Earlier today, Democratic Secretary of Agriculture candidate Denise O’Brien held a conference call with supporters and members of Farm Bureau who are objecting to a letter from the Farm Bureau’s PAC supporting Republican Bill Northey while attacking O’Brien. A full press release from the O’Brien campaign is below the fold, but let’s put it this way: The President of the Farm Bureau has never taken such steps in attacking the opponent of the candidate it has endorsed in a letter to all members. Radio Iowa and the Register tackle the issue here and here, respectively. Essentially, Denise is getting smeared as a “progressive” and as an “activist” and is accused of being against “modern farming techniques.” It is just fucked up and it represents just how desperate Farm Bureau and Republicans are to take away momentum from the O’Brien Campaign.
O’BRIEN & FARM BUREAU MEMBERS RESPOND TO NEGATIVE FARM BUREAU ATTACK
Des Moines, IA. Today Denise O’Brien Democratic candidate for Secretary of Agriculture hosted a press conference with Farm Bureau members to respond to a recent letter sent by Farm Bureau attacking O’Brien.
“I’m here to set the record straight about what I represent,” O’Brien said. “There is room for all kinds of agriculture in Iowa, and I want to be sure we use all kinds of agriculture because it adds to our prosperity.”
Five Farm Bureau members from around the state who support O’Brien and disagree with Farm Bureau’s letter took part in the call. Jerry Peckumn, a Republican and a grain and livestock farm from Greene County said, “These vague attacks had no justification. I support Denise because she thinks outside of the box of today’s agriculture and has a real vision.”
Peckumn was referring, in part, to the misleading allegation that O’Brien is “against modern farming techniques.” O’Brien replied, “Let me be clear. Modern farming techniques are incredibly important to improving profitability in agriculture, whether conventional, organic, or local foods.”
Jeff Klinge, a 56 year-old grain and livestock farmer from Farmersburg and a member of Farm Bureau for over 25 years, said “I’ve never received a letter degrading a candidate this way. If Farm Bureau throws mud, that doesn’t help their ability to work with whoever wins.”
Farm Bureau president Craig Lang wrote that he didn’t believe O’Brien’s philosophy is good for Iowa. Klinge responded “I’ve known Denise for a long time and her main goal is getting more farmers on the land, and that’s good for Iowa as a whole.”
Dick Sokolowski, a grain farmer who also has some hog confinements in Cherokee County said, “ I’ve known Denise for a long time now, and she would be inclusive of all kinds of farmers…She would probably make one of the best ambassadors of Iowa agriculture we’ve ever had.”
O’Brien’s campaign has also heard from other Farm Bureau members who are upset about the letter. A Dorchester resident contacted her to request a 4×8 O’Brien for Agriculture sign as her response to the letter.
OTHER QUOTATIONS FROM FARM BUREAU MEMBERS:
Jerry Peckumn is a Republican grain and livestock farmer from Greene County:
“These vague attacks had no justification. I support Denise because she thinks outside of the box of today’s agriculture and has a real vision.”Jeff Klinge is a 56-year old grain and livestock farmer from Farmersburg in Clayton Co:
“In 25 years I’ve never received a letter degrading a candidate this way. If Farm Bureau throws mud, doesn’t help their ability to work with whoever wins.”“Mr. Lang stated her philosophy isn’t good for Iowa, but I’ve known Denise for a long time and her main goal is getting more farmers on the land, and that’s good for Iowa as a whole.”
Mike Perdue is a 3rd Generation dairy farmer & Republican from Pottawottamie County:
“I’ve known Denise for a number of years… and she has a rich background in seeing a lot of diversity in agriculture.”“Iowa seems to be rediversifying and that can only be good.”
“It is kind of annoying that Craig would dismiss Denise as an activist- I’m all for activists.”
Francis Thicke is an organic, grass-based dairy farmer in Jefferson County and a Democrat:
“Letter denigrated and distorted Denise’s positions. Obviously the purpose was to instill fear in FB members and ask for money to buy the election.”“I support Denise because the status quo isn’t working for Iowa family farms, communities, or agriculture.”
“I like Denise’s emphasis on getting more farmers on the land, and growing more food in Iowa that we eat in Iowa.”
Dick Sokolowski is a Democrat grain farmer who has some hog confinements from Cherokee County:
“I’ve known Denise for a long time now, and she would be inclusive of all kinds of farmers.”“Denise is internationally known and if you want to promote Iowa products and commodities, you need to be known all around the world.”
“She would probably make one of the best ambassadors of Iowa agriculture we’ve ever had.”
I see you use the word “progressive” as a “smear” against O’Brien. Yet, in the post directly following this story on your blog, Vilsack uses the term “progressive leadership” as a reason to support Culver. Don’t you think that makes you look like a moron? Or, perhaps, makes democrats look like whiners? Just something to chew on…….
I’m not saying progressive is a bad word. As a matter of fact, I quite like the word. But in the terminology and phrasing used in the letter, they made it a smear title for O’Brien and used it to make it seem that she would force organic and other ‘radical’ farming methods on conventional farmers in a way to make them fear her as Ag Secretary, which is most definitely a smear. She has the agricultural leadership experience across this state, country, and world. She deserves to be the next Secretary of Agriculture for the State of Iowa.
Any candidate who is this strongly opposed by the Farm Bureau must be good for the vast majority of Iowans and all taxpayers.
I get my insurance through Farm Bureau - a legacy from my parents. After 20+ years, I’m switching. I can’t stomach the fact that they support Steve King. Anyone know where I can get good insurance cheap?