October 29, 2004: Headlines: COS - Ghana: Politics: Election2004 - Johnson: Conservation: Mitchell County Press-News: Paul Johnson knows he's a long shot but armed with his ideas and energy, and bothered by his belief the country is headed in the wrong direction, he said he thinks it's worth the effort

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Ghana: Peace Corps Ghana : The Peace Corps in Ghana: October 29, 2004: Headlines: COS - Ghana: Politics: Election2004 - Johnson: Conservation: Mitchell County Press-News: Paul Johnson knows he's a long shot but armed with his ideas and energy, and bothered by his belief the country is headed in the wrong direction, he said he thinks it's worth the effort

By Admin1 (admin) (pool-141-157-9-111.balt.east.verizon.net - 141.157.9.111) on Friday, October 29, 2004 - 11:53 pm: Edit Post

Paul Johnson knows he's a long shot but armed with his ideas and energy, and bothered by his belief the country is headed in the wrong direction, he said he thinks it's worth the effort

Paul Johnson knows he's a long shot but  armed with his ideas and energy, and bothered by his belief the country is headed in the wrong direction, he said he thinks it's worth the effort

Paul Johnson knows he's a long shot but armed with his ideas and energy, and bothered by his belief the country is headed in the wrong direction, he said he thinks it's worth the effort

U.S. Congress
Fourth District Candidates

[Excerpt]

Paul Johnson challenger

by John Skipper

for the Press-News

Paul Johnson knows he's a long shot.

But, armed with his ideas and energy, and bothered by his belief the country is headed in the wrong direction, he said he thinks it's worth the effort.

Johnson, 63, of Decorah, is a farmer, conservationist and former Peace Corps volunteer who was a state representative from 1984 to 1990, chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Resources Conservation Service from 1993 to 1997 and director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in 1999-2000.

Whereas two years ago, John Norris of Ames ran a feisty, aggressive campaign against Latham, verbally jabbing at him and hoping for a knockout punch, Johnson is far more low key, almost professsorial in his approach.

He has traveled the 28 counties in the district, holding town meetings, public forums and arranging meetings with the media, usually dressed in sweater rather than coat and tie and focusing on the big picture.

Johnson doesn't hammer hard at Latham. Rather, he pokes at him in an almost kidding fashion.

He said recently he owed Latham an apology for saying the congressman never passed any legislation.

"I discovered that's not true, and I did apologize," Johnson said. "The truth is he has not sponsored any significant legislation in his 10 years in the House."

Johnson has set up public forums in all 28 counties in the district and has invited Latham to attend any one of them so voters can hear them together. Latham has declined, citing a busy congressional schedule and pointing out they have been face to face on one TV forum and one radio forum.

As Johnson travels, he tells listeners he is on a job interview and they are the ones doing the hiring.

He points to his years in public service in Iowa and says, "I couldn't do it alone, of course, but there are about $100 million in conservation programs that I led." Then he pauses and says, "Just think of what I could do if I was in Washington."

He described Iowa's farmland as "food and fiber factories" that are rich in potential. He said he would like to see farmers rewarded for good stewardship of the land.

Calling the Iraq war "a tragic mistake," Johnson called for a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops by the end of 2005, with some troops remaining as part of an international peacekeeping force.

Johnson criticized the Bush administration for operating foreign policy with a "clenched fist" instead of involving the world community.

He also said he favors creation of a Palestinian state, normalization of relations with Cuba, restored congressional authority to wage war and increased efforts with the world community to stabilize Afghanistan.

Reach John Skipper at (641) 421-0537 or john.skipper@globegazette.com





When this story was posted in October 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

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Story Source: Mitchell County Press-News

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Ghana; Politics; Election2004 - Johnson; Conservation

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