Cruz forces rip Branstad and 'thugs' in attack ad
Iowa’s Republican governor, who’s popular with Republicans here, is being targeted in a new attack ad in the GOP presidential race.
Terry Branstad is referred to as a politician who has been “bought” by “lobbyist thugs” in a radio advertisement crafted by a pro-Ted Cruz super PAC.
It’s the latest grenade in a running feud between a leading GOP presidential candidate and Branstad, who said last week would be a “big mistake” for Iowa Republicans to give the victory in the caucuses to Cruz, who has spoken against a federal renewable fuels mandate that benefits Iowa’s agricultural economy. Branstad's son Eric heads a pro-renewable fuels advocacy organization.
Courageous Conservative PAC is spending $40,000 to run the radio on 105 stations around Iowa in the final week before the vote, Rick Shaftan, the organization’s strategist, told The Des Moines Register Sunday night. The same message is featured in a video on YouTube.
A female narrator says in the radio ad: “Ted Cruz opposes all energy subsidies, including oil subsidies, just like any conservative should. Cruz had the guts to say it in Iowa. That terrified Gov. Branstad and the ethanol lobby. They got Trump to promote bigger ethanol subsidies and then announced that Cruz must be stopped at all costs. But America wants a leader who walks tall and stands up against the lobbyist thugs and the politicians they own.”
The ad lumps together Branstad and Cruz’s chief rival, Donald Trump, saying they share “values.”
“Cruz can’t be bought and they hate him for it,” the ad continues. “For some this is election is about keeping power and getting more. For the rest of us, it’s about taking our country back. Now, before it’s too late. Ted Cruz for president. Caucus night is Monday. Don’t let them win.”
Branstad calls attack ads work of 'desperate politicians'
The ad doesn’t attack Iowa U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, who defended Branstad, saying it’s right for the governor “to speak proudly of what Iowa’s done and the importance of the industry in Iowa.”
In response, Branstad told reporters Monday morning the attack ads are the work of “desperate politicians.”
“I’ve been attacked and I’ve been attacked regularly by a lot of people,” Branstad said. “But that doesn’t bother me, because I recognize my responsibility is to the people of Iowa and to be an advocate and a supporter of things that are important to them.”
His spokesman, Ben Hammes. told the Register: "Governor Branstad has been attacked by Hillary Clinton and now by a group linked to Senator Cruz. Governor Branstad serves all Iowans and will never stop fighting for renewable energy and the importance that they have on our stop and the jobs they provide for Iowa families."
Iowa Republicans approve of Branstad by a 75-15 percent margin, a Quinnipiac poll found in July. He won re-election with 59 percent of the vote in the general election in 2014.
Cruz has a 76-19 favorability rating among GOP likely caucusgoers, an early January Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics Iowa Poll found. Cruz has 25 percent support in a 11-person presidential horse race in Iowa. But surveys by other organizations have shown Cruz might be slipping in the face of heavy criticism from Branstad, renewable fuels lobbyists, Trump and others.
