesn’t make him a scholar. Call me Dr. Scarface then, because I’m an expert who has done exhaustive research in medicine. I definitely think you should change your log in from commonsense to boneheadsense.
I’ve studied the founding fathers and I have a degree. I have just as much if not more knowledge and relevance than David Barton. I can find a bunch of bs groups to give me constitution awards. Those awards are not from Harvard, Yale, Brown or any other legitimate University.
Scarface you give a lot of generalities and no specifics. Why don’t you point to something David Barton states and give historical evidence that shows he is wrong? He gives plenty of quotes from those a lot closer to the forming of the constitution than modern progressive thought of the last 40 years.
Scarface you want to call me a bonehead above, I find it very condescending but you kind of prove my point by your statements. You inform me you were educated in CATHOLIC schools and that CATHOLIC education educated you in all religions/doctrines and from that unbiased CATHOLIC education you decided Catholicism is correct. My point exactly. Are you going to try and tell me Catholic schools gave an unbiased presentation of all denominations and you by random chance chose Catholicism? This is the same problem with progressive modern education.
CVN- can you provide a link or documentation of Barton caught “red handed” using fabricated quotes? I would be interested to see the link.
I agree Mr. Robinson. I think the real “winner” in the governor’s primary was Rob Roberts because he came out of nowhere to have a statewide name ID and almost universal admiration. I think its simply impossible to spend any length of time with the man and not like him.
From what I know of Linda Harrington, the last thing she would be is a tool of Branstad or any politician like him. I didn’t realize she was such a big Roberts fan, but her nomination seemed sincere and unprompted. I’m kind of disappointed he dropped out, I would have liked to vote for him as LG.
I’m not sure that BVP and his people really wanted Bob for LG. Based on some off the record conversations I had, it didn’t seem like there was any serious organized effort on Bob’s part to win the nomination which he might have if he made an effort. My gut feeling about BVP’s people is that they just wanted to get their say and they’ll come around by fall. They did for McCain and Branstad hasn’t even expressed support for abortion or called Christian leaders “agents of intolerance” the way McCain did.
Thanks to Mr. Robinson for a well-written article that captures the class and professionalism of Rod Roberts. In this age of American politics, Mr. Roberts stands out as someone who is not only grounded and well-qualified, but treats his “opponents” with respect and dignity. It was for that reason that I briefly registered as a Republican so I could vote for him. Not only because I genuinely felt he was the best-qualified conservative, but because of his character and integrity…the way he carried himself. Other politicians, current or aspiring, could learn much from his example. As always, I sign with name and town…
Brent (B.R.) Hoffman
Sioux City, IA
“common”sense…
Here’s Barton’s own admission that he made up quotes from people like Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Ben Franklin.
Barton tries to make up the excuse that the quotes were “consistent” with the Founding Fathers…yet he provides no evidence to back it up.
http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=126
CVN 76 thank you for the link but you are making a false statement in saying he admitted he made up quotes. Its states in the first book there were about 14 quotes out of 700 where the primary source could not be found or documented but rather they had third party reference or historical references to the ascribed quote. Of these 3 of the primary sources were located. But then he wrote the second book “Original Intent” where only documented primary sources were used, and this book had 1,400 quotes to back up what he wrote. He never admitted to making up quotes but used what he thought was an accepted academic standard, but later decided to use a higher standard from then on. Read under the footnotes, you great mischarachterized it.
Tell Bob to pay his staff!!!