Local GOP candidate says party leaders snubbed her ahead of McCain rally

At least three Cedar Rapids-area Republican candidates for state office have been snubbed by GOP leadership in an opportunity to share the stage with Arizona Sen. John McCain Thursday, according to one of the candidates.

Republican State House candidate Kathy Potts (Photo: peopleforpotts.com)

Republican Iowa House candidate Kathy Potts (Photo: peopleforpotts.com)

Kathy Potts, Republican candidate in Iowa House District 33, said she has been excluded from the event. She said Emma Nemecek, Republican candidate in House District 29, and Joe Childers, who is running in Senate District 18, had also been told that they would not get to appear with McCain.

“Christopher [Rants] and Kraig [Paulsen] are in charge of the event tomorrow with McCain,” said Potts. “They do not want me on stage. They said that I and Emma Nemecek and Joe Childers are losers and that they only want Renee [Schulte] and Nick [Wagner] on stage.”

Rants, a Republican from Sioux City, is House Minority Leader. Paulsen, a Republican state representative from Hiawatha, is Minority Whip. Schulte and Wagner are both Republican candidates for Iowa House.

Nemecek confirmed to the Iowa Independent that her party planned to deny her a prominent position at the event, but said she was able to convince the campaign to give her a seat on stage. Rants, Childers, and Paulsen did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Potts said she contacted Gentry Collins, the McCain campaign’s Midwest regional director, to ask to participate in Thursday’s rally.

“Gentry e-mailed me late last night that he was trying to get me on the stage at the event,” she said. “He told me that Kraig and Chris didn’t want him to put me there. I wrote him back and said that I thought McCain was running his own campaign.”

From Collins’ e-mail, which Potts read over the phone:

“The initial schedule was set according to local event protocol, where the national campaign refers to the legislative leadership on candidates whose campaigns will be most positively impacted by the limited speaking slots available.”

According to Potts, while she would have liked to speak at the event, she mostly just wanted to be recognized on stage with McCain and Palin as a local Republican candidate. “I did fuss enough that I was told that maybe they would put some bleachers behind the stage,” she said, but the campaign did not make any guarantees.

“It comes down to the fact that those two boys — Christopher Rants and Kraig Paulsen — don’t like me at all,” she said. “There was even an article in the [Cedar Rapids] Gazette where Rants said that I didn’t have a chance [of winning] and that I wasn’t popular and that I haven’t lived here long enough.”

Potts said the rift between herself and Republican leaders began when she was elected as chairwoman of the Linn County GOP. After looking over the party’s books and getting unexpected calls about the party’s unpaid bills, she ultimately filed an ethics complaint alleging misconduct.

“Sure, they praise McCain and Palin for being mavericks,” Potts said. “But look what happens when Kathy Potts in Linn County speaks up and tells leadership that there’s corruption in Iowa. Then all they can say is, ‘Sit down. Shut up. We need unity.’”

“This is all just unbelievable,” she said. “The Democrats don’t have to fight us — the Republicans themselves are doing a good enough job.”

When Nemecek heard that she, too, would be excluded from the rally, she said that she lobbied the campaign to obtain a slot.

“I called up the folks in charge and made a case for myself and my campaign,” Nemecek told Iowa Independent by phone Wednesday night. “I told them that leaving me out would be wrong because my race is equally important as all the other races.”

Nemecek, who is seeking a vacated seat in the legislature, knows she is being outspent by her Democratic opponent Nate Willems. She also knows that when she pursued the seat in 2006 against then incumbent Ro Foege, she garnered 40 percent of the vote.

“I am working hard — really working hard,” Nemecek said. “I’ve been working with my supporters to publicize and build participation for this event. Given how hard I’m working both on my race and on this event, I should be there. That was my argument, and I plan to attend and be on stage.”

Nemececk said she does not know whether she will have a chance to address the crowd.

Update:

Iowa Senate candidate Joe Childers sent the following message via e-mail at 1:33 p.m. on Thursday:

“Please correct your article I was invited to and did speak at the MCain [sic] rally.”

What's next?

prolifer

I have known Nemecek for over 8 years and she is not what you think she is. First , she didn't need a photo op as she worked for McCain as his 2nd District Rep before she decided to run again. Second, she is runni g because she only wants to pay back this country. She has a very successful entertainment business and she didn't need to be important. She had knocked on 17, 000 doors last 2006 election and has still been doing that now. She and her cousin volunteered to work for Bush Cheney and she herself worked for Swarczeneger ( I hope I spelled that rght ) and have a very imporatnt position . She booked some singers and entertainers in the White House inauguration both for the Bush and Clinton administration. She booked former Pres. Clinton for speaking engagement in the Philippines and Singapore for 2009. Talking about " pictures with celebrities " , try visiting her office and you'll see tons of that as she worked with most of them. She has been in the entertainment business for 38 years way back in her country of birth and continued on here. I and my friends were so proud of her. She is on the process of having a big " flood aid " event in Cedar Rapids and she wanst to accomplish this in the mid of next year . She wants to use her influence to help Linn County.
Talk to the lady, instead of bad mouthing her. With regards to Kathy Potts, I have known her for a good 4 years, and seems to be a nice lady too. She have a good family and have volunterred her time with different politicians just like Nemecek. Both this women has passion on serving their community. You probably just have " female issues " and if you think you arebetter than them, why don't you run ???

puppydogeyes

Potts and Nemecek are nothing but two females that want a photo with a celebrity...they should focus thier energy on taking care of thier homes and families (especially since you would think they were wives and mothers of the year according to their bios). They know little to nothing about the issues and thier only passion is to get to rub shoulders with celebrities. I know this for a fact as I watched their behavior in 2004...it was all about where you got to sit, who spoke to you, who you had a photo taken with. Potts had only lived here five years at that time and somehow or another rode with President Bush in a limo. Big deal..it would be different if she admired him for who he is and what he stands for, but it was all about her being in a limo and Nemecek and other females being jealous.

Kathy Potts gives women a bad name in politics/business with her pettiness. I know first hand how both Potts and Nemecek were on a crusade of sorts to oust the male leadership of the Linn County Party. Potts is saying there was a mis use of funds? How about having her and her husband AND both of her children turn out for a Saturday of campaigning getting $100 each. There were only a few slots open to take advantage of the opportunity and she brings every family member taking up four slots? Yet the whole family never did it any other time all together....little unethical in my book. Now she has herself aligned with Joni what's her name? That's a joke...she never had a good word to speak of the woman. As well as the issue that Joni was so closely alinged with someone that is lined up with Obama...lovely. See its not about the issues...its about political groupies almost. It really gave me a bad taste for politics.

IWe need to get this info out...neither of these females should be elected and Potts needs to be accountable for her unethical behavior. These women are merely taking canned issues and having someone write up that that is what they stand for. They are over sensationalizing thier lives and motives. I've heard Nemecek recieve phone calls from her friends with canned questions while on the radio ... not really unethical, but pretty sad to have to stoop to that level. It only confirms she can't think on her feet about issues because she doesn't really believe nor care in taking a stand. She just wants the title and the fame. I'm thinking there are more of these types of people in politics than we care to know.

Niether of them have the experience, the education, nor the character to represent anyone in Iowa. Representing Iowans is not their ultimate goal...sad to say.

LyndaWaddington

"...they should focus thier [sic] energy on taking care of thier [sic] homes and families..."

Interestingly enough, Kraig Paulsen has four children at home. Chris Rants has two young daughters. Should these two men also give up pursuing careers in public service because they have responsibilities at home, or this only a mandate for females who seek careers in public service?

puppydogeyes

Careers in public service? Give me a break. Did you read and comprehend any of the facts that were written? These women are not looking for careers.....in regard to the men mentioned in your comment are either of them using that they are a wife and mom and all the responsibilities that go with being a "good" wife and mom as skills that enable them to be qualified to fit the offices they are pursuing? Potts and Nemecek are the ones using women's responsibilities as assets so shouldn't they be practicing them?

So you bother to reply to this information with only the concern with the men vs. women career nonsense? See - people need to get focused on just what characteristics are included or should be when we are talking about an individual representing "the people." It is pathetic to see that focus is on this nonsense instead the real issue and that's of integrity. You know....character? How is someone so focused on getting a picture with a prominent indivudal or hanging another person suppose to be in trusted with focusing on the issues for others?

LyndaWaddington

"...women's responsibilities..."

The only responsibility that I have -- indeed that I know most women have -- that men absolutely do not is menstruation. I'm going to jump out on a limb and attempt to speak for all women when I say that the monthly bill can be a major inconvenience. That being said, it's not typically a barrier to professional achievement.

I'm pretty sure, based on your earlier comments, however, that you were not discussing the shedding of the uterine lining. Those other things -- you know, cooking, cleaning, child care, etc. -- those are human responsibilities of which the men in our state and nation are not immune.

And, yes, I do believe that women and men who place their name on the ballot are seeking careers in public service. I am especially curious why you seem to be willing to give men the benefit of the doubt as to their motives for seeking such, but fail to offer the same courtesy to women.

puppydogeyes

career *Noun*
*1*. the series of jobs in a profession or occupation that a person has
through his or her life: a career in child psychology
www.thefreedictionary.com/career

I guarantee you that Potts nor Nemecek are looking at this as a job, but
merely something to do to fill some self serving desire to be important,
quite possibly because people like you have minimized how incredibly
important the "human responsibilities" are and especially when they are done
by a woman. If you don't know the difference between the loving touch of a
mother vs. father you are more than likely justifying not fulfilling your
own responsibilities. Believe me according to God Almighty you have more
than one responsibility that you so crudely refer to. Comparing a bodily
function to a responsibility is nonsense. Responsibility implies action(s)
that one chooses to do...try choosing to do or not to do a bodily function
as you refer to.

Willing to give just men the benefit of doubt in regard to their motives in
running for office and not women? I have blogged about two specific women
that I know first hand. Don't turn this into some women lib discussion, men
vs. women. You minimize what an incredible role both men and women hold in
regard to the family institution. I know from experience that the way my
children were raised and that I fulfilled my role according to God Almighty
has resulted in some exceptional young people. I also know from experience
that women that have shirked their responsibilities and fell hook, line, and
sinker, for this equality garbage have done so at the expense of their
husbands and children.

You still have skirted the issue in regard to Potts calling others unethical
and her family walking away with $400 for a few hours of work...but yet she
makes a spectacle of herself in accusing others.

LyndaWaddington

Wow. I'm not sure how the conversation has degraded so quickly to the level of personal attacks in the name of the Almighty. I do know, however, that I will not continue this discussion if it continues on that level.

You might find it crude that I would bring menstruation into the discussion, but the fact remains that there is simply nothing else in day-to-day life that can be placed squarely on the shoulders of one gender or the other. These things that we commonly refer to as responsibilities -- picking a child up from school, grocery shopping, tucking a child into bed, reading a bedtime story, kissing a bruised knee, caring for an ailing parent, checking homework assignments, cheering at a soccer match, attending a school play, crying at a funeral, car shopping, taking out a mortgage, fixing a flat tire, hiring a contractor, cooking a meal, mopping a floor, taking out the garbage, crying at a wedding, and so much more -- can and are done equally well by both sexes.

Actually, I find your latest thought of "knowing the difference between the loving touch of a mother vs. a father" really degrading toward men. Do you honestly think a man can't show love and affection to his children and family at the same level a woman can?

You've asked me not to turn this into a "women's lib" discussion, but the truth is that I haven't. If you want to call out the motives of a politician -- someone who has chosen to put his or her life in the public domain -- then that is your right. But it is unfair to judge female politicians on a separate level than you do male politicians. All of us who chose to partner and build a home have responsibilities away from our jobs, even when those jobs are within the public sector.

In short, many people have made charges against politicians as to their motives for seeking public service. Most of us would like to see all of our representatives acting out of pure motivations: a desire to serve the people and the community. At the beginning of your charges of false motivation, however, you began with an unfair premise. It was unfair because, as I've already pointed out, you are unwilling to concede that many male politicians have the same family and home responsibilities.

puppydogeyes

You don't know what? First you are ticked because you are assuming I think men are better politicians. Then you are concerned with the degradation of men. Unfair...that's your opinion. I called out the motive of "two specific politicians" of which you have yet to acknowledge, not all politicians. You do remember that don't you?

As a typical liberal you have yet again skirted the issue - chasing rabbits just for the sake of rattling on and on and on. Whining about this being personal is laughable...was that to make me look like the bad guy? Wow how noble of you - and then you continue on for how many paragraphs? No, silly me! That too is a typical liberal behavior - blowing things out of proportion and blaming the other guy all the while distancing yourself from what the original issue was and then mimicking the exact behavior you are accusing others of.

Guess what? I do know this discussion is over because I have made my point replies ago and I don't really care to read your unfounded accusations toward me...and I actually do what I say I am going to do. Discussion over.

puppydogeyes

career
Noun
1. the series of jobs in a profession or occupation that a person has through his or her life: a career in child psychology
www.thefreedictionary.com/career

I guarantee you that Potts nor Nemecek are looking at this as a job, but merely something to do to fill some self serving desire to be important, quite possibly because people like you have minimized how incredibly important the "human responsibilities" are and especially when they are done by a woman. If you don't know the difference between the loving touch of a mother vs. father you are more than likely justifying not fulfilling your own responsibilities. Believe me according to God Almighty you have more than one responsibility that you so crudely refer to. Comparing a bodily function to a responsibility is nonsense. Responsibility implies action(s) that one chooses to do...try choosing to do or not to do a bodily function as you refer to.

Willing to give just men the benefit of doubt in regard to their motives in running for office and not women? I have blogged about two specific women that I know first hand. Don't turn this into some women lib discussion, men vs. women. You minimize what an incredible role both men and women hold in regard to the family institution. I know from experience that the way my children were raised and that I fulfilled my role according to God Almighty has resulted in some exceptional young people. I also know from experience that women that have shirked their responsibilities and fell hook, line, and sinker, for this equality garbage have done so at the expense of their husbands and children.

You still have skirted the issue in regard to Potts calling others unethical and her family walking away with $400 for a few hours of work...but yet she makes a spectacle of herself in accusing others.

gopgirl

Kathy Potts is a very vindictive kind of person - I think that really comes through pretty clearly in this situation. All this whining just because she wasn't allowed on stage. Very few candidates were able to speak, but we dare not offend Ms. Potts! Kraig Paulsen is a decent, hard-working man. The McCain campaign staff made the decision not to include her.

MikeGV

Look..this wasn't a campaign rally for every single legislative candidate. Major candidates were highlighted...Kathy Potts expected the McCain campaign to bow down to her..give her a 10 minute speech and then get that nice close up photo op with McCain.

Here's the FACTS..Potts hasn't raised a DIME for her campaign...so she decides that she's going to bad mouth the Republican Party at every turn because they won't give her any money.

daddysteve

Welcome to the GOP. There's enough
"Ron Paul treatment" to go around for anyone rocking the boat.

Peggy2

This reminds me of Justin McCormick getting robbed of his chance to go to the DNC in Denver as a youth delegate for the state of Iowa. Remember that story?

Did anybody ever call that kid and get the full story?

I've got him on my facebook if anybody wants to get in touch with him.