Iowa Public Television

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THIS IS THE SUNDAY, JULY 15 EDITION OF "IOWA PRESS." HERE IS DEAN BORG.

Borg: JUST IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING, 324 DAYS REMAIN UNTIL THE STATE-PARTY PRIMARY ELECTIONS OF JUNE 4, 2002; 478 DAYS UNTIL THE GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 5, 2002. THERE ARE TWO ANNOUNCED CANDIDATES SEEKING THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR, AND THEY SEE THOSE DATES NOT AS FAR-OFF NUMBERS ON A DISTANT CALENDAR BUT AS TARGET DATES FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THEY DO NOWADAYS. AND THEY SEE, TO THAT END, AN EARLY START AS AN ADVANTAGE. THOSE TWO CANDIDATES ARE OUR GUESTS TODAY. STATE REPRESENTATIVE STEVE SUKUP OF DOUGHERTY AND BOB VANDER PLAATS OF SIOUX CITY, BOTH OF WHOM WANT THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR. GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO "IOWA PRESS."

IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU.

Borg: AND ACROSS THE TABLE, DAVID YEPSEN OF "THE DES MOINES REGISTER" AND MIKE GLOVER OF "THE ASSOCIATED PRESS."

Glover: MR. SUKUP, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT VOTERS DO IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS IS PICK A CANDIDATE THEY FEEL CAN BEAT THE OTHER SIDE. GIVE US A ROAD MAP FOR YOU DEFEATING TOM VILSACK.

Sukup: I THINK IT FIRST STARTS OUT WHY I WANT TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR. I THINK IOWANS WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GROW IOWA AND NOT, INSTEAD, GROW GOVERNMENT. AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO FOCUS ON. IOWANS ARE VERY POSITIVE ABOUT OUR FUTURE. THEY LOOK BACK THE PAST THREE YEARS WITH GOVERNOR VILSACK. WE STARTED WITH $400 MILLION IN THE BANK. NOW THEY SEE THAT THAT'S GONE, AND THEY WONDER WHY. WHAT THEY'VE SEEN IS THAT GOVERNMENT HAS GROWN. INSTEAD, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IOWA GROWS. AND WE DO THAT... WE GROW IOWA BY CUTTING TAXES; WE GROW IOWA BY KEEPING YOUNG PEOPLE HERE AND PROVIDING JOBS FOR THEM OR, HOPEFULLY, SOME OF THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE WILL COME BACK TO IOWA WHEN WE HAVE GOOD JOBS FOR THEM; AND ALSO PROVIDE AN EXCELLENT EDUCATION SYSTEM BY PROVIDING GOOD SCHOOLS, HAVE OUR STUDENTS READY, HAVE THE TOOLS SO THAT THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

Glover: MR. VANDER PLAATS, SAME QUESTION. HOW DO YOU BEAT TOM VILSACK?

Vander Plaats: WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT REPRESENTATIVE SUKUP JUST SAID, BUT I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WHEN WE'RE IN THE LOCKER ROOM HERE AS REPUBLICANS, LET'S FIGURE OUT WHO'S THE CANDIDATE THAT CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN NOVEMBER 2002. AND I THINK REPUBLICANS NEED A CANDIDATE WITH A TRACK RECORD OF BUSINESS, WHICH I HAVE; A TRACK RECORD OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION, AS A TEACHER AND A COACH AND A HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPLE; A TRACK RECORD OF COMPASSION IN THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INDUSTRY; AND TO BE QUITE HONEST WITH YOU, WITHOUT A LEGISLATIVE RECORD BECAUSE, IF WE RESEARCH HOW CANDIDATES HAVE WON THE GOVERNORSHIP OVER INCUMBENT GOVERNORS, TYPICALLY YOU HAVE TO BE FRESH AND YOU HAVE TO BE OUT OF THE BOX AND YOU HAVE TO COME FROM THE OUTSIDE. SO THAT'S HOW WE'RE GOING TO WIN THIS ELECTION.

Glover: LET'S LOOK AT HISTORY FOR A SECOND. WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THAT VOTERS ARE GOING TO REVERSE THEIR TREND OF REELECTING THE HIRED HELP? BOB RAY WAS GOVERNOR FOR FOURTEEN YEARS. TERRY BRANSTAD WAS GOVERNOR FOR SIXTEEN YEARS. WHAT MAKES YOU THINK IOWANS ARE GOING TO START FIRING GOVERNORS?

Vander Plaats: WELL, WHAT I THINK IS IF THE TREND LINES WERE DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT, IF THE INCLINE WAS ON A CONSTANT INCREASE AND EVERYTHING WAS LOOKING GOOD FOR THE STATE OF IOWA, I THINK THE STATE OF IOWA WOULD SAY, YEAH, WE NEED TO KEEP WHAT'S IN PLACE HERE. I THINK THE TREND LINES AREN'T THERE, AND I THINK IOWANS ARE INTERESTED IN REAL LEADERSHIP, LEADERSHIP THAT'S FOCUSING ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, LEADERSHIP THAT WANTS TO RAISE THE BAR IN EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP THAT IS ABOUT LEADERSHIP AND ABOUT BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER HERE.

Yepsen: MR. SUKUP?

Sukup: WELL, IOWANS ARE GOING TO LOOK FOR SOMEBODY WITH EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IN THE SYSTEM. I'VE SPENT TWENTY-TWO YEARS IN BUSINESS, PRACTICING IT ON A DAILY BASIS UP IN SHEFFIELD, MAKING GRAIN DRYING EQUIPMENT. I WANT TO TAKE THAT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE OF MANAGING BUSINESS -- AND THEN I TOOK THAT SEVEN YEARS AGO AND WENT DOWN TO THE LEGISLATURE. AT THE STATE GOVERNMENT, WE'VE GOT A $5-BILLION BUSINESS GOING ON, AND IT'S WORKING WITH YOUR TAX DOLLARS. AND WE EXPECT TO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT CAN MANAGE IT AND BE EFFICIENT WITH IT. BOB MENTIONS ABOUT A LEGISLATOR -- FOR THE PAST TWENTY YEARS, OUR GOVERNORS HAVE BEEN FORMER LEGISLATORS. I PUT MY NAME ON THE BALLOT AND HAVE BEEN WINNING ELECTIONS. I'VE PROVEN THAT I CAN WIN ELECTIONS THE PAST FIVE, BEEN IN BUSINESS THE PAST TWENTY-TWO YEARS. THEN COMBINE THAT WITH KNOWING STATE GOVERNMENT, THEY WANT TO HAVE SOMEBODY NOT ONLY THAT CAN WIN THE ELECTION BUT ALSO THAT, ON DAY ONE OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, CAN HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, AND I CAN PROVIDE THAT.

Yepsen: MR. SUKUP, PRIMARIES ARE ABOUT PICKING CANDIDATES AND PICKING HORSES. REPUBLICANS HAVE TO PICK A CANDIDATE HERE. WHY ARE YOU THE BEST REPUBLICAN TO RUN? WHY ARE YOU THE REPUBLICAN WHO CAN WIN? WHY YOU OVER HIM?

Sukup: FIRST OF ALL, I HAVE WON FIVE ELECTIONS. I PUT MY NAME ON THE BALLOT. I'VE BEEN OUT THERE CAMPAIGNING, DOOR KNOCKING, DOING PARADES, SITTING DOWN IN THE COFFEE SHOPS, LISTENING TO IOWANS, AND THEN ACTING ON IT. I TOOK THAT DOWN TO THE LEGISLATURE, AND IN THOSE SEVEN YEARS MY PEERS ELECTED ME AS SPEAKER PRO TEM OF THE IOWA HOUSE, PART OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM IN THAT GROUP, AND THEY RESPECT MY HARD WORK. IN FACT, OVER HALF THE REPUBLICANS ARE SUPPORTING MY BID OF THE LEGISLATORS FOR GOVERNOR. AND THEY'RE NOT DOING THAT LIGHTLY BECAUSE THEIR NAMES ARE ON THE BALLOT, TOO; THEY WANT A STRONG CANDIDATE THAT THEY KNOW WILL WORK HARD AND BE ABLE TO WIN THE ELECTION. SO THEY'VE JOINED ON TO MY TEAM AND ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT. YOU TAKE THAT GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE AND PUT IT WITH TWENTY-TWO YEARS IN BUSINESS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE COMING FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO TAKE THAT MANAGEMENT SKILL TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

Yepsen: MR. VANDER PLAATS, SAME QUESTION TO YOU. WHY YOU OVER SUKUP? HELP THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTER OUT A LITTLE BIT.

Vander Plaats: WELL, I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO, AGAIN, IS FIGURE OUT HOW ARE WE GOING TO WIN THIS THING. WHO IS GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL HERE? THAT'S REALLY THE ESSENCE OF YOUR QUESTION. I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS BE SMART ENOUGH AND SAY, YOU KNOW, WE HAVEN'T WON IN A WHILE. THIS PAST ELECTION, THE GENERAL ELECTION WITH BUSH, THE REPORTERS WERE CALLING US A DEMOCRAT STATE. I THINK WHAT THE IOWA VOTERS ARE SAYING IS THAT THEY WANT SOMEBODY WHO CAN LEAD, WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED ABILITY AND CAPABILITY AND EXPERIENCE IN EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP. I HAVE MORE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE THAN ANY CANDIDATE, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF, IN REGARDS TO HOW TO LEAD THIS THING. THE STATE GOVERNMENT COULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A STATE'S LARGEST NOT-FOR-PROFIT. I HAPPEN TO HAVE EXPERIENCE IN LEADING A LARGE NOT-FOR-PROFIT. THE KEY ISSUES OF GOVERNMENT ARE BUSINESS, EDUCATION, AND THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THE THREE LEGS THAT HOLD UP THAT STOOL. THOSE ARE ALL TRACK RECORDS OF EXCELLENCE, AND THAT WILL GIVE A DIFFERENT KIND OF REPUBLICAN TO SAY THAT WE CAN WIN THIS THING IN NOVEMBER OF 2002.

Borg: MR. VANDER PLAATS, AS I INTRODUCED YOU, I EMPHASIZED THE TWO ANNOUNCED CANDIDATES FROM THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION. HOW DO YOU REGARD THE POSSIBLE CANDIDACY OF DAN GABLE, OF WRESTLING LEGEND?

Vander Plaats: WELL, I THINK THAT'S A DECISION THAT DAN GABLE REALLY NEEDS TO COME TO GRIPS WITH. THAT'S A BIG DECISION, AS STEVE AND I BOTH KNOW. YOU GO THROUGH SOME PAINSTAKING DETAILS. I THINK WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH THAT DECISION, I NEED TO DECIDE DO I HAVE A PASSION FOR THIS. AND I DECIDED, YES, I HAVE A PASSION; I HAVE A FIRE FOR LEADERSHIP FOR THIS STATE. DO I HAVE A VISION WHERE I WANT TO BRING THIS STATE? YES, I HAVE A VISION WHERE I WANT TO BRING THIS STATE. DO I HAVE A FIRM GRASP ON THE ISSUES? YES, I HAVE A FIRM GRASP ON THE ISSUES. CAN I MOTIVATE AND INSPIRE ALL IOWANS AND SAY LET'S DO WHAT'S RIGHT BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO? SO I THINK THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT DAN GABLE NEEDS TO COME TO GRIPS WITH, BUT THE IOWA VOTERS, WHETHER DAN GETS IN OR NOT, SUFFICE IT TO SAY THAT I'M IN.

Borg: MR. SUKUP, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR DAN GABLE?

Sukup: I THINK HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK. YOU MENTIONED YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE PASSION, THE DESIRE, AND YOU HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHETHER YOU CAN BRING THE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE TO THE OFFICE. I THINK AS REPUBLICANS, WE SHOULD WELCOME HIM INTO THE PARTY. I THINK HE BRINGS IN A SEGMENT THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR. AS WE WANT TO TAKE BACK THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, I THINK DAN GABLE DOES BRING AN ACTIVE PART OF INDIVIDUALS THAT AREN'T SATISFIED WITH OUR CURRENT GOVERNOR, THE DIRECTION WE'RE GOING HERE IN IOWA. AND I THINK HE CAN PLAY A MAJOR PART IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

Glover: DO YOU REGARD HIM AS A SERIOUS CANDIDATE? HE WAS A DEMOCRAT UP UNTIL A WEEK BEFORE HE DECIDED TO START RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

Sukup: OH, HE'S A SERIOUS CANDIDATE. HE HAS GREAT NAME ID. WE ARE LOOKING AT A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY. AND IN A PRIMARY, THOSE VOTERS FOCUS ON ISSUES AND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND YOUR BACKGROUND, AND THEY'RE GOING TO WEIGH EACH CANDIDATE AND SAY, "WHAT DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE?"

Glover: DO YOU THINK HE HAS THE QUALIFICATIONS?

Sukup: OH, I THINK HE HAS THE QUALIFICATIONS. IT'S AN OPEN PROCESS AND THE PRIMARY VOTER GETS TO DECIDE.

Glover: MR. VANDER PLAATS, DO YOU THINK HE HAS THE QUALIFICATIONS?

Vander Plaats: WELL, DAN HAS DEFINITELY SHOWED THAT HE'S AN ACCOMPLISHED PERSON AS A WRESTLER AND AS A WRESTLING COACH. I THINK WHAT THE STATE OF IOWA NEEDS TO DECIDE IS DOES THAT TRANSFER INTO EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP. CAN THAT BE LEADERSHIP IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHICH IS CRUCIAL FOR OUR STATE? DOES THAT TRANSFER INTO EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP INTO EDUCATION, WHICH WE KNOW IS CRUCIAL FOR OUR STATE, AS WELL AS TO MOTIVATE AND INSPIRE? WHERE DAN GABLE IS REALLY SUCCESSFUL IS HE HAD A TREMENDOUS KNOWLEDGE BASE ABOUT THE SPORT OF WRESTLING AND HE WAS ABLE TO MOTIVATE AND INSPIRE YOUNG MEN TO ACHIEVE BIG-TIME RESULTS BECAUSE HE COULD TRANSFER THAT KNOWLEDGE BASE. NOW, THE QUESTION IS DOES THE KNOWLEDGE BASE EXIST IN STATE GOVERNMENT.

Glover: AND YOUR ANSWER IS?

Vander Plaats: THAT, I DON'T KNOW.

Glover: LET'S LOOK AT NEXT YEAR. CONVENTIONAL WISDOM SAYS THAT NEXT YEAR IS THE MID-TERM ELECTION; THE FIRST TERM OF A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT. IT OUGHT TO BE A PRETTY GOOD YEAR FOR DEMOCRATS. MR. VANDER PLAATS, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT NEXT YEAR? WHAT KIND OF A YEAR IS IT?

Vander Plaats: I THINK NEXT YEAR THE IOWA VOTERS ARE GOING TO SAY, "I WANT LEADERSHIP. I WANT SOMEBODY WHO CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND SAY 'I'M WILLING TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR IOWA BECAUSE IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO." THE TREND LINES ARE NOT IN OUR DIRECTION, ARE NOT IN OUR FAVOR. WE NEED SOMEBODY TO STEP OUT IN FRONT, SOMEBODY TO SAY: "THIS ISN'T PART OF A POLITICAL AGENDA; THIS ISN'T PART OF A POLITICAL RESUME; THIS IS PART OF REAL LEADERSHIP WITH REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE." THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE IOWA VOTERS ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR. I THINK OUR IOWA VOTERS ARE THREADED WITH A HUGE THREAD OF COMMON SENSE, AND THEY'RE NOT REALLY ALL THAT CONCERNED ABOUT, OKAY, WHO HOLDS THE WHITE HOUSE, WHO HOLDS THIS, WHO IS GOING TO DO THE BEST JOB FOR OUR STATE.

Glover: MR. SUKUP, GIVE US YOUR HANDICAP ON NEXT YEAR.

Sukup: WELL, FOR THE INCUMBENTS IN THE RACE, I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE MORE OF A DIFFICULT SITUATION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND THE STATE LEVEL. WE HAVE SENATOR TOM HARKIN UP. I THINK THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT SENATE RACE IS GOING TO BE VERY COMPETITIVE. GOVERNOR VILSACK IS GOING TO HAVE TO DEFEND HIS RECORD OF WHAT HAS HE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS. WHAT DID HE RUN ON? HE RAN ON PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, A HUNDRED MILLION, OF A GROWING IOWA, AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. SO IOWANS ARE GOING TO SAY, "HOW DO WE GROW IOWA," AND IT'S NOT BY GROWING GOVERNMENT AS WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS WITH GOVERNOR VILSACK.

Yepsen: MR. SUKUP, LET'S TURN TO SOME OF THE ISSUES IN THIS CAMPAIGN. THE BUDGET... WHAT WOULD YOU DO ABOUT THE STATE'S BUDGET PROBLEMS IF YOU WERE GOVERNOR?

Sukup: WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET. TWO OUT OF THE FIRST THREE BUDGETS THAT GOVERNOR VILSACK HAS BROUGHT TO US, THE STATE AUDITORS HAD SERIOUS QUESTIONS. IN FACT, THEY THOUGHT THEY WERE POSSIBLY ILLEGAL IF WE PASSED THEM. WE'RE NOT GOING TO GO INTO OUR ECONOMIC EMERGENCY FUND. WE'RE NOT DECLARING AN EMERGENCY JUST BECAUSE REVENUE STAYED ABOUT THE SAME THIS YEAR. WE HAVE HAD A SPENDING PROBLEM IN THE PAST THREE YEARS WITH GOVERNOR VILSACK, INSTEAD OF A REVENUE PROBLEM. WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE THE ROAD-USE TAX FUNDS ALONE. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE DEDICATED. ONE OF THE IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDING AN INFRASTRUCTURE, AND GOOD ROADS ARE PART OF THAT. WE'RE NOT GOING TO DIP INTO THAT FUND. AND CERTAINLY, I WOULD NOT MOVE GAMING REVENUES OVER INTO THE GENERAL FUND. THAT JUST MAKES US MORE RELIANT UPON IT. WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH THE DOLLARS THAT ARE COMING INTO THIS STATE, LIVE WITH THE 99 PERCENT. OVER IN DUBUQUE, I WALKED INTO TO A RESTAURANT IN DOUGHERTY, SO I FELT AT HOME OVER THERE, DOUGHERTY HOMETOWN, BUT DOUGHERTY'S RESTAURANT. ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS SAID, "WHAT DOES OUR GOVERNOR NOT UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE 99-PERCENT SPENDING LIMITATION?" THEY EXPECT OUR GOVERNOR, FIRST OF ALL, BASE LINE, TO HAVE A GOOD, SOLID BUDGET PRACTICE.

Yepsen: MR. VANDER PLAATS, SAME QUESTION.

Vander Plaats: WELL, EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES, AND THESE ARE RESOURCES THAT THE PEOPLE ENTRUST TO YOU THROUGH THEIR TAXES. AND I THINK AS AN EXECUTIVE LEADER, YOUR FIRST AND PRIMARY FOCUS IS ON WHAT IS THE MISSION OF STATE GOVERNMENT. YOU KEEP YOUR DEPARTMENT HEADS ON THE MISSION AND THEN YOU ASSESS, "ARE WE GETTING THE BANG FOR THE BUCK? DO WE ASSESS EVERY LEVERAGE DOLLAR? IS THERE A NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS?" BUT THE FIRST THING IS WE NEED TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, BUT IF WE TAKE OUR EYES OFF THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS ON HOW TO OPERATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WE COMPROMISE THE MISSION OF TAXPAYERS WHO SAY, "I NEED LOWER TAXES IN ORDER TO COMPETE HERE." WE COMPROMISE THE MISSION OF EDUCATORS WHO SAY, "I WANT A BETTER SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR THE TEACHERS AND FOR THE KIDS." WE COMPROMISED THE MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND PEOPLE IN SPECIAL NEEDS, SO WE NEED TO HAVE PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF THOSE RESOURCES THAT COMES IN THE FORM OF BALANCED BUDGET BUT ALSO COMES IN HOW DO YOU LOOK AT THE WAY THINGS ARE CURRENTLY BEING DONE AND IS THERE A WAY TO DO THINGS BETTER, AND THAT'S LEADERSHIP.

Glover: MR. SUKUP, LET'S USE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO IOWA VOTERS AND GO THROUGH SOME BASIC ISSUES. ABORTION RIGHTS, WHAT'S YOUR POSITION?

Sukup: I'M PRO-LIFE. I'VE SUPPORTED PRO-LIFE ISSUES.

Glover: SHOULD A WOMAN BE ALLOWED TO HAVE AN ABORTION UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES?

Sukup: I SUPPORT PRO-LIFE. I WOULD VOTE TO BAN ABORTIONS. I HAVE HAD FOR THE CASE OF RAPE, INCEST, AND THE LIFE-THE-MOTHER EXCEPTION.

Glover: OKAY. MR. VANDER PLAATS?

Vander Plaats: STEVE AND I WILL AGREE ON THIS ISSUE. I'M PRO-LIFE AS WELL.

Glover: RAPE, INCEST, LIFE-OF-THE-MOTHER EXCEPTION?

Vander Plaats: YOU KNOW, I'LL BE PRO-LIFE AND WITH THE SANCTITY OF LIFE ON THIS ISSUE. DARLA AND I HAVE HAD TO FACE THIS ISSUE PERSONALLY WITH ONE OF OUR CHILDREN, LUCAS, AND WE CHOSE LIFE. EVEN THOUGH LUCAS HAS SOME SEVERE DISABILITIES AND SEVERE HANDICAPS, I AM PRO-LIFE IN AN AUTHENTIC WAY.

Glover: SO NO EXCEPTIONS?

Vander Plaats: I WILL VOTE PRO-LIFE.

Yepsen: MR. VANDER PLAATS, GAY RIGHTS. SOME GAYS AND LESBIANS IN IOWA BELIEVE THAT GAYS -- THAT THEY NEED SPECIAL PROTECTIONS INSIDE THE STATE'S CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS. DO YOU FAVOR OR OPPOSE SUCH A MOVE?

Vander Plaats: WELL, I THINK WITH THE GAY-RIGHT ISSUE AND THE GAY-RIGHT MOVEMENT IS PART OF BEING IN AMERICA, AS WITH OUR 14TH AMENDMENT, IS THAT WE DON'T DISCRIMINATE. WE DON'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANYBODY.

Yepsen: SO SHOULD GAYS AND LESBIANS BE PROTECTED BY IOWA'S CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS?

Vander Plaats: WELL, I THINK WHAT IT IS, IS THAT THEY SHOULD BE IN REGARDS TO THAT WE DO NOT DISCRIMINATE. TO SAY THAT WE NEED TO BE MAKING SPECIAL PROVISIONS, I'M NOT SO SURE IF WE DO, BECAUSE THE LAW IS PRETTY CLEAR THAT WE DON'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE. IT'S JUST LIKE WHEN I WAS HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: WE DON'T HARASS PEOPLE; WE DON'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PEOPLE. I THINK THAT'S A BASIC VIRTUE OF IOWA. IT'S A BASIC VIRTUE OF THIS COUNTRY THAT WE DON'T DISCRIMINATE.

Yepsen: MR. SUKUP, SHOULD GAYS AND LESBIANS BE COVERED BY IOWA'S CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS?

Sukup: ALL IOWANS SHOULD HAVE A RESPECT. EACH ONE OF US NEEDS TO GIVE THAT TO EACH INDIVIDUAL OUT THERE, WHICH PROVIDES SPECIAL BENEFITS OR SPECIAL PROTECTIONS TO A PARTICULAR CLASS. I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THAT.

Glover: MR. VANDER PLAATS, THERE WAS A BIG DEBATE ALL WINTER AT THE STATEHOUSE OVER TAX CUTS. THE GOVERNOR ARGUED THE STATE'S BUDGET WAS IN TROUBLE. WE'RE LOOKING AT DEFICITS. NO ROOM FOR TAX CUTS. REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARGUED WE NEED TAX CUTS TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY, TO BRING MORE MONEY IN. WHAT SIDE OF THAT ARE YOU ON? IS IT TIME FOR MORE TAX CUTS?

Vander Plaats: OH, IT IS. IT'S TIME TO ALLOW THE BUSINESSPEOPLE TO COMPETE IN THE STATE OF IOWA. WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT WE NEED TO CREATE THE ECONOMIC CLIMATE AND THE ECONOMIC STAGE TO WHERE INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES HAVE THE ABILITY TO DREAM, COMPETE, AND THRIVE IN THE STATE OF IOWA. THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING ALL OVER THE STATE. YOU GIVE US THE STAGE TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND WE'LL KNOCK YOUR DOORS OFF. YOU SEE, PEOPLE AREN'T STAYING AWAY FROM IOWA BECAUSE OF THE WEATHER OR THE TEMPERATURE. THEY'RE STAYING AWAY BECAUSE OF THE BUSINESS CLIMATE. I THINK IT'S A BIGGER ANSWER THAN JUST A SIMPLE "ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF MORE TAX CUTS?" WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE WHOLE PROGRAM, THE WHOLE TAX STRUCTURE, AND GET SERIOUS ABOUT TAX REFORM IN THE STATE OF IOWA SO PEOPLE CAN MOVE AHEAD.

Glover: WHAT DOES TAX REFORM MEAN TO YOU?

Vander Plaats: WELL, I THINK TAX REFORM MEANS THAT WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE ENTIRE PICTURE OF HOW WE TAX CITIZENS, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT'S CONFUSING AND IT'S COMPLEX, WHETHER THAT BE THE SALES TAX, THE INCOME TAX, THE PROPERTY TAX, THE USAGE FEES THAT WE ARE STRAPPING OUR BUSINESS LEADERS TO EITHER GROW AND PRODUCE. SO WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ENTIRE PICTURE AND THEN TAKE A LOOK AT HOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THE REVENUES THAT WE NEED TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES THAT WE HAVE. WILL TAX CUTS BE A PART OF THAT? I SURE THINK THEY COULD BE.

Glover: MR. SUKUP, IS IT TIME FOR MORE TAX CUTS? DO YOU WANT TO BE SOUTH DAKOTA, WHERE WE HAVE A LITTLE, TINY, NOT-WORKING SCHOOL BECAUSE WE DON'T COLLECT ANY TAXES?

Sukup: WE'D HAVE TO HAVE SOME TAX CUTS. WE HAVE TO DO SOME THINGS DIFFERENT. WE CAN'T KEEP DOING BUSINESS AS USUAL AND EXPECT DIFFERENT RESULTS. OUR POPULATIONS STAND FLAT.

Glover: WHAT KIND OF TAX CUTS?

Sukup: FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO ELIMINATE THE TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS. THE OTHER NIGHT AFTER CAMPAIGNING, VICKI AND I WERE OUT FOR SUPPER. SOMEBODY STOPPED BY AND SAID, "HI, I WANTED TO VISIT A LITTLE BIT" AND SAID, "GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CAMPAIGN BUT I CAN'T VOTE FOR YOU." IT'S ONE OF THOSE YOU'RE A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED AND YOU SAY, "WHY?" HE SAYS, "WELL, I RETIRED AND I MOVED OUT OF STATE." WE HAVE TO STOP THAT. WE EXPORT TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE OUT OF IOWA: YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T PROVIDED TAX INCENTIVES FOR BUSINESSES TO START AND SUCCEED HERE; AND THEN IF THEY HAPPEN TO STAY AND WORK HERE, THEY RETIRE AND MOVE OUT OF STATE. AND WE HAVE TO KEEP THOSE EXPORTS AND KEEP THOSE IN IOWA. THAT'S PART OF HOW WE GROW IOWA INSTEAD OF GROWING GOVERNMENT.

Yepsen: MIKE BRINGS UP -- MR. SUKUP, MIKE BRINGS UP SOUTH DAKOTA AND THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC SERVICES THAT WE HAVE, YET IT IS TRUE THAT THEIR RATE OF GROWTH HAS BEEN DOUBLE OURS. HOW DO YOU BALANCE THAT? HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE NEED TO GROW WITH THE NEED TO PROVIDE DECENT PUBLIC SERVICES?

Sukup: WELL, WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THAT BALANCE, BUT THAT'S WHAT EVERY BUSINESS HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH IN THE STATE. WE HAVE TO LEARN WHETHER IT'S IN BUSINESS -- AND I'VE BEEN THERE FOR TWENTY-TWO YEARS WORKING IN BUSINESS WHERE WE'VE GONE THROUGH IT, AND WE HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING IN STATE GOVERNMENT: HOW CAN YOU DO IT BETTER, HOW CAN YOU DO IT FASTER, AND HOW CAN YOU DO IT MORE EFFICIENT. AND THAT'S WHAT OUR TAXPAYERS ARE EXPECTING. THAT'S WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS EXPECT FROM US IN OUR BUSINESS, AND THAT'S WHAT I THINK THE TAXPAYER CAN EXPECT FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT.

Yepsen: MR. VANDER PLAATS, IMMIGRATION... GOVERNOR VILSACK HAS SUGGESTED THAT WE NEED TO BE A MORE HOSPITABLE PLACE FOR IMMIGRANTS AND NEWCOMERS. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION AND ATTRACTING NEW PEOPLE TO IOWA?

Vander Plaats: WELL, I THINK IOWA SHOULD BE OPEN AND IOWA SHOULD BE ABLE AND USE ALL THE SOURCES THAT WE HAVE TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO IOWA IN REGARDS TO GROWING OUR STATE. I'M NOT FOR THE IMMIGRATION ZONES. I BELIEVE THEY'RE HIGHLY DISCRIMINATORY. AND THE REASON IS THAT, ONE, IS THAT WE ARE RECRUITING HISPANICS AND OTHER POPULATIONS LIKE THAT FOR OUR VERY LOW-END JOBS. TWO IS -- AND BEING DUTCH, AND YOU WHEN YOU COME -- IF YOU ALLOW DUTCHMEN INTO YOUR STATE, YOU SHOULD ALLOW ANYBODY INTO YOUR STATE.

Borg: WHEN YOU SAY THE ZONES, DO YOU MEAN MASON CITY, FORT DODGE, MARSHALLTOWN?

Vander Plaats: RIGHT, RIGHT. BUT THE OTHER PART OF IT IS THAT WE'RE TELLING THEM WHERE TO LIVE. THE REASON WE CHOSE PLACES LIKE PELLA, ORANGE CITY, SIOUX CENTER IS BECAUSE "WE" CHOSE THOSE. PEOPLE WEREN'T TELLING US THIS IS WHERE YOU GO. BUT DO WE NEED TO BE MORE HOSPITABLE? YOU BET WE NEED TO BE MORE HOSPITABLE. WE NEED TO BE WELCOMING AND THEN TRY TO GET ALL THOSE CITIZENS TO SUCCEED IN THE STATE OF IOWA.

Yepsen: MR. SUKUP, THE SAME QUESTION.

Sukup: OH, WE DEFINITELY HAVE TO WELCOME IMMIGRANTS INTO OUR STATE, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR COMMUNITIES. RIGHT NOW THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT THIS "TOP-DOWN, STATE GOVERNMENT KNOWS BEST WHERE IT'S GOING TO GO AND HOW WE WORK IT." WE NEED IT TO WORK IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. THEN THE OTHER PORTION, AND WHY WE'RE HAVING TO LOOK AT THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE, IS THAT WE NEED TO GROW IOWA. WELL, IF WE'D KEEP OUR YOUNG FOLKS HERE TO BEGIN WITH AND HELP GROW OUR BUSINESSES, PROVIDE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT WE HAVE JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH HERE, IT WILL HAPPEN NATURALLY BUT WE'RE ON THIS SPIRAL WHERE BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS ARE LEAVING THE STATE AND THERE'S FEWER OF THEM WILLING TO PAY THE TAXES. WE HAVE TO CHANGE THAT PATTERN.

Glover: MR. SUKUP, LET'S TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. YOU RAISED THE ISSUE RIGHT THERE. IS CUTTING TAXES FOR BUSINESSES THE ONLY WAY TO STIMULATE THE STATE'S ECONOMY?

Sukup: WELL, WE'VE HAD SOME DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, SUCH AS OUR TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR EXISTING WORKERS, I THINK, HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL. GOVERNOR VILSACK HAS MOVED SOME OF THAT MONEY AROUND IN THE PAST YEARS. I THINK THAT'S BEEN A VERY VALUABLE TOOL FOR BUSINESSES. TAKING CARE OF OUR EXISTING BUSINESSES, THAT'S THE KEY. YOU CAN ALWAYS GO TRAVEL TO ARIZONA, TEXAS, AND FLORIDA, CHASING DIFFERENT BUSINESSES OR DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS TO COME BACK TO THE STATE, BUT YOU LOSE THE FOCUS ON YOUR EXISTING BUSINESSES HERE, WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THEIR EXISTING BUSINESS CLIMATE. AND SOME OF IT'S TAX POLICY. SOME OF IT'S PROPERTY TAXES. WE HAVE HIGH PROPERTY TAXES IN THIS STATE THAT WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT.

Glover: MR. VANDER PLAATS?

Vander Plaats: I THINK THAT EVERY STUDY THAT'S BEING DONE IS POINT -- THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE IS TAX REFORM IN THAT WE NEED TO GET OUR TAXES SIMPLE, EQUITABLE, PREDICTABLE, VISIBLE BUT, MORE THAN ANYTHING, COMPETITIVE. SO -- WHAT WE SEE IS THAT THERE'S BEEN NO LEADERSHIP. NOBODY IS PUTTING A FIRE UNDER THAT TO SAY WE NEED TO TAKE SOME DIRECTION HERE. EVERY STUDY IS TELLING US WE NEED TO TAKE DIRECTION. AND AS YOUR GOVERNOR, THAT WILL BE MY NUMBER ONE FOCUS, CREATING THE ECONOMIC STAGE SO INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES CAN COMPETE, DREAM, AND THRIVE IN THE STATE OF IOWA.

Yepsen: HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO THAT SPECIFICALLY?

Vander Plaats: WELL, I THINK WHAT IT IS, DAVID, IS THE FIRST THING THAT YOU DO IS YOU BRING THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST TO THE TABLE. YOU DON'T GET TO INTERIM COMMITTEES AND SAY, "OKAY, THAT'S SOME SMOKE AND MIRRORS." BUT YOU BRING THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST TO THE TABLE, YOU BRING DECISION MAKERS TO THE TABLE TO SAY THAT WE'RE WILLING TO LIGHT THE TORCH ON THIS, BUT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE ENTIRE TAX STRUCTURE IN ALL OF ITS COMPLEXABILITY AND THEN START ADDRESSING IT THROUGH THE PARTS ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE.

Yepsen: MR. SUKUP, YOUR OPPONENT HAS SAID THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WOULD BE HIS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY?

Sukup: WELL, I THINK CUTTING TAXES. IT'S NOT THAT WE NEED ANOTHER TASK FORCE OR ANOTHER GROUP GETTING TOGETHER ON HOW TO REFORM GOVERNMENT. WE NEED TO LOOK AT VENTURE CAPITAL. THERE'S SOME TAXES THAT WE CAN DO TO INCENT BUSINESSES TO START, SUCCEED, AND PROFIT HERE IN IOWA. WE DON'T HAVE TO LOOK OUT AND FORM ANOTHER COMMITTEE. OKLAHOMA HAS HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM GOING ON FOR VENTURE CAPITAL. ARIZONA HAS HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM GOING ON FOR VENTURE CAPITAL. WE CAN INSTITUTE THAT HERE, MODEL THEIR PROGRAMS, PUT IT IN, GET IT STARTED IN IOWA. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO WASTE TIME.

Glover: MR. SUKUP, A VERY PRACTICAL, HARD-HEADED QUESTION. HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST TO WIN A PRIMARY AND A GENERAL ELECTION, AND HOW MUCH OF YOUR OWN MONEY ARE YOU WILLING TO SPEND?

Sukup: ON THE DOLLARS, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE FOR A PRIMARY, I KNOW THE LAST TIME WITH GOVERNOR VILSACK AND MARK MCCORMICK, I THINK IT WAS AROUND $500,000 TO $600,000 TO WIN THE PRIMARY. THAT'S WHAT I'M EXPECTING IT WILL TAKE TO WIN THE PRIMARY. I THINK AFTER THAT, TOTAL, GOVERNOR VILSACK SPENT $2.2 MILLION; LIGHTFOOT SPENT AROUND $3.2. SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE THREE TO FOUR MILLION OVERALL TO WIN THE OVERALL GENERAL ELECTION.

Glover: MR. VANDER PLAATS?

Vander Plaats: WE'RE PLANNING ON RAISING WELL OVER A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE PRIMARY TO WIN THE PRIMARY. AND WE BELIEVE THAT WE CAN RAISE THAT KIND OF MONEY AND TO GET OUR MESSAGE OUT AND CONTINUE TO BE AROUND THE STATE. WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE PRIMARY. AND THEN IN THE GENERAL ELECTION, WE DON'T HAVE A FIRM TARGET ON IT, BUT WE'RE SURE IT'S GOING TO BE BIG DOLLARS IN ORDER TO WIN THE GOVERNORSHIP IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

Yepsen: MR. VANDER PLAATS, POLLS -- EVERY POLL TELLS US THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE VOTERS CARE ABOUT IS EDUCATION... LOCAL SCHOOLS. WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT LOCAL SCHOOLS?

Vander Plaats: WELL, I THINK NUMBER ONE IS WE RAISE THE BAR. JUST AS BUSINESS LEADERS HAVE TOLD ME ALL ACROSS THE STATE, "JUST LET ME COMPETE," EDUCATORS ALL ACROSS THE STATE -- AND I STILL DO TEACHER IN-SERVICES -- TELL ME, "JUST LET ME TEACH." TEACHERS WANT TO TEACH, ADMINISTRATORS TO WANT TO ADMINISTRATE, AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS WANT TO HAVE THE FREEDOM TO LEAD AGAIN. THAT'S PART OF RAISING THE BAR, BUT WHAT WE'VE DONE IS WE'VE INSERTED A HUGE BUREAUCRACY INTO OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS. AND SO WHAT THE TEACHERS ARE DOING IS THEY'RE CONSTANTLY JUMPING HOOPS, ADMINISTRATORS ARE JUMPING HOOPS, AND WE HAVE A WASTE OF THE DOLLARS THERE INSTEAD OF BEING APPLIED TO THE CHILDREN.

Yepsen: MR. SUKUP, WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO IMPROVE LOCAL SCHOOLS IN IOWA.

Sukup: WELL, WE'VE BEEN SEEING TEST SCORES DECLINING, SO WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. VICKI AND I HAVE BEEN MARRIED TWENTY-TWO YEARS, AND SHE'S A TEACHER, SO I'VE HEARD ABOUT EDUCATION FOR TWENTY-TWO YEARS, ESPECIALLY THIS LAST SESSION. SHE HAS SEEN HOW EDUCATION HAS CHANGED IMMENSELY, EVEN IN THE PAST EIGHT YEARS, WITH THE STUDENTS COMING IN. SO WE DO HAVE TO DO SOME THINGS. EIGHT YEARS AGO WE DIDN'T HAVE COMPUTERS IN ALL THE CLASSROOMS. WE PUT TOGETHER A SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM. THE COMPUTERS ARE IN DIFFERENT LABS AND IN MOST CLASSES. BUT IT'S ONE OF THOSE -- NOT ONLY WITH THE TEACHERS BUT IT IS THE ADMINISTRATORS, THE SCHOOL BOARDS, AND WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER AS A STATE. IT'S NOT JUST EACH -- 374 SCHOOL DISTRICTS OUT THERE ON THEIR OWN. WE CAN USE SOME COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS TOGETHER.

Glover: MR. VANDER PLAATS, THIS YEAR THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED A $40-MILLION DOWN PAYMENT ON A BIG TEACHER PAY INCREASE. AS GOVERNOR, WOULD YOU PUSH TO HAVE THAT PROGRAM CONTINUED?

Vander Plaats: WHAT I WOULD PUSH TO HAVE THAT PROGRAM TO BE CONTINUED IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO APPLY THE MONEY TO EDUCATION, BUT WE START ALLOWING SOME LOCAL OFFICIALS TO MAKE DECISIONS. WHAT WE'RE DOING IS THAT, WHETHER IT BE AT-RISK, TALENTED AND GIFTED, TECHNOLOGY FUNDING, CLASSROOM SIZE, NOW TEACHER SALARIES, EVERYTHING IS COMING OUT OF THE GOLD DOME AND BEING APPLIED TO THE LOCAL LEADERS. LET THOSE LOCAL LEADERS IN THOSE TOWNS, WHETHER IT BE PELLA, WHETHER IT BE CLARION, WHEREVER IT MIGHT BE, TO SAY THAT THEY MAKE THE DECISION TO ADOPT THAT.

Glover: SO YOU STOP THE TEACHER PAY PLAN?

Vander Plaats: THE TEACHER PAY PLAN WOULD BE IN THE HANDS OF SOME OF THE LOCAL OFFICIALS.

Glover: MR. SUKUP, WOULD YOU CONTINUE THAT PROGRAM AS GOVERNOR?

Sukup: I WOULD CONTINUE THAT PROGRAM. WE HAVE TO INCREASE SOME SALARIES FOR TEACHERS COMING INTO THE PROFESSION. YOU LOOK BACK AT SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WERE MENTIONED, THEY WEREN'T GETTING PUT INTO -- THE COMPUTERS IN THE CLASSROOMS WEREN'T EVEN THERE UNTIL IT WAS DESIGNATED.

Yepsen: GENTLEMEN, I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY AT HAND AND THE RACE BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU. MR. SUKUP, WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST DIFFERENCE WITH BOB VANDER PLAATS?

Sukup: WELL, I THINK IT'S COMING FROM TWENTY-TWO YEARS IN THE BUSINESS, EXPERIENCE OF MANAGING A BUSINESS. I WORKED WITH MY DAD AND BROTHER AND 200 OTHER INDIVIDUALS, MAKING GRAIN-DRYING EQUIPMENT, TRYING TO MAKE A PAYROLL EVERY WEEK WITH THINGS, AND THEN TAKING THAT EXPERIENCE SEVEN YEARS AGO AND APPLYING THAT BUSINESS EXPERIENCE TO THE LEGISLATURE AND EARNING THE RESPECT OF MY PEERS AND MOVING ON.

Yepsen: MR. VANDER PLAATS, SAME QUESTION. WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST DIFFERENCE WITH STEVE SUKUP?

Vander Plaats: WELL, I HAPPEN TO LIKE STEVE A GREAT DEAL, AND I THINK OUR BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IS THAT, ONE, I'M COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE. I HAVE TO OFFER REAL-LIFE LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS, REAL-LIFE LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION, REAL-LIFE LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN THERE. AND I BELIEVE THOSE ARE STILL THE BIGGEST LEGS THAT HOLD UP THE STOOL TO STATE GOVERNMENT.

Glover: I'D LIKE FOR EACH OF YOU TO ADDRESS WHAT SOME PEOPLE SEE AS WEAKNESSES IN YOUR CAMPAIGN. MR. SUKUP, MR. VANDER PLAATS RAISED THIS EARLIER. YOU'RE RUNNING FROM THE LEGISLATURE. HISTORY WOULD SHOW THAT RUNNING FROM THE LEGISLATURE IS NOT A PARTICULARLY HAPPY WAY TO GO. IT DOESN'T USUALLY WORK BECAUSE YOU'RE SADDLED WITH THE RECORD. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME HAVING TO COME OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE?

Sukup: WELL, I THINK YOU LOOK BACK THE PAST TWENTY YEARS, OUR GOVERNORS HAVE COME OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE. YOU LOOK BACK TO THE PRIMARY WITH GOVERNOR VILSACK AND MARK MCCORMICK; YOU HAD MARK THAT WAS A TRIAL LAWYER AND A FORMER SUPREME COURT JUSTICE. THERE WAS NOT A RECORD THERE, BUT IT WAS NOT A VERY PRETTY PRIMARY WITH THINGS. SO NO MATTER WHO GOES INTO THAT GENERAL ELECTION, IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH BATTLE ALL THE WAY. YOU LOOK AT THE RECORD... I'M PROUD OF THE 10-PERCENT ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCOME TAX REDUCTIONS, ELIMINATING THE INHERITANCE TAX. WE'VE HAD SOME GOOD SUCCESSES. AND ONCE YOU GET TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE AND BE ABLE TO START ON DAY ONE.

Glover: PEOPLE ARGUE, YOU HAVE NOT RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE BEFORE AND YOU'RE NOT WELL KNOWN. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THAT?

Vander Plaats: WELL, ONE, IS ON THE WELL KNOWN. I THINK YOU CAN GO OUT, AS I'M DOING, AND YOU TRAVEL THE STATE EXTENSIVELY. YOU GET OUT TO THE REPUBLICAN VOTERS. YOU CREATE ENTHUSIASM. AND WE'VE GENERATED ENTHUSIASM IN ALL 99 COUNTIES SAYING THAT THIS IS THE CANDIDACY THAT WILL NOT ONLY WIN THE PRIMARY BUT WILL WIN THE GENERAL ELECTION. THE OTHER PART ABOUT NOT HOLDING ELECTIVE OFFICE, I DON'T SEE THAT AS A DETERRENT. I STILL BELIEVE I'M THE MOST -- I HAVE THE MOST EXPERIENCE FOR THIS JOB.

Borg: MR. VANDER PLAATS, I'M SORRY THAT WE'RE OUGHT OF TIME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. SUKUP. THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "IOWA PRESS." WE'LL BE BACK NEXT SUNDAY, SAME TIME, NOON AND 7:00, HERE ON STATEWIDE IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION. I HOPE YOU'LL WATCH THEN. UNTIL THEN, I'M DEAN BORG. THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY.

Narrator: FUNDING FOR "IOWA PRESS" WAS PROVIDED BY FRIENDS OF IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION; AND BY THE IOWA BANKERS ASSOCIATION... FOR PERSONAL, BUSINESS, AND COMMERCIAL NEEDS, IOWA BANKS HELP IOWANS REACH THEIR FINANCIAL GOALS.