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Governor Culver's solid start

(Des Moines Register Editorial)For those looking for clues about what to expect from Gov. Chet Culver, his inaugural speech Friday provided a good place to begin. The things a new governor includes in his first inaugural address indicate what he considers important. Culver's top priorities come under the general headings of energy, education and opportunity - maybe not bold, but a very solid start.

He built his speech on a theme of exploration, with references to Native Americans, European explorers and the pioneers who followed them. He said Iowans today have the same opportunity to explore and to pioneer a new future for Iowa.

He called it a "21Century Iowa Expedition," and he invited all Iowans to join him on the journey.

Culver's speech did not have the ring of having been cranked out by a professional speech writer; rather, it was from the heart, most likely in his own words. It was a little hokey, beginning with a hearty, "I love Iowa," and lots of exclamation points along the way. It was pure Chet Culver, the "big lug," as his wife famously described him, a persona likely to resonate with Iowans.

He described his vision of a new Iowa as a place independent of foreign-energy sources, with an economy that offers opportunity for all, a clean environment and a culture that accepts newcomers and protects the vulnerable.

He believes Iowa can become the "Silicon Valley of the Midwest." He wants the entire state to be a "cutting-edge" laboratory and to lead the nation in developing ethanol, biodiesel, geothermal, wind and solar energy to pioneer "the next generation energy economy."

He said Iowans have tall expectations of state government besides energy. They expect a renewed commitment to educational excellence, and more affordable college tuition. They expect that every child will have health care, that impediments to stem-cell research will be lifted, that the minimum wage will be raised and that businesses will get a break on property taxes. They expect Iowa government to be "ethical, accountable and open."

In a nod to one of his predecessors, Culver said Gov. Robert Ray taught Iowans to expect the state to "encourage, not shy away from, the diversity that has made us a better state."

Iowans also expect state leaders to move beyond partisan differences in order to work cooperatively for the common good of the people of Iowa, and Culver, speaking directly to the assembled state legislators in the hall, said: "May our inevitable disagreements reflect deep conviction but not contempt, honest difference but not divisiveness." That line got a standing ovation from the audience at Wells Fargo Arena.

That call to bipartisanship should be accepted by all Iowans as they contemplate the career of their new governor. They will not always agree with him because of honest differences and deep convictions. Likewise, the challenge for the governor will be to remember his own words as he begins his new job and takes his ideas and vision to the people of Iowa.