Grassley and Branstad Leads Are Big! Iowa Having a Political Change of Heart?

According to the Iowa Muscatine Journal, (back page of course) Iowa may be taking a sharp turn to the right in the upcoming elections. In a state that seemed dominated by democrats in the last election, new polls are showing that Iowa may be having a change of political heart. Are crossovers from Democrats and Independents making this happen? Some GOP candidates like Grassley and Branstad are leading big in the polls. In a hard fought battle in Iowas 2nd district, Miller-Meeks has polled anywhere from -9 to a dead heat with incumbent Dave Loebsack. Loebsack was seemingly untouchable.

The latest poll for the Des Moines Register indicates that 61% of likely voters favor Grassley while 30% want Conlin. You may have heard about Conlin's "empty seat" debate. Senator Grassley already had a commitment the night Conlin wanted to debate him. So, she sat an empty chair on the stage and called it a debate. The ploy did not seem to resonate with polled voters. Sen. Grassley has represented this state for very long time. And, even though some republicans may have wanted to see some "new" republican blood run against Conlin, they feel that Senator Grassley has proven himself time and again representing Iowa. There's really no doubt where Senator Grassley is coming from. He probably has more face to face contact with his constituents than any other Senator. Grassley has been doing town halls in all 99 Iowa counties each year long before it became fashionable.

When it comes to the race for Governor, it is becoming clear that Iowa is looking back to the years that Branstad was Governor and wanting to get back to that way of governing. The same Des Moines Register poll indicates that 52% of likely Iowa voters would back former Governor Branstad. Culver shows 33% of the voters wanting to retain him.

Republican candidates seem to be surging in Iowa this election cycle. Why? Spending the state into a red pit has not helped. When Iowans received their tax notices, a collective rumble could be heard. Home owners are feeling the pinch of higher taxes while Culver and the democrats come up with more ways to spend money.

Whether the Muscatine Journal wants it on page 1 or not, Iowa seems to be having a political change of heart. Branstad and Grassley may be the tip of the iceberg.