It’s always good to be reminded that there are decent people on both sides of the aisle. And decent people react differently than indecent people. Great column, Dave.
Thanks for reminding us about this part of Iowa’s history. Just think how (positively) different our state might be today had Hughes been able to run and had won that election.
We missed a good opportunity there, Jim, but I’m not certain he would have beaten Ray. Another missed opportunity was when Art Neu from Carroll decided not to run for Governor. He was a Republican in the Bob Ray mold, smart, reasonable and as solid as they come.
That’s a terrific column and a good history lesson. There is a world of difference between Harold Hughes and Donald Trump; the words grace, class and character come to mind. Thanks for the reminder of a much more sane political time, a time this country will have great difficulty attaining again.
Dave - Excellent article. It reminds us of the high class candidates that can come out of Iowa on both sides of the isle. It brings back some great campaign memories and a good history lesson.
Given this forewarning by the Hughes episode I presume this residency restriction can be negated by maintaining a "residence" in Iowa and visiting frequently as many of our statewide federal officials do: true?
Yes. I believe all members of the US House and Senate maintain their official residence in Iowa, and vote here. The problem for Hughes was the Odell researched his voting record and found he had voted in Maryland inside that two-year window. The better question is why the framers of the Iowa constitution required residence to be adjacent to the election.
The two Iowa Governors I most enjoyed covering were Democrat Harold Hughes and Republican Robert D. Ray. Two thoroughly decent politicians and individuals.
I was on Hughes staff in the Governor's Office and three years on the Senate staff. What he said about the poor and others was what he did in the period 1963 t0 1968. A Ray-Hughes race would have been a battle. Thanks Dave for bringing up the constitutional issue. Bill Hedlund
I remember both Governor Hughes and Governor Ray. I also respect the integrity of the vote, and the unpopular but apparently correct decision made at the time.
An interesting footnote to Iowa history, indeed. More on Hughes' fascinating life and legacy, can be found in this recent biography of the man. It's well worth seeking out: https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700634699/
I recall Gov. Ray was actually looking forward to a contest with former Gov./Sen. Hughes.
Lynn Cutler of Waterloo, a longtime Democratic politician who ran for Congress and served in the Clinton administration, compared Hughes to Johnny Cash. Lot of parallels in appearance and personal story.
I covered Hughes moderating a Democratic presidential forum at Stephens Auditorium in Ames in early 1984. He outshone everyone with the possible exception of George McGovern. Panelists included Alan Cranston, Gary Hart, Ruben Askew, Fritz Hollings and former Sen. McGovern, among others. Hughes cut off Gary Hart when he went over on time on an answer early on, and there was no doubt who was in control.
Later that year after a job change I covered Hughes' speech at Clinton Community College. He began with. "Hi, I'm Harold Hughes, and I'm an alcoholic."
"HI HAROLD!" a large portion of the audience answered.
Thanks, Pat. You may be right about Ray wanting to battle Hughes head to head. Alas, with Hughes out, Ray didn’t run and the race was Branstad vs. Roxanne Conlin. The Register beat up Conlin relentlessly over some tax issue involving her husband. I don’t recall the details.
Good color about Hughes being the big dog in the room with all that presidential timber. I covered a lot of those guys.
It’s always good to be reminded that there are decent people on both sides of the aisle. And decent people react differently than indecent people. Great column, Dave.
Thanks, Dennis. Don’t know if it would happen today, regardless of the decency of the politician.
There USED TO BE decent people on the "GOP" side of the aisle. But they've all been driven away from that party.
As usual, excellent analysis with Dave’s vintage journalistic perspective.
Vintage? :)
I remember covering Hughes and Ray as well. I had the same feeling about Hughes. His charisma was
unmistakable. And Ray was as open a politician as I remember. He held DAILY news conferences to answer questions on any topic.
Thanks for reminding us about this part of Iowa’s history. Just think how (positively) different our state might be today had Hughes been able to run and had won that election.
We missed a good opportunity there, Jim, but I’m not certain he would have beaten Ray. Another missed opportunity was when Art Neu from Carroll decided not to run for Governor. He was a Republican in the Bob Ray mold, smart, reasonable and as solid as they come.
That’s a terrific column and a good history lesson. There is a world of difference between Harold Hughes and Donald Trump; the words grace, class and character come to mind. Thanks for the reminder of a much more sane political time, a time this country will have great difficulty attaining again.
There sure is a world of difference. And I recognize an insurrection charge is not as clear cut as the residency requirement.
👍Well said.
Dave - Excellent article. It reminds us of the high class candidates that can come out of Iowa on both sides of the isle. It brings back some great campaign memories and a good history lesson.
Thanks, John. Seems like the truly decent public servants are fewer and farther between these days.
Given this forewarning by the Hughes episode I presume this residency restriction can be negated by maintaining a "residence" in Iowa and visiting frequently as many of our statewide federal officials do: true?
Yes. I believe all members of the US House and Senate maintain their official residence in Iowa, and vote here. The problem for Hughes was the Odell researched his voting record and found he had voted in Maryland inside that two-year window. The better question is why the framers of the Iowa constitution required residence to be adjacent to the election.
The two Iowa Governors I most enjoyed covering were Democrat Harold Hughes and Republican Robert D. Ray. Two thoroughly decent politicians and individuals.
Thanks, Steve. Both understood the role the the media and respected the process.
I was on Hughes staff in the Governor's Office and three years on the Senate staff. What he said about the poor and others was what he did in the period 1963 t0 1968. A Ray-Hughes race would have been a battle. Thanks Dave for bringing up the constitutional issue. Bill Hedlund
Thanks, Bill. Good perspective. They broke the mold.
He had no cause to complain as hedidn't fit the criteria - good for him.
I remember both Governor Hughes and Governor Ray. I also respect the integrity of the vote, and the unpopular but apparently correct decision made at the time.
Thank you. I am so sad for the everyday US citizens right now.
An interesting footnote to Iowa history, indeed. More on Hughes' fascinating life and legacy, can be found in this recent biography of the man. It's well worth seeking out: https://kansaspress.ku.edu/9780700634699/
I recall Gov. Ray was actually looking forward to a contest with former Gov./Sen. Hughes.
Lynn Cutler of Waterloo, a longtime Democratic politician who ran for Congress and served in the Clinton administration, compared Hughes to Johnny Cash. Lot of parallels in appearance and personal story.
I covered Hughes moderating a Democratic presidential forum at Stephens Auditorium in Ames in early 1984. He outshone everyone with the possible exception of George McGovern. Panelists included Alan Cranston, Gary Hart, Ruben Askew, Fritz Hollings and former Sen. McGovern, among others. Hughes cut off Gary Hart when he went over on time on an answer early on, and there was no doubt who was in control.
Later that year after a job change I covered Hughes' speech at Clinton Community College. He began with. "Hi, I'm Harold Hughes, and I'm an alcoholic."
"HI HAROLD!" a large portion of the audience answered.
Thanks, Pat. You may be right about Ray wanting to battle Hughes head to head. Alas, with Hughes out, Ray didn’t run and the race was Branstad vs. Roxanne Conlin. The Register beat up Conlin relentlessly over some tax issue involving her husband. I don’t recall the details.
Good color about Hughes being the big dog in the room with all that presidential timber. I covered a lot of those guys.