Too many people with an opinion blurt out the contents of their minds without ever having done a shred of research. Now is the time for fact, not fiction.
You hit on my biggest worry: Trump not being on the ballot. When he is eventually gone, will we also lose all those coalition voters who turned out just for him?
Things will normalize. POTUS elections are more stable for metrics. Off year and midterm stuff may continue to lag for a while. You’re already seeing it now and in the past 7 years.
About the special election in Western Iowa last week in heavy red/trump district where the Republicans lost the election and their super majority. I do not have personal inside knowledge about the election, I live in the eastern part of the state, but I follow the politics and internal dynamics as best I can. You are correct about the danger in special elections for the party in power, the difference in motivations. There is a sleepiness to the GOP in Iowa when they are in power but also conflicts and either stupidity on the part of the candidate or listening to the wrong advice. An oblivious candidate can kill enthusiasm for turnout.
The establishment such as they hold the purse strings might put requirements on the candidate to their detriment. The requirements / limitations might come from the money interests or the predilections of the Senate leadership. The CO2 pipeline issue and the matter of using eminent domain to foster it is of great concern among grassroots
Republicans. The platforms at the county district and state level, are explicitly or implicitly replete with planks that relate to protecting property rights from various assaults. The use of eminent domain for private gain is uniformly opposed in those platforms.
The CO2 pipeline is a private undertaking nevertheless a boondoggle on top of the boondoggle of using over half of the states corn crop for ethanol. In my provocative estimation, arguably a crime against humanity. Who knew ethanol production produces CO2 when we were sold the bill of goods that bio fuels would save the planet from global warming ironically which they attribute to anthropomorphic CO2. To say the least, ironies abound. The matter has occasionally relied on or threatens the use of eminent domain in order to obtain rights of way.
Opposing eminent domain for private gain is hornbook GOP stuff. A bill was passed overwhelmingly in the House to clarify and limit the use of eminent domain and especially as regards CO2 pipe transmission. The Senate passed it also, both with Democrat support. The Governor vetoed it for stupid reasons and the House quickly met and voted to override the veto. The Senate leadership refused to call its chamber into session to deal with the matter. Arguably the Senate leadership was in cahoots with the outgoing governor.
According to an observation by the editor of The Iowa Standard , A GOP oriented political publication of note the point was made that there is a disconnect between the grassroots and the Republican Party -- see https://mailchi.mp/theiowastandard/may-26-17470711?e=c661915cb5. Jacob Hall the editor of the publication went on to write:
"Is it possible that some voters were displeased with the Republican Governor’s veto of a private property rights bill to protect against eminent domain? It’s possible. Is it possible some voters were displeased with the Republican Senate’s unwillingness to override the Governor’s veto of the same bill? It’s possible. Is it possible some voters were displeased that nothing on the candidate’s website mentioned the eminent domain issue? It’s possible."
I believe that the protection of property rights is visceral in the grass roots of the party yet the candidate felt too shy to put the matter on his campaign web site and in the process deflated what could have been decisive support. It is a motivating issue especially for marginal Republicans. Now if the Democrat who won supported the House Bill that could have been sufficient to tip the vote.
The GOP senate leadership refused to schedule an override of the governors veto. That deflated grass roots turn out.
Excellent example. There’s really no vacation coming. Like you have said: Stand up and Do something!
The other side is determined and will NEVER willingly lay down.
It still would be nice if the Republicans took these special elections more seriously.
Trump needs to rally the troops in 2026. He isn't on the ballot but his MAGA agenda is. I suspect he understands the urgency of the situation.
You hit on my biggest worry: Trump not being on the ballot. When he is eventually gone, will we also lose all those coalition voters who turned out just for him?
Things will normalize. POTUS elections are more stable for metrics. Off year and midterm stuff may continue to lag for a while. You’re already seeing it now and in the past 7 years.
About the special election in Western Iowa last week in heavy red/trump district where the Republicans lost the election and their super majority. I do not have personal inside knowledge about the election, I live in the eastern part of the state, but I follow the politics and internal dynamics as best I can. You are correct about the danger in special elections for the party in power, the difference in motivations. There is a sleepiness to the GOP in Iowa when they are in power but also conflicts and either stupidity on the part of the candidate or listening to the wrong advice. An oblivious candidate can kill enthusiasm for turnout.
The establishment such as they hold the purse strings might put requirements on the candidate to their detriment. The requirements / limitations might come from the money interests or the predilections of the Senate leadership. The CO2 pipeline issue and the matter of using eminent domain to foster it is of great concern among grassroots
Republicans. The platforms at the county district and state level, are explicitly or implicitly replete with planks that relate to protecting property rights from various assaults. The use of eminent domain for private gain is uniformly opposed in those platforms.
The CO2 pipeline is a private undertaking nevertheless a boondoggle on top of the boondoggle of using over half of the states corn crop for ethanol. In my provocative estimation, arguably a crime against humanity. Who knew ethanol production produces CO2 when we were sold the bill of goods that bio fuels would save the planet from global warming ironically which they attribute to anthropomorphic CO2. To say the least, ironies abound. The matter has occasionally relied on or threatens the use of eminent domain in order to obtain rights of way.
Opposing eminent domain for private gain is hornbook GOP stuff. A bill was passed overwhelmingly in the House to clarify and limit the use of eminent domain and especially as regards CO2 pipe transmission. The Senate passed it also, both with Democrat support. The Governor vetoed it for stupid reasons and the House quickly met and voted to override the veto. The Senate leadership refused to call its chamber into session to deal with the matter. Arguably the Senate leadership was in cahoots with the outgoing governor.
According to an observation by the editor of The Iowa Standard , A GOP oriented political publication of note the point was made that there is a disconnect between the grassroots and the Republican Party -- see https://mailchi.mp/theiowastandard/may-26-17470711?e=c661915cb5. Jacob Hall the editor of the publication went on to write:
"Is it possible that some voters were displeased with the Republican Governor’s veto of a private property rights bill to protect against eminent domain? It’s possible. Is it possible some voters were displeased with the Republican Senate’s unwillingness to override the Governor’s veto of the same bill? It’s possible. Is it possible some voters were displeased that nothing on the candidate’s website mentioned the eminent domain issue? It’s possible."
I believe that the protection of property rights is visceral in the grass roots of the party yet the candidate felt too shy to put the matter on his campaign web site and in the process deflated what could have been decisive support. It is a motivating issue especially for marginal Republicans. Now if the Democrat who won supported the House Bill that could have been sufficient to tip the vote.
The GOP senate leadership refused to schedule an override of the governors veto. That deflated grass roots turn out.
Appreciate you explaining like this Seth. I was curious what happened there.this makes sense.