AP story on CD 6 race

From the SC Times:

The delegate's minds are on beating Bachmann, which might involve overlooking their own strongly held beliefs on abortion and other social issues. Tinklenberg - who opposes legalized abortion but says he would not work against abortion rights - has the edge in delegates.

District DFL Chairwoman Nancy Schumacher, who based her count on subcaucus results, predicted a relatively quick endorsement. She hedged on who it would be. Olson, meanwhile, claimed that he is leading and said he expects multiple ballots.

Schumacher said Democrats want to focus on roads, jobs and housing - issues she said Bachmann has neglected.

"In many minds, Bachmann is an embarrassment in her voting record, and it doesn't seem she is doing anything - not only for the 6th District but also for the state of Minnesota," Schumacher said.

Will he or will he not abide by the DFL endorsement?

Both Tinklenberg and Olson say they are the best candidate to beat Bachmann, and both said they would do so by appealing to independents. Both promised to drop out if the other wins the endorsement, although Tinklenberg said his pledge might not apply if last-minute attacks sway the vote.

One of many reasons I do not trust Tinklenberg. At some meetings, he has said he would abide by the endorsement. Others, "if the process is fair and honorable". I'm not sure what the "last minute attacks" could be, we've already discussed his lobbying past and taconite on numerous occasions.

Since Tinklenberg might be ready to push the CD 6 race to a primary, Olson ought to threaten to do the same, IMHO.

On the lobbying issue(s):

Several letters circulated among activists have questioned Tinklenberg's work as a transportation consultant. One accused Tinklenberg of working as an unregistered lobbyist. But the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board found last week that Tinklenberg's consulting work on a commuter rail line did not trigger a requirement for him to file paperwork as a lobbyist.

To be clear, the Federal Lobbying issue remains relatively unresolved. The state issues were never a significant cause for concern for me. The Tinklenberg Campaign attempted to obfuscate the issue by comparing it to some of the lobbying of Senator Tarryl Clark, prior to her State Senate election.

The reality is that they were comparing apples and oranges. The Federal Lobbying issues are significantly greater than the issues before the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board. The state issues are more less resolved.

Speaking of campaign finance:

Bachmann, a Republican, has a commanding financial advantage over all comers.

At the end of March, she has more than $1 million in the bank, compared with $102,000 for Tinklenberg and $112,000 for Olson, who has loaned his campaign $182,000 since he started. The Independence Party candidate, John Brockberg, had not reported fundraising.

If we manage to avoid a primary, the money for Olson or Tinklenberg should start rolling in nicely after this weekend.