Branstad Contradicts Himself on Gas Tax

The month of July seems to be a never ending comedy of errors for Republican Gubernatorial nominee Terry Branstad. First it was Branstad’s failure to speak out on the endorsement of Governor Chet Culver by Planned Parenthood, the pro-infanticide organization. Then it was his Lieutenant Governor nominee Kim Reynolds assertion that she would be open to government recognized civil unions. The Branstad campaigns failure to meaningfully reach out to supporters of Branstad’s chief opponent Bob Vander Plaats has the potential to leave egg on the GOP nominee’s face come November. And now Branstad has contradicted earlier statements that he had made in regard to the possibility of an increase in the Iowa gas tax.

According to Rod Boshart of the Sioux City Journal, former Governor Branstad has articulated that he was indeed open to an increase in the gas tax at some point in the future.  This is directly contradictory to the comments that he had made to O. Kay Henderson back in November of 2009. In that interview former Governor Branstad remarked that he would not be supportive of an increase in the state’s gas tax. In that interview Branstad asserted that instead of increasing the gas tax he would look at finding places within the bureaucracy to increase efficiency. For some reason it seems that Branstad has changed his tune on this issue. According to the Sioux City Journal article Branstad rationalizes this increase with the assertion that it is not a tax, but that it is a user fee.

The thing that I find so troubling is the ease with which Branstad contradicts himself. As I pointed out at one point he was opposed to increasing the gas tax, but now is somewhat supportive of it. This causes me to wonder what issue he will next backtrack on. Will he change his position on reducing the corporate income tax? Will he reconsider his pledge to shrink the size of the state government?

Another question that has to be asked is how many Republicans will take a second look at former Governor Branstad and find him wanting? How many current supporters will this drive away from his campaign? Surely this contradiction will diminish his credibility on many of the issues that he has made a centerpiece of his campaign.