Dawn Pettengill

This is the face of a very nice, yet deluded person. She was first elected to the Iowa assembly in 2004. Democrats from my home county donated tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours of volunteering to make that election victory happen.

Dawn quickly became aware that being in the minority party meant she couldn't really do anything. In particular she cursed Iowa House Speaker Rants. She longed for the day when she could be in the majority and do some real work.

Her day came very quickly. In 2006 the Republican party threw everything they had at her - allegedly spending over $100,000 but the Democrats held Dawn's seat. Through hard work they picked up several seats and took a 4 seat majority.

On election night 2006 Dawn was relieved not only that she won but the Democratic majority was 54. "Some of those reps may flake off," she observed.

"Flake off." That's a direct quote and the term still rings in my ears.

Dawn's time in the majority was not pretty. She couldn't make up her mind on major legislation. She dreamed up fights with the Democratic leadership (fights that nobody but her seem to remember). At the end of the session in 2007 Dawn stood next to Minority Leader Rants and announced she was switching parties.

Once again back in the minority, Dawn has an easy life as a legislator. This week Dawn made news by pushing for a change in the oath that lawmakers take. She wants "so help me God" added.

At first I was angry when I heard the news. In these times her issue is a complete waste. I realized, however, that these are the only issues she'll ever be able to address. By switching from the majority party she relegated herself to these feel good, light substance issues.

And Iowa is certainly better for that.