Social issues might be taking a back seat to fiscal issues in many states in the lead-up to next week’s elections, but don’t tell that to Iowa. The state’s
“„[A]nti-gay marriage groups and politicians will hold 20 events in four days around the statehoping to rally public opinion against Iowa judges.
“„The face of the campaign, Bob Vander Plaats’ group Iowa for Freedom, is a project of Mississippi-based American Family Association. But they are not alone. The Washington, D.C.-based Family Research Council, Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund, Georgia-based Faith & Freedom Coalition and New Jersey-based National Organization for Marriage all bring direct funding or in-kind legal and promotional support to local organizations looking to oust the justices. [...]
“„Vander Plaats’ Iowa for Freedom campaign got a boost last month when New Jersey-based National Organization for Marriage(NOM) spent nearly $235,000 on a TV ad campaigntargeting the three judges up for retention. This week, the groupspent another $200,000 on a new TV ad campaign.
“„Eugene Meyer, commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety, said at a rally held by justice supporters that he worried that the widespread removal of judges would cripple the justice system.
“„Former Republican lieutenant governor Art Neu said he’s also worried about that possibility.
“„“I don’t think any of us can contemplate the breakdown of our legal system should anything close to what they’re proposing take place,” said Neu.