Minnesota GOP Steps Up to Defend Far Left Conspiracy Theories

Just when you think the Minnesota Republican Party couldn't be in any worse shape...

I mean really, we're talking about following in the footsteps of Ron Carey and his press release templates.

I honestly didn't think things could get much worse under the dynamic duo of Tony Sutton and Michael Brodkorb...

Oh how I was wrong!

In very calculated and well thought out act of strategery, Sutton and Brodkorb launched an ad campaign in Minnesota's 7th Congressional District, taking shots at Congressman Peterson for his remarks on 9-11 conspiracy theories and constituent outreach.

Now, when you hear folks saying Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and the Government were behind the attacks on 9-11, what do you thing of?

I think of left-wing...well...wacko's. I do.

So, in a district that Peterson won by more than 40% in 2008 and probably the third most conservative district in the State, Sutton and Brodkorb decide to come to the defense of left wing wackos?

Brilliant!

Didn't Seifert and other House Republicans try to get rid of RINO's the past few years? I guess they're really stretching that big tent concept...

I'm waiting for Ashton Kutcher to show up anytime now...

I like Congressman Peterson, and while he's too conservative at times for my tastes, he represents the enormous 7th CD well. In fact, the GOP attacks on Peterson's comments may actually serve to prove to those on the right that Peterson IS a better representative for them, after all his dissing of those damn left wing wackos.

Peterson may end up in better shape after the 5 figure ad buy! I can see the McLeod County GOP folks lining up to support Peterson now, especially after Peterson came out against those damn liberals!

But it gets better.

Ryan Flynn and the clowns at MDE think they're having a field day with Congressman Peterson's statements.

Once again, this has been a great week for the MNGOP putting pressure on Congressman Peterson.

While part of me didn't want to create this post and allow the MN GOP to continue their nonsense, my zeal for going after the MN GOP surpassed that.

So, anyone else feel better about the new direction of the Minnesota GOP?

Tarryl Clark to abide by endorsement

From her announcement email this morning.

I’ve won tough campaigns before and, with your support and help, I know we will do it again. I’m proud to have earned the DFL endorsement in each of my campaigns, and this campaign will be no different: I will seek and abide by the DFL endorsement, and I will not challenge the endorsement in a primary. The future of those in the 6th District is too important to let party politics get in the way.

Apparently Elwyn Tinklenberg will not abide by the DFL endorsement, but it is Wednesday night, that could change at virtually any moment.

Elwyn's past statements on DFL endorsements:

11/15/07: "I supported the party's endorsed candidate before," he said of his 2006 endorsement loss to Patty Wetterling. "I will certainly do that again."

12/13/07: "We will honor the endorsement if it is an honorable and straight forward process."

What does an honorable and straight forward process mean?

When will the DCCC pay their $250,000 IOU to Elwyn? I would assume only after he would win a DFL endorsement or win in a primary battle. Either way, that $250,000 IOU might come back to bite him in the tail.

Reed appears ready for a primary or an attempt to win this race by being an Independent.

"Our race is the same, regardless of who's in it."

Reed will seek both endorsements. When I asked whether, if she loses the Dem endorsement, she would run in a primary, Reed said:

"Plan A is to get the endorsement. Plan B is to make Plan A work."

So, we're about 9 months or so out from an endorsement. We'll see how the endorsement battle ensues, but I will support candidate(s) who abide by the DFL endorsement.

Tarryl Clark Announcement Video

Game on!




Go check it out!

More on the race in CD 6

Muse has an excellent post up!

I would have to agree with Muse's analysis of the situation as it stands now.

Reed: I'm waiting to see more. Seems to me I've seen a group of focused web savvy people keep a Congressional campaign afloat for months merely though its web presence. Ah....yep. Bob Olson, 2006.

Tinklenberg: Are we going to have to launch Tinklenberg 3.0? Not a Blue Dog? Really? A debate between Tinklenberg 2006, Tinklenberg 2008, and Tinklenberg 2010 would be a thrilling debate. One candidate a socially conservative, fiscally conservative Democrat. Another a socially moderate, fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrat. The latter a Wellstone Democrat.

I'd love to see that debate, but I am sure we can pull up the quotes at a later time...

Despite my criticism of Tinklenberg, I gave him money in 2008 and supported him post endorsement.

Clark: Once she formally announces, she becomes the immediate frontrunner. At her announcement, all she needs to say is that "I will abide by the DFL endorsement, as I am a Democrat".

Labeling Clark as too liberal for the 6th is ludicrous. Remember, back in 2006 Amy Klobuchar defeated Mark Kennedy in Kennedy's home district.

As I stated in a post yesterday, Tarryl Clark has been party building in the 6th for quite some time, whether it's providing support to candidates or attending fundraisers in the conservative hot bed of Wright County, Tarryl Clark has been building party infrastructure and a solid base for years. Her name recognition is as solid as her credentials.

She is at a disadvantage initially due to the enormous fundraising by Reed, but that can be overcome. Reed will need to raise a lot more money to obtain a fraction of the name recogntion Clark and Tinklenberg have.

That said, I'd have to rank the candidates Clark, Reed, Tinklenberg, and I will support the endorsed candidate, although I strongly support Tarryl Clark.

MN GOP to go after Congressman Peterson

So apparently, they're going to unveil a new ad campaign against the Congressman?

I say go for...in fact, the Minnesota GOP should spend every penny they have going after Congressman Peterson on this.

We won't tell them that Congressman Peterson hasn't gotten less than 65% of the vote in the 7th since 1996.

He won't lose on this issue...but if the Minnesota GOP wants to waste money on this (post PCR), go for it.

Clark Files Paperwork!!

From Larry Schumacher and the SC Times.

I'm excited by Tarryl Clark's entry into the 6th CD DFL race. In my humble opinion, she immediately becomes the front runner.

Tinklenberg's feeble fundraising should be cause for concern to Team Tink. His recent statements that he will push this race to a primary also will not sit well with CD 6 delegates who will look to endorse. At this point, Team Tink can hope to block an endorsement...a highly unlikely scenario.

Maureen Reed has raised a significant amount of money and has a strong presence on the web, but lacks name recognition in the district.

Some argue that Clark is too liberal for the district.

I disagree.

Clark has extensive legislative and campaign experience. She has fought some seriously difficult races in St Cloud and has branched out in support of other DFL candidates in Greater Minnesota.

Furthermore, her positions on important issues is consistent and she can articulate her position well. This cannot be said about other candidate(s) in this race.

There will be more to follow after Tarryl Clark has a formal announcement, but I know that many of us are very excited for her entry into this race!

"Birthers" on the Hill

Awesome video!!

MDE HYPOCRISY AT ITS FINEST

Yesterday, the kids over at MDE decided to attack Veteran Two-Putt Tommy, calling him a hypocrite for calling out Dave Thul's poorly thought out and executed attack on Congressman Walz.

In fact, they titled their right wing hate fest as "HYPOCRISY NOW GOES BY THE NAME OF TOMMY “TWO-PUTT” JOHNSON OF THE SD 42 DFL".

MDE stood up to defend Dave Thul, his hate filled attack on Congressman Walz, and the inappropriate use of official government email.

Remember when Mr. Brodkorb attacked Al Franken on email's that were sent via the U of M's Humphrey Institute.

I'm not attacking the Humphrey Institute, but rather Franken thinking he can use the public/taxpayer resources of the Humphrey Institute like he used the private resources of Harvard University.

Brodkorb also turned his rage towards Secretary of State Mark Ritchie for use of his state email for campaign solicitation.

So, when Dave Thul uses his official us.army.mil email address to take pot shots at President Obama and to launch his tirades against Congressman Walz and other political leaders he opposes, we hear silence from the MDE crowd.

If they feign outrage over the use of email by Franken supporters at the U of M and SOS Ritchie, shouldn't they be equally as outraged over the potential problems faced by Thul's use of his official us.army.mil email address?

A VETERAN ATTACKS MDE FOR ATTACKING A VETERAN, ATTACKING A VETERAN WHO WRONGFULLY ATTACKED A VETERAN

(ALL CAPS HEADLINES ARE RESERVED FOR RIDICULOUS MDE POST RESPONSES)

I'm just curious here...which one of those MDE clowns served a day in our nations military?

So Ryan Flynn (not the Ryan Flynn, just that Ryan Flynn) and his merry men at MDE took a shot at the ole Two Putter...

All in the defense of Dave Thul, an Iraq War Vet. While I appreciate and am grateful for Thul's service to this great nation, I think he's severely misguided and over his head on his recent witch hunt of Congressman Walz.

That said, Thul has some explaining to do.

Why didn't Thul identify himself as the Co-Chair of the Steele County Republican Party? He spent time identifying himself as a blogger, a constituent, a Veteran, but failed to identify himself by his partisan title, Co-Chair of the Steele County Republicans.

In 2006, Walz lost Steele County to Gil Gutenecht 8,166-7,006.

In 2008, Tim Walz PWNED Brian Davis in Steele County 11,994-6,146.

Come to think of it...I wouldn't admit if I were the Steele County Republican Co-Chair either...not after getting beat 2-1 by Walz in my own county.

The premise of Thul's attack on Congressman Walz is that he hasn't been honest. Thul's own omission of his partisan position was an intentional lie, he served to deceive the Walz staffers and try to embarrass them.

He only succeeded in embarrassing himself...

And then there is Thul's abuse of offical military email to disparage The President of the United States and a member of Congress.

As Muse points out, Thul has been asked about his abuse of his @us.army.mil email address, consistently trying to change the subject.

Back in the day, when I was an active duty Infantryman, we had a soldier in our company that was called before our Commander for some President Clinton and oral sex jokes.

Once a Commander allows a soldier, especially a Non-Commissioned Officer like Sergeant Thul, to abuse his power and act in an insubordinate manner towards his Commander in Chief, unit discipline slips, morale and esprit de corps fall apart.

Perhaps Sergeant Thul should take a refresher course of PLDC or maybe spend a few hours remembering his creed, the Creed of the Non-Commissioned Officer.

No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army". I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watchword. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind -- accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain technically and tactically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

These are not merely words...they serve as the backbone of what Sergeant's and NCO's do. In my humble opinion, the 10 most important words of this creed are: "I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage".

Well Mr. Thul...one out of two ain't bad. Right?

Notice to the NARN crowd.

Golf weekend is this weekend (Wed-Sun), so don't expect Blueman to interrupt 18 holes at Sugarbrooke to "appear" on the 10,000 watt flamethrower, 1280 The Patriot...we wouldn't want our favorite NARN folks to have another hissy fit, like in 2007.

On the ridiculous attacks on Congressman Walz

NEWS FLASH: Republican operatives cannot understand what "in support of" means.

The attacks on Congressman Walz have started again. This time, a tool named Thul is attacking the Congressman on his military record, saying that Walz did not serve "in support of" Operation Enduring Freedom.

Yep, we went through this stuff back in 2006 too...and the response is the same.

Congressman Walz has never given the impression that he served in Iraq or Afghanistan. His service "in support of" an important mission was important and the fact that some cannot fully understand the terminology of "in support of" saddens me.

When 3/4 of our Infantry Battalion deployed from Germany to Macedonia for Operation Able Sentry, there were people back in the rear "in support of" our mission in Macedonia. They didn't get to add the fancy UN ribbon to their chest of medals. It didn't devalue their service to the 3rd Battalion 5th Cavalry "Black Knights" either.

Congressman Walz and his unit were called to active duty, sent to Italy "in support of " Operation Enduring Freedom. Their lack of a service ribbon does not diminish the importance of their service.

It's not an exaggeration of one's service record.

So instead of attacking Congressman Walz, who has been nothing short of amazing on Veterans issues, perhaps Thul and his thugs should focus on helping CD 1 GOP candidates understand Veterans issues.

Anyone remember that Walz opponent, Brian Davis (a Mayo Doctor) could not "identify any specific areas where we would improve the educational or healthcare methods for veterans"?

After watching the Thul video, I actually couldn't be happier with Congressman Walz and his staff. It shows the level of constituent outreach and his level of service to the 1st CD.

Dille Uncertain About 2010

Not breaking news but still...

The McLeod County Republican Party's executive committee met Thursday evening in Glencoe and heard perhaps the first of a long list of candidates seeking the governor's position in 2010.

But they also heard that long-time District 18 State Sen. Steve Dille, R-Dassel, has not made up his mind whether to run for another term in two years.

Dille told the committee that he will likely make a decision this fall or prior to the upcoming precinct caucuses.

Dille and the more conservative executive committee, have not always seen eye-to-eye on issues, and Dille alluded to that.

Many on the executive committee "have a problem with me, because I'm not partisan enough. It's not my style to wage war against the Democrats 24/7. I don't plan on changing."

Dille said his bipartisan approach, especially after all these years as the minority party in the state Senate, is the only way to get anything done.

Also, he pointed out that he has won 11 elections in a row, most by wide margins. He said that is the kind of representation most constituents want for the district.

But Dille is under a lot of pressure to resign after the current term and allow a more conservative Republican to take his place.

"It's important to pick the right person," Dille said. "Once you get them, you're stuck with them."

Dille said 2010 is an important election because of redistricting, which usually occurs two years after the census.

Eleven elections in a row...wow!

CD 6 Fundraising numbers

Well folks, it's real!

Maureen Reed raised $231,839 this past quarter and has almost $219,500 cash on hand. Just a quick look at who gave money to Reed shows no surprises, lots of money from the University of Minnesota and from the health care industry.

Elwyn Tinklenberg raised $54,891 this past quarter and has $198,548 cash on hand (and an IOU from the DCCC for $250,000). El also has three staff members on the payroll still as well, including his daughter. Tinklenberg really needs to step up the fundraising because raising less than $60,000 a quarter will not cut it!

Congresswoman Bachmann raised more than $285,000 this past quarter and has nearly $390,000 cash on hand. Of course, the majority of Bachmann's financial support comes from outside the State of Minnesota.

Reed's fundraising numbers are very impressive, we'll see what happens next quarter though, determining whether or not this is merely Reed tapping all her friends and colleagues for money or an actual political movement that can withstand the rigors of a long endorsement fight and general election.

Tarryl Clark Drafted?

Muse has an interesting take on the race in the 6th CD and Tarryl Clark's rumored entry.

I agree with Muse. This isn't 2008 where Bob Olson's challenge...well...despite 128 blog posts here about him...was futile at best.

I know Bob Olson, and Reed is definitely not a Bob Olson clone...did you hear me?

The 6th Congressional District is better served by having a good, open, and honest endorsement battle.

Enter Senator Tarryl Clark.

I've been hemming and hawing at this one for more than a week. Should Clark get into a large but shallow Gubernatorial pool? Or would Clark and Minnesota be better served by her running in the uber competitive 6th?

After Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher announced that Jaime Tincher is her campaign manager, I changed my mind on where Clark should run. Through my eyes, after working with Jaime as a State Senate candidate in 2006, MAK made the best hire of the 2010 election cycle.

Getting into the race in the 6th makes sense now. It immediately hurts both Tinklenberg and Reed.

Back in 2006, Tinklenberg received no less than $36,000 from labor PAC's before his failed endorsement run against Patty Wetterling. Post endorsement, labor wrote more checks to Patty Wetterling.

2008 was a smoother run for Tinklenberg as he garnered every major labor endorsement...and for that matter...every endorsement in the district in his bid to unseat Congresswoman Bachmann.

Clark's entry into the race changes that dynamic. Labor will not be so quick to give Elwyn boatloads of money with a candidate of Senator Clark's profile. It also neutralizes the strengths of Tinklenberg's new campaign manager.

Some argue that a woman will be the logical choice to beat Bachmann. While Reed shares the same chromosomes and has a strong background on health care and higher education, she lacks the strong name recognition and political guile possessed by Senator Clark.

Clark has been all over the 6th in the past, helping candidates at all levels, party building and being a leader. That will go a long way in a long endorsement fight.

So with that said...if Senator Tarryl Clark has not been drafted yet...then lets just get it on and get it done!

Urdahl stands behind Pawlenty on Unallotment

I've been looking for this footage for awhile now!

Time to make Representative Urdahl wear this badge of dishonor, his support for Governor Pawlenty and unallotment. Why else would he be standing with Marty Seifert, Randy Demmer, and Juilianne Ortman at the Governor's unallotment press conference?

It's been awhile since Urdahl represented the interests of 18B and rural Minnesota and not the interests of his political party...


Governor uses the "nuclear option" on Minnesota budget

Who is Darrin Anderson?

His first piece of literature!

Darrin Anderson (18B, Litchfield, DFL): Urdahl has a challenger

This is the image that Dean Urdahl will wake up in a cold sweat to for the next 16 months...

Darrin Anderson from Litchfield formally announced his run for the State Legislature today, opposing current Rep Dean Urdahl.

I met Darrin at the Meeker County Fair about 3 years ago, winning a candidate seed spitting contest. I expect an intense and strong challenge to Rep Urdahl...it will be a very fun race to work on and follow.

We'll have more on Anderson's run for the legislature soon.

Congresswoman Bachmann in Wright County

The following is a recap from the Wright County Economic Development luncheon on July 2nd 2009.

Representative Michele Bachmann spoke to a group of 35 people, at a noon luncheon event put on by the Wright County Economic Development Partnership on Thursday July 2nd. Laurie Karnes of Land for Sale sponsored the event. A delicious roast beef buffet lunch was served by Laurie McLennan's catering service.

Laurie Karnes gave an energetic introduction for Michele Bachmann, who graciously took the podium and praised the lovely and astoundingly beautiful Wright County area. She said she was glad to..."be back in the land of normal." Moreover, she said the work of the members of the Wright County Economic Development Partnership is the answer to the problems in this country. It is "private wealth creation" that will bring our economy back.

Bachmann went on to criticize Cap and Trade, which will force everyone to "pay for the right to purchase energy." She predicts our electric bills will double, and she doesn't believe the costs of the new green jobs will be worth it. She criticized Obama for saying we should be more like Spain when it comes to creating more green jobs. In Bachmann's estimation Spain spent $70,000 for every green job it created and unemployment is 20% in Spain. Currently we have 9.4% unemployment in the USA, but we have sectors like the local electrical union that has 50% unemployed. The best recipe for economic success is "lower taxes, lower interest rates, and keep spending down." She asked the group to contact their Senators and tell them, "We don't want to be like Spain." Moreover, Cap and Trade will give the government "more power and money". Also, the entire..."country will have to follow the California building code." And..."every community will have to hire three full time employees to deal with the new energy code."

About the auto industry, Bachmann said, "The government has destroyed once great companies" and "car dealers were just wiped out after having invested $4 to $6 million in their businesses."

When asked about the mistakes of the Republicans, she said, "Elections have consequences." And "the Republican Party absolutely lost its way. They got slapped alongside the head to get them out of the drunk they were in; and they were really drunk. They thought they should spend their money the was democrats do. The spread themselves out on a limb and they got everyone mad. The Republicans did it to themselves. Very stupid; very very stupid. They did it to themselves and they are paying the price."

Bachmann said this about President Obama: "Obama is the most leftist President we have ever had." And "his place in the polls is falling like a rock."

About the government involvement with banking: "It is like the Roach Motel. Once you get in, you can't get out." And "The government wants to control our banks...they converted their shares from preferred to common stock, which are voting shares."

About the health care industry: "the government mandates higher costs and over fifty per cent of health care is government subsidized now." And, "if Obama passes health care it will mean rationing."

About missile defense: "Obama did cut one budget item; missile defense. He cut missile defense by 35% at a time when we have a greater threat for attack from a rogue dictator than ever before in our history." And "We live in a very precarious time right now."

Bachmann was very well received by those attending and she stayed for an entire hour to answer the questions from the audience.

Oh where to start...

We'll spend some time over the next week picking all of this apart and sorting out Bachmann's fetish for lying from reality.

One initial observation...when she was talking about the failures of the Bush Administration and the Republican Party...she sounds awful Ron Paul like!

Red State Update: Senator Al Franken...

Red State Update has a video up on Senator Al Franken.



Kind of lame...

Maureen Reed posts big fundraising numbers!!

Caught an email in my spam folder from Maureen Reed for Congress...

You should be among the first to know: in our first eight weeks the campaign has set a sizzling pace. We have raised over $230,000! Given your history of political involvement, you know this is a “Wow!” number. You also know that fundraising is the earliest signal of strength, organization, hard work and public confidence.

Our campaign has had this incredible success because Minnesotans like you simply want to make a difference. And when Minnesotans are confident they can make a big difference, they are unbelievably generous. They know this campaign has exactly what it takes to beat Michele Bachmann.

So if that’s the current state of affairs, what’s the past? I was born in southern Minnesota and attended the University of Minnesota undergraduate and medical schools. My husband Jim Hart and I have lived just west of Stillwater for almost three decades. I have practiced medicine in the Twin Cities for over 20 years, served as President of Aspen Medical Group and Medical Director of HealthPartners, led the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, and chaired the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.

And what’s the future? Real people, real problems, real opportunity. I am running for Congress to help 6th District residents with their real issues. The future that people want is that of business expansion, job growth, home ownership and lower health care costs. That’s the future that I see. That’s the future that can be. That’s why I’m running for Congress.

We are at the beginning of a very exciting race. Our first two months are just the first indication of the hard work, dedication and success you will come to expect from us. I hope you will be one of our earliest team members.

I invite you to visit our website at www.maureenreedforcongress.com to learn more about the campaign and join our effort.

Just as importantly, please help me learn more about you and your most important issues. Email me from the campaign website and give me your opinions, suggestions and advice. I look forward to hearing from you.

With determination,


Maureen Reed

I'm still waiting for the FEC reports to come out to put some perspective on this, but nonetheless, $230,000 is a big number!

Ladies and gentlemen...we have a race in the 6th.

BTW, Muse beat me to this about 8 hours ago...

Tom Emmer for Governor?

Caught a subtle change to the "Draft Tom Emmer for Governor 2010" facebook page...

It's now "Tom Emmer for MN Governor in 2010".

I left a note with Drew, hoping to hear back if something is official.

FYI, I still think he could be the GOP candidate for Attorney General but who knows?

We did hint at this back in April 2007...

Palin's actions contradict her rhetoric (Updated)

Caught a rebroadcast of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's press conference announcing that she will not seek another term as Alaska Governor and will actually resign the post effective July 26th.

Palin's office issued a statement...

"Once I decided not to run for re-election, I also felt that to embrace the conventional Lame Duck status in this particular climate would just be another dose of politics as usual, something I campaigned against and will always oppose," Palin said in a statement released by her office.

During her choppy and awkward speech, Palin spoke of her lame duck status and that she would not engage in status quo political trips on the taxpayer dime.

And so as I thought about this announcement that I wouldn’t run for re-election and what it means for Alaska, I thought about how much fun some governors have as lame ducks… travel around the state, to the Lower 48 (maybe), overseas on international trade – as so many politicians do. And then I thought – that’s what’s wrong – many just accept that lame duck status, hit the road, draw the paycheck, and “milk it”. I’m not putting Alaska through that – I promised efficiencies and effectiveness! ? That’s not how I am wired. I am not wired to operate under the same old “politics as usual.” I promised that four years ago – and I meant it.

However, as recent at June 26th, Governor Palin was on a trip in Europe, according to her Twitter page.

The choppy pace of her speech caught me off guard. It was humorous and yet painful to watch. Much like a car accident, I found myself shielding my eyes yet peaking through the fingers and the cluster-screw that was unfolding on CNN.

So, Palin's running for President in 2012? Attacking Obama on experience when Palin can't even complete her first term in office?

Really?