Bruce Braley will run for Harkin’s Senate seat

[exboyfil]

5. I am in his district

and I am thrilled that he is running. I was hoping he would contend for Grassley's seat, but the speculation is that Harkin has been grooming him for awhile.

He is pretty middle of the road on politics (being from Iowa you would think so). He has really not stepped out on any issue, but he has run several budget discussions in his district with the voters, and I do like his approach (putting the situation on the table and discussing what needs to happen).

I think he has a pretty good shot. We have had some shifting in Congressional districts and he has still been able to win. He has good exposure in the eastern half of the state. He is young (or looks young) and very personable. I have not been around too many politicians besides him (and that was only at a couple of meetings). I know my favorite local band, Checker and Bluetones, will be 100% behind him. I think he has pretty good union support. He sister-in-law is a teacher (taught both of my kids).

He needs to define himself better (pick some issues and push them). I have proposed removing the cap on Social Security as an equity argument, but he has not bitten. Education could be another area (one of my other interests). Science could be another area (especially if looney toon fundamentalist Steve King runs - one who has never heard of a pregnancy resulting from a rape fame).