If Democrats had a candidate, maybe

OK, so they don't look alike - Jim Nussle is polished, dashing even, Jim Lightfoot was too tall and all forehead - but political experts cannot help but draw the comparison between how Nussle is running his campaign for governor and how Lightfoot ran his. Nussle is taking an imperialistic position, we're told, waiting for his minions to kiss his ring. Years of experience in Washington have him seasoned and ready to return home to save us, experts have told us - both with and without eyes rolling. "If you don't think you're going to see 'Governor Nussle' signs you're drunk," a top Democratic strategist told us last week when we sat down to see how the candidates looked. Nussle is the early favorite, this individual pointed out. But what he does with the steam and a weak Democratic field is entirely up to him. And Nussle, along with everyone else, can expect a few interesting wrinkles. With 13 or so months to go, here is how it's shaking out:

Whether or not Nussle has the goods on Bob Vander Plaats or whether or not Vander Plaats will go after Nussle for his questionable personal life, Nussle is simply ignoring the greenhorn. Why? Because instead of fighting with Vander Plaats about who has the better reputation, Nussle is simply putting the way-right types like Marlys Popma, who Vander Plaats was counting on since he has no legislative support, on his staff. "With the pro-lifers and family values leaders on board, you can't really box Nussle into a corner on these issues. The people you'd expect to castrate him for leaving a wife and disabled child behind for another woman are now preaching about his strong values. That's just good politics. Nussle knows if you can't beat 'em, buy 'em."

More good news for Nussle, we're told, is that without a true Vilsack-type (each Democrat has a fatal flaw: Chet Culver, pro death penalty; Mike Blouin, pro-life; Patty Judge, shitty environmental record; Ed Fallon, pushed for Nader instead of Gore) who can appeal to all party folk, the Congressman will be able to sit back somewhat while the Democrats get more and more vicious with one another, spending valuable resources. "He will have lots of time to craft his message and meet the people in a calm manner, which appeals to Iowans. He'll also have them killed in raising money."

So what's the bad news for Nussle? According to our source, thinking you've got the thing in the bag is no way to run a campaign, and Nussle (who is hardly up to speed on state issues, but is being coached by Sen. Chuck Larson) is bullying his way around like he does. "Does he have Vander Plaats beat? I don't see how he couldn't. Does he have his Democratic opponent beat? History says no. We've got bad candidates, but we've learned a valuable lesson since last November." Democrats are finally going to be on the attack, our source said. "Republicans are smart. Democrats are stupid. Why? Because they go for the throat and we try to be idealists. I mean, John Kerry won three Purple Hearts and it became a liability." But not anymore. "Vander Plaats may not attack him, but we will. (Nussle) used to have these TV ads way back in the day that talked about how he cared more about his family than Congress. Those will be run. And if we think he can't be beat, we'll make sure it will be mutual assured destruction."

Phil Roeder started making moves to become the next Des Moines School Board president as soon as the results were in last election night. Administration supporters on the board see Roeder, who spent most of his career staffing various Democrats, as the only logical choice to keep things calm. "Their story is that Phil had to keep his head down this year while he learned the ropes and repaid Margaret Borgen for her support last year," said a leading Polk Democrat. "Tuesday shocked the Witherspoon gang. Now they are hoping Phil can build a bridge to the new union-supported members and keep Witherspoon from too much criticism at the board table." We are also told the new board members, former union president Jeanette Woods and Dick Murphy, are in an interesting spot. "Phil will try to put party pressure on them, but he will have to distance himself from Witherspoon in the process," said our pol. "If Phil distances himself too much, he damages Witherspoon. If he doesn't go far enough, Woods and Murphy are going to make every meeting a living hell for the next year. Either way, dangerous times lie ahead for the superintendent." One long-time board observer described Woods and Murphy as a nightmare for their fellow board members. "Woods and Murphy have an axe to grind and, unlike their colleagues, they don't harbor political ambitions beyond the board. They don't have to try to please anybody and can say whatever the hell they please. They are surprised to be sitting there as it is." Third-place finisher Virginia Strong may have out-raised and out-spent the other top four-finishers combined by the time all is accounted for. Even with all of that money, she barely edged out Jonathan Narcisse by fewer than 90 votes. "Her win is a blessing and a curse," said our board observer. "She does not have to play second fiddle to Margaret now, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out that her win was no mandate, and now she has to attend the school board brawl every other week." CV

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