The People's Business

DES MOINES – Gov. Tom Vilsack, to illustrate his deep concern about the inevitable end of farm commodity subsidies, recently showed reporters his socks.

Vilsack has not been swigging ethanol. It turns out his gubernatorial hosiery is made from corn fibers. And they’re among thousands of corn-based products he insists are vital to Iowa’s economy.

Corn, according to the governor, can be used to make everything from neckties to sporks. Vilsack wore corn running socks on his recent walk around Iowa and he couldn’t have been more comfortable.

The governor’s love for all things corn, soy and biotech could prompt him to schedule a series of other helpful press briefings. Here are some possible topics.

Oct 17 – A bushel of corn and a hot glue gun are all you need to make delightful holiday decorations that will “shock” and “amaize” friends and family.

Oct. 24 – Vilsack shows Iowans how to get biodiesel stains out of fine linens.

Oct. 31 – The governor reveals the secrets of the “South Tama Diet” and how you can shuck your way to rapid weight loss.

Nov. 7 – Pimp your E85 ride.

ENERGY SPIN I – With analysts predicting record high heating costs this winter, Gov. Vilsack is calling on Congress to fork over additional dollars for low-income energy assistance.

Vilsack deserves credit for taking Congress to task for shortchanging heating assistance. But while he’s been eagerly bashing a Republican-controlled Congress for its insensitivity, Vilsack has been less eager to promise state dollars.

The governor says it’s “premature” to talk about spending state money to augment inadequate federal funds. He talks instead of uncertain revenues, budget constraints and federal responsibilities.

But when anxious homeowners are lining up to buy wood stoves, maybe the governor should be saying something like this:

“As the governor of this state, I pledge that if things get bad this winter, state government will step in to help. I don’t know how we’ll do it. I don’t know how we’ll pay for it. But I promise we will do something because it’s important.”

Don’t you feel warmer already?

ENERGY SPIN II – U.S. Rep. Jim Nussle sounds like a governor when he’s talking about actual policy proposals. But he can’t resist falling back into Washington mode.

For instance, while detailing his own energy policy agenda, Nussle can’t resist making the repeated claim that Iowa currently has no state energy strategy. That claim must seem strange to Republican legislative leaders who worked throughout the 2001 legislative session to craft a massive, bipartisan electric industry restructuring bill. That work led to the construction of three power plants.

It’s also odd that, with no state energy strategy, Iowa became the nation’s leading ethanol producing state and the third-leading producer of wind power.

Instead, Nussle credits federal action for those success stories. However, he forgets to mention that Congress bickered for years before finally approving its own energy strategy just this past summer.

Nussle’s advisors might want to rethink this “congressman-riding-to-the-rescue” strategy. Voters may be skeptical.

CANDIDATE CARS – Gov. Vilsack is switching to an ethanol-burning E85 SUV for his official ride later this year. But the candidates seeking to take his job are cruising in less flashy vehicles.

Nussle campaigns in a Ford Explorer, according to his staff, and his GOP rival Bob Vander Plaats uses a 2005 Ford Freestar minivan. Among Democrats, Secretary of State Chet Culver plans to use an E85 SUV when he gets into the race. Former economic development director Mike Blouin uses a Mercury Grand Marquis to get around and Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge rides in a 2005 Chrysler 300.

Democrat Ed Fallon has a two-vehicle fleet – including a 1993 Ford Taurus with 200,000 miles and a 1998 Chevy minivan. Both have ample room for the cooler where his frugal campaign carries its meals, and hopefully its corn sporks.

Todd Dorman is Statehouse bureau chief for Lee Enterprises newspapers. He can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or at todd.dorman@lee.net.