Andrew, thanks for injecting some bit of joy and life in our current cynical political landscape. As a native northcentral Iowan, I recognize Sand's approach and the reaction of his listeners' to practical, no-nonsense approaches to problem solving on such basics as honesty, modesty, and the welfare of neighbors. As a boy I felt it all over the grounds at the Iowa State Fair. It is basically a rural mindset that harkens back to earlier times- yet it feels relevant today and every day. Make no mistake, Sand has an uphill battle ahead of him. Once those solid citizens make up their minds, they are slow to change. But there is also something else at play here, and I'm referring to the love these same people have for the plucky underdog. If Sand stays on point, he just might pull it off. Thanks again, Jerome
I like his pitch; it’s refreshing after all of the squabbling that we have had to listen to recently. And he sounds focused on solutions; isn’t that what we all want?
I’m in Iowa and I see Sand yard signs all over a deep red, rural district. Republicans and Independents aren’t squeamish about openly supporting him. The school vouchers are very unpopular in small towns that are desperately trying to resist further consolidation of their public schools. Add to it the overall weirdness of his opponent and I think he can win.
"Notice what's absent from Sand’s pitch: The us-vs.-them rage underlying so much of today’s populist politics."
Yes, that is the heart and soul(lessness) practiced by most MAGA Republican candidates: Those fill-in-the-blank [Blacks, Muslims, gays & transgender, cats-and-dogs eating Haitian immigrants] are destroying America.
Happy to have contributed to Rob Sand's campaign twice already in hopes he/sanity can prevail in Iowa.
A bigger question - does the trope of right-center-left have any meaning in the U.S. in 2026 when Congressional and state Republican officials are embracing oligarchic autocracy while abandoning and destroying America's democratic ideals. Where indeed is the middle?
I'm not in Iowa, but I really hope he wins. Maybe this no-rage thing will catch on? It would be really, REALLY nice to wait for the election results without feeling sick to my stomach with fear.
As an Iowan, I’m Hoping that more national democrats will not endorse him and ruin his campaign! Sick of other folks weighing in on local elections. We need less party directives and more local focus so that government can become representative of a wider set of viewpoints.
Imagine my irritation at having gotten this obvious fact wrong. Just wrote the wrong song name down. Also, I was in the room when that exact video was filmed!!
Andrew, thanks for injecting some bit of joy and life in our current cynical political landscape. As a native northcentral Iowan, I recognize Sand's approach and the reaction of his listeners' to practical, no-nonsense approaches to problem solving on such basics as honesty, modesty, and the welfare of neighbors. As a boy I felt it all over the grounds at the Iowa State Fair. It is basically a rural mindset that harkens back to earlier times- yet it feels relevant today and every day. Make no mistake, Sand has an uphill battle ahead of him. Once those solid citizens make up their minds, they are slow to change. But there is also something else at play here, and I'm referring to the love these same people have for the plucky underdog. If Sand stays on point, he just might pull it off. Thanks again, Jerome
I like his pitch; it’s refreshing after all of the squabbling that we have had to listen to recently. And he sounds focused on solutions; isn’t that what we all want?
I'm with you on this one and the food reviews!!
I’m in Des Moines and Rob’s message is working on my Republican husband and friends 👍
I’m in Iowa and I see Sand yard signs all over a deep red, rural district. Republicans and Independents aren’t squeamish about openly supporting him. The school vouchers are very unpopular in small towns that are desperately trying to resist further consolidation of their public schools. Add to it the overall weirdness of his opponent and I think he can win.
"Notice what's absent from Sand’s pitch: The us-vs.-them rage underlying so much of today’s populist politics."
Yes, that is the heart and soul(lessness) practiced by most MAGA Republican candidates: Those fill-in-the-blank [Blacks, Muslims, gays & transgender, cats-and-dogs eating Haitian immigrants] are destroying America.
Happy to have contributed to Rob Sand's campaign twice already in hopes he/sanity can prevail in Iowa.
A bigger question - does the trope of right-center-left have any meaning in the U.S. in 2026 when Congressional and state Republican officials are embracing oligarchic autocracy while abandoning and destroying America's democratic ideals. Where indeed is the middle?
I'm not in Iowa, but I really hope he wins. Maybe this no-rage thing will catch on? It would be really, REALLY nice to wait for the election results without feeling sick to my stomach with fear.
As an Iowan, I’m Hoping that more national democrats will not endorse him and ruin his campaign! Sick of other folks weighing in on local elections. We need less party directives and more local focus so that government can become representative of a wider set of viewpoints.
insert meme [adam driver screaming MORE]
I've been watching him for a while. I am very impressed and hoping for his success!
He has the audience sing the first verse of "America the Beautiful"--not God Bless America.
An example from last week:
https://youtu.be/BRtowOWITGI?si=VRlmtZG9LgpzCe-w&t=287
Imagine my irritation at having gotten this obvious fact wrong. Just wrote the wrong song name down. Also, I was in the room when that exact video was filmed!!
A populist technocrat sounds kinda good to me. Has it been done before?