Branstad ‘not concerned,’ but ‘cautious’ about Cleveland

With the mercury rising on political and racial tensions in the United States, hitting levels perhaps not seen since 1968, Gov. Terry Branstad will head to Cleveland next week for the Republican National Convention.

Former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, a national voice on police and justice matters, has said, “We are sitting on a powder keg.” Ramsey and others have warned of potential for mayhem at the Republican convention as well as Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

So will Branstad go beyond his usual security? Is he worried about safety?

“We’ll only have one trooper with me,” Branstad said in an interview Wednesday with this newspaper and the Lake City Graphic-Advocate. “I’m not concerned about my own security. We’re going to be careful.”

Branstad is a frequent foreign traveler who has developed well-chronicled friends in Chinese leadership. He was also an early advocate for the presidential candidate of Marco Rubio, a Florida senator of Cuban descent.

He’s a product of rural Iowa, to be sure. But early on, well before politics, Branstad, a native of Leland, lived with diversity. His mother, Rita, was Jewish.

“Well, that taught me a lot about tolerance and undertanding because my mother shared with me some of the discrimination and things that she had felt in her younger age,” Branstad said.

Branstad is now a practicing Roman Catholic.

On Wednesday during a tour of Scranton Manufacturing’s subsidiary Bowie International in Lake City, Branstad spoke of his friends in China, of the power of international trade for Iowa soybeans and pork.

Demographics are changing, and Iowans need to embrace that, said Branstad, who also told the newspapers that he’s spoken with Gov. Mark Dayton, a Minnesota Democrat dealing with racial unrest following a police shooting of an African-American suspect, Philando Castile, in a traffic stop in a Twin Cities’ suburb.

After an officer fatally shot Castile, Dayton said: “Would this have happened if … the driver and passenger would have been white? I don’t think it would.”

Branstad referred to Dayton, now embroiled in controversy over the remark, as a friend. The two talked about the situation in Minnesota, Iowa’s governor said.

“I think it’s important that we recognize our country is becoming more diverse,” Branstad said. “We need to be welcoming and accepting. But we need to expect other people to abide by the laws and rules as well. I had some great teachers that taught me about the rights we have as American citizens, but also the need to respect other people and their rights and the responsibility of being a good citizen.”

Instead of getting angry in these tense national moments, Americans should focus on healing, Branstad said.

“It’s a challenging time for everybody,” Branstad said. “It’s tragic what happened down there in Dallas, and I feel like the whole country has been hurt by this.”

On to the politics of the convention ...

Presumptive Republican White House nominee Donald Trump has narrowed his field of potential vice presidential candidates. One top prospect: Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

“I think he’d be good choice,” Branstad said. “I understand that Chris Christie’s also one that’s being considered as is Newt Gingrich. I know all three of them. I think any one of them would be an asset.”

The benefit Pence brings, Branstad said, is that he’s served in legislative and executive roles as a congressman and now governor.

“I think he’s done a good job as governor of Indiana,” Branstad said, adding that he’s worked with Pence in the National Governors Association.

For his part, Branstad had advocated U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa for the vice presidential slot.

“I think she would have been a great choice,” Branstad said. “She’s got experience in local and state government as well as a military background and experience.”

He also thinks having a woman on the ticket would be an asset for Trump.

Branstad said he understands her interest in pursuing a career in the Senate.

“I guess we’ll see what happens,” he said. “This has been a very unusual election year and who knows where it’s going to go.”