Blessing the timeline with Chit Chat for a momentous week

Can’t leave this thread without featuring our beloved host, who completely erases fellow journalist @justinkcomer.rockhardcauc.us who has actually been leading the way in criticizing Sand’s corporate in-laws funding his campaign.

Surely there is something a Governor can do to help protect women’s health in the face of Iowa’s abortion ban, but Sand doesn’t mention it here, or talk about healthcare explicitly at all. Instead he talks about vetoing efforts to limit IVF and surrogacy. Class politics at play.

The basis of the Sand election reform plan: “One public primary, where every eligible voter can participate.” Frames the current primary system in terms of taxpayer funding for exclusive parties. A good point! #IAGov

Sand repeatedly says he will be working with (or against) a Republican legislature, which isn’t actually known at this time. But running with the idea he talks about the veto pen, and the threat of a veto stopping Republicans in the legislature from even debating bad bills.

Sand says he is against Eminent Domain for carbon capture pipelines, and points out that the pipelines rely on tax credits that may not be around due to political unpopularity. Isn’t this true of the ethanol mandate generally?

Sand talks cancer rates and says, very somberly, “I’ve been in Kinnick and done the wave.” Says Nebraska has spent $23 million while Iowa has to debate over $1 million.

(Breaking character I think The Wave is a little toxic to be frank)

Sand commits to having a water quality plan out “before people are casting their ballots.” Should be very easy to hold him to that. Also allows alternative plans to dominate the space in the meantime, which is suddenly relevant with Chris Jones @theswinerepublic.bsky.social running for Ag Secretary.

The full Sand position on vouchers is public oversight (which he explains right before the clip) and to “call the bluff” of the school choice advocates, and force schools to accept any student for the cost of the voucher, as well as means test the program. I think this would be a big win.

(Slyly checking my notes so I don’t forget the rhyme I came up with to explain my position on cannabis legalization)