Essential Estrogen

Let me first tip my largest brimmed sun bonnet with a big pink remembrance ribbon to Molly Ivins. My sodas have less fizz since she's been gone.

As some of our readers have commented in email "this *deleted expletive* blog is supposed to be *deleted expletive* covering *deleted expletive* women in *deleted expletive* Iowa politics" and we've "not uttered one *deleted expletive* word on the *deleted expletive* problem with *deleted expletive* Dawn." For reading ease, please note that each deleted expletive in the quotes above began with the letter F. For our ever-loyal - however foul-mouthed - readers, please be aware that, after the first few launches, additional f-bombs are left without a target.

For the record, we have made three separate posts featuring Rep. Dawn Pettengill. We doubt, however, the quantity of mentions is the crux of the recent correspondence.

Exposed for the entire state in first the Cedar Rapids Gazette (no online version available) and then in the Des Moines Register, is the fact that Pettengill hasn't been winning many popularity contests with the Democratic leadership.

Rep. Dawn Pettengill said she takes pride in being an independent thinker.

Independent thinking, closely held personal beliefs and a keen sense of what will play best back home are all important traits for a legislator. As evidence, have a look at one of Iowa's most prolific politicians, former Rep. Jim Leach of the 2nd Congressional District. While Leach didn't have the high-energy and tenacity of Pettengill, he did possess something she has not yet discovered: political respect.

For the 2006 election, Pettengill raised $89,121. Of that amount, $39,422 (or just over 44 percent) came from the Iowa Democratic Party and her local Democratic Central Committee. Her next largest contributor was general trade unions including Hawkeye Labor Council, Iowa Federation of Labor and Cedar Rapids Building & Construction Trades Council. Pettengill also had no problem accepting contributions from the steelworkers, roofers, electrical workers, ironworkers and auto workers. To bring it all home, well over 50 percent of the money she used to fund her campaign came from organizations she knew actively sought advancement of certain issues.

What Leach understood -- and what Pettengill evidently does not -- is a politician can break from his/her political tribe in as much as the overall good of "them what brung ya" is addressed. Most special interest groups, whether they be filled with church or workplace activists, are forgiving of politicians who vote to protect their future political aspirations.

When the brick wall is reached, however, and your individual vote is key to failure or victory, those who helped you get where you are today will be upset, concerned and, yes, even a bit angry if you -- a politician who has happily taken not only money but also gifts of people and time -- decide you'd rather sit this one out.

Sounds harsh? Well, there's a simple way for any politician to head off to office without such stress. Don't take special interest money. Don't take it first hand, second hand or even third hand. Don't take money from groups who are going to expect you to address issues in a way you know you will not.

If you looked over our three linked articles referring to Pettengill then you already know that two out of the three are positive of both her and some key things she's working to accomplish. Our belief in those areas hasn't changed. Our overall impression of Pettengill has. She chose to go to the dance. She chose which date she'd ride with and who she'd place on her dance card.

Tear-stained or dry-faced, it's now decision time. Leave the dance or take the hand of them that brung ya and cut a rug.