Branstad, Loebsack, Braley to attend Obama event

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad welcomes President Barack Obama's focus on American manufacturing, but the five-term governor has some advice for the first-term president.

“I hope he recognizes the error of his ways,” Branstad said Tuesday when asked what message he might have when he meets with Obama Wednesday in Cedar Rapids.

Branstad wants to see a reduction in corporate taxes and fewer regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Labor. He said he's particularly concerned with Obama's appointees to the National Labor Relations Board.

“We don't think its right to discriminate against right to work states, we don't think it's fair to have a high tax and regulatory burdens,” Branstad said. He said he believes private businesses are reluctant to invest in America for those reasons.

Branstad also called for Obama to address the nation's growing debt.

“We cannot sustain increasing the national debt $1 trillion every year,” Branstad said. “We're headed the direction of the Europeans and that's an economic disaster.”

Also joining Obama on the flight to Cedar Rapids Wednesday will be 1st District Rep. Bruce Braley and 2nd District Rep. Dave Loebsack, both Democrats.

Neither of Iowa's senators, Democrat Tom Harkin and Republican Chuck Grassley, will attend the post-State of the Union event Wednesday.

Loebsack plans to use the visit to stress the importance of job creation. He said he'll invite Obama to visit the Rock Island Arsenal to see the work being performed there.

Loebsack also will present Obama with a University of Iowa-themed Monopoly game for daughters Sasha and Malia.