Did Branstad take a shot at Culver’s physique?

At a press conference in Des Moines Wednesday, Gov. Chet Culver said he’s heard from several people who felt the latest attack ad from his Republican rival, Terry Branstad, was an attempt to insult the governor’s weight.

The ad, entitled entitled “Big, Bad Debt,” is take off on the 1961 Jimmy Dean classic “Big Bad John.” It’s also almost identical to a video U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, used during his re-election bid in 2008. It’s focus is on Culver’s $800 million I-JOBS bonding initiative, which is designed to repair the state’s infrastructure and assist in recovery efforts from the historic 2008 floods. Branstad believes I-JOBS has created an unhealthy debt load for Iowans without creating a substantial number of jobs.

A screenshot from Terry Branstad's latest TV ad.

Culver blasted the ad Wednesday, saying it was full of falsehoods, such as its claim that the state is running a budget deficit or that property taxes went up $500 million. He also pointed out that Branstad was “for bonding before he was against it,” since the Republican bonded for more than $4 billion during his 16-year tenure as governor.

But Culver then shifted to the perceived personal shot within the ad.

“I’ve had a lot of people talk to me in the last 24 hours about how disturbed they were about that ad,” he said. “They thought it was over the top. I think it says a lot about Terry Branstad and his campaign. Again, those tactics are going to backfire. Iowans will reject anything that’s over the line. I’ll take the votes of those who have a few pounds to lose if he doesn’t want them. I’m the ‘Big Lug,’ my wife has referred to me as ‘Big Lug.’ If he wants to compete in a triathlon any time soon, I welcome that, too. I’m proud that I competed in an Olympic level triathlon last fall.”

Throughout the ad, Culver is referred to as “Gov. Chet” or “ol’ Chet,” with the “big” moniker reserved for the state’s debt. At the very end, Culver is finally referred to as “Big Debt Chet.”

“I look forward to a spirited debate and discussion about things that matter, not any sort of personal criticisms or critiques,” Culver said.

Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht dismissed the accusation.

“Gov. Culver is upset with this ad because he cannot dispute the facts in it, knows it is effective and desperately wished Iowans wouldn’t find out the truth behind his failed debt program known as I-JOBS,” he said.

The back and forth is reminicent of the ugly 2009 contest for New Jersey governor between Democrat Jon Corzine and Republican Chris Christie. Corzine ran a TV ad accusing the admittedly overweight Christie of “throwing his weight around.” According to the New York Times, the ads featured “unattractive images of Mr. Christie, sometimes shot from the side or backside, highlighting his heft, jowls and double chin.” Christie criticized the ads, calling them “silly” and “stupid,” later saying he had struggled with his weight since he stopped playing organized sports at 18.

Coincidentally, Christie, who went on to win the governorship, plans to be in Iowa in the coming weeks to campaign on behalf of Branstad.