The three republicans running for governor quibbled with one another in a weekend debate, but there was none of that last night as the trio took every opportunity to hammer democrat Governor Tom Vilsack rather than one another. During last night’s debate in Waterloo, which was to focus on medical issues, the candidates instead mainly focused on Vilsack and the state’s sagging economy. Steve Sukup said Vilsack’s failed to follow through on his 1998 campaign promises. Sukup says Vilsack promised 100-million dollars in property tax relief, but hasn’t come through, and he says the governor promised a balanced budget. He says that hasn’t come true and we’re in a deficit. Doug Gross said Governor Vilsack’s policies have failed, the state’s economy is stagnant, and Vilsack’s to blame. Gross says only 25 zip codes in Iowa are growing, he says 40-percent more of our college graduates are leaving the state.Bob Vander Plaats says if elected, economic development will be his number one priority.Vander Plaats says as soon as Gateway computers became successful, it moved out of Iowa and expanded globally. Gateway, though, moved out of Iowa when Republican Terry Branstad was Governor. The three G-O-P candidates meet in a final debate this weekend in Davenport.
