Really?

By Mari Radtke
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand spent a Friday night in Sanborn talking about what it is like being a State Auditor. Despite him being the only state-wide Democrat elected to office, he mostly left the Democrat vs. Republican rhetoric out of the evening. It was so refreshing.
But there was talk, quiet talk, about guff given to some of the organizers about hosting, or listening to, or something because a Democrat was coming. I don’t know exactly the nature of the push back or where it came from. Those who received that treatment, if it did happen, kept pretty mum about who and exactly what was said. Me being nosy, sent an email to the Republican Party of Iowa. But even the talk of such an action, I felt, required me to get a comment from someone with credibility to speak. Be it denial of any kind of discontent or full-throated support of anything else – even silence – I needed to ask.
I sent an email to Iowa GOP at 11:11am explaining the story was under construction at that very moment and time was very limited. I also introduced myself and explained about the Friday night event, the “blowback” to local organizers and asked if the Republican Party of Iowa wished to address a sitting Democratic State official being invited to and presenting in a very Republican part of the state. The response came in the 3 o’clock hour but wasn’t opened until after 6pm. Too late for inclusion. The response from Jade Cichy, Iowa GOP Spokeswoman was “Rob Sand is sticking to the liberal theater playbook—pre-screened questions, empty chairs, and plenty of camera angles. His so-called town halls aren’t about public service, they’re just a vanity tour. If there were an award for pretending to listen while promoting yourself, he’d already be polishing the trophy.”
The response wasn’t published until here, but it was shared with interested persons, including event organizers.
I hesitate to label her response, but I will say that it is ill-informed and wrong on the facts. This statement seems to want to describe, in as disparaging terms as possible, any Rob Sand or Democratic event. I do not understand how that kind of communication supports the America people, the people of Iowa or the values of either.
Apparently, Ms. Cichy has received some blowback herself for that reply, as I have since received another email from her claiming to be a “target” of an event organizer.
I’m a lifelong Independent with occasional registrations to vote in a primary. It is my long held belief that political parties are a core problem with governing in The United States. At least right now.
The response from the Iowa GOP Spokeswoman supports the nasty nature of politics and highlights an “us verses them” message that I find harmful to this nation overall. In light of this attitude toward “other” it is no mystery why people of this nation cannot (will not?) intelligently and respectfully discuss and debate the issues leading to a choice of policy and leaders. It is one method of learning. By using a strategy of division voters remain distracted, overwhelmed and not really informed of the facts.
Congratulations to the Gaza, IA Patriots for doing what they can to change that.