The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Jaimes: Gov. Reynolds faces liberal hypocrisy

Iowa+Gov.+Kim+Reynolds+speaks+during+her+first+Condition+of+the+State+address+in+the+Iowa+State+Capitol+in+Des+Moines+on+Tuesday%2C+Jan.+9%2C+2018.+Reynolds+took+over+the+governor+office+in+May+of+2017.+%28Joseph+Cress%2FThe+Daily+Iowan%29
The Daily Iowan; Photos by Josep
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds speaks during her first Condition of the State address in the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. Reynolds took over the governor office in May of 2017. (Joseph Cress/The Daily Iowan)

On Jan. 11, the Des Moines Register published an article “Missouri governor’s sex scandal prompts call for Iowa governor to return fundraiser money” after the recent discovery of Republican Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens’ extramarital affair and allegations of blackmailing the woman involved.

Although Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds is not the woman involved in the affair, the wife of Greitens, or even an apologist for the actions of the disgraced governor, she is still facing backlash from those who disagree with her politics.

In response, Iowa Democratic Party head Troy Price said Reynolds should return the campaign donations, which were raised at the fundraiser and featured Greitens as the keynote speaker.

In November, Iowa Democrats chose Alec Baldwin as their keynote speaker in order to raise enough money to try to conquer the governor’s seat in 2018. They were apparently blind to Baldwin’s lack of morals, even after years of him showing his true colors as a sexist, elitist, pretentious comedian.

Unlike Reynolds, Democrats had mounds of proof that Baldwin was not a pristine role model, yet they want to fault the Iowa governor for an event that happened in October — months before allegations against Greitens became known to the public.

RELATED: Jaimes: Alec Baldwin an unfit role model for Iowa Democrats

I happened to be very vocal when Baldwin was chosen by Iowa Democrats to raise money for their Fall Gala. Personally, I believed that they should not have chosen a man who referred to his own flesh and blood as a “little pig.” Regardless, I never would have considered asking Iowa Democrats to return the funds raised because of his presence. As a Republican, I want to know that my candidate wins fairly and not because their opponent does not have the money to produce a solid campaign. Apparently, Price has not learned that you can be critical of others’ actions without sounding incredibly absurd.

If Price has suddenly found morals in light of the #MeToo movement, I would hope that he ask all Democrats who received donations from Harvey Weinstein to return that money as well. Overall, Weinstein donated approximately $26,000 in support of 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and $45,000 to Barack Obama’s two presidential campaigns. Price, who worked for both Clinton and Obama, saw firsthand how Weinstein’s gracious donations helped Obama win the executive office. It was Clinton’s sexual-assault-sympathizing actions that lost her the presidency. Perhaps Price was unaware that he was working for the wife of the most famous American adulterer at the time.

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About the Contributor
Marina Jaimes, Opinions Columnist
Email: [email protected] Marina Jaimes is an Opinions columnist and member of the Editorial Board. She previously served as the editor of the section. She is a senior studying political science and criminology.