Before the Thrilla In Las Vega last night, another debate was held in Sioux City, Iowa, between Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Patty Judge, his opponent for United States Senate. It was reported to be very civil, which was enhanced because Patty’s father had passed away the day before. Down in central Iowa, we haven’t had any ads for several weeks, and I have been wondering why. Although no one seems to think this race is in play, Grassley should at least be challenged by his insistence on supporting Trump and his malarkey about the fictional “Biden Rule” he and McConnell cooked up (or paid a word chef to create) to cover up — not doing his damn job.
Patty had some humorous ads up in September, and I had hoped she would be able to continue showing them, but they have not been playing when I’ve been watching — and I have seen plenty of Grassley’s drivel. It’s been so Iowa Nice I want to puke sometimes. But we should be hassling Grassley. When the Access Hollywood tape broke, I was hoping for some tweets or even ads asking if Grassley was going to come out of the hole he’s been hiding in (doing his “going to 99 counties” [read: hiding out in rural areas and staying away from the press] thing that he brags on and on and … about. Patty Judge posted a press release — but no ads, and not a word about it at the debate.
I don’t know the back story. It could be Patty’s father was in poor health and she justifiably focused on him. It could be that she doesn’t want to attack Grassley like that. She has had a great fundraising quarter. But the silence is just eerie and disappointing. I don’t get it. Maybe they have ads in the Sioux City and Eastern Iowa media markets. But here in the Des Moines media market, I haven’t seen anything since early September. Maybe I missed them (but Grassley is everywhere, and it’s freakin’ me out).
When I go out canvassing again this weekend, I will ask the crew at our county Democratic Headquarters if they know what’s going on. But right when we could at least put a dent in Grassley, and discourage his base, we need to do it. He is coasting way too comfortably for the evil he has engaged in our name — Iowans may like to be nice, but arrogance and naked thirst for power is not something we like very much.
The next debate is November 4, at 4 PM, on WHO radio and TV down here in Central Iowa (Grassley avoided a traditional statewide broadcast on Iowa Public Broadcasting earlier this month). I hope to see some ads or something. It is very strange to have such an opportunity slipping through our fingers.
"We have not had a functioning court for months. We will not have a functioning court for many more months. That is wrong. That is political games. Whether it's played by the Republicans or the Democrats, it is wrong, and it needs to stop," Judge said.
KCCI TV Web Site
10/19/2016
Amen to that, at least. Even if Patty Judge doesn’t want to aggressively use the Trump tapes scandal to tar Grassley, she needs to get her message out. We need to push hard on Grassley in any way we can.
KWQC-TV ran a news story on the debate. If anyone knows where a link to the whole debate can be found, please post in the comments. Patty, I hope you have some fight in you these next 20 days. We need you to hit harder.
We really need to perturb this Iowa Nice bubble around Grassley (and King, but that he is dug in like a tick and refuses any debates — typical). Iowa Nice be damned.
Patty Judge's Web Site