Culver Owes Taxpayers for Cost of Newsless Campaign Swing

The Republican Governors Association today called on embattled Iowa Governor Chet Culver to reimburse the taxpayers for the cost of his transparent attempt to revive dwindling public support through an alleged economic development tour that was entirely devoid of news value.  Culver repackaged infrastructure projects previously announced last August in visits to several localities, at a time when Iowa’s budget deficit approaches $1 billion, citizens remain concerned about joblessness and his approval rating continues to nosedive.  Culver’s office has yet to disclose the cost to taxpayers of his transparent campaign swing.

“No phony photo-op can change Chet Culver’s record as governor,” said Nick Ayers, Executive Director of the Republican Governors Association.  “He insults the intelligence of everyday Iowans when he embarks on motorcades around the stage staging no-news press conferences at the expense of taxpayers in an attempt to do nothing more than bolster his weak standing in the eyes of his constituents.  His campaign should pay back the taxpayers for the cost of this stunt right after he apologizes for wasting their money.”

As noted by WHO-TV in Des Moines, Culver spent time in several Iowa localities to promote state-funded infrastructure jobs he already detailed in August 2009.

“The governor made this same announcement back in August,” reported WHO’s Aaron Brilbeck, who asked Culver three times if there was any new information provided by the tour.

After failing to answer the clear question three times, a visibly angry and frustrated Culver abruptly ended the interview and hustled out of the building.  As the governor fled, the reporter followed, asking, “Again the question was, though, is this a waste of money?  At a time when the state should be saving money, is this a necessary trip?”

While Culver wasted taxpayer dollars on repeating announcements and annoying the media, the Iowa legislature continued to meet to grapple with the imposing deficit.  Meanwhile, more than a hundred thousand able Iowans suffered under the strain of unemployment.  According to the most recent data available, the unemployment rate in Iowa has risen by 56-percent since Culver took office. (Jan. 2007 to Dec. 2009).   The Iowa economy has shed 40,100 jobs since December 2008.

In the meantime, Iowans have grown increasingly frustrated with Culver’s performance in office.  Since hitting his highest approval rating of 59-percent in January 2008, Culver now enjoys the approval of only 36-percent of Iowans, his lowest rating yet.who-story-culver-021810,0,6000314.story