In a long public career, I’ve had one good idea that happened in a big way. But I can quickly count 10 others that bombed. At least one should still happen.
The Conlin-Branstad dialog spurs a similar idea that could be possible on a more regionalized level. International war crimes investigator and former U.S. district attorney Steve Rapp told me back in December that when he and then-state legislator and now U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley were running for Congress in what was Northeast Iowa's Third Congressional District in the 1970s that they'd carpool to the same campaign appearances. They first opposed each other in 1974 and again in 1976. Each has had long and successful careers since. And they still only live about 20 miles apart. Rapp keeps a home on Waterloo and Grassley still farms by New Hartford. What a "reunion tour" that would be. An Iowa political science professor's dream. Might even be a great charity fundraiser. Rapp grew up in Cedar Falls, where Grassley received a degree from the University of Northern Iowa. I couldn't think of a better venue than UNI and admission revenues could go to the UNI Foundation, which is now mounting a major fund drive.
Two more great ideas you had that never came to fruition – the college fight songs that you and I wrote for both Briar Cliff and Cottey College. A shame that neither school took up our free offer of a good school song. Folks can find them on YouTube.
All of those are wonderful ideas, my friend, and even though many never came to fruition, if there was an Idea Hall of Fame, you would have been inducted a long time ago.
When I was in Boston during the extended Vietnam War, I always wanted to carry a poster in a protest parade, saying "Let's DeLaos," but I never got to do it.
The Conlin-Branstad dialog spurs a similar idea that could be possible on a more regionalized level. International war crimes investigator and former U.S. district attorney Steve Rapp told me back in December that when he and then-state legislator and now U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley were running for Congress in what was Northeast Iowa's Third Congressional District in the 1970s that they'd carpool to the same campaign appearances. They first opposed each other in 1974 and again in 1976. Each has had long and successful careers since. And they still only live about 20 miles apart. Rapp keeps a home on Waterloo and Grassley still farms by New Hartford. What a "reunion tour" that would be. An Iowa political science professor's dream. Might even be a great charity fundraiser. Rapp grew up in Cedar Falls, where Grassley received a degree from the University of Northern Iowa. I couldn't think of a better venue than UNI and admission revenues could go to the UNI Foundation, which is now mounting a major fund drive.
Keep them coming! You’re an Iowa Treasure House. A new governor could steal your ideas for their platform!
Maybe Chuck should be the next governor. He knows Iowa better than most and Gov. Offenburger just sounds right. Plus! he's got good ideas.
Do you think this state is ready for me as First Lady when Chuck is governor? They are definitely ready for him!
Maybe with a decent public relations campaign….I know someone!
We’d be lucky to have you!
I like the Cuban baseball idea!
me too
I love the idea of a conversation between Branstad and Conlin. You can do it, Chuck
Two more great ideas you had that never came to fruition – the college fight songs that you and I wrote for both Briar Cliff and Cottey College. A shame that neither school took up our free offer of a good school song. Folks can find them on YouTube.
The "idea de jour" must be massaged.
All of those are wonderful ideas, my friend, and even though many never came to fruition, if there was an Idea Hall of Fame, you would have been inducted a long time ago.
When I was in Boston during the extended Vietnam War, I always wanted to carry a poster in a protest parade, saying "Let's DeLaos," but I never got to do it.