MoveOn.org Political Action campaign takes aim at Sen. Chuck Grassley

DES MOINES, Iowa — A stalled Supreme Court nominee is causing many Iowans to rethink who their vote this election cycle.

Some former supporters of Senator Chuck Grassley stood on the front steps of the Iowa Judicial Branch Building Tuesday, urging the senior senator to help move the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland.

It was a part of the MoveOn.org Political Action campaign launch, with a video campaign, social media push and billboard that will be on Fleur Drive by the Des Moines International Airport. MoveOn.org is a progressive political group, with typically left-leaning messages.

"He has made us believe there is common sense in Washington," speaker Jack Lehmkuhl, a resident of Cedar Rapids, said about his former support for Sen. Grassley.

Kenneth Blackledge and Deborah Holley, both from Nevada, also spoke at the event.

"I've had a lot of respect for him over the years," Blackledge said.

Holley said Grassley is failing to abide by the Constitution, which aligns with many of the messages at the "Do Your Job" rallies that have been held across the state.

Beth Levine, communications director for Sen. Chuck Grassley issued a statement regarding the campaign saying:

• "The White House and its paid political activists' propaganda push denies Iowans, like the thousands who signed petitions in support of Senator Grassley that were delivered today, a chance to have a voice in this debate. Furthermore, the Constitution gives the authority to the President to nominate, and it gives co-equal authority to the Senate to provide a check on that power. Scholars and fact checkers have roundly agreed that the Senate, not the President, decides how it exercises its authority. The bottom line is that the Senate is giving Iowans the opportunity to have a voice in the direction of the Supreme Court. That's what representative government is all about."
  

Pro-life representatives with Concerned Women for America, Iowa Right to Life and Susan B. Anthony List who are backing Sen. Grassley also delivered petitions to his Des Moines office Tuesday, commending him for his stance and saying Iowans are proud to support him.