"The far right wing has basically taken over the Republican Party in my district," Dille said. "They're not very tolerant of some of the votes I've taken over the years."Conservative first, Republican second, the people of SD 18 third is how that should have read.
Senate Minority Leader David Senjem of Rochester issued a statement praising Dille for his service and temperament, but a local party leader in Dille's district had a different take on Dille.
"He's an honorable man, but it was time for him to go," said Doug Krueger, first vice chairman of the McLeod County Republican Party. "He's a moderate. I'm ... a conservative first and a Republican second. So I'm pushing for candidates that are conservative."
"I'm really disgusted with Republicans not stepping up to the plate on this transportation issue," said Dille, the ranking minority member on agricultural committees.Most of the criticism of the Senator is based on his transportation bill vote which contained a gas tax increase. I'll remind readers yet again that Dille always said he would support an increase. He said he would support it and didn't cave when political pressure mounted.
Rep Urdahl also said he would support this bill, eventually voted for it, but put his party ahead of his district and voted to sustain the Governor's veto.
With rumors rampant about who will run in SD 18, with this seat being open for the first time in 24 years, does anyone think the local GOP will run anyone short of a far right wing conservative?
4 comments:
Kimball for Senate!
Joe - That is DFL, isn't it? It would surely overturn any conservative trending were Hal to get the GOP endorsement.
Big question, is it that demographics make those people so sure of themselves, or is it just they are who they are and compromise of any kind, in their view, is not a social necessity in the legislative process but a weakness?
Well yeah, of course I'd be looking for Hal to run with the DFL's support. As for your second question, I would tend to think it's the latter. I doorknocked with Hal back in 2006 and met quite a few folks who seemed like low-information, default-conservative voters, but most were open-minded and liked the impression they got of the candidate to whom they'd just spoken.
Which tells me that they might not be so friendly to the Fire and Brimstone approach that the local GOP seems to be taking.
JB - I was kidding about the DFL, but IP is always there also.
Thanks for info on the real question. I only met Hal once, and spoke briefly, but I'd vote for him in my House District [Jim Abeler, one of the six veto busting votes, the locals gave him a 'conservative' in a primary], and for certain in my Senate District [Jungbauer].
The door to door info is significant. If you can get time face to face with voters they will listen and be open, here in Anoka County too, so the demographics are that beyond a constant core against progressives or moderates, there are many that will listen and be open along with a somewhat constant core of almost-always DFL.
Hal - Be sure to get the word out if Joe's idea grows legs.
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