Des Moines, Iowa — Progress Iowa today called on Governor Terry Branstad to publicly and personally apologize for his callous disregard of public safety and refusal to hold himself or anyone in his administration accountable for the speeding incident that took place on April 26th.
In calling for an apology, Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement:
“Iowans deserve to know that no one is above the law – not even the Governor. He should apologize immediately, publicly, and personally. Dragging his feet, allowing his administration to make excuses, and refusing to hold himself or anyone else accountable is an insult to those of us in the state who are actually required to follow the law and held responsible if we don’t.”
“We’ve heard from the Lieutenant Governor – she thinks it’s acceptable to speed if she and the Governor are late to a meeting. We’ve heard from the Director of Economic Development, who thinks it’s alright to joke about our Governor disobeying the law.”
“The administration has said the matter is under review, but the Governor shouldn’t need to wait for a report to know the difference between right and wrong. It’s time we hear from him – speaking publicly and directly to Iowans – and it’s time for him to apologize.”
On April 26th, a black SUV carrying Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds was spotted traveling down an Iowa highway at “a hard 90” miles per hour. Iowa State Patrol drivers chose not to stop the car once they discovered who was riding in the vehicle. After a Department of Criminal Investigation officer who observed the vehicle filed a complaint, he was suspended.
Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds told reporters that the suspension of the law enforcement officer who helped make the incident public was “absolutely unrelated” to the incident, but no consequences have been reported for anyone else involved, including the patrolmen who allowed the Governor’s driver to continue on. As of this morning, the governor has failed to apologize. One member of his administration who has been traveling through Germany with Governor Branstad in recent days, Director of Economic Development Debi Durham, even made a joke about the incident yesterday, comparing U.S. Highway 20 to the autobahn.
While the Branstad/Reynolds administration has delayed, the issue has escalated and editorials from across the state have increasingly called on the Governor to take action:
Cedar Rapids Gazette: “The incident demands swift accountability. Issuing a ticket, paying a fine and moving on would get more public respect than excuses and foot-dragging.”
Des Moines Register: “Iowans want to have faith these officials are following the laws themselves. They want to know the Governor would not tolerate anything less.”
Quad-City Times: “This two-month-old incident does not have to be the biggest scandal of the governor’s career. But it will unless the governor speaks up and takes responsibility.”
Sioux City Journal: “Instead of a hands-off approach or excuses, the state’s chief executives should admit the speeding was unacceptable and pledge it won’t happen again.”
In addition to calling for a public apology, Progress Iowa is also encouraging Iowans to sign a petition calling on Governor Branstad to apologize. To view the petition visit the following link: http://org.credoaction.com/p/
A question for Just Saying, give an example of an event(s) when We the People should not let it go? You my friend are going to be taken advantage of if not already. We call that being a fool because you know it is happening and don’t care.
@anon – First, I am not your friend. Second, I pick my battles. If I don’t think something is worth worrying about, then I don’t worry about it. If that is being a fool, at least I am a well rested one.
well then you are a fool. It must matter to a lot of people as we are talking about it here on the net and in the news papers. YOU are the odd one out. so just go back to sleep and forget about it.
Also… problems never get fixed of we all just ignore them. weather its letting people know its against the law to speed or whatever.
@50 miles – If these people who post are so concerned, why are they just commenting on it and not doing anything about it? There is a saying, “talk is cheap”. People who comment on here are bored and if you’ll notice, the majority of comments don’t even reference the article in question. People post to read what they wrote, just like people talk to hear themselves talk. It’s the real world. Sit back and enjoy it and don’t get all stressed out.
It’s amazing the lengths people will go to have something to complain about. Let it go.
To sit there and say you we’re to busy to notice the speeding is a lie.when you are flying by other vehicles and weaving back and forth in traffic you would have to be an embassy not to notice
I think we should impeach him. That’s what the repubs would do if the situation were reversed.
The Governor should take responsibility. No, he was not driving, but his statements concerning the incident make it seem as if the laws don’t apply to him or those who are at his beck and call. If his driver was intoxicated, would you still say get over it?
@bodacious-Intoxicated doesn’t relate. Not the issue at all.
These are the kinds of actions by ‘leadership’ that are detrimental to society. Without a doubt he should step forward and admit he was wrong and show that he is a respectable leader. Inaction will only lead to Tierney.
Get over it. He was not driving and this is nothing but a witch hunt on the part of the Democrats. If your not driving you are not responsible. Go after the cop who was driving the car.
@LVS, would you feel the same way if it were Bookmeyer who was the passenger and one of his ‘aides’ was driving?
@bodacious-yes I would. If you were in the backseat of a car and having a conversation with another person in the backseat would you be responsible if another adult that was driving was caught speeding. Especially if the driver was a cop who certainly knows better than to speed. I know I have ridden with lots of people who were going over the speed limit and some of them have been ticketed. I certainly didn’t feel that I was at fault for the way they drove.
No, I agree. But if I were paying them to drive me then I would feel responsible.
I don’t think it is a matter of if the Govener was responsible but by not speaking out agenst it he is giving the impression he is ok with the fact a law was broken. He is giving the impression it is ok to speed as long as it is to get the Govener to a meeting on time.
This is nothing new. If you’re in the position to violate the law and get away with it, you do it. Simple as that. These are not hero’s or idols to worship. They are people that got in by saying what you wanted to hear. They are above the law and we all know it so let’s stop pretending. All we do is act.