The news that Gov. Chet Culver’s former chief of staff, Patrick Dillon, had been tapped to be President Barack Obama’s deputy political director was greeted with pride by Iowa Democrats, as the list of local politicos with prominent D.C. jobs keeps growing.

But apparently, for some the joy over Dillon’s departure wasn’t based purely on Hawkeye pride.

Cityview gossip columnist Civic Skinny says some around Des Moines are pleased with the pick because it means they may finally get calls returned from the governor’s office.

“Patrick earned the job,” [Culver] told Register editors last week. “It will be nice to have someone else in the White House we can call when we need some help.” Ah, yes, but will Patrick return the calls? If he does, it will almost be a first. The chief of staff was notorious for letting the call slips pile up — and then, presumably, throwing them away. Some agency heads and other pols say when they really needed answers they went to Lt. Gov. Patty Judge — who sometimes seems to be running the state — or counsel Jim Larew.

Skinny goes on to say that several lobbyists said they are “planning on throwing a going-away party to celebrate his going away.”