Anyone involved in Iowa politics knows Bruce Rastetter has been making an effort to become a player in Republican circles. The question remains, why and to what end?If “big pig” defeated Doug Gross in his gubernatorial bid, Rastetter could quite possibly face the same fate if his objective is seeking the state’s highest office. As a principal in Heartland Pork, Rastetter made more enemies than friends in those days.
Rastetter sold out of pigs to become a major player in the ethanol biz in the state. His early involvement made him a very rich man. His lifestyle and recent generous donations to candidates, causes, and beloved state treasures (ie: Iowa State Fair) reflect his new wealth.
Reviewing Rastetter’s largesse over the last few years is revealing.
Perhaps March 2007 was life-changing for Rastetter who seems to have left his financial support for Democrats behind him. Regardless, you can’t ignore his $25,000 contribution to Chet Culver.(The $500 to Harkin is a token and Rastetter’s no dummy. Harkin chairs the Senate Ag Committee which holds the fate of renewable fuels in its hands.) Would Iowa Republicans be able to forgive his $25,000 donation to Culver or even his $500 donation to Harkin?
The list of Iowa House candidates Rastetter gifted with $5000 late in the cycle this time reads like Rants’ pet project list. Is Rastetter actually Christopher Rants’ sugar daddy for his potential run for Governor?
Is Rastetter a politician or a Pomerantz? We shall wait and see.
12 comments:
CD
You guys get an "A" for effort but you may be reaching now. I would turn around and walk away from this one.
Thanks for playing.
I think this is much ado about nothing.
While I don’t like the 25k to Culver or the Contribution to Gronstal, it’s all about his business interest if you ask me. Plus he give way more to R’s than D’s
CD
Good call on giving a proctology exam to Iowa's biggest Republican donor.
Weak.
Way weak. What is your agenda here, CD? Try and piss off the GOP's largest donor? That's a great move. Not only are you way off base, you shouldn't trash people just because you don't want them to run for governor against your candidate.
How much has BVP given to the party?
...
That's what I thought.
CD
I went and put his name in to check the candidates he gave to for federal office.
Why were you so selective about who you said he supported?
Looks like he also dumped money into Jeff Lamberti, Stan Thompson, Bill Dix, Jim Nussle, Mitch McConnell, Nussle's PAC, Latham's PAC.
I wouldn’t say that CD is really much of a Vander Plaats fan site. Just 9 days ago they were mocking him for running for Governor again. That doesn’t exactly indicate support for a candidate. I would be curious to know who CD does support. He/they seem to have been pretty negative on every candidate so far.
tell your dad to shave his mustache
Annon 4:51
That's not what your mom said!
You guys are way off. I have known Mr. Rastetter for some time now and it is clear that you know nothing about him and how he feels about the future of the state of Iowa.
I can promise you this, Iowa is better of because of people like him and worse of for blogs like this that take shots and Iowans that want to make a difference in a good way.
Why not get to know the person rather than make half researched assumptions. Then you may really learn something.
If you call highlighting his donations to Democrats negative, than I'm truly sorry.
Rastetter is an asset to our party and may well make a great governor or something. I'm just curious to see what is next for him.
CD
You sure did highlight those donations to Democrats.
And also didn't disclose anywhere near all the money he gave to Republicans.
Weak.
Great guy- smart and intuitive- solid fiscal conservative who has done an enornous amount of good behind the scenes for the Iowa Republican Party.
Running for Governor may be a challenge for him though - name recognition and problems with the far right holier than thou crowd might derail such a bid- That would be a shame because he in many ways is just what the state needs- ag based small businessman that understands the economy and is not afraid to put his money into what he believes in
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