West Liberty Dem Gubernatorial forum 1-30-2018

LULAC and the Rotary club sponsored a joint appearance by 5 of the 7 Iowa Democratic governor candidates plus a surrogate for Nate Boulton. That means Cathy Glasson, Dr. Andy McGuire, Jon Neiderbacher, John Norris and Ross Wilburn were in attendance.

Candidates Boulton and Hubbell chose to attend the Renewable Fuels forum instead.

The forum had an interesting format. There were 4 rounds of question and in each round the candidates were given one of 3 questions to answer concerning that rounds topics. Topics were environment especially water quality, civil rights, education and Iowa fiscal matters like TIFs and taxes.

So in each round as many as 3 candidates may answer the same question but every question would be asked. SO even though all candidates did not answer the same question they were in the same area. Since the candidate had no idea what the exact question was they were going to answer, they couldn't exactly prepare. A different format, but it sure tested a candidates knowledge of a subject and ability to respond.

May I say all candidates were well prepared and answered to the questions, were succinct and knowledgeable. Mr. Boulton's surrogate sadly gave it his best, but let's simply say he wasn't Mr. Boulton.

I will not go into depth on the answers. I will give some overall impressions:

!) we got an excellent group of candidates, folks. Each and every one is prepared. I have met Mr. Boulton and Mr. Hubbell on previous occasions, so I do have some basis for comparison with the others.

2) So the question was to me last night is there one or two who stood out?

3) I went into the forum with a ranking of 1 and 1A as Hubbell and Boulton in no particular order, perhaps because they have had the most publicity. My third choice was Cathy Glasson due to her labor background and support. Note that Boulton also has deep labor support.

4) Well, the forum last. night in my opinion had one clear leader and one just a step behind. Surprising even to me, John Norris knocked my socks off. Even I was surprised, but by round three I was most eager to hear him answer the questions. Obviously he has experience and almost came across as you could imagine a governor would.

5) A small step behind was Dr. McGuire. She is smooth and confident and quite knowledgeable. For some I spoke with afterwards she definitely has baggage from her stint as Dem Party chair.

6) Cathy Glasson did a good job. Can't put my finger on why, the other two seemed better.

7) Neiderbacher and Wilburn were both knowledgeable and confident, but seemed more as if this were a meeting rather than a chance to excite some followers.

I am so hoping there is another forum like this. For one thing, the candidates themselves need the exposure.

The CR Gazette covered the story here: http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/democratic-iowa-gubernatorial-candidates-back-school-funding-diversity-in-forum-20180130

I would dispute their crowd estimate which I guessed at 200. Good turnout in a small town on a weekday night shows that Iowans are hungry for REAL leadership.