Tinklenberg press release, trumped by Olson

Elwyn Tinklenberg and his campaign issued their second press release of their campaign today, nearly three and a half months after their initial release, and nearly 48 hours after the Bachmann story really became news. I like the "For Immediate Release"...2 days after the fact...

For Immediate Release
Contact: John Wodele

Bachmann Economic Plan: Get a Second Job
El Tinklenberg Candidate for Congress in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District
Blaine--Elwyn Tinklenberg, DFL candidate for the sixth district congressional seat, responded to the comments made by Michelle Bachmann on the "economic stimulus package" she is co-sponsoring with other House Republicans. At the announcement, Bachmann was quoted as saying, "I am so proud to be from the state of Minnesota. We're the workingest state in the country, and the reason why we are, we have more people that are working longer hours, we have people that are working two jobs."

Tinklenberg said, "I am surprised by the announcement of an economic stimulus plan co-sponsored by Bachmann and the congressional Republicans. I am not surprised by what is contained in the plan; it consists primarily of another big tax break for large corporations, which is exactly what anyone could have predicted. What surprised me was the fact that when Bachmann was given a chance to speak, she actually took credit for what she's done to Minnesota's economy.

Years of her extremist policies both in the Minnesota Senate and Congress have resulted in a situation where Minnesotans have to work more hours than residents of any other state in the country, just to make ends meet. Minnesota families are not irresponsible. According to the state's economist, Minnesota is in a recession. Headlines across the state talk about the the rising cost of living in Minnesota and yet Bachmann voted against the minimum wage. Bachmann policies are weighing so heavily on their wallets, families can barely hold on.

What Bachmann doesn't seem to understand is that working 2 or 3 jobs isn't a choice for Minnesotans- -its a necessity. If Bachmann would spend more time with the constituents of the 6th district, she would realize that they would rather be at home with their families than spending every evening stuck in traffic trying to get from their first job to their second or third job just to provide a decent life for their family.

Certainly, hard work is a cornerstone of the American dream. However, paying the bills should not come at the expense of spending valuable time with our families. The price of our 'workingest' status is that our children are being raised by other people, our marriages are suffering and our sense of community is becoming an unaffordable luxury.

Does Bachmann actually believe working 2-3 jobs best supports family values? Is she so out of touch with her constituents that she doesn't realize that while she's wearing it as a badge of honor, being the 'workingest' people in country is a distressing sign of economic troubles for the people in her district?"

Nice effort, good release. My question is how can the Congressional Campaign seeking to defeat Michele Bachmann, spell her name wrong in a press release going around the District?

On the lead lap of this race, Bob Olson's crew sent out their second press release on Bachmann's demeaning statement.

Olson called upon Congresswoman Bachmann to apologize for her statement.

Bachmann Should Apologize, Olson Says

For Immediate Release
Contact: Christopher Truscott

ANOKA—Bob Olson, a DFL candidate in the 6th Congressional District, wrote to Rep. Michele Bachmann today calling on her to apologize for her offensive and irresponsible remarks about Minnesota's economy.

* * * * *

The Honorable
Rep. Michele Bachmann
412 Cannon Office Building
Washington, D.C.
20515

Friday, Jan. 18, 2008

Dear Congresswoman Bachmann:

I am writing regarding your recent comments about Minnesota being the "workingest" state because we have "more people that are working longer hours … that are working two jobs."

Talk about the glass being half full.

While you celebrate the plight of many Minnesotans, I see cause for great alarm. People in our state certainly value hard work, but they're not putting in extra hours or taking multiple jobs for fun. They'd much rather spend extra time with their families. Today, however, they're trying to make ends meet.

Too many families in Minnesota are terrified that they might get sick this winter because they can't afford health care.

Too many families in Minnesota are worried that they won't be able to afford their children's college tuition.

Too many families in Minnesota are watching their mortgage payments surge while their incomes stagnate.

Too many families in Minnesota are driving around town looking for a gas station selling fuel at something less than $2.80 a gallon.

These are the people you said you were campaigning for in 2006—the people who wake up everyday and "do the right thing." Now, more than ever, they need a real leader standing up for them in Washington. They deserve far better than cheap sloganeering and partisan grandstanding.

You owe Minnesota an apology and a renewed commitment to addressing these issues in the time you have left in office.

I look forward to your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Bob Olson

While the campaign will not be decided in a duel of press releases, it's quite clear who really has command of the issues at hand.

Bob Olson continues to lap the competition, while spelling her name right!