×

Delaney proposes politics in moderation

Moderates fight to reclaim their time in a crowded field

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Former Maryland Congressman John Delaney, a Democrat, signs a book for Jean Helmers, a self-described moderate, independent voter, at Tuesday’s stop in Amigos.

Former Maryland Congressman John Delaney explained his mindset on the road to the February caucuses in which poll respondents say there are too many candidates.

“If I can be in the top three or four of the Iowa Caucus, based on expectations being where they are, that’ll change everything,” the candidate said Tuesday on a warm patio at Amigo’s by the Des Moines River. “That’s how I think about it.”

By the same token, a third or fourth place finish for so-called “top tier” candidates like former Vice President Joe Biden would constitute “a failure,” he said.

A few supporters in the gathering of 20 were energized by Delaney’s recent performance in the Democratic debates, where some pundits said he finally got the recognition he had long been pining for after setting the tone with challenges of senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.

Delaney was the first Democrat to throw his hat into the ring in July, 2017, months before murmurs of other candidate runs rose to the surface.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Jean and Alan Helmers, a Fort Dodge couple retired from positions in the formerly unionized public sector, listen to John Delaney lay out his vision for solutions Tuesday as one of several Democratic candidates occupying the moderate lane to February’s caucuses.

Delaney is banking on a moderate majority to come out in full force by February for his “common sense’ solutions, rebuking what he calls unrealistic ideas touted by the likes of more liberal candidates in the party like Sanders and Warren.

Just a mention of off-teleprompter rouses of passion by President Donald Trump got the group chattering excitedly during question and answer time with Delaney, displaying a passion among the moderates.

“I’m not a good Democrat, I’m a good independent,” said retiree Jean Helmers, of Fort Dodge.

“You’re like most of the country, then,” Delaney interjected.

A pro-life, pro-union Catholic who suffered under what she called the “gutting” of her family’s public sector unions at the hands of conservative leadership, Helmers said she and her husband have grown frustrated as independents without a party they feel comfortable calling home.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Democratic presidential candidate John Delaney courted about 20 potential voters at Amigos Tuesday, including supporter Sharon Cline of Webster City.

“I don’t want to be identified by a party because I’m embarrassed by both of them,” she said. “People are sick and tired of the (partisan) divide.”

Delaney is one of the first candidates for president she decided to explore, saying the Democratic party needs someone with “the guts to go out there” and challenge the party’s status quo as it stacks up to challenge Trump next year.

As the party fights to reclaim states like Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, some of which were blue strongholds before Trump, the roadmap to success may require winning back union and blue collar workers that have a lot in common with the Helmers.

“Common sense is what we need, I think,” said Alan Helmers.

After hearing Delaney’s stump speech include proposals for universal health care coverage, unity and bipartisanship, the Helmers moved Delaney to the top of their rankings.

“He’s the best, he has a plan,” said retired chemist Sharon Cline, of Webster City. “I think he’s got a vision for making legislators legislate.”

Cline has a spreadsheet of the candidates, with parameters ranking them for her ultimate decision.

“I’m a chemist by training, so there’s a spreadsheet for everything,” she said. “The other moderate candidates — yes, I like them. But I like Delaney better.”

And while she appreciates the passion of more liberal offerings from Warren, she says the ideas aren’t practical.

That’s the type of thinking that Delaney is banking on as the rubber meets the road in his RV in all 99 counties.

Calling this election cycle a “social media primary,” the former congressman said the Democratic National Committee has encouraged “viral” moments of coverage, giving the party a tendency to cater to more ideologically extreme points of view with social media users that tend to be more “extreme” than the average Iowa Democrat.

He encouraged supporters like Cline to get out the word on the same platforms, nonetheless, to help others recognize the value they believe his candidacy brings to the table.

“I think this is a center-left or center-right country. Period,” Delaney said, telling attendees that every Democratic president elected since World War II was a moderate.

But even if a moderate doesn’t get the party’s nomination come next year, those gathered– Delaney included — said the biggest priority was removing Trump from the White House.

“The most important thing, in my opinion, is beating him,” Delaney said, telling the crowd the best way to beat him is to offer “realistic solutions, not impossible promises.”

“I’d vote for the Grim Reaper over Trump,” Jean Helmers concurred. “That’s not (me being) anti-Republican, that’s anti-Trump.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today