And now for something completely different …

Gov. Terry Branstad has attracted this Editorial Board’s ire recently, after what we viewed as a dangerous mix of public politics with corporate interest during the recent lean finely textured beef forum right here at Iowa State. Despite the criticism of our editorials on the matter, especially from the Republican side of our society, we stand by our position. It wasn’t a matter of conservatives versus liberals, but rather right versus wrong.

Today, it’s time to defend the governor.

Branstad has come under a little fire for his support of Rep. Steve King for the upcoming election. In short, the criticism revolves around the assertion that the governor demeans his office by going on the record as saying his support for the congressman is a trade of favors.

Further, it is complained that instead of considering Iowa’s problems, Branstad continues to be interested in issues and policy that is crafted with respect to the Republican Party and its platform rather than issues and policy that is enacted because Iowa, not Republicans, need them.

There is merit to the gripe that politicians trading favors can be a corrupt thing. And there’s also merit in the complaint that politicians are doing citizens a disservice when their actions are subservient to their party rather than their local constituents. All of these things are true and we would side with Branstad’s critics if that were happening here in his support of King. But it’s not.

Branstad is supporting a local congressman. In the sense of former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil’s adage that all politics are local, the governor is being very political. King is a representative of Iowa, same as Branstad himself is, after all. Were Barack Obama in town stumping for a local representative running for the Democratic ticket, we’d be upset because of the national influence on a local election.

The substitution of a local perspective with a national perspective is dangerous. This is one of the negative effects of mass media in our culture. The things that truly affect us daily, not to mention reflect our character as a body of people, are right here in our hometowns and places of residence. When a national figure or the national media steps in and exerts its influence on us, a great injustice has been done.

But again, that’s not what’s being done with Branstad and King. This is a case of an Iowan helping an Iowan, and no matter what you think of the men themselves, a local politician assisting another local politician is just good politics. Who would you rather have influencing our vote? A local guy or an outsider who’s never spent more than a few days in Iowa?

Thanks, Governor, for keeping it in the family.