Economy Trumping Social Issues for Many Iowa Conservatives

In nearly any other primary or general election in recent memory, the accusation that a Republican candidate not only supported abortion but had materially participated in one would have been big news — if not a political kiss of death. Not this year. Rising fuel and food costs have not only squeezed the wallets of Iowa’s middle class but have narrowed their outlook as well.

“I heard about that,” said Jennifer Baumer of Cedar Rapids when asked about the recent false accusation launched against Mariannette Miller-Meeks, an Ottumwa ophthalmologist and former Army nurse who is seeking the Republican nomination in the 2nd District congressional race. “When I heard it, I thought, ‘Politics as usual.’ It’s difficult this year to get all fired up about it when I’m worried about how I’m going to fill my gas tank and get myself to work.”

The accusation that Miller-Meeks had performed an abortion came from Republican opponent Lee Harder, a former chaplain at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility. Harder did remove the incorrect accusation from his Web site after being contacted by Miller-Meeks. In addition, Miller-Meeks has removed from the “beliefs” portion of her Web site the following statement: “Abortion should not be the primary method of birth control.”

In the great scheme of things, according to those interviewed in and around the 2nd District, neither should have bothered. Abortion, or any myriad of the traditional socially conservative issues that have seemed to decide other elections, simply aren’t the top concern right now.

“I think it would be an issue for me if I didn’t have so many other worries on my plate,” said Baumer, who has voted primarily for Republicans in the past. “The way the economy is right now — the housing crisis, gasoline and fueling costs, the grocery bills, health insurance premiums and co-pays — I think our time is better spent on conversations of how we are going to provide for the people here right now.”

It’s a sentiment that was echoed by Randy Sanders, an Iowa City Republican who said his vote will not automatically go to the candidate he believes to be the most socially conservative.

“In the past, I just wanted to know who was pro-life and pro-family,” he said. “That was my primary issue, and I figured that since that usually kept me in the Republican column, it would keep my views on conservative government in check too. That hasn’t necessarily been the case.

“I’m not sure if we should have [gone] into Iraq, but I do think now we cannot leave until we have victory. At that same time, I see the reports of our infrastructure, of the government bailing out companies that made millions in no-check home loans, and I have to wonder if we’re on the right track. I’ve swallowed a bitter pill by believing that the other things didn’t matter as much.”

It’s a message that hasn’t been lost on Miller-Meeks. While discussing the false accusation, she told The Cedar Rapids Gazette that social issues may not be the deciding factor for voters “if they can’t afford to put gas in the car, if they can’t find a job and can’t put food on their families’ table.” While her two opponents — Harder and Cedar Rapids businessman Peter Teahen — both brandish the “pro-life” label, she has argued that abortions should be reduced by policies that support families.

“It’s not enough to stand up and say that you’re pro-life anymore,” said Gerald Harlow as he watched the number on the pump spin while filling up his car. “I want our politicians to show me that they are really and truly pro-life. That is, I want it to mean more than trying to end abortion. What are they going to do? Throw women in jail who have abortions? I want them to say that they are going to support life — yours, mine, everyone’s. Maybe instead of ‘pro-life’ I’d like to see a politician who says he’s ‘pro-people.’ Then again, I’d like to see $2 gas again… that’s probably just about as likely.”