Vice President Joe Biden is headlining a noon-time fundraiser in Des Moines for Congressman Leonard Boswell today, an event which was closed to the public.
About two hours earlier, Boswell’s Republican opponent attended a get-out-the-vote rally at Drake University. Brad Zaun of Urbandale told the gathering of 16 college students he needs their help on his campaign. “You’ll read the headlines that says: ‘Grassley’s up by 31 points’; that says: ‘Branstad’s up by 20 points’ — well, my race isn’t that way,” Zaun said. “As far as I can tell, our race right now is a dead even race and I need that extra push and I need you all to help me out.”
Zaun said Biden’s visit on Boswell’s behalf is proof the race is close, but Zaun said the vice president’s presence won’t have much of an impact. “I don’t think that the vice president’s policies and the current administration’s policies are in line with the people of the third district,” Zaun told reporters after his speech. “So, you know, I welcome (Biden) to Iowa, but I’m not too upset that he’s here, or not here, or whatever.”
Zaun, who is currently a state senator, suggested during his speech Boswell’s relying on negative ads to win the race. “Congressman Boswell’s nowhere to be found,” Zaun told the Drake students. “He’s relying 100 percent on these personal attacks on me and I think that’s unfortunate.”
According to Zaun, Republicans at the national level have decided not to buy ad time in Iowa’s third district to boost Zaun’s candidacy to counter those Boswell attack ads. “I guess they’re involved in 50 races and they’re looking at races that have a larger spread in regards to being down in regards to polling. I think it’s a kind of calculated risk that they’re doing. I don’t know why they’re doing that,” Zaun told reporters. “My game plan is simple. I’m just going to continue campaigning based on my resources.”
Zaun and Boswell are scheduled to make a joint appearance this Friday night on Iowa Public Television.
Listen to Zaun’s speech at Drake: BZDrake