Joni Ernst wakes up Iowa

I think we are going to like Joni Ernst. I also think someone in her organization is pretty damn clever. Yesterday the story of Rep. Bruce Braley disparaging comments about having a farmer on the Senate Judiciary Committee bounded over the internet and evening news. Even ABC picked it up which is not something it does often when it's a Democrat who shoots himself in the foot. The point Braley was making was that if the senate was lost for the Democrats then Sen. Chuck Grassley would be the new Judiciary Chairman- a farmer who never went to law school. Even without the farmer comment the video is bad enough. Braley brags that he has fought tort reform for 30 years and the backdrop of the liquor table makes the trial lawyer who specializes in workmen's comp claims look downright greasy.



Enter Iowa farmer Joni Ernst. According to Slate Ernst or someone has been sitting on the video since it was shot on January 23. The day before the Braley video went viral Ernst introduced herself as a "hog castrating mom". After she set Braley up with the left hook Sarah Palin delivered the right cross. “Any question about the type of Senator Joni will be?” the former Alaska governor wrote on her Facebook page. “Check out her first ad -- she makes it pretty clear.”
I wonder if Sarah Palin knows what Rocky Mountain oysters are. 
An endorsement from Palin packs a wallop. Aside from giving Ernst instant credibility with a large segment of Republican caucus voters it will help in fund raising, a weak spot in her campaign that Ernst concedes. It might even bring a stipend from Sarah PAC. A February 25th PPP poll ranked Ernst second in a six candidate GOP field. With 42% of the voters undecided it is a wide open race. As one might expect Braley beats all 6 of his opponents simply by being known in his home district. He leads Ernst 41% to 35%. As of December 31 Braley has raised $4,215,139 with $2,610,791 cash on hand. He has spent $1.6 million and leads Ernst by 6 points! Ernst has raised $455,171 with $289,514 cash on hand.
Iowa is a caucus state but the GOP makes it more confusing. Ballots are cast at the precinct level and the totals are relayed to the state convention. The ballots are non binding so in actuality the candidate is selected by the convention. Ernst picked up a second endorsement and it is important too. She will go into the caucuses with endorsements from both Mitt Romney and Sarah Palin and it's doubtful anyone else will bring that kind of firepower.


 

Update: A Rasmussen poll has Joni Ernst only 3 points behind Braley. It's Braley 40% Ernst 37%.