Based on an email he sent, the transition theory seemed plausible…
…You may be asking “why?”.
Well, after 16 great years, I resigned as President of ITR on Friday.
ITR has great leadership, staff, and history. They are in very capable hands and will continue to be a powerhouse in Iowa policy and politics.
Anyway, I didn’t think it odd. People come in go in organizations such as this, and he had been there a long time.
With the news that not only did Failor resign, but their Vice President, Katie Koberg, and Development Director, Eric Branstad, resigned on Monday as well. Ok, that got my attention. Apparently the founder, David Stanley, is cleaning house, but why?
I’m sure things have been weird at ITR having to criticize Governor Branstad, after endorsing him during the primary. They’ve even run a radio ad thumping him. One theory is that the “Republicans-powers-that-be” got him canned for criticizing Branstad. That doesn’t seem plausible with Governor Branstad’s son leaving as well, but perhaps he’s leaving voluntarily. I would think there would be a collective embarrassment among an organization’s staff and board who endorses someone they have to criticize just four months into his administration.
It will be interesting to see what comes of this.
Update: A fourth resignation, Mary Earnhardt, their policy director. All four who resigned assumed their positions on the same day… November 18, 2008. Hmmmm….