Vaudt’s Out

State Auditor Dave Vaudt says he’s not running for governor. From The Des Moines Register:

Vaudt, who is in the middle of his second, four-year term as state auditor, said this afternoon that the state would best be served with his continued focus upon Iowa’s fiscal picture instead of 18 months of campaigning for governor. He is planning to seek re-election as auditor.

“This is a very critical time for Iowa and we need a strong voice and an experienced voice to keep Iowans in tune with what’s really taking place with our finances,” Vaudt said. “The last thing we can afford is to have that voice diminished in any way.”

 Although I think Vaudt’s watchdog record would have been a big selling point for his candidacy, I’m not surprised he opted against jumping in. He’s got a good gig now and the current landscape can’t look very promising to a Republican moderate.

Fox News Takes the First Bite

Maybe you’ve read about Cedar Rapids’ new effort to attract national media attention to our ongoing flood recovery challenges. Media kits packaged in Quaker Oats boxes (shown here on my very messy desk) have been sent to national news outlets with hopes that any coverage generated will get the attention of slowpoke federales sitting on much-needed recovery bucks.

The kits even included a Quaker snack bar and soy milk. Mmmm.

Cassie Willis, communications liaison for the City of Cedar Rapids, said the week-old effort has already generated its first response. She said Fox News Channel called after receiving the kit to inquire about activities surrounding the flood anniversary next month.

“That’s one down. Hopefully, we’ve got several more to go,” Willis said.

I’m columnizing on the kits Tuesday. You can read it here later.

Also, CR City Council member Brian Fagan discussed the media campaign on Iowa Public Radio’s Talk@12 program. You can listen here.