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Fifth District Endorsements

In the U.S. House district five Democratic primary race, Matt Campbell has done well at picking up labor endorsements.  There is one thing that stands out to me about this race's endorsements.  The only endorsements by politicians have gone to Mike Denklau.  Two highly regarded former politicians, Roger Wendt and Berkley Bedell, believe Denklau to be the best candidate to represent our district.  The only politician endorsements Campbell has are the ones he wants to fool you into thinking he has.  Throughout the campaign, a large portion of photos on Campbell's website and on his literature show him with either Vice President Joe Biden or U.S. Senator Tom Harkin.  These are misleading as neither politician has endorsed him.  This type of political maneuver which can be successful, but also dishonest reminds me of the 2002 Newark, NJ Mayoral race.  Incumbent Sharpe James sent out literature with him pictured with Bill Clinton to trick people into believing he had been endorsed.  This tactic helped James defeat challenger Cory Booker.  I am not fooled by Campbell's tactics.  I will be supporting Mike Denklau, the honest candidate, on June 8th.

Tags: Democrats, Endorsement, Fifth District, Matt Campbell, Mike Denklau

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Chris Harris

3 Comments

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  • I don't put lots of stock in endorsements

    Look how many establishment people from President Obama to Governor Rendell are backing Arlen Specter in the U.S. Senate primary in Pennsylvania instead of Joe Sestak, the better Democrat with a better chance to win in November.

    I would think that in a low-turnout primary election, support from labor unions would be more helpful than individual endorsements–which is not to take away from Roger Wendt or Berkley Bedell. I admire them both.

    desmoinesdem  Sun 16 May 8:19 PM

  • I agree

    I agree with your point about the labor endorsements being more important.  My point was that Campbell’s tactics of using pics of him with famous politicians are a bit dishonest.

    chris-harris  Tue 18 May 12:38 PM

  • Just saw this, I also support Mike Denklau.

    Having had the experience of meeting both men, I can tell you that your view of Mike Denklau as the more honest candidate is well said.  Not to say that Mr. Campbell is dishonest, but he is evasive when asked for direct answers to questions and when asked to have a meeting with local democrats and Mike Denklau, he was evasive and said he couldn’t make the date selected, even though no firm date had been arrived at.

    Mike Denklau on the other hand said to let him know what would work for Mr. Campbell and he would do his best to be there or to work with Matt to get a date that would work for both of them.  

    Needless to say, the meeting did not happen.  I have found Matt Campbell’s vision for Iowa’s 5th District to be somewhat narrow, as he talks about jobs,jobs, jobs on his website and in person, and has not been able or has been unwilling to answer questions about other issues in the area.

    These issues with Matt Campbell have made it easy for me to select Mike Denklau as the better candidate for the 4th District and to retire Steve King.

    nwia-granny  Wed 2 Jun 1:32 AM

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