Dille for Governor?

Well...the Hutchinson Leader has an editorial endorsing this notion.

Minnesotans have not elected a DFL governor in 20 years. With strong DFL majorities in the House and Senate, voters might expect to sweep a DFL candidate into the governor’s office, too. But we believe the state is closely split and the inclination toward a balanced government might prevail for a Republican of the caliber and seasoning of Mr. Dille.

Senator Dille can win elections in Greater Minnesota. Door knocking in our race against Senator Dille in 2006, we found that nearly 2/3 of the district is related to the Senator in some way, shape, or form. He's a pretty popular guy out here and as a former opponent of the Senator, I have the utmost respect for Steve Dille.

In my opinion, I think he is a cool, common sense leader. In numerous meetings with the Senator since the 2006 elections, I've been able to help him work on some important Veterans and Higher Education issues.

Republicans view Senator Dille as a RINO, especially after his vote for the Transportation Bill in 2007 and the gas tax increase. I admire his political courage on this vote, but Republicans across the State would not support him.

Mr. Dille’s term is up as senator. If he decides not to run for governor, it is our hope he will run for Senate and serve voters here for another four years. We believe residents would return him to the Senate by a wide margin.

If, and that's a big if, Senator Dille decided to run again in 2010, it would not be for a four year term, but a two year term because of redistricting that would take effect in 2012.

However IF, Senator Dille decided to run again for the State Senate in 2010, I agree, he would most likely win by a large margin...coming from experience of course!

But this story is about Dille for Governor.

Look at the GOP field: Anderson, Hann, Brod, Seifert, Kohls, etc.

Look at the DFL field: Dayton, Kelley, Entenza, Kelliher, Coleman, Ryback, Thissen, etc.

IP field: ?

So, with his moderate views and consensus building history, it would make the most sense that IF Senator Dille were looking at higher office, he would have the most success at an IP Candidate for Governor.

Pray for us in a Anderson, Dille, and Marty debate...

A new opponent for Urdahl

Caught this over at the Minnesota Campaign Finance website.

Darrin Anderson of Litchfield is planning a run at Representative Urdahl!

More to follow...

A GOP gasp of desperation

A few of us got this email earlier today.

Pathetic...

From: Republican Party of Minnesota
Subject: Your Refund Will Expire in Two Weeks
To: redacted
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2009, 3:15 PM


Dear redacted,
Will you help the Republican Party of Minnesota without it costing you a dime?
This past week, our Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty had to make the tough choice to balance Minnesota's State Budget without raising your taxes.
One of the choices he made due to the severe state budget restraints was to cut the Minnesota's Political Contribution Refund (PCR) Program, as the State will no longer refund contributions received after June 30th, 2009.
We are going to continue to fight the DFL, keep your taxes low, and support common-sense Republicans, like Governor Pawlenty, but we can't do it without your support!
Click Here to Make a Donation and Receive Your Refund!
You have less than 2 weeks to have your donation reimbursed by the State of Minnesota.
You can't afford to sit on the sidelines, because the upcoming debate will determine the direction of Minnesota.
That is why today I am asking for you to make a donation and begin the building for Minnesota's Future.
I don't know how familiar you are with the State of Minnesota's Political Refund Program, but let me just recap the highlights.
You can make a contribution today of $50 per person (or $100 per couple) and lend a helping hand and play a vital role in electing our outstanding candidates for Governor, Congress and the Legislature.
For your $50 person (or $100 per couple) contribution, the State of Minnesota will reimburse you the exact amount within 4 to 6 weeks or often sooner than that.
We have even made it easier for you to receive your refund by automatically emailing your donation receipt within minutes of your online donation.
Click Here to Make a Donation and Receive Your Refund!
With your online donation you can help the Republican Party and support Governor Pawlenty's balanced budget and it won't cost you a dime.
It is time to put your strong Republican beliefs into action, make a contribution today, and make a difference in leading us to victory.
Click Here to Make a Donation and Receive Your Refund!
Thank you for your continued support.
Ron Carey


Chairman, Republican Party of Minnesota
www.MNGOP.com
P.S. These funds are available to both Republicans and Democrats so let's make sure the Democrats don't get an unfair advantage! Click here to make a $50 (or $100 for a couple) refundable donation today.

A new blog to follow

Gotta go check out Nolan's newest blog, he'll focus a lot on Minneapolis Ward 1 issues, but I bet he'll venture out into other areas that pique his interest!

Go check him out and add him to your blogrolls!

Mary Kiffmeyer's banking problems

Otsego bank cited for unsound practices

Headlines like this seem to be the rule and not the exception. The story is an interesting one. A local bank that puts Bible phrases on its banking billboard and mixes Christian faith and money.

Riverview Community Bank, an Otsego bank that bet heavily on real estate and was known for mixing Christian faith with finance, has been ordered by federal regulators to clean up its lending practices.

A quick search informs us that this bank is actually owned by former Secretary of State, and current State Representative Mary Kiffmeyer. In fact, Kiffmeyer is not only a director of the Riverview Community Bank, she's the owner.

"Integrity Counts"

Politicians use catchy little phrases like this to define themselves as candidates. Unfortunately for State Representative Mary Kiffmeyer, our former Secretary of State, her catch phrase carries little weight.

Among the many things Kiffmeyer believes in is "limited government". Certainly Kiffmeyer and her "limited government" friends are steaming at the fact that the FDIC had to step in to keep her bank solvent.

So, in light of all the banking industry problems and the foreclosure crisis which is even more problematic in NW Wright County (Otsego, St Michael, Albertville area) I find it disturbing that Kiffmeyer and her bank are, well...dab smack in the middle of all this.

Wright County recently had 23 pages of foreclosures in our local paper.

As the owner and a director of the Riverview Community Bank, Kiffmeyer allowed problematic lending to occur to such a level that the FDIC had to step in?

How can Kiffmeyer effectively represent the people of HD 16B when she can't even run her own business?

A trusted conservative?

There have been rumors out there that Kiffmeyer may be a Lt. Governor or even Governor candidate in 2010.

If find a significant amount of humor in pondering this.

Who would Minnesotans trust with their money? The conservative depiction of a "tax and spend" liberal or an incompetent bank owner?