After watching Thursday night’s Third District between Republican Zach Nunn and Democrat Cindy Axne, it is clear both candidates want to be the choice for moderate voters.
Nunn put forth a relatively moderate message throughout the debate. Axne attempted to do the same. But the reality is when voters examine the Third District race, they only need to consider one question:
Iowa has been under complete Republican control for the last six years. Washington D.C. has been under complete Democrat control for the last two years.
Does it seem like Iowa is doing better or the country as a whole?
This is a simple question. An easy question. Like the answer is going to spill out before the question is finished being asked kind of question.
Iowa is in a solid position on a myriad of issues. The country overall, well, there’s a reason most voters believe the country is trending the wrong direction.
I have said this before and I’ll say it again — and I don’t mean disrespect by it — but Zach Nunn is a pretty moderate Republican. When he ran for the State Senate, he did so with the support of One Iowa, an LGBTQ organization.
To be clear, One Iowa eventually rescinded its endorsement after Nunn voted in a way they did not like on a bill.
Regardless, One Iowa believed Nunn would “stand for the LGBTQ community and always do the right thing.”
“We firmly believed he was a moderating force on the far-right Senate Republican caucus,” the group said.
Nunn is a moderate Republican. But you have to give him credit, it isn’t like he hides it. And it doesn’t mean he doesn’t take the initiative on certain issues from the conservative position.
So don’t take it as criticism, just take it as information.
Axne, meanwhile, attempts to sell some sort of “aw shucks, if Biden supports one of my ideas great, if not, no big deal I’m going to do what is best for Iowa” product.
But that simply isn’t reality. Axne has voted for the Biden agenda 100 percent of the time. More than The Squad. Axne has been in Biden’s corner every step of the way while he has continued the work of fundamentally transforming America.
This race is one of many that may well decide control of the U.S. House — I happen to think regardless of who wins this race the GOP will control the House of Representatives after November’s elections.
But after watching the debate, it is difficult to imagine why someone would enthusiastically support Cindy Axne.
Nunn was able to highlight examples of his moderate, bipartisan approach whereas Axne could only discuss it in theory due to her voting record, which aligns with President Biden 100 percent.
Nunn connected with people’s pain while Axne had to pretend the last two years have yielded accomplishments that benefit Iowans.
Who is buying that?
Nobody is better today than they were a couple of years ago before Biden was President.
Nunn sidestepped a few questions, and he didn’t throw out much conservative red meat at all, but he knows the district he is running in and, if we’re being honest, is a good match for that district.
Axne’s in trouble. She knows it. She has nothing positive to sell.
Still waiting to hear if Nunn supports sending more money and weapons to Ukraine and risk engulfing the world in nuclear war. I won’t vote for any warmongers who continue to support this death and destruction.