Not All Iowans Singing Praises of Jim Nussle’s White House Appointment

Jim Larew leads Johnson County Democrats in debut of “Nussle Hustle” at Johnson County Democrat BBQ

On Tuesday, Nussle was introduced as President Bush’s choice as his administration’s chief budget officer. Bush cited Nussle’s six years of experience as chairman of the House Budget Committee as a key asset to his new position as the OMB: “Jim’s name and knowledge command respect on Capitol Hill,” Bush said during a White House news conference. “And as OMB director, he will use his expertise about the budget process to ensure that the taxpayers’ money is spent with respect and with restraint.”

However, Nussle’s tenure as House Budget Committee Chair did not resonate well with Iowans during his gubernatorial bid against Chet Culver in last year’s election. Gov. Culver defeated Nussle, winning the election by a 10-point margin (54 percent to 44 percent). Nussle, a 16-year House representative who served Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, could not shake some of the baggage he brought from D.C.

Speaking of which, during the gubernatorial election, Iowans never did shake the image of Nussle wearing a bag over his head, a publicity stunt he pulled during his freshman year in Congress 1992 to protest the “shameful” ethical behavior involved by his colleagues in the House banking scandal.

But it was Nussle’s record as the House Budget Committee chair that continued to dog him on the campaign trail. While Nussle touted his experience and campaigned on a fiscally responsible platform, opponents were quick to point out that under Nussle’s leadership, the federal budget went from a surplus of $236 billion in FY00 to a $260 billion deficit in FY06.

“Apparently turning record surplus into record deficit is a plus when applying for a job at the White House,” said IDP communication director Giddons. “George Bush and Jim Nussle’s budget policies have already saddled future generations of Americans with enormous debt, and we must count ourselves lucky that they only have one year left mismanaging the federal budget.”

In his bid for governor, Iowa Democrats portrayed Nussle as nothing more than a “rubber stamp” for the Bush administration. At the Iowa Democratic Convention in June, Gov. Tom Vilsack injected the “Nussle Hustle” into his speech. Ed Fallon, one of Culver’s Democratic rivals, upped the ante by leading the crowd in a chant to help motivate the party: “Out-muscle Jim Nussle, out-hustle Jim Nussle, let’s tussle with Nussle and win!” From that moment on, the “Nussle Hustle” label has stuck, at least with Nussle’s critics.

One month after the convention, the IDP and Culver launched the “Nussle Hustle” as part of the campaign. Nussle’s hustle may have begun with his attempt to favorably spin his budgetary experience, but the label evolved as Democrats used it to highlight the contradiction between Nussle’s campaign promises and his past voting record.

Nussle also came under fire for a number of contradictory statements he made about his stances on abortion. The committee to elect Culver pounced on the ambiguities of these statements by unveiling a “Nussle Hustle” television ad:

Nussle Hustle TV Ad

After his failed gubernatorial bid, Nussle returned to Iowa and started his own consulting firm, Navigating Strategies, before being named Rudy Giuliani’s top advisor in Iowa for his presidential campaign. Nussle came under recent fire by the Iowa GOP, when he advised Giuliani to skip the Straw Poll in Ames.

Jim Nussle on Meaningless Ames Straw Poll

“It’s exceedingly difficult to win on caucus night when you have missed the opportunity to speak to over a third of the caucus-goers at the largest gathering of Republicans in the nation,” said Chuck Laudner, executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa.

“The Republican Party of Iowa is disappointed over his decision, but more so over his lackluster campaign efforts in Iowa. Giuliani’s efforts in the Hawkeye State have also been disappointing for many Iowans who have not had the opportunity to see, hear, meet or question the former New York mayor. The Straw Poll would have been an opportunity for Giuliani to show Iowans he is engaged, cares about Iowans’ issues and is 100 percent dedicated to Iowa.”

Giuliani’s decision to take Nussle’s advice and skip the August Straw Poll was noted by a staffer from a rival Republican campaign in Iowa. “Giuliani’s campaign may have been in trouble before Nussle’s announcement, but it certainly is now. Without former Congressman Nussle, Mayor Giuliani is left with a leadership team consisting largely of pro-choice, pro-gay rights Iowans that have no credibility with conservatives in the state. This explains why they need to send their out-of-state national campaign staff to try and help in Iowa.”

Given Nussle’s appointment to the White House OMB, Nussle’s advice may have been his curtain call in Iowa. But only time will tell whether or not Nussle will shake the “Nussle Hustle” label in Iowa. His first test will be the congressional confirmation hearings, which he’s expected to sail through. Nussle’s bigger challenge will be helping to craft Bush’s budget proposals, and better yet, selling the budget proposals to the Democratic majority.