Storm Lake Times Pilot: “Sand definitely is onto something”

Storm Lake Times Pilot: “Sand definitely is onto something”

“Rob Sand appears to be in tune with a wide swath of Iowans who aren’t happy with the way things are going.”

DES MOINES, IA – In a new column for the Storm Lake Times Pilot, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Art Cullen says that Rob Sand appears to be “onto something” in Iowa. Cullen writes that Rob’s message — bringing Iowans together, rejecting partisan division, and focusing on accountability and results — is resonating with people all across the state, and across the political spectrum. He points to packed town halls, independents and Republicans showing up to listen, and a growing desire for common sense and problem solving after years of one-party rule that has left Iowans worse off.

Read HERE or below for key quotes:

• Substantial crowds are showing up across the state to hear the state auditor — the only Democrat elected statewide — badmouth political parties and division.
• He preaches against the school voucher program, and wants stronger control of Medicaid. These issues attract nonpartisan or even inactive voters.
• At Mount Pleasant last week, about 40 registered to attend but 150 showed up. He packed the house earlier this year at Smokin’ Hereford in Storm Lake. He asks people to raise their hands if they’re Democrat, Republican or independents. The unaffiliated are a respectable showing.
• Sand asks everyone to sing America the Beautiful. He asks what would Jesus do. This introduction proves compelling even if hokey. He is the most popular state official. We are a corny lot.
• Iowa’s economy rots at the bottom of the barrel with Mississippi. Corn is losing money. Good jobs are harder to find. People are shocked by ballooning property taxes and no action in Des Moines. Our surface water is the most polluted in America.
• These issues cross party lines. People of all persuasions can agree that we need to work on them. Sand tells people that we can if we can rise above political partisanship. That was a big part of Barack Obama’s appeal in Iowa, and Tom Vilsack’s.
• It appears that Sand is onto something.

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