A few days have passed since the vote for a new State Chairman by the Republican State Central Committee last Saturday.  By now most observers know that Matt Strawn was elected by a vote of 10 to 7.  I was honored to be a part of that process and of course disappointed with the results.  I really thought I had nine votes as the committee prepared to convene Saturday morning.  However, one person who had said he would vote for me changed his mind.  Another member of the committee voted for Matt without saying anything thus the 7 remaining votes.

While I am disappointed and I feel bad for the hundreds of supporters that worked on my behalf, I do believe things have a way of working out.  We cannot know the future and I still have faith in our system of government.  I know it is frustrating and inefficient.  People fuss and fight with one another.  But through it all our state and nation has survived. Our system of checks and balances seems to be effective in both party party politics as well as government.  Just the fact that we had significant competition for the chair position was a good thing.

I may have fallen short in my quest for State Party Chair but I am not ready to quit the fight for conservative values.  The next few weeks and months will allow some time for reflection as Joy and I consider the future.  I wish to thank everyone who contacted central committee members on my behalf.  I was truly humbled by the support I received.

Finally wish Chairman Strawn all the best as he takes over leadership of the party.

I was fortunate to get some video from the recent Republican Party of Iowa forum.  Below are my opening remarks.  Thanks to all who attended and to RPI for hosting the event.   -Danny

This ongoing tension within the party is perplexing because we all know that in order to advance any agenda we must be successful at the ballot box.  At the same time we understand that party members are usually motivated by closely held beliefs and philosophies that allow for very little compromise.  So what are we to do?  How can we be united when we are so divided?

This problem is not unique to the Republican Party.   Almost all organizations are made up of individuals and small groups that are passionate about their cause.  Those who are successful find a way to bring their members together as a team.

The answer I think has a lot to do with respect.  As a member of the House Republican Majority Caucus for twelve years I worked with dozens of fellow Republicans that did not share my views on abortion, marriage, family, taxes, spending, health care, gun control, gambling and the list goes on.  But we always knew that we had to come together in unity  in order for any of us to advance the causes we cared about.  We worked together whenever we could. When issues separated us we continued to show respect even if we were to be working and voting against each other.  We knew another day would come when we were together on a different issue.

Mutual respect comes from trust.  Trust comes from transparency, wisdom and consistency regardless of how often or how loud it is expressed.  Respected leadership will bring unity and unity will advance our conservative agenda, broad and inclusive as it may be.

Local taxpayers need to beware.

The latest suggestion to allow local governments to tax incomes in order to reduce the reliance on property taxes is troubling.  I say troubling because I do not believe there will be any “reduced reliance on property tax”.  Most likely the local taxpayer will continue to pay the same or higher property tax and an additional tax on income as well.

If the legislature wants to debate the idea of exchanging one tax for another so that the net impact on the taxpayer is neutral to positive then that is another matter.    The only way to protect against this result is to permanently remove from the Iowa Code a requirement for certain services to be paid for by the property tax.  Any proposal to allow local governments to tax income should at least be coupled with the removal of an equal or greater property tax requirement.  However, the nature of government is to only talk about reducing taxes and in the end the taxpayer finds out they end up paying more.

For the most part this discussion is not about reducing the reliance on any tax, it is about finding a way for government to take more out of the pocket of the taxpayer.

The new State Republican Party Chair must have a passion for and familiarity with current communication technology.  He or she must, however, not make the mistake of thinking that technology alone will win elections.  Ideas and people win elections.

Communication technology is a tool in the campaign tool chest.  To the extent a candidate can effectively communicate her/his message they will gain votes.  Republicans especially have a compelling message of conservative, traditional values.  The more people we can reach with our message and the better able we are to communicate that message the more victories we will see.

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I look forward to the forum to be held on Saturday December 27th.  I admire the effort the committee has made to allow for an open and fair process in the selection of the new Chair.

It will be challenge for the Republican Party of Iowa to overcome the adversity of recent years.  But we have been able to do so in the past and will again in the future.

I think it is important that the new chair bring County Chairs and the State Central Committee together in a more inclusive process.  There is too much work to be done just to leave key players out of the communication loop.  With email, conference calls and the like communication should not be a problem.  Travel to Des Moines is not always necessary.

For example many ask about the new Executive Director.  The State Chairman usually chooses the new director and informs the committee.  I think a sub-committee headed up by the State Chairman should receive resumes and letters of interest from applicants for the position and conduct interviews.  That sub-committee then would make a recommendation to the full central committee.  This would allow for a healthy process and hopefully result in someone who has a strong base of support from the central committee and Chairman as soon as they start the job.  Such a process will continue the practice of open and meaningful communication.

I have been thinking about the debate about the Republican Party’s balance between the conservatives and moderates.  Some say we need to broaden our message and focus and avoid being too conservative while others insist that Republicans need to move toward the middle.

I think the matter should be left up to the people.

That is a concept often forgotten in today’s focus on party leadership.  If someone wants to see a focus on conservative issues they should either run for office or encourage someone who shares their views to do so.  The people in a state or legislative district can then make their views known through the Primary Election process.  That is the essence of self-government.  If an elected official strays from the message they stood for prior to election the same people can certainly hold that person accountable in the next election cycle.

The same goes for the party platform.  If the Republican Party platform is not to your liking plan to attend the 2010 Republican Caucus, county, district and state conventions and let your voice be heard.  Our current platform was determined by the people in the past 2008 cycle.

Republican leaders should honor the choice of the people and help Republican candidates win in the General Election.  Those leaders can certainly advocate for certain platform issues just like any other citizen.  However, once the Primary is over it is time for all Republicans to come together and work for victory in the General Election.  County and state leaders should set an example.

Unfortunately, my opponent has leveled some unfair last minute attacks against my record.  I am proud of my voting record and want you to know the whole story.  Specifically, Eric Palmer has twisted my record on three issues: the economy, taxes and illegal immigration.  Here is just one example:

Myth: No change on taxes

Bill: HF 701( I voted “Aye”)

Fact: I voted for this bill because it gave income tax breaks to ALL Iowans.  Especially low income house holds.

My friends, “change” is being thrown around a lot these days.  Forget the political slogans, I’m excited for the chance to be your State Rep. so I can put more “change” back in your wallet.

Sincerely,

Danny

The first question last night asked the political candidates in attendance (State Representative Eric Palmer chose without explanation, not to attend) their views on local county control versus state control of CAFO’s.  I offered that counties did not have the staff and resources necessary to regulate such an industry.   Moreover they would have to look to the IDNR for consistent environmental protection guidelines which would essentially defer decisions back to the state.  State wide regulation and environmental protection, in my opinion is the only way to go.

I also observed that it is too bad the issue has become so polarized.  Iowans have in  the past and can in this situation come together and negotiate the location and sound management of livestock facilities.  Although I am not on the same page as many members of ICCI I found the discussion last night very respectful and productive.  If I am elected on November 4th I look forward to working with the ICCI folks in Poweshiek County and local livestock producers in fostering a positive relationship that serves both the needs of farmers and other rural residents.

 

Danny Carroll

 

Several candidates for state and local office participated in a forum last recently sponsored by the Oskaloosa Herald and KBOE radio in Oskaloosa.

Many of the questions dealt with jobs and the economy.  As a candidate for the Iowa House I am very concerned with the business environment in Iowa.  Many jobs are created by local well established businesses.  I visited one such company yesterday in Oskaloosa.  The President of that company told me that the legislature’s effort to undermine Iowa’s Right to Work law, that has been on the books since 1947, will drive jobs and investment out of the state.  This opinion is shared by the Wall Street Journal when it said lawmakers in Iowa could not chose a better way to discourage job creation, than to undermine the Right to Work law.

Representative Eric Palmer said “I have never voted to eliminate the Right to Work law.”  He is technically correct.  However, he did vote to force Iowans to pay union dues even if they do not want to join a union, which does the same thing. The net effect is to drive jobs from the state and say to businesses looking at Iowa to go elsewhere.  I disagree and if elected will work hard to protect the Right to Work in Iowa without being forced to pay union dues.

A citizen in attendance last evening asked Representative Palmer about the out-of-state donations to his campaign by homosexual activists.  Representative Palmer said he had no “litmus test” for donations to his campaign.  He will accept money from anyone who wants to donate.  That is a reasonable response.  It is fair to say, however, that the reason homosexual activists donate to Representative Palmer’s campaign is that he supports their agenda. He refused to support a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriage in Iowa.  In August 2007 a Polk County judge ruled Iowa’s law on marriage as unconstitutional.  The people should have the chance to vote on the matter and Representative Palmer would not allow that to happen.  I disagree.  If the district court says our law is unconstitutional then let the people vote on the matter.  Ours is a government by the people not by the judges.

The forum last evening was spirited exchange of ideas and philosophy that I hope will inform the voter in these last few weeks before the election.

Respectfully,

Danny Carroll, Candidate

Iowa House District 75