Posted by
Jason on Thursday, March 13, 2008 3:24:36 PM
As bloggers in Iowa, we try to keep our finger on the pulse of state politics as well as the national scene. It is in that vein that we would like to encourage Bob Vander Plaats to run for Governor in 2010. It's not too early to get started!
Mr. Vander Plaats has been a high school business teacher, basketball coach, and principal. He has real solutions to bring to the Iowa education system which has been in decline over the last decade of Democrat rule, which has seen special interest groups given priority over our kids.
Though he has not held public office before, Mr. Vander Plaats has abundant experience as an executive, and not only as a principal. He has also served as President and CEO of Opportunities Unlimited, a non-profit health care organization that specializes in helping young adults with brain and spinal cord injuries, and he now runs his own successful consulting business. Bob served as state chairman on Mike Huckabee's Iowa campaign for president as well. It's no accident that the former Arkansas governor went from a virtual unknown to the winner of the first-in-the-nation Caucuses seemingly overnight.
In addition, I have met no more dedicated family man than Bob Vander Plaats. If you've not read his book, "Light From Lucas," you need to. It is a touching story of how Bob and his wife Darla loved and cared for their son Lucas, who was born with severe mental and physical disabilities. Bob's tremendous commitment to life has been proven time and again through the health care decisions he and his wife have made for their son, a life many might erroneously think to be less valuable than that of a "normal" child.
Finally, though we may not agree with the politics of Sen. Barack Obama, his candidacy has taught us an important lesson... Americans want change. In the last three gubernatorial races, Iowa Republicans have challenged Democrats with a lawyer, a lobbyist, and a career politician. We lost every time. Mr. Vander Plaats brings a fresh perspective, new ideas, and a record of success in the private sector that many Iowans can appreciate and respect.
We sure do, and that's why we're encouraging him to run for Governor of Iowa in 2010.