Blue man in a Red district

A LTE on the Newman Pay to Play Scheme in the Annandale Advocate

2011-02-04T09:00:00.001-06:00

From the Advocate

A breach of ethical conduct

From: John Deitering, Annandale

Scott Newman, our recently elected state senator, was in the news last week. In an astonishing breach of ethical conduct, his office sent an e-mail to the Minnesota Nurses Association that he would not meet with them because they supported his opponent (Hal Kimball) in last fall's election. Can you imagine if the mayor of Annandale instructed the snow plow crews to ignore your neighborhood because the residents had voted for the opposition?

Newman admits that his office sent the e-mail, but says he has no such policy. Really? What are the chances that one of his aides sent this e-mail without his consent? Senator Newman's actions are a direct attack on democratic principles; it's time for him to get out of government.

Editor's note: Newman apologized for the e-mail, which was sent by an aide. Newman noted that he was unaware that the e-mail had been sent. In a statement Newman said his policy is to meet with all groups.

McLeod County Chronicle Op Ed on the Newman Debacle

2011-02-04T08:00:00.007-06:00

The opinion of a center-right newspaper in our district. The same newspaper that didn't endorse Newman.

State Sen. Scott Newman, R-Hutchinson, got off to a rocky start in his new job at the state Legislature when an e-mail from his office indicated he would not be meeting with individuals or groups that supported his opponents during the last election.

While the aim of Newman's e-mail may have been to minimize his availability to lobbyists, the strategy boomeranged.

Whether it was an error by a staffer, which Newman claimed, or an error of judgment on his part is still being debated. But make no mistake, it was an error.

His apology and taking responsibility was a start, but was the content of the e-mail his own philosophy? In his initial statement, Newman said, "I want to be clear, that is not my policy to reject meeting requests on a political or partisan basis. I look forward to continuing to serve all constituents of Senate District 18 as the legislative session continues."

We will give him the benefit of the doubt. His future actions will be a better indicator.

The real question is who wrote the e-mail?

Newman did not help his cause by "tossing his aide under the bus" when the initial allegation came out. If the aide took the initiative, wrote the e-mail and sent it out, then the aide should be fired.

If Newman wrote the e-mail for his staffers and not for general consumption, shame on him for even thinking that way.

Needless to say, the whole mess has been disappointing. Newman gave us high hopes that things would change at the Capitol this session. We did not expect this, however.

The Newman e-mail is a major distraction that takes the focus off what is really important - addressing the state's $6.2 billion budget shortfall.

DFLers have jumped on Newman by seeking an ethics hearing on his conduct. Republicans have countered the DFLers are being hypocritical by ignoring past indiscretions by Democrats. It seems to be politics-as-usual in St. Paul.

Let us get past this distraction and get on with the important business at the Legislature.

Let's get some "adult" leadership for once so we can all get out from under this budget mess we are mired in.

- R.G.

Indpendent Review (Litchfield) questions Senator Newman's story

2011-02-04T07:30:00.001-06:00

Senator Newman needs to answer some serious questions. Barricading himself in his office does nothing...

It should surprise no one that DFL senators have requested an ethics investigation of Sen. Scott Newman, R-Hutchinson, on the grounds that he violated the public trust and brought dishonor to the Senate.

What isn’t so clear is whether such an investigation is worth the time, effort and potential distraction it could create for a Legislature that has enough on its plate simply trying to figure out how to dig its way out of a $6.2 billion budget hole.

That’s not to say we think Newman should receive a free pass. While some seem ready to accept the former administrative law judge’s explanation of miscommunication with his legislative assistant, we think he owes his constituents more.

After the Minnesota Nurses Association requested a meeting with the freshman senator, his office sent an e-mail saying he “will not see any organizations that donated to/supported his opponent Hal Kimball.”

This line alone could be explained away as a misunderstanding between Newman and his assistant. But the e-mail goes on to say that, “After some careful checking, I discovered that the MNA had donated to Kimball’s campaign.”

That’s the line that should trouble residents of Senate District 18 and Newman’s peers in the Senate, because it indicates something more was going on. We would prefer to believe Newman isn’t keeping an “enemies” list, but the fact that his legislative assistant did some “careful checking” and found the MNA had donated to Kimball’s campaign alludes to something more than a miscommunication. Either the assistant was told by Newman to check, or she did that investigation on her own.

Neither answer reflects well on Newman. Still, his constituents should hear something more by way of explanation than the “I should be giving clearer instructions” line Newman offered last week. He was elected to represent all of District 18, not just those who voted for him.

The senator and his Republican colleagues would like the whole matter to just go away. Republican Party Chairman Tony Sutton called the DFL senators’ request for an ethics investigation frivolous and “politically motivated.”

We would agree it could be politically motivated. But frivolous? The suggestion that a senator and/or his office staff keeps a list of those who don’t support him as a way to determine who he will and will not meet with should concern everyone.

It is a misperception — we hope — that Newman should want to clear up as quickly as he possibly can, and in greater detail than simply indicating he “should be giving clearer instructions” to his staff.

Devoting time to an ethics investigation and possible hearings probably would be a waste of time, as the Republican majority seems unlikely to censure one of its own over this issue.

However, Newman needs to make a better accounting of himself and assure his constituents that something like this will not happen again.

Until he does, Newman leaves the door open to skepticism about his ability to represent all people in his district and willingness to work with those who have opposing views.

My LTE about the Newman scandal

2011-02-04T07:00:00.003-06:00

Published in the Hutchinson Leader

From Hal Kimball
Cokato

If you believe Sen. Newman's story, then I heard about the Minnesota Nurses Association e-mail before the senator. According to the Star Tribune, Newman stated that “he had first heard of the e-mail early Tuesday morning.”

He first heard of the e-mail Tuesday morning? Really?

I knew about it around noon on Monday, when a Star Tribune reporter asked me questions about the MNA endorsement and if any donations from the MNA followed. The same Star Tribune reporter had stated that he called to seek comment from the senator on Thursday, several times on Friday, and several times on Monday. A similar story was relayed to me via a Pioneer Press reporter who called Tuesday morning after the AP filed a story.

Again, I find it very difficult to believe that Sen. Newman didn’t know about this e-mail for five days.
It’s time for Sen. Newman to come clean. His constituents in Senate District 18 are waiting.

Edtor’s note: Hal Kimball was the DFL candidate for the Senate District 18 seat in last fall’s election.

Senator Newman and the Senate Caucus

2011-02-03T20:57:00.000-06:00

My good friend Eric Austin has a great post about the Republican Senate Caucus role in the whole Scott Newman tax on constituent work.

One point Eric made jarred my memory.

Given the dual role of “Executive Assistant to the Majority Caucus” and “Vice Chair of the Minnesota Republican Party“, has Michael Brodkorb been whispering in the ears of legislative assistants? Did those assistants take his advice a little too far?

I had a chat with a former GOP Senator last Spring before the end of the session. While he named several reasons for leaving the Senate, he spent considerably more time discussing the efforts of Michael Brdkorb and Cullen Sheehan and the influence they had on Senators.

Legislators get a plethora of information before taking votes. This specific retired Senator told me of a confrontation he had with Sheehan. The confrontation centered over information the Senators were furnished with. The data that had been provided the Senators wasn't accurate and he openly questioned the data. He went on to state that a majority of the information he was receiving was heavily distorted, something he hadn't seen during his long service in the Senate.

It wouldn't be a surprise that Brodkorb and his crew are putting pressure on the legislative assistants. Certainly they're working hard to blur the line between legitimate work on behalf of the state and shady partisan nonsense on the tax payers dime.

A Minnesota Data Practices Act request for correspondence between Newman and his LA and his LA and Brodkorb would probably provide the lefty blogosphere with weeks worth of fodder, and shed some much needed light into the workings of the Republican Senate Caucus.

Would Newman the Lawyer defend Newman the Senator...

2011-01-31T08:10:00.000-06:00

...in front of Newman the Judge?

Senator Newman's story just doesn't add up.

Recall his timeline for epic fail.

After speaking to reporters from a couple of major newspapers, the timeline of the Newman email and following events interests me. Something just doesn't seem right.

At 2pm on Thursday January 20th, Senator Newman's LA sent the email that created the firestorm we witnessed yesterday. According to one reporter, they had placed a call to Senator Newman's office around 4:30 on Thursday asking for a response. Senator Newman didn't respond to a request for comment.

Friday January 21st, according to reporters at the Pioneer Press and the Startribune, both called Senator Newman's office and requested verification of the email and for the Senator to explain the response. Senator Newman didn't respond to a request for comment.

Monday January 24th, the same Startribune reporter called Senator Newman's office again asking for verification and asking for the Senator to comment. Senator Newman didn't respond to a request for comment. Later that afternoon the story broke at Bluestem Prairie. While Senator Newman failed to respond to repeated requests for comment, per Sally Jo at Bluestem, the Minnesota Republican Party had already been trolling her blog looking at the post. I find it hard to believe that former GOP hate blogger, State Senate employee, and Vice Chair of the Minnesota GOP Michael Brodkorb failed to see this coming.

Finally on Tuesday January 25th, after the AP ran a story picked up by the Pioneer Press, Startribune, and news feeds across the State of Minnesota, Senator Newman's office first responded by saying that Senator Newman would not comment and Kelley was unable to comment about her email. Later Newman responded that this was all a "innocent mistake" placing the blame with his Legislative Assistant.

I find it highly unlikely that I would know about the MNA email scandal nearly 24 hours before the Senator.

Senator Newman needs to come clean...

I knew about the MNA email before Senator Newman?

2011-01-29T08:00:00.002-06:00

If you believe Senator Newman's story, then I heard about the MNA email before the Senator.

Newman, who is from Hutchinson and sits on the influential Senate Health and Human Services Committee, said he had first heard of the email early Tuesday morning. “It’s just an error, that’s all,” he said.

He first heard of the email Tuesday morning? Really?

I knew about it around noon on Monday, when a Startribune reporter asked me questions about the MNA endorsement and if any donations from the MNA followed. The same Startribune reporter had stated that he called to seek comment from the Senator on Thursday, several times on Friday, and several times on Monday.

Again, I find it very difficult to believe that Senator Newman didn't know about this email for 5 days.

It's time for Senator Newman to come clean...his constituents in SD 18 are waiting.

Senator Newman hit with ethics charges

2011-01-28T07:30:00.001-06:00

Simply put, it had to be done.

So many questions remain unanswered, including the very questionable timeline, why Senator Newman failed to return a call to ANY media member from Thursday afternoon until Tuesday morning, questions about the use of state resources for campaign finance research and all the questions about the Legislative Assistant / Senator Newman and the actual content of the email.

Bluestem Prairie cites a West Central Tribune story on the matter. While I don't share the WCT's assertion that Newman answered questions in a timely manner, I do agree wholeheartedly that Newman still has a lot of serious questions to answer.

This quip in the Startribune story caught my eye.

"After some careful checking, I discovered the MNA had donated to Kimball's campaign," the e-mail said. "Your association will be unable to schedule an appointment with Senator Newman."

Careful checking? Did she check the Campaign Finance Board site? If she did, she would have found that the MNA didn't send any money to our campaign. Which is why I think Senator Newman simply gave LA Kelley a list of organizations that endorsed or donated to our campaign.

I think a Minnesota Data Practices Act is in order. In order to determine who's telling the truth, Senator Newman should divulge all email between himself and his Legislative Assistant and any correspondence between either the Senator and/or his LA and any lobbyist or advocacy group. I also believe that Newman needs to disclose his full meeting calendar as well.

Access to Senator Newman seems to be a big issue.

Newman did not immediately return a phone message, and no one answered a knock on his Capitol office door late Thursday afternoon.

This is consistent with previous attempts by both the Startribune and the Pioneer Press to contact the Senator after they learned about the email, a week ago. Newman either didn't get ANY of the press inquiries Thursday, Friday, and Monday or simply ignored them. It's also consistent with what I've heard from numerous local media outlets who cannot get the Senator to return a phone call to them either, including the KLFD AM 1410 Radio show, Aaron in the Afternoon.

But who came to Newman's defense? Yep, former GOP hate blogger Michael Brodkorb.

"Senator Newman didn't personally send the e-mail, nor was he aware of it," said Michael Brodkorb, spokesman for Senate Republicans. "He accepted complete responsibility and apologized for the confusion and frustration it caused."

Not aware of it? Why didn't Brodkorb approach Newman on Monday as the GOP surfed Internet blogs at the breaking Newman scandal? You'd also have to believe that Newman's LA didn't mention a single time that the media was looking for him, from Thursday-Tuesday morning.

If Senator Newman's story is true, he'd damn near have to be the most understanding boss ever. And from what I've personally witnessed, I find it hard to believe.

Senator Newman: The Truth Shall Set You Free

2011-01-27T08:00:00.004-06:00

It's been interesting following some of the local media outlets and the reaction to Senator Newman's naughty email to the Minnesota Nurses Association.

A blog post has appeared on both the Hutchinson Leader and Independent Review (Litchfield) websites. It's a post actually calling for Senator Newman to resign.

Instead of simply admitting his arrogant and asinine thoughts on representing only part of his constituency he took the low road. He lied, plain and simply lied. He blamed the entire statement in the email on his aide. Anyone with even the most rudimentary knowledge of politics knows that an aide would NEVER draft such a statement unless directly and expressly directed to do so by the Senator himself. What a cop out of responsibility and cowardly shift of blame to a subordinate employee.

And remember, Senator Newman wanted to be Judge Newman back in 2006 and was appointed by Governor Pawlenty to an Administrative Law Judge position. After this email was exposed, you have to question the ethos that would foster a workplace environment of pettiness and animosity that could create such a statement. He truly doesn't care. It's a paycheck. A government paycheck.

Furthermore, Senator Newman has avoided some media outlets in the Senate District. I know via facebook posts that the Aaron in the Afternoon Show from AM 1410 KLFD, has yet to receive a return call from Senator Newman

Jorge Sosa from the Hutchinson Leader was the lucky winner of Senator Newman's only local media outreach.

I've personally spoken to reporters in the Twin Cities who began calling the Senators office on Thursday afternoon, seeking a response. The same reporters called again on Friday and left multiple messages on Monday.

For Newman's story to be true, his rookie Legislative Assistant would have had to have concocted the email, looked at my Kimball for Senate Campaign Finance Report or at a list of people/groups who endorsed our candidacy and then blindly sent that message to the Minnesota Nurses Association.

And then kept it a secret from Thursday until Tuesday morning, secret from Senator Newman only, since DFLers, reporters and GOP staffers/party officials all knew about the Newman email well before the AP story broke.

It's clear that as the Hutchinson Leader blog post stated, Scott Newman flat out lied to us. He continues to lie to us.

Why doesn't anyone in the dead tree media ask Newman the tough questions? Especially after the same dead tree media scribes called me for background info on Senator Newman and told me they were trying to contact his since Thursday. How can anyone believe that he went from Thursday afternoon to Tuesday morning without any knowledge of the email to the MNA and the literally dozens of media requests?

Senator Newman is biding his time until this story dies. I for one, will make sure that the voters of SD 18 or whatever district we become for the 2012 election, never forgets what Senator Newman has done.

BTW, when will the DFL or the Senate Caucus actually do something? Other than send a fundraising letter that is...

Senator Newman's timeline of #Epicfail

2011-01-26T08:00:00.002-06:00

So what do you think of the Senator Newman "reverse pay to play" scheme and the professional nature in which it was handled?

A. Senator Newman is lying.
B. Senator Newman and his staff are incompetent.
C. All of the above.
D. He's telling the truth.

If you answered D, stop drinking the Kool Aid.

Senator Newman helped usher in a new era of accountability in St Paul today. Its the Legislative Assistant's (LA) fault.

After speaking to reporters from a couple of major newspapers, the timeline of the Newman email and following events interests me. Something just doesn't seem right.

At 2pm on Thursday January 20th, Senator Newman's LA sent the email that created the firestorm we witnessed yesterday. According to one reporter, they had placed a call to Senator Newman's office around 4:30 on Thursday asking for a response. Senator Newman didn't respond to a request for comment.

Friday January 21st, according to reporters at the Pioneer Press and the Startribune, both called Senator Newman's office and requested verification of the email and for the Senator to explain the response. Senator Newman didn't respond to a request for comment.

Monday January 24th, the same Startribune reporter called Senator Newman's office again asking for verification and asking for the Senator to comment. Senator Newman didn't respond to a request for comment. Later that afternoon the story broke at Bluestem Prairie. While Senator Newman failed to respond to repeated requests for comment, per Sally Jo at Bluestem, the Minnesota Republican Party had already been trolling her blog looking at the post. I find it hard to believe that former GOP hate blogger, State Senate employee, and Vice Chair of the Minnesota GOP Michael Brodkorb failed to see this coming.

Finally on Tuesday January 25th, after the AP ran a story picked up by the Pioneer Press, Startribune, and news feeds across the State of Minnesota, Senator Newman's office first responded by saying that Senator Newman would not comment and Kelley was unable to comment about her email. Later Newman responded that this was all a "innocent mistake" placing the blame with his Legislative Assistant.

Innocent mistake...for any group that hasn't paid the toll to speak with Senator Newman that is. I can see that Newman's 2012 re-election campaign has kicked off in full earnest. He's got a wonderful set of campaign slogans waiting for use.

Scott Newman: Because Jack Abramoff and Tom DeLay style politics are what Minnesota needs.

Scott Newman: "I don't have time to talk to constituents."

Let's think about this for a moment.

Do you really believe that Senator Newman's Legislative Assistant fired off that disrespectful response on a Thursday afternoon and didn't tell her boss about this until Tuesday morning? AFTER reporters from at least 3 media outlets were requesting the Senator to comment, since Thursday afternoon? Do you really think Senator Newman's LA came up with the reverse "pay to play" scheme on her own? Out of 75 comments at the Startribune on this story, only 2 seem to believe Newman's hastily concocted story.

I find it all hard to believe.

Senator Newman is a lawyer by trade, a trial lawyer at that. Would he actually try to sell this story to a Judge and jury? Are we going to buy this hard to believe fantasy version?

A full investigation into this is called for. As a bare minimum, I'd like to see correspondence between the Senator and the LA since last Thursday. Seems like a good start to me. Perhaps it's time to go for a Freedom of Information Act/Minnesota Data Practices Act request.

By the way, the answer to the first question is C, all of the above.

Senator Newman: Politics at its worst

2011-01-25T09:05:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Sally Jo Sorensen at Bluestem Prairie broke a story about Senator Scott Newman and his refusal to meet with organizations and people that endorsed my candidacy for the State Senate.

When I first heard about Senator Newman's refusal to meet with "any organizations that donated to/supported his opponent Hal Kimball."

-----Original Message-----
From: Kim Kelley [email address redacted by Bluestem]
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2011 2:00 PM
To: Eileen Gavin
Subject: [Eileen Gavin] Meeting

Kim Kelley sent a message using the contact form at [redacted]

Hi Eileen-

Unfortunately, Senator Newman will not see any organizations that donated to/supported his opponent Hal Kimball. After some careful checking, I discovered that the MNA had donated to Kimball's campaign. Your association will be unable to schedule an appointment with Senator Newman.

Kim Kelley

Legislative Assistant

My first reaction was surprise. Really? Senator Newman won't meet with local Vietnam Veterans, college students, local farmers, school teachers, Racino supporters, local laborers, local nurses, etc?

Absurd!

My initial shock wore off quickly. During my time with the Minnesota State University Student Association, I worked with higher education groups across the state. We worked to set up meetings with legislators in a strong effort to "Freeze Tuition". We met with virtually every State Representative and Senator, except then Representative Newman. I literally chased him from the House chambers to his office in the State Office Building trying to talk to him about higher education issues. It didn't matter...Representative Newman didn't want to talk to us.

Now, he wants to know who you voted for and who you gave money to before he talks to you. Per an email to the Minnesota Nurses Association, Senator Newman refuses to meet with them because they endorsed my candidacy for the State Senate. They incorrectly assert that the MNA provided my campaign with much needed funding. Per our campaign finance board reports, they did not, despite what Senator Newman's Legislative Assistant Kim Kelley thinks she found.

The Senator Newman excuse generator will talk about how negative the campaigns got as the election neared. Truth be told, Candidate Newman worked to manipulate local debates and forums. Besides, anything we brought to the voters was something Candidate Newman said. Was he upset that we were calling him out on it or upset that he actually said some of the things he said?

On second glance it sure looks like a reverse "pay to play scheme". Simply put, this is politics at its worst. It's why people have a complete distrust in government.

What will happen to towns like Annandale, Litchfield, Grove City, Watkins and Eden Valley, towns that didn't strongly support Senator Newman? Will they receive bigger LGA cuts?

What about mayors, council members, county commissioners, etc that supported our campaign?

Four years ago I lost a race to Senator Steve Dille. Within weeks of the session opening I met with the Senator to discuss some higher education and Veterans issues. Senator Dille provided a personal tour of the State Capitol and Senate chambers and we kept in close contact talking about these very important issues. He had an open door for everyone.

Senator Newman...his door has a toll, if you gave to our campaign in 2010, you better give to him in 2012 or else. Politics at its worst, right before our eyes.

I hope a ethics investigation ensues...

Emmer and the GOP's frivolous lawsuit

2010-11-13T07:23:00.001-06:00

My friends over at MNpublius hit this hard yesterday. Apparently the whiners over on Park St don't have anything better to do. Per the Startribune...

In St. Louis County, the request seeks: tape results, tally sheets, any result revisions, polling rosters, same day registration sign-ins, the number of accepted and rejected absentee ballots, copies of all absentee ballot envelopes, copies of all voter registration applications and absentee ballot applications, any communication with the Dayton campaign, names of election judges, Election Day incident reports and names of all people who applied for absentee ballots.

But county election officials are also required by law to update the rolls for voting history and same-day registered voters, which is priority No. 1 in most offices right now.

Patricia Stolee, St. Louis County's Director of Elections, was unaware of the suit but said some requested items cannot be made public until the rolls are updated. She has a three-person staff working on that.

Minnesota law states: "No polling place roster may be inspected until the voting history for that precinct has been posted. No voter registration application may be inspected until the information on it has been entered into the statewide registration system."

Now I find this to be pretty interesting really. Small government conservatives want to shrink government so that it can conveniently fit into our bedrooms. With all of the cuts that counties and small local governments have been hit with the past 8 years, I wonder how this process has been slowed by these cuts.

So while Tony and his mob hurl frivolous lawsuits and rant incessantly about election integrity, our hard working public employee's work diligently to ensure we got it right. I can't wait for another Brodkorb/Sutton/Emmer press conference!

Fortunately, we obtained footage of Tony Sutton preparing for his next press conference.

And it gets better. Last night I saw the following tweet from Mitch Berg.

Say Dayton wins recount. What do we get? A mentally ill alcholic who's never fnished a job in his life. Thanks, DFL.#stribpol #mn2010

Hmm...interesting.

Two can play this game...

Say Emmer steals recount. What do we get? DUI's, doesn't pay his bills, 7 mortgages. Fiscal conservative my ass...#stribpol #mn2010

Veterans Day 2010

2010-11-11T07:33:00.000-06:00

It's been an interesting week.

Call of Duty: Black Ops came out 2 days ago. This installment is a Cold War first person shooter game. In the first 24 hours it earned more than $120 million.

It made me wonder what $120 million could do to help prevent soldier and Veteran suicide.

It made me wonder about my friends and former soldiers who deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan without some of the essential gear to keep them safe.

It made me wonder about a friends dad who just saw his VA benefits reduced, even though he served our nation honorably in Vietnam and was exposed to Agent Orange.

I'm grateful that we celebrate Veterans Day. It wasn't too long ago that I viewed this as a forgotten holiday. Iraq and Afghanistan changed all that.

There probably isn't a day that goes by that I don't replay an event in my head or think about some of our finest moments on active duty. It's honestly tough to specify a singular event as my favorite/most memorable event while on Active Duty.

Here are a couple:

C33: Our Bradley Fighting Vehicle Crew while in the 3rd Battalion 5th Cavalry. Matt Maley from Arizona was our driver (and my roommate), I was the gunner, and we had John Shaw and Dave Kuusela as our Bradley Commander. Lots of fun times with the crew, Matt, Dave and I finished our final gunnery by posting a perfect score on our qualification table, earning Army Commendation Medals. These were some really fun guys!

Tomahawks, 1st Battalion 23rd Infantry: Within weeks of my arrival at Fort Lewis I was provided the honor of going to the Bradley Master Gunner Course. It was a great course, academically one of the toughest in the Army, and defined my 11 year career on Active Duty. At Lewis, I got to work with other great Master Gunners like Darrin Dreger and "Outback" Bob Prater. I worked my way from a Platoon "Mike Golf" up to the Battalion level, working with Colonel Bartran and a couple of great S-3's in Major Millet and Major Schenk.

Fort Lewis also introduced me to great folks like John Casebere, a 24th ID GW Vet who worked Long Range Surveillance in Iraq during the first GW. On our Battalion Staff I got to work with great guys like Shadd Williams and Jason Route. Major Millet took Williams, Route, myself and our Operations Sergeant SFC Webb to "Right Arm Night" at the Officer Club one Friday. It was the first and last time I ever made it into an "Officer Club".

Not only did they have free beer and food, they had karaoke too. After a rousing rendition of Sublime's hit "The Wrong Way", we were never asked back.

Camp Casey South Korea and the 9th Infantry Manchu's: We a First Sergeant from Puerto Rico that I couldn't understand and a Commander that resembled Mr. Bean. It was a great unit and a great time! One year goes fast when you're having fun. I had a great platoon full of young and energetic warriors. A month of our tour was spent up near the DMZ between North and South Korea as a Quick Reactionary Force. Hearing the North Korean propaganda every night while trying to sleep or seeing the world's largest flag flying in the North Korean "propaganda village" was a sight to see. Even more interesting though was trying to squeeze a 28 ton machine down some of the narrow South Korean roads and the crazy traffic.

Over 11 years I served with some really amazing people and I'm grateful for how they helped shape who I am today.

Thank you!

When a Tea Party guy wins in 25A

2010-11-08T15:00:00.027-06:00

Those of us here in SD 18 know State Representative-elect Glenn Gruenhagen well, after all, he served on the Glencoe Silver Lake school board for 4 terms/15 years.

His win over Mick McGuire was disappointing. Mick is a long time public servant and would have provided a balanced and well rounded approach to government.

Gruenhagen is an extremist who will likely fill the rhetoric void left with Tom Emmer's departure.

Typically, legislators serve in areas of expertise. Veterans often serve on a Veterans committee, you get the picture.

It's not a stretch that Representative-elect Gruenhagen will serve on an education committee. With his extremist past as a school board member, education professionals across Minnesota should shudder.

How extreme is Gruenhagen?

At a statewide school board association meeting Gruenhagen pushed his extremist agenda.

Resolutions:
Stop labeling and drugging students - 2 for; 103 against.
Emphasize rote learning - 2 for; 130 against.
Implement phonics reading - 8 for; 94 against.
Teach principles of patriotism - 13 for; 88 against.
Implement abstinence - 7 for; 95 against.
Separate classes by gender - 16 for; 86 against.
Teach fallacies of macro evolution - 7 for; 100 against.
All children are gifted - 12 for; 89 against.

At his best, 14% of school board association members supported his proposals. And this guy is going to get things done for Greater Minnesota?

Elections have consequences...I sense a recurring theme here.

The stakes are high

2010-11-06T16:50:00.001-05:00

Elections have consequences.

We fought a spirited campaign here in SD 18, as did my friends in other districts across Minnesota. While I'm disappointed in the outcome, we don't have time to wallow in self pity.

With the Republicans in firm control of both the House and the Senate, a very conservative agenda is going to take hold and the impact in Greater Minnesota could be severe.

We all know we're facing a $6 billion budget hole. During the campaign Republicans across the state and here in SD 18 questioned whether or not we really have a deficit.

Last year the State of Minnesota spent over $30 billion but got about $35 billion worth of government. We offset that by "kicking the can down the road" for about $2 billion and by taking Federal Stimulus money for public safety, education, transportation and health care, saving many great programs and creating jobs across the state.

It's clear to me that a GOP majority will work to get closer to that $30 billion figure than the $35 billion figure.

Now, in 9 debates and forums across my Senate District, Senator-elect Newman (first time I've typed that) couldn't name a single budget area in which he would cut. Not one.

He'll combine the Boxing Commission with the Combative Arts Commission and save the state $50,000 at most, but has not named a single area in which he would cut.

And he won't raise any revenue either.

After Tuesday, the party with no answers or solutions cannot be the "party of no" any longer.

They must lead, and based on what I've witnessed firsthand the past 11 months, we have reason to be concerned.

Last February during Precinct Caucuses, the Tea Party pushed groups out here in Wright County and they've named themselves "Camp America Grassroots" and the "Meeker County Revolution". They're pushing a great amount of rhetoric and sheer craziness.

One of the talking points that emerged out of the craziness dealt with the size of government. Now I don't dispute that the growth of government is sustainable, but we don't need to overstate claims to try and prove a point.

Case in point, Senator-elect Newman has stated on countless occasions that "in 1960, the State of Minnesota had a budget of $500 million and 3.5 million people. In 2010, it has a budget of more than $30 billion and 5.5 million people."

Check out a simple inflation calculator, you'll find that $500 million indexed for inflation in 2009 is actually $35.81 billion.

Look at the demagoguery of Health and Human Services. Senator-elect Newman and other tea party "elite". Anyone who claims that we spend more on welfare than we do educating our kids is out of touch with reality.

In fact, out of the $10 billion spent in Human Services, more than $4.4 billion is spent on long term care and nursing homes. Is that "welfare"?

In the coming weeks, we'll continue to cite the extreme examples of what the tea party movement in Greater Minnesota really stands for.

This much is clear. We have to organize our communities to fight what's on the horizon. We have to have Governor-elect Dayton's back. He's going to play the role of goaltender, deflecting the strong conservative power play.

I'm ready to fight for places like Cokato, Annandale, and Silver Lake.

I'm ready to fight to make sure our kids have the same opportunities I did when I was a kid.

I'm ready to fight, are you?

We're back...

2010-11-06T15:26:00.000-05:00

After an 11 month hiatus, the BMIARD is back.

The past 11 months have been a wonderful experience, working my way across SD 18 meeting more wonderful people and gaining a greater understanding for what the big issues in our area really are.

Armed with that knowledge, we'll be back in the blogosphere stronger than ever.

We have a lot of work to do. A lot of good Democrats fell victim to the wave that swept through our nation this past week. SD 18 has been "red" for a long time. But many of the surrounding areas have elected Democrats in the past, specifically SD 13, 25, 14, 15, 16 and 20. Many of these great folks lost.

The time to organize in Greater Minnesota is now. The stakes are high but working together, we'll be able to move our communities in a progressive manner.

Closing our the year strong!

2009-12-30T07:54:00.000-06:00

Dear Friends,

We’ve had a great December!

In just a few weeks, we’ve been able to get our campaign off to a fast start and people are beginning to take notice. We’ve already put a great campaign team in place, earned a lot of attention in the key newspaper s serving Senate District 18 and begun building the amazing grassroots effort that’s going to carry us to victory in November.

None of this would’ve been possible without you. To keep the momentum going I need one more small favor this year. Please help us close out 2009 strong with a contribution of $20.10 .

I grew up in Wright County and consider myself lucky to have had the many opportunities I did. Now I want to make sure Minnesota remains as great for my family as it was for me. Doing this won’t be easy, however, since the Republicans in Senate District 18 are already working hard to ensure the Michele Bachmann wing of their party is well represented at the state Capitol.

By investing in Minnesota’s future today with a contribution of $20.10 , you can help ensure that we’ll have what we’ll need to continue spreading our positive, results-oriented message to every city and town across Senate District 18.

Thank you so much for everything you’ve done to help our campaign, our party and, most importantly, our state. By working together, we’re going to make 2010 the year in which we elect a DFLer governor, build on our legislative majorities and defeat Michele Bachmann.

Please join us today with a contribution of $20.10 so we can continue working to build the future Minnesota needs.

Thanks again,

Hal

Contribute to our campaign!

2009-12-19T07:36:00.000-06:00

Our new campaign blog is up and running! The website will be up early next week! In the interim, we ask that you please donate from the link at the blog!

Tim Benoit announces in SD 18

2009-12-11T07:08:00.000-06:00

Another Republican is running for the State Senate out here in SD 18!

As reported by the Enterprise Dispatch here in Cokato.

COKATO, DASSEL, MN – Dean Mahlstedt of Cokato and Tim Benoit of Dassel are both seeking the Republican endorsement for the District 18 Senate seat now filled by Steve Dille (R-Dassel). The cacauses will take place Feb. 2, 2010 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. More details to come. Two others, Randy Wilson former Glencoe mayor, and Steve Newman of Hutchinson, are also seeking the nomination.

Mahlstedt is hosting an event to answer questions about himself and his position at Dunn Bros. in Hutchinson Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. No events are planned thus far for Benoit.

That makes 4!

See you in a bit

2009-12-10T05:34:00.001-06:00

We'll be back in a few months...hopefully under the title "Blue man in a Blue district".

Dean Mahlstedt announces in SD 18

2009-12-09T21:10:00.002-06:00

So far, a two way race for the GOP endorsement. I expect Scott Newman and one other candidate to announce soon.

Cokato business owner Dean Mahlstedt is seeking the Republican Party endorsement in his run for Minnesota Senate.

Mahlstedt is vying for Steve Dille’s seat as District 18 senator. Longtime incumbent Dille announced last month that he won’t run for re-election. His current term ends Jan. 3, 2011.

Mahlstedt will be at Dunn Bros. in Hutchinson from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 12. After a brief introduction, he’ll be available to answer questions and listen to comments.

Randy Wilson announces in SD 18

2009-12-09T09:15:00.001-06:00

From the McLeod County Chronicle

Wilson to run for Senate seat

Last Friday afternoon, Glencoe Mayor Randy Wilson announced he will be running for the District 18 state Senate seat in the fall 2010 election.

The seat is currently held by State Sen. Steve Dille, R-Dassel. Dille announced last month that he will not seek re-election.

Wilson announced he will run as a Republican, and will seek the District 18 Republican Party endorsement. But he did not rule out running in the primary if he does not receive the party endorsement.

"With the opening of the Senate seat in District 18, I would like to earn your support as a Republican candidate," Wilson said in making his announcement.

"While the 2010 elections seem a long time from now, the candidates interested in the open seat do need to start the process of meeting the people they desire to serve.

"We should give everyone an opportunity to learn which candidate will best represent their interests in St. Paul. I believe my experience as mayor of Glencoe and as a business owner for 23 years has given me the background to serve as your next state Senator in Senate District 18," Wilson said.

Comcast backs health care reform

2009-12-05T10:02:00.001-06:00

Good story at Think Progress

But on Thursday, Comcast, the nation’s largest cable provider, came out and endorsed the Senate health care legislation. CEO Brian Roberts sent a letter to President Obama saying that the “enactment of comprehensive health care reform legislation is, in my judgment, critical to putting this country on a path of sustained growth and prosperity.”

Is Michael Brodkorb still running the show at MDE?

2009-12-05T08:15:00.003-06:00

It would appear as such.

Yesterday, a post appeared at 1:29 pm, about a South Dakota blog going after Matt Entenza.

It was posted by "Luke Hellier".

SOUTH DAKOTA POLITICAL BLOG PICKS UP ENTENZA STORY
By Luke Hellier | December 4, 2009

South Dakota War College, a political blog from South Dakota, picked up the story about Entenza’s fundraising event in Washington, DC. The post is below:

Remember this story from a couple of years ago? If I recall, I even blogged on it:

"Luke Hellier" posts a link to the story

"I even blogged on it:" back on August 28, 2006.

"I" as in "Luke Hellier".

But that story was written by Michael Brodkorb.

So who wrote the South Dakota story? Brodkorb or Hellier?

On June 24, 2009, Brodkorb announced that he would be leaving MDE because of his position as the Deputy Chair of the Minnesota Republican Party, creating separation between the tabloid arm and the leadership arm of the Minnesota Republican Party.

On June 30, 2009, Brodkorb supposedly turned over the reigns of MDE to other bloggers.

New bloggers will be added over the coming weeks, but those decisions will be made by Ryan and Aaron, as I will have no editorial role in Minnesota Democrats Exposed. The keys to the store have been handed over to the new tenants.

Ryan and Aaron posted for about 3 months before they were joined by "Luke Hellier".

Perhaps Luke does some posting at MDE. Maybe it was Luke posting back in 2006 and not Michael?

Is the real Luke Hellier just a patsy?

So, is the Deputy Chair of the Minnesota Republican Party is posting at MDE now under the alias of "Luke Hellier"? Even after he stated he would "have no editorial role in Minnesota Democrats Exposed"?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Senator Thune: Stay in your lane buddy

2009-12-04T07:02:00.004-06:00

What's up with Senator John Thune?

"I don’t know what his [Franken's] motivation was for taking us on, but I would hope that we won’t see a lot of Daily Kos-inspired amendments in the future coming from him," said South Dakota Sen. John Thune, No. 4 in the Senate Republican leadership. "I think hopefully he’ll settle down and do kind of the serious work of legislating that’s important to Minnesota."

I'll re-state some comments I made nearly a month ago on the "anti rape" amendment.

Senator Franken didn't propose this legislation to "be the poster boy for a hard hitting campaign against the Republican Party".

He proposed it because it was the right thing to do.

So, instead of going after Senator Franken, maybe we should spend more time figuring out why 30 Republican Senators thought that the individuals that raped Jamie Leigh Jones needed protection.

Being an advocate on an issue like this DOES build the base. Being an advocate on an issue like this IS important to Minnesota. It should be important to folks in South Dakota too Senator Thune.

Rape is about power. In this case, KBR employees slipped a date rape drug into Jamie Leigh Jones drink and gang raped her while she was unconscious.

After Jones reported the criminal act committed against her, KBR armed guards placed her in a metal shipping container and denied her access to food, water and medical treatment.

Anyone reading this ever actually been in a metal shipping container? We spend hours loading these things while I was stationed at Fort Hood Texas. Imagine how hot this sealed shipping container could get on a July 2005 day in Iraq.

And yet, 30 United States Senators sought fit that KBR and other defense contractors were the ones needing protection and not people like Jamie Leigh Jones.

Obviously I'm not the only one who sees the absurdity in that.

So, my question to Senator Thune is this.

If your daughters Brittany and Larissa were raped by a defense contractor in Iraq, would it still be a bad idea to seek justice?

Would you still feel that this was a "kos inspired amendment"?

GOP wants Franken to defend them?

2009-12-03T07:36:00.003-06:00

30 Republican United States Senators vote against an amendment that would de-fund contractors who prevent their employees from suing if they are raped by co-workers, and they want Senator Franken to defend their vote?

Really?

Do I really think these 30 gutless Senators support rape? Of course not.

They support corporations and the military industrial complex over real people.

To his credit, Senator Franken hasn't gone Bachmann on the bit and appeared on every cable news show known to mankind to hurl accusations.

He's been quiet. He's been professional. He's been a United States Senator.

And importantly, he's right.

Palin and Bachmann to unite Tea Baggers

2009-11-27T15:45:00.001-06:00

And for $549...you can witness the carnage first hand.

Navy SEALS: Let them do their job!

2009-11-26T09:27:00.003-06:00

I caught this story this morning and well...it ticks me off.

Ahmed Hashim Abed, whom the military code-named "Objective Amber," told investigators he was punched by his captors — and he had the bloody lip to prove it.

Now, instead of being lauded for bringing to justice a high-value target, three of the SEAL commandos, all enlisted, face assault charges and have retained lawyers.

Matthew McCabe, a Special Operations Petty Officer Second Class (SO-2), is facing three charges: dereliction of performance of duty for willfully failing to safeguard a detainee, making a false official statement, and assault.

Petty Officer Jonathan Keefe, SO-2, is facing charges of dereliction of performance of duty and making a false official statement.

Petty Officer Julio Huertas, SO-1, faces those same charges and an additional charge of impediment of an investigation.

So the guy that masterminded this...

got a bloody lip and 3 Navy SEALS who brought him to justice are being prosecuted?

Since we're bringing GITMO detainee's and 9-11 conspirators to NYC for a trial, what about bringing Ahmed Hashim Abed to the United States so these brave Navy SEALS can face their accuser?

Conservative, moderate, or liberal...it does not matter when the bureaucrats decide they want to make an example out of someone.

Pathetic...

R.T. Rybak for Governor Campaign Kickoff!

2009-11-26T07:52:00.000-06:00

Join R.T. Rybak as he officially kicks off his campaign for Governor of Minnesota!

The campaign is up and running, and we are building a grassroots movement to get real change in Minnesota. I’m running for Governor to create jobs and get real results for the people of Minnesota – because it is time to change not only the policies of St. Paul, but the politics.

Be a part of it. Join us to officially kick-off our campaign for Governor:

R.T. Rybak for Governor Campaign Kick-Off
Sunday December 6, 1 p.m
Varsity Theatre, 1306 4th Street SE in Dinkytown, U of M

This event will kick off a three-day swing around the state that will end in New Prague, the town R.T.'s great-grandparents helped found in 1865.

Perino: "We did not have a terrorist attack on our country during President Bush's term"

2009-11-24T21:54:00.001-06:00

And we're worried about re-education camps via Americorps and the University of Minnesota?

Oh holy hell...

A GOP 10 Commandments?

2009-11-24T07:12:00.003-06:00

Really? I'm not sure this will help the GOP at all.

The resolution invokes Ronald Reagan, and noted that Mr. Reagan had said the Republican Party should be devoted to conservative principles but also be open to diverse views. President Reagan believed, the resolution notes, “that someone who agreed with him 8 out of 10 times was his friend, not his opponent.”

Hence the provision calling for cutting off Republicans who agree with the party on seven of 10 items. The resolution demands that Republicans support “smaller government, smaller national deficits and lower taxes,” denial of government funding for abortion, and “victory in Iraq and Afghanistan.” It calls on candidates to oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants and repealing of the Defense of Marriage Act.

So if you only support 7 of these...you're SOL?

(1) We support smaller government, smaller national debt, lower deficits and lower taxes by opposing bills like Obama’s “stimulus” bill;

(2) We support market-based health care reform and oppose Obama-style government run health care;

(3) We support market-based energy reforms by opposing cap and trade legislation;

(4) We support workers’ right to secret ballot by opposing card check;

(5) We support legal immigration and assimilation into American society by opposing amnesty for illegal immigrants;

(6) We support victory in Iraq and Afghanistan by supporting military-recommended troop surges;

(7) We support containment of Iran and North Korea, particularly effective action to eliminate their nuclear weapons threat;

(8) We support retention of the Defense of Marriage Act;

(9) We support protecting the lives of vulnerable persons by opposing health care rationing and denial of health care and government funding of abortion; and

(10) We support the right to keep and bear arms by opposing government restrictions on gun ownership.

Sadly, Allen Quist and Michele Bachmann added this up and support 11 out of 11.

Note #9. Republicans bundle health care for for "vulnerable persons" with anti-choice rhetoric. So in the GOP eyes, you can't support health care for a senior or low income person but support a woman's right to choose.

So, what do you think? Is this a good idea for the GOP to strengthen it's base? Or will it result in more NY 23 type races?

193% of Republicans can't be wrong

2009-11-24T07:08:00.001-06:00

Pawlenty get's no love...

Dille wil be missed

2009-11-21T08:56:00.001-06:00

An op-ed in the West Central News Tribune

Sen. Steve Dille announced earlier this week that he would not seek re-election in 2010. The veteran Republican senator will serve during the 2010 Minnesota legislative session.

Dille will be missed in the Legislature.

A veterinarian and farmer from Dassel, Dille has served diligently and well — first in the House for six years and then for 17 years in the Senate. He has a good temperament that has served his constituents, his district and his party well.

Unfortunately, Dille is a moderate in a district where some in the Republican Party are moving farther to the right. This moderate senator was facing opposition within his district from party activists, who were not very tolerant of some of his moderate stands.

It is unfortunate when intolerance runs anyone out of either major political party.

Dille was brave and he was right for taking a stand for outstate Minnesota when he voted to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s veto of the transportation bill, which included a gas tax. All of Minnesota needed this investment in our infrastructure.

Dille authored the Freedom to Breathe Act, supported and signed by Pawlenty, that banned smoking in bars and restaurants. This was the right move for Minnesota.

Overall, Dille has been supportive of the Republican caucus for the majority of the time. Senate Minority Leader David Senjem of Rochester released a statement commending Dille for both his service and temperament.

However, Dille is 64 and has others things he wants to pursue in life. We understand that.

We are glad Dille will still serve through another session in the Legislature. Moreover, we wish him well in his new pursuits in life.

Extremist Allen Quist for Congress? Really?

2009-11-20T07:24:00.001-06:00

We all long for the story that writes itself. It truly is a writer's dream. In nearly 4 years on the Minnesota Blogosphere I hadn't really come across one...

Until now!

Allen Quist is running for Congress...against Congressman Tim Walz.

The story broke a few weeks ago now and surprisingly, posts about the extremist Quist are few and far between.

So who is Allen Quist? Simply put, a liberal bloggers delight.

The short answer is that Quist was elected to three terms in the Minnesota House and ran for Governor twice.

We've never been fans of the short answer though.

A quick look at Allen Quist's Gubernatorial coverage in both 1994 and 1998 tell us a lot about the man.

He has strong opinions on a woman's role in society

During our interview in St Peter, his home town, Quist confirmed his belief that, in a household, the husband is genetically predisposed to be master of his wife. 'In marriage, there is a political arrangement between the man and a wife, and in the political arrangement the man should be the head of the house. I think it's instinctive,' said Quist, 49, who served as a state legislator in the mid-1980s. 'I know it's true. You look in the animal world versus the human and it's virtually universal in the animal world.'

At the funeral for his first wife, Quist directed the mortician to display the couple's unborn child.

Quist also recalls the death of his first wife seven years ago when she was pregnant. He had the undertaker remove the 6 1/2 - month fetus from the womb and display it in his dead wife's arms lying in a glass-fronted casket. That way, he said, he and his family were able fully to grieve the unborn child.

He's displayed some rather odd behavior in the past.

First, voters have heard a lot about Quist's reputation as a three-term legislator almost obsessed with sexual morality, including an undercover foray into a sex-oriented bookstore in Mankato, hours and hours of speeches on the House floor railing against homosexuality and pornography and sponsorship of a bill to require AIDS testing for all marriage license applicants.

He has not made a big deal out of those issues in his campaign, and explains that he got caught up in those issues, in part, because he was given grossly inflated estimates by the state about the spread of AIDS.

He was virtually unelectable in 1994. Yep...15 years ago...

Still, with a month to go before the primary, polls show that Quist's negatives are very high and that, as people get to know him, a significant percentage strongly dislike him or disapprove of his politics.

Vin Weber, the former Minnesota congressman who pioneered the Reagan coalition in the 1980s - a coalition Quist claims to be trying to resurrect - predicted last spring that Quist would become unelectable as the news media and his opponents defined him, especially in a general election.

"He won't wear well at all," predicted Mike Triggs, a former campaign manager for Carlson. "Mr. and Mrs. Gopher are going to think [the Quists] are damn weird." Over the course of the campaign, some odd angles have been revealed about both Quist and his activist wife, Julie, who at times has been almost as intensively covered as the candidate.

He has an "interesting" take on dinosaurs and evolution.

“Did dinosaurs and people live at the same time, and why do so many recently discovered ancient art works accurately picture dinosaurs?”

“How should we interpret the numerous references in ancient literature to dinosaurs (called “dragons” before 1850 AD), and what are the creatures described in Job chapters 40-41?

“What is the status of various examples of irreducible complexity, and have these examples been explained in Darwinian terms?”

“How has Darwinism influenced American law and politics?”

He wrote an "interesting book about abortion"

In his 1980 book The Abortion Revolution, Quist even compares abortion to Hitler’s murder of millions of Jews.

I think you get the picture...

Quist has a long history of extremist actions and views. I wonder what Congresswoman Bachmann thinks about her friend's opinion that women remain submissive to their husband? Regardless, it will be interesting to see Quist go through a quixotic campaign down in the Fighting First, only to get thumped by Congressman Walz.

Since 2007, Congressman Walz has served the constituents of the 1st CD in an honorable and consistent fashion. He's held countless open forums and meetings across the First that have brought unprecedented transparency to the political process in the district.

Are we going to let Quist and his extremist views muck that up?

2009-11-19T08:46:00.001-06:00

Fyi, I now only post at this blog. I apologize for....well, cheating on BMIARD.

Senator Dille was forced out

2009-11-19T07:22:00.002-06:00

I had heard on numerous occasions that Senator Dille was being forced out...now the proof.

"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."

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."

Conservative first, Republican second, the people of SD 18 third is how that should have read.

"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?

2009-11-17T08:43:00.001-06:00

Had a nice chat with Senator Dille this morning...expect something soon.

Anyone read Army of Dude today?

2009-11-17T07:27:00.001-06:00

Alex has an amazingly powerful post up!

Dille will not seek relection in 2010

2009-11-16T21:17:00.001-06:00

You know how I feel about this...

Go check it out here!

North Star Liberal Launch

2009-11-16T05:00:00.000-06:00

This morning a new Minnesota Political Blog launched, one that I will proudly take an active role in.

North Star Liberal

Blueman readers have most likely read the contributors of North Star Liberal at other Minnesota political blogs. I believe each of us will continue to post at our own blogs, but we will also develop content exclusively for NSL.

So, Tax Paying Liberal, Political Muse, Two Putt Tommy, Brian Falldin, Chris Truscott, and I hope you enjoy our newest endeavor!

Another Tea Baggers get punked video!

2009-11-15T08:50:00.000-06:00

Tea Baggers Get Punked!

2009-11-15T06:14:00.002-06:00

Sally Jo at Bluestem Prairie has the scoop!

DJ at I Don't Hate America has the video footage!

A good story on R.T. Rybak

2009-11-14T07:10:00.002-06:00

From the St Paul Legal Ledger

The evolution of R.T. Rybak: From pajama-party protests to DFL gubernatorial contender

By Britt Robson, Special to Capitol Report

November 16, 2009

When R.T. Rybak first ran for mayor of Minneapolis eight years ago, he was perhaps best known for a stunt of activism. Back then he organized a group “pajama party” at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport as a member of Residents Opposed to Airport Racket (ROAR).

Challenging an entrenched DFL incumbent, Sharon Sayles Belton, in a solidly Democratic city, the then-45-year-old Rybak campaigned with a quirky panache, announcing his candidacy on the Minneapolis Issues List server before holding a formal press conference, and using a giant air freshener as a prop in the summer parades as he weaved with manic energy from one side of the street to the other.

“I’m not a caretaker,” he said proudly at the time. “I’m the change guy.”

Last week, just two days after a mayoral campaign cakewalk that concluded with his being elected to a third term with 74 percent of the vote, Rybak filed the necessary papers and declared his intention to run for governor. This time, in his first statewide race, Rybak doesn’t need pajamas or aerosol cans.

And while “caretaker” is probably not the perfect word for his current persona, his best strategy would seem to be portraying himself as the sure and steady adult in the room — the chief executive who has structurally balanced his city’s budget and repaired a prior downgrade in its bond rating despite two huge subsequent cuts in state aid to local governments; who has bucked inner-city poverty enough that the unemployment rate is lower in Minneapolis than in the seven-county metro area or statewide; and who has received near-unanimous plaudits for his calm, competent management of the emergency and rescue efforts surrounding the I-35 bridge collapse two years ago.

Whether you agree or disagree with Rybak’s method of governance — among other things, he has locked in tax increases to achieve fiscal solvency — it is hard to deny that he has matured in grappling with the core pocketbook and safety issues so integral to voters in most any contest.

This maturation process was first catalyzed during the heat of Rybak’s first mayoral campaign, when Moody’s downgraded the city’s bond rating in large part because of a $70 million deficit in the internal service funds used to buy equipment such as police cars and fire trucks.

“I questioned the finances at City Hall during the campaign, but when I got into office, it was dramatically worse than I expected,” Rybak remembers. “For the first couple of weeks of financing briefings, I would go home at night slack-jawed at the seriousness of the situation.”

Minneapolis CFO Pat Born, who was appointed a year before Rybak took over, corroborates this view, noting that, along with the bond-rating reduction from the internal services deficit, the city’s pension funds were becoming shaky — and the previous City Council had left a roughly $5 million hole in that year’s budget.

“R.T. put himself through financial boot camp right after he got into office,” Born says. “He spent two or three days per week his first few months in office with the council leadership deciding how to do this $5 million cut.”

The immersion gave him enough knowledge and context to begin asking the right questions of Born and the city’s other money people about how to prevent future deficits — and to get a tangible feel for the power of the purse strings. As Born puts it, “He learned that these budget issues were important, and a way to exert his own influence on the way government did things. It led to some of the intensive reforms we did [with council approval] over the next 18 months.”

These included a locked-in 8 percent increase in property taxes, a 2 percent increase in public employee wages, and five-year financial plans for balanced budgets. But since the property tax increase alone wasn’t going to balance costs if the deficits were to be reduced, setting priorities became part of the process — which proved enormously helpful when Gov. Tim Pawlenty and state legislators began slashing local government aid payments in 2003.

“The parts of my character I most wanted to use were to be more of a city builder, utilizing my experience with architecture and things like that,” Rybak says. “Instead, I had to learn this whole new body of work, and now it is one of my favorite parts of the job. People laugh when I tell them I have spent the last eight summers in multi-hour budget meetings and I like it.”

But finance wasn’t the only area where Rybak, who had never run for office before his first successful bid for mayor, faced a steep learning curve. The consensus of many council members and others who work in City Hall is that many of Rybak’s first-term appointments were ill-suited for the duties of their position. These ranged from his first chief of staff, former affordable housing advocate David Fey, who lacked the acute political skills to thrive in City Hall, to his fire chief, Bonnie Bleskachek, who lasted little more than two years before being demoted by the council amid allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination.

“He’s matured so much,” says City Council President Barb Johnson. “From his first term to his second term, it was like night and day. I think it was conscious, that he was racked by the criticism he was getting, particularly with his appointments.”

“Those of us who work with him began to see a real professionalism in the second term, especially in his appointing quality people with the right experience,” echoes Council Member Gary Schiff. “We talk about the I-35 bridge collapse a lot, because if that had happened a year earlier, Minneapolis wouldn’t have been the city that worked. There would have been a different police chief, fire chief, public works chief and city coordinator. Those were the people who never slept. They were the best people for the job and [they were] there at the right time.”

The competence and efficiency of these high-level workers were deftly complemented by Rybak’s own calm, compassionate demeanor throughout the early stages of the ordeal. He credits at least part of this behavior to his experience in a federally sponsored disaster management training program instituted in response to the 9/11 attacks shortly after he was first elected.

“FEMA flew about 70 of us out to this place called Mount Weather, Virginia, near Dick Cheney’s cave, for disaster simulation exercises at this secluded encampment,” Rybak recalls. “And I had to play a role as a mayor in a disaster. I was a rookie who had never held public office and I remember calling my wife Megan and saying, ‘This is a whole new ballgame.’ But when the bridge collapsed, I knew exactly what to do and how to act because of that training. I had had no background, yet I was able to act and react appropriately.”

It was early in his second mayoral term that Rybak became energetically involved — perhaps sooner than any other publicly elected official outside of Illinois — in a movement to convince Barack Obama to run for president. This prescient move is likely to pay dividends throughout Rybak’s gubernatorial campaign, helping him to assemble the political machinery necessary to raise money and carry his message across the state.

“[Supporting Obama] certainly gave him exposure, because he traveled all over the state for him,” says Johnson. “That’s really important in a race for governor, because there is something going on in every corner of the state during a campaign and you’ve got to know people. In particular it was helpful because R.T. got to know some people in the [state DFL] party. Remember, he wasn’t a party guy. He wasn’t endorsed in his first two races. So that’s an important inside game that [his early Obama support] will help him play.”

It nonetheless remains a fact that no mayor of Minneapolis has ever been elected governor of Minnesota. But Rybak likes his chances against a Republican opponent. Reminded that his five-year plan of 8 percent annual property tax increases was bumped up to 11 percent this fiscal year, he was primed with a response.

“When we discovered we had a problem with the budget,” Rybak says, “I said I would cut spending and reform services but that I would also need more money to fix our long-term problems. Then we laid out a long-term plan that has paid down $116 million worth of our debt despite all the cuts the state has made to LGA [local government aid].

“By [increasing the tax hike] this year, we are making it so the burden is not as much on the taxpayers next year, because we have more tax capacity this year. But our [Minneapolis] budget has gone from $1.4 billion to $1.3 billion — we are doing this to fix our long-term problems. That isn’t happening at the state level. Tim Pawlenty and I both raised your taxes: I just told you the truth.”

But for now, Rybak’s opponents aren’t Republicans. Rybak has pledged to abide by the party’s endorsement at next April’s convention. His fiscal management and his signature programs, such as his recent initiatives to reduce juvenile crime, probably resonate better in a general election setting than in the delegate-wooing now taking place.

As another Democratic candidate for governor, State Sen. Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, says, “Right now it is a hunt for delegates, and with me and [Rep. Tom] Rukavina [DFL-Virginia] up here, I think the chances of [Rybak’s] getting many on the Range are difficult. Plus, Mark Dayton also does well in this part of the state.” As for Rybak’s home turf, no fewer than three DFL candidates — Rybak, House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Rep. Paul Thissen — hail from Minneapolis.

“The one thing I think may be a challenge for R.T. in this governor’s race is that he can be a little thin-skinned, and this will get harsher as it goes along,” notes Johnson. “The other thing is that there are two big fish who are going to a primary — [former Rep. Matt] Entenza and Dayton, and they have lots and lots of money.

“R.T. is very engaging. I’ve told him that the more people he meets, the more votes he’ll get — but I don’t think he understands the antipathy that people can have for big-city politicians. That’s where Margaret’s farm background really helps her.

“But now there is something the cities and the range really have in common — local government aid cuts. And I don’t think those in the Legislature have sung that song well enough. You read in these small-town papers, those layoffs really hurt. R.T. understands that and has done something about it here in Minneapolis.”

I first met the Mayor during the St Cloud special election in 2005. Governor Pawlenty called a special election for the seats vacated by Dave Kleis and Joe Opatz during the Christmas break at SCSU, in an attempt to stifle the college student vote.

As the student body President, I worked with a group of students to do some GOTV work around the campus. That's where I was able to meet R.T. Rybak. He came up to St Cloud to do GOTV work for the special election and he made a lasting impression on me.

When I ran for the State Senate out here in 2006, I recall numerous attempts to get other campaigns and groups to work with our local campaigns. Most looked at our conservative area and either paid lip service to us or simply didn't have the courtesy to even return a phone call or email.

Much like my support of Tarryl Clark in the 6th...Tarryl has been there for us.

I can say the same for R.T. Rybak.

Seeing him speak again at the Meeker County Chili Championship brought back a lot of strong, positive memories.

I am proud to support R.T Rybak in his bid for Governor in 2010!

Free Advice for the NRSC...

2009-11-13T06:59:00.002-06:00

...and Larry Jacobs.

Don't vote against legislation protecting the rights of a rape victim.

Just a thought.

Senator Franken didn't propose this legislation to "be the poster boy for a hard hitting campaign against the Republican Party".

He proposed it because it was the right thing to do.

So, instead of going after Senator Franken, maybe we should spend more time figuring out why 32 Republican Senators thought that the individuals that raped Jamie Leigh Jones needed protection.

Being an advocate on an issue like this does build the base...

RNC health care plan covers abortions?

2009-11-12T20:35:00.003-06:00

Wow...

The Republican National Committee’s health insurance plan covers elective abortion – a procedure the party’s own platform calls “a fundamental assault on innocent human life.”
Federal Election Commission Records show the RNC purchases its insurance from Cigna. Two sales agents for the company said that the RNC’s policy covers elective abortion.

Informed of the coverage, RNC spokeswoman Gail Gitcho told POLITICO that the policy pre-dates the tenure of current RNC Chairman Michael Steele.

“The current policy has been in effect since 1991, and we are taking steps to address the issue,” Gitcho said.

Since 1991!

Republicans are complaining about reading 1900 pages of a health care bill but then failed to read their own RNC insurance policy for 18 years?

Oh man...

Bachmann lies about Capitol protest

2009-11-12T20:03:00.006-06:00

20,000-40,000 people?

I've seen more people at a SCSU Hockey game...

Spread via only "word of mouth"?

Really?

Ummmmm....I was there Congresswoman!

Sorry Bluewife...I mean WE were there...

A. When we spoke to Capitol Police, they estimated the crowd at 3-5,000. I politely asked to reduce that figure by two...since we didn't support that level of crazy.

Bachmann and her cronies are lying.

Here's a quick cell phone pic from the front of the Capitol, taken about 30 minutes into the love fest.

Look at all that "green space"! We'll post video's soon...don't worry!

So here's the question.

Do we cave for 5,000 teabaggers at the base of the Capitol?

Or do we listen to 1.5 million folks who showed up longing for change?

What do you think?

B. All those people showed up via "word of mouth"...

Really? So linking to the House protest on the Congresswoman's official Congressional web page constitutes "word of mouth"?

Actually, it's yet another violation of House ethics rules. But really...who cares right? When you stand out on the steps of the Capitol, tout lie after lie while missing a vote on the recognition of service in our nation's military by women, why not continue to violate rules and lie?

Especially when you parlay those lies into more face time with her constituents, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and Rush Limbaugh.

One year from tonight we'll be celebrating Congresswoman Tarryl Clark...

Lack of health care killed 2,266 Veterans last year

2009-11-12T08:28:00.001-06:00

This just pisses me off...

The number of US veterans who died in 2008 because they lacked health insurance was 14 times higher than the US military death toll in Afghanistan that year, according to a new study.

Veterans Day for me is a time to reflect.

I reflect on the good times and the great times of my 11 years of Active Duty military service.

I remember my friends that are no longer with us.

I think about the men and women who suffered through so much that they felt the only choice they had was to take their own life.

I think about all of those homeless Veterans out there, struggling day to day.

And I realize just how lucky I am...

Maureen Reed's Veterans Day Email

2009-11-12T07:18:00.001-06:00

No spin...

Last week, an unspeakable tragedy occurred at the Fort Hood Military Base in Texas, when a gunman opened fire at his fellow servicemen and women. Never before has our nation faced such an action of this scale, and as the details unfold, my hope is that our energy, focus, and sympathy remain on the brave servicemen and women who are recovering from their injuries, as well as honoring the memory of those who sacrificed their lives because they felt the call to serve our nation.

Fort Hood's loss is a loss for all Americans and my campaign staff joins me in expressing our heartfelt sympathy and respect for all of our service men and women and their families at this time.

Veterans Day has always been a special day for me. I am grateful that the nation dedicated one day as a small token of our appreciation for the brave men and women in our military. Like many of you, the military has played a large role in my family, with my father serving in World War II.

He recalled to me that as a 35 year old on December 7th 1941, he heard the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor while standing at the corner of Oak and Washington streets in Minneapolis. Dad knew immediately that he had to answer the call to defend our country and enlist in the military. He served in the Navy as a signalman, using the Morse code to communicate with other ships in his convoy to protect oil tankers all over the globe, from the South Pacific to the North Sea.
In my life, I've worked to ensure that our veterans are taken care of not only when they are wearing their uniforms, but when they return home as well. As part of my internal medicine training, I worked at the VA Hospital in Minneapolis, taking care of veterans with service related injuries from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. It was truly an honor to give back to our veterans. When I get to Congress, I will make sure veterans issues will be a top priority of our government.

I have two nephews who are in the military; one who served with the National Guard and is a Veteran of the Iraq War, the other is currently on active duty US Air Force, flying C-17's, ensuring that troops on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq have the supplies they need.

Today's heroes deserve our respect and gratitude. Stationed across the globe and around the nation, I admire their commitment to protecting our country. We must always remember their contributions long after today passes.

Ensuring that our veterans have quality physical healthcare, superior mental health counseling, tuition assistance and vocational training is a paramount responsibility of our elected officials, and not one I will take lightly. I would like to ask everyone to join me today in taking the time to reflect on the great efforts of the men and women in the military. While we only set aside one specific day a year for their efforts, it is important to keep their tremendous gifts in mind for the rest of the year as well.

Sincerely,

Maureen

Tarryl Clark's Veterans Day Email

2009-11-12T07:16:00.001-06:00

No spin here...just the facts.

Veterans’ Day isn’t just another day on the calendar for me. It’s central to who I am, and why I’m in public life.

I was born on the Naval Station at Norfolk, Virginia, while my father was serving in the United States Navy. He was at sea for weeks and months at a time; in fact, he was at sea when my brother, Scott, was born – the news of Scott's birth reached him aboard the ship while near Norway. He returned home, only to be deployed just two days later to take part in President Kennedy’s naval blockade during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

My parents raised my brothers and me with a clear sense of duty, responsibility, and commitment to service. My brothers, Drew and Jeff, went on to join the Navy; Drew serving across Europe, and Jeff as a sea rescue swimmer stationed in San Diego, CA. I spent my career working in a different kind of public service – starting in community non-profits like Habitat for Humanity and the YWCA.

When I was elected to the State Senate just a few years ago, I made working for Minnesota’s veterans one of my top priorities.

I co-authored a new law providing leaves of absence for family of service members seriously injured or killed, as well as income tax subtraction for military pensions. I helped expand the GI Bill, co-authoring legislation to include access to graduate school and specify a minimum award. I helped write the law providing counseling services for returning soldiers. And I authored legislation allowing veterans to declare their veterans status on their driver’s license or state-issued ID.

It’s not everything we can do. But it’s a start. And this week is a good time to remember that we need to do more.

On Sunday, I was honored to join other military families, veterans and civilians to march in our Saint Cloud-area Veterans parade. I was able to visit with hundreds of people – WWII veterans and their grandchildren, Iraq vets and their young families, and even with National Guard soldiers currently in Basra via live-feed. It was a truly moving experience to see our community come together to honor those who have served our country, and are serving now.

I marched in the parade with the members of Warrior to Citizen – a coalition we’ve formed to support returning veterans and their families, and assist them in putting their new skills and experience to work in our communities.

Warrior to Citizen, along with efforts like Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, are ground-breaking efforts initiated right here in Minnesota. Its homegrown leadership we can take to the national level, as we continue our efforts to ensure our veterans are treated with dignity, respect, and the support they need when they return from their service.

A few weeks ago, an unexpected package arrived on my doorstep. Inside was an American flag, sent by Minnesota National Guard soldiers currently serving in Basra.

The flag is proudly displayed in my home, and every day I take a moment to think about those soldiers who sent it to me, and how I’m grateful for their service to our nation.

And when they return from duty, it’s our turn to serve them.

So for my Dad, my brothers, the Guard soldiers in Basra, and the millions of Americans like them who have served our nation, I hope you will take a moment today to honor our Veterans.

Sincerely,

Tarryl Clark

MDE blatantly lies about Clark campaign

2009-11-11T21:08:00.002-06:00

And the games start early.

Luke Hellier posted

As of yesterday, Mokros had been demoted to “campaign consultant” in some stories.

In some stories?

A quick Google news search of "tarryl clark campaign team mokros" fails to display a single story stating Andrea Mokros was demoted. Nothing.

Hellier made it up.

Will MDE/Luke post the link to said story? Or...will he just keep making stuff up?

Did Bachmann Violate More Ethics Rules?

2009-11-11T20:10:00.001-06:00

MPP has a great story!

MDE forgets Bachmann's Americorps Comments

2009-11-11T19:47:00.003-06:00

Luke Hellier seems to have forgotten that his favorite member of Congress didn't have very kind words to say about Americorps...

Hellier's Bachmann fetish has reached record lows the past few days.

Here is the direct quote that got Hellier testy.

Clark also took aim at Bachmann's attacks on AmeriCorps, which she has likened to “re-education camps.” Bachmann's criticism came back to haunt her when it was reported her son had joined Teach for America, an AmeriCorps program.

“We have three things in common: We're women, moms, and we both have sons in AmeriCorps,” Clark said. “The difference is I'm proud of mine and we should be proud of our young adults giving something to the community.”

Does this sound like a a proud mother?

Bachmann said that Americorps is really "re-education camps for young people - and get trained in a philosophy that the government puts forward." She continued, “It is a dream come true for people who want to transform our country from a free-market economy to a centralized government planned economy. It is completely different and antithetical to what our founders gave us and I think people should be shocked, they should be stunned with what is happening and the speed at which it's happening and in particular, what is happening with the G-20 and the transnational aspects of what our President is committing our nation to.”

Re-education camps for young people?

Don't believe me? Listen to it yourself!

Does this really sound like a proud mother?

Why doesn't MDE and the other right wing folks explain Bachmann missing a vote recognizing the service and dedication of women in the military?

Happy Veterans Day...

2009-11-11T07:01:00.000-06:00

To all my fellow Vets out there...

"A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check to their country for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'"

Obama at Fort Hood

2009-11-11T06:59:00.000-06:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Pawlenty Deer Hunting: Metaphor for 8 years of TPaw rule

2009-11-10T20:58:00.002-06:00

Startibune had a story today about Governor Pawlenty and his deer hunting trip.

Pawlenty shot a deer!

Pawlenty, who tends to come up empty-handed during the opener, shot a small buck while hunting north of Thief River Falls on Saturday morning.

But it ran off into the brush, apparently badly wounded.

Hunters who were with Pawlenty started following the blood trail, but Pawlenty had to leave for Iowa, where he was headlining a Republican Party fundraiser.

Kind of like what Pawlenty has done with unallotment. Pawlenty made a mess for Minnesotans and is anxiously campaigning for President...leaving someone else to clean up his mess.

What vote did Bachmann miss while getting her crazy on?

2009-11-10T19:56:00.003-06:00

I heard the rumor while on "The Hill" about Bachmann, Boehner, Pence, and King missing (ironically, Stupak too) a vote in the House.

Imagine that, Congresswoman Bachmann missing a vote while getting her crazy on...what did she miss?

HR 868

BILL TITLE: Honoring and recognizing the service and achievements of current and former female members of the Armed Forces

H. Res. 868

In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

November 5, 2009.

Whereas women are and have historically been an important part of all United States war efforts, voluntarily serving in every military conflict in United States history since the Revolutionary War;

Whereas 34,000 women served in World War I, 400,000 served in World War II, 120,000 served in the Korean War, over 7,000 served in the Vietnam War, and more than 41,000 served in the first Gulf War;

Whereas more than 185,000 women have been deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other missions since 2001;

Whereas over 350 servicewomen have given their lives for the Nation in combat zones since World War I, and more than 85 have been held as prisoners of war;

Whereas over 350,000 women serving in the Armed Forces make up approximately 15 percent of active duty personnel, 15 percent of Reserves, and 17 percent of the National Guard;

Whereas women are now playing an increasingly important role in America's military forces; and

Whereas the women of America's military, past and present, have served their Nation in times of peace and war, at great personal sacrifice for both themselves and their families: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) honors and recognizes the service and achievements of current and former female members of the Armed Forces;

(2) encourages all people in the United States to recognize the service and achievements of women in the military and female veterans on Memorial Day;

(3) encourages all people in the United States to learn about the history of service and achievements of women in the military; and

(4) supports groups that raise awareness about the service and achievements of women in the military and female veterans through exhibitions, museums, statues, and other programs and activities.

Attest:

Of course, Congresswoman Bachmann will most likely show up at an event tomorrow, Veterans Day, and go through her typical routine.

Fail to support legislation for said item only to show up and cut a ribbon, hand out a big check, or thank a Veteran.

Clark Announces Campaign Team! (Updated)

2009-11-10T11:16:00.003-06:00

State Senator Tarryl Clark announced her campaign team today...it's a pretty impressive team! More to follow when I get home...but I'm even more excited!

(update)

I can't cut and paste on my phone yet....so here are the details.

Zach Rodvold is serving as Campaign Manager. Rodvold joins the campaign from the office of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, where he served as State Director. Rodvold led Klobuchar’s field operation during her 2006 campaign for Senate, winning the 6th Congressional District with over 50% of the vote, and defeating 6th District Congressman Mark Kennedy in his own district. Rodvold has also served as GOTV Director for the Obama-Biden campaign in Minnesota; 6th District Field Director and, later, State Director for Americans United to Protect Social Security; and on a variety of political and issue campaigns in Minnesota and beyond, beginning with the 2002 campaign of the late Senator Paul Wellstone.

Lauren Beecham will join the campaign as Finance Director, having most recently served in the same capacity for Chris Coleman’s landslide victory in the Saint Paul Mayor’s race this year. Prior to leading Coleman’s fundraising efforts, Beecham was Deputy Finance Director for Senator Al Franken’s campaign.

Rounding out the Clark campaign staff: Nicole Wittig-Geske, who previously served as Deputy 6th Congressional District Field Director for the DFL’s 2008 Coordinated campaign; Stacey Springer, a former Chair of the St. Cloud State College Democrats; and policy adviser Emily Lawrence, who previously served as Legislative Director for Congresswoman Betty McCollum and as Leadership Assistant to Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe.

It's a very impressive and widely talented collection of folks. I'm even more excited to get the ball rolling in the 6th!

Spy Museum

2009-11-08T07:50:00.002-06:00

One observation from the International Spy Museum...
Spies stick lots of stuff up there rear ends...saw lots of "rectal stuff" there.
My spying days are over

Stupak Amendment

2009-11-07T07:05:00.002-06:00

I've found myself wondering where these pro-life Democrats were for 8 years of hard core GOP rule? To hold up health care reform now, on this issue is BS

DC Day 2

2009-11-07T06:37:00.002-06:00

We are pretty excited to witness the health care debate today! Teabaggers are still floating around from office to office pushing Bachmanns lies.

Tea Bagger Rally 4

2009-11-05T13:13:00.002-06:00

Should 5000 ticked off and crazy folks keep 48 millon that need help from getting it?

Tea Bagger Rally 3

2009-11-05T12:03:00.002-06:00

"lets thank Michele Bachmann for her leadership"

crazy meter is pegged.

no amount of showers will rid me of the dirty feeling i have now

Tea Bagger Rally 2

2009-11-05T11:59:00.002-06:00

Steve King says he can see Americans as far as the eye can see....um.....I see maybe 5000 here. Thats what the Capitol Police dude said...

Tea Bagger Rally 1

2009-11-05T11:40:00.002-06:00

This rally is absolutely nuts. Bachmann, Jon Voight, Cliff Claven and now Mike Pence. WHOLE LOT OF CRAZY HERE...wow!

DC Day 1

2009-11-05T11:18:00.002-06:00

At the capitol south metro stop...there's not enough hand sanitizer anywhere to clean this level of crazy up....

2009-11-05T09:50:00.001-06:00

Landed in DC! We now have an hour to get our bags, get to the hotel, and to Bachmanns Capitol event!

2009-11-05T06:55:00.001-06:00

We're boarding the plane to Washington DC right now....making it just in time to witness Congresswoman embarrass our district again.

We'll try to live blog....

Ventura on Larry King

2009-11-03T13:48:00.002-06:00

Former Governor Jesse Ventura will be on Larry King tonight at 8 pm...looking forward to hearing what the Governor has to say!

McLeod County Chronicle: Defending my 2006 opponent

2009-10-30T07:22:00.002-05:00

Crazy talk right. A Democrat defending a Republican, specifically a Republican that soundly defeated me in 2006.

But that's what I did in a LTE to the McLeod County Chronicle.

Why?

Senator Dille has served 22 years in the Minnesota House and the Senate. I don't agree with the Senator on a lot of issues, but he has served our area well. He works for compromise and he is a strong principled man. When he says he supports something, he doesn't waver under last minute pressure.

Recently, the Republican party in the area, mostly the McLeod GOP, has been working to push Senator Dille out. They'll push the good Senator out for a strong right wing ideologue. A Bachmann/Emmer/Shimanski clone.

And I don't think it's good for the district. A right wing ideologue will go along to get along in St Paul. They will hold the party line while putting the people of SD 18 behind, a complete contradiction to Dille's 22 years of service.

And if the good Senator does get pushed out, we'll urge him to run as an Independent.

And if he doesn't...I might.

1600th post: Tim Walz on Afghanistan

2009-10-30T07:05:00.002-05:00

From Hardball last night.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Muse posts about Reed

2009-10-29T06:43:00.002-05:00

Good work Muse!

Here's a fun experiment for anyone listening out there...

Set up a Google alert for Maureen Reed, Tarryl Clark, and Michele Bachmann.

Monitor what kind of traffic these Google alerts get for an entire week.

You'll see that both Bachmann and Clark get some significant headlines and relevant stories via Google alert.

With Maureen Reed? Not so much. I actually recall a two week period of time, in which I received a Google alert once a day on each of these candidates. Reed didn't have a relevant link or story for two whole weeks.

So you tell me...is that campaign sizzling or what?! That tells me a lot about the Reed for Congress campaign.

BTW, you're welcome for the Google alert caused by this post....

Maureen Reed: CD 6's Priscilla Lord Faris?

2009-10-28T21:04:00.002-05:00

Let's nip this in the bud now...

We all remember the failed campaign of Priscilla Lord Faris. She ran a dirty and unimpressive campaign against US Senator Al Franken.

Her story and her campaign was the focus and a highlight of a conservative blogger.

Now in 2009, the names and the races have changed, but the tactics haven't.

Note to Dr Maureen Reed or Team Reed...

Getting your talking points displayed front and center at MDE does nothing for you. In fact, it ticks off a significant portion of the DFL base, the group you will need to win in the 6th.

“I know what independents think. I know what’s important to them. We know where they live, and we can speak directly to them,” said Reed. “In the 6th district, our DFL cannot win if it only gets DFL votes.”

Ok Dr Reed, in 2006 on the back end of Peter Hutchinson's ticket, you garnered a whooping 6.4%. In the 6th, you received 5.9% of the vote. Let me guess, Peter Hutchinson drug the ticket down right? With nearly 30% of the State and the 6th identifying themselves as independent, it seems you fell significantly short.

We've heard the argument before. A strong liberal cannot win in the 6th, that a more independent voice would shine through in the 6th.

In 2002, a moderate socially conservative DFLer ran against Mark Kennedy and lost...big time.

In 2004, liberal Patty Wetterling closed to within 8 points of Mark Kennedy, garnering 46% of the vote.

In 2006, Wetterling lost to Michele Bachmann, with the majority of the blame falling on a poor campaign.

2008, moderate Elwyn Tinklenberg lost to Bachmann by about 3 points.

My point is this, no one other than a Republican has won in the 6th since Bill Luther, which had only a portion of the district as it's encompassed now. Liberal, moderate, etc...all campaigns have failed. Reeds assertion that she can win as a moderate is unfounded.

Reed running as a moderate, lobbing verbal bombs at State Senator Tarryl Clark will do nothing to help her in the 6th.

If either candidate cannot run an effective campaign, the race in the 6th will be over.

Which is why many of us support Senator Clark. She's been through some rather tough races in the past, she's persevered. We know where Clark stands, we cannot say that for Reed, much like the failed Lord Faris campaign. No one knew where Lord Faris stood on the issues and the same holds true for Dr Reed.

Will Reed come out and denounce the MDE post?

We'll be watching closely...

Startribune Endorsements Minneapolis City Council

2009-10-28T07:26:00.002-05:00

The DFL Endorsed Candidate in the First Ward doesn't get the Strib Endorsement? The only DFL endorsed candidate that didn't receive the Startribune endorsement...

First Ward: Susan Howitz Hanna

Northeast Minneapolis has done the city a good turn in sending Paul Ostrow to City Hall since 1997. He's been a leader on matters at the core of city governance -- budgeting, public safety, land use and more. His retirement leaves a void on the council.

DFL endorsee Kevin Reich and neighborhood activist Susan Howitz Hanna have the credentials and commitment to represent the ward capably. But Hanna would bring to the job greater political independence, a clearer perspective on the needs of both the ward and the city, and more evident persuasive skill.

Hanna, 50, is an account manager for Qwest Communications who grew up and raised a family in the First Ward, and has a long record of civic involvement. She's sensitive to the pleas of businesses for less city red tape, of senior citizens for property tax relief and of families for safe, walkable neighborhoods. She exhibits the pragmatic maturity needed to balance those interests.

Reich, 42, is a master of governmental processes and intricacies as project director for the Holland Neighborhood Improvement Association. He would approach City Council service as a tactician, with a large problem-solving toolkit at the ready. But his focus on the details could cloud his view of how best to use those tools.

Also running in the First Ward are restaurant manager Tom Alessi; writer/advertiser Mark Fox, and Moose on Monroe bar owner Larry Ranallo. Alessi, 43, who has Republican endorsement, wants to reduce taxes. Fox, 43, has interesting ideas for employing volunteers in service to the city. Ranallo, 47, is a small-business booster. Each of them offers a worthy perspective and should stay engaged in civic life.

Interesting...

Rumor on the street is that Reich missed the Startribune screening, after missing 2 Stonewall DFL screenings and and AFSCME screening.

Hmmm, it's not cool for a candidate to skip these important screenings, especially after one has been endorsed by the DFL.

Where's Pawlenty? Where's Bachmann?

2009-10-28T07:16:00.002-05:00

The State Republican Party has launched a campaign asking "Where's R.T."?

Really? Hasn't this glass house collapsed on Brodkorb/Sutton/Carey numerous times before?

I'll bite though...I'll play the game.

Where is Congresswoman Bachmann? Other than showing up for a bridge ceremony to help cut the ribbon without lifting a finger before then, she continues to be AWOL from our district. Shunning us, the voter and her constituents, for more appearances on Fox News.

Where is Governor Pawlenty? Oh I hate saying this, but Palin was right. Pawlenty is just another politician who is pick pocketing the taxpayer while he runs for President.

So...where the hell are they? I'll play this game all day...

Tarryl Clark Tells It Like It Is...

2009-10-28T07:00:00.002-05:00

And it's pretty awesome really.

Nineteen months ago, experts scouring the state inspecting bridges for safety flaws shut down Saint Cloud’s De Soto/Highway 23 bridge until further notice.

We were told it would be seven years before they could reconstruct it. Congresswoman Bachmann did nothing to help us. But in the State Capitol, we stepped up and found the resources within our newly-passed transportation funds to replace this bridge so vital to our community and get traffic moving again.

Yesterday, we held a celebration of the opening of the new bridge, the “Granite City Crossing.”

Gathered there were the partners who made it possible – my State colleagues who helped find the funding within our newly-passed transportation funds; the construction workers who labored every day on the bridge; the local businesses who are hoping the traffic flowing once again past their stores will bring more customers.

And Michele Bachmann.

Who showed up to “cut the ribbon,” after doing nothing to secure any funding for this critically important transportation investment.

In fact, whenever Central Minnesota has needed investments to grow our communities and businesses – from the Northstar Corridor to workforce development – Congresswoman Bachmann hasn’t lifted a finger.

Congresswoman Bachmann would rather deliver the rhetoric than deliver the results.

Ribbon cuttings get Congresswoman Bachmann more face time on television. But I know that some things are more important than being on TV - like working with your colleagues to get the job done for Minnesotans. That's why I need your help today.

As a State Senator, I’ve fought tirelessly for my community, from increasing opportunities at Saint Cloud State University to expanding our regional airport. I’ve worked across party lines to listen to communities and local leaders and ensure we deliver on the investments they need.

As your Representative in Congress, I’ll be there long before the ribbon is cut.

"I'll be there long before the ribbon is cut". A very powerful point.

We have a Congresswoman who is more thrilled by spending 30 minutes on Fox than spending time in the district that elected her. Drive this point home!

She'll also be there before she has to deliver the big fake check...

Good job Team Clark and Tarryl!!

Do you want this guy in your parade handing out candy to kids?

2009-10-27T08:13:00.002-05:00

Holy crap this dude is crazy...crazy.

"Ignorant Homosexuals"?

You Can Run But You Cannot Hide was created by Bradlee Dean and moved his operation to my hometown, Annandale.

Lovely

"Put the sword of the lord in your hand and do something with it"

"Obama ran on a conservative message"

No wonder Bachmann supports this guy. We'll be keeping our eye on these clowns...

Kiffmeyer Scandal on AM 950

2009-10-26T20:37:00.004-05:00

I caught a bit of Two Putt Tommy, Tax Playing Liberal, and Dusty Trice talking about the Mary Kiffmeyer/banking scandal at AM 950 tonight! Great job guys!!!

So, while I was out today, others have joined our efforts!!

Who's holding who up here?

Eric Zaetsch has a great story up on the Kiffmeyer banking scandal, complete with a copy of the portrait from the bank. Yep, Jesus closing yet another banking deal for Kiffmeyer et al.

Two Putt Tommy gets the scoop that Kiffmeyer's name was pulled due to space considerations.

Space considerations? Really? The former Minnesota Secretary of State and current State Representative had her name scrubbed for space considerations? Hell, cut the Strib's prediction for the Gopher game. Just say they'll get throttled again.

But leaving Kiffmeyer's name out of the two largest daily publications in Minnesota is simply irresponsible journalism. Liberal bias my ass...

Integrity Counts

That's what Kiffmeyer ran on in 2008. We do remember WHY Kiffmeyer was running for the House in 2008 right?

Mark Olson

Yep, the dude who chucked a Bible at his wife and was convicted of misdemeanor assault. Post conviction, the House GOP Caucus kicked him out.

Folks were lining up and down Highway 10 for a shot at Mark Olson and the 16B seat. Kiffmeyer ran the Integrity Counts campaign at Olson and worked to "restore dignity to our party". So I find it rather ironic, the person running the "Integrity Counts" campaign just had her bank seized by the Feds this past Friday.

While regardless of Mark Olson's problems, this bank was going to fail under Mary Kiffmeyer's leadership, I do find it a bit humorous that 16B Republicans have some serious problems with those elected to represent them.

What's really interesting thus far, is the lack of big time mainstream media coverage of this event. No one's asking the real questions here.

Where is the oversight? How does a State Representative come to be the owner of a bank and thus on its Board of Directors under the state's regulation?

It will be interesting to look at Kiffmeyer's voting record in the Minnesota House on some of these issues...

Wellstone Documentary by High Schoolers

2009-10-25T09:25:00.001-05:00

Hard to believe its been 7 years...

Liberal Bias? Startribune Scrubs Kiffmeyer From Bank Failure Story

2009-10-24T16:05:00.003-05:00

Tax Paying Liberal posted this over at the MPP.

Scrubbing at the Star and Tribune covers Kiffmeyer's bank
by: taxpayingliberal
Sat Oct 24, 2009 at 15:49:19 PM CDT

Scrubbing at the Star and Tribune covers Kiffmeyer's bank

Friday nights are when the FDIC does its work. It Friday nights when the FDIC moves in on banks that are no longer solvent and takes them over. They do this on Fridays for a reason, they know that that's when there's the least amount of reporters on duty and nobody watches the news on Friday nights. Friday nights are the night to revile stories that you don't want covered.

taxpayingliberal :: Scrubbing at the Star and Tribune covers Kiffmeyer's bank

The Star and Tribune was handed a story Friday night. It was handed the story that a bank in Ostego was being taken over by the FDIC.
This was no ordinary small bank. This was a special bank. This bank was featured in a NY times story when it opened. This bank was an example back then. This was a Christian bank and would adhere to Christian principals of doing business. People moved their hard earned savings into this bank because of that and the bank prospered.

Tellers prayed with depositors at the drive through window. People were healed in the lobby by the laying on of hands. Some 60 people were "born again" in this bank. Your loan officer prayed with you when you applied for a loan. We don't know how many non Christians got loans.

One of the banks owners was the embodiment of the conservative political Christian movement, The co-founder of the Minnesota Moral Majority, a former Secretary of State who often said that the 5 most dangerous words in the English language were "separation of church and State".

She became an owner while she held the Secretary of State office and after her defeat in her re-election bid for that office she successfully ran for the State House under the slogan "Integrity counts".

St. Rep. Mary Kiffmeyer is listed as a co owner of the Bank and is on the Board of Directors.

Last spring a small news story appeared in the Star and Trib sighting the fact that the bank was being investigated by the FDIC for shoddy banking practices. Amongst other things the FDIC said the bank had poor oversight by the board and a number of questionable loans. In other words they were running their bank like a club house and giving out loans based on faith not fact.

You and the customers of the bank probably didn't hear about this because it was a small story and nobody other than a few Bloggers followed up on it.

I personally contacted the local papers that cover that area to ask them if they were going to cover that story. I contacted the St. Cloud Times, The Elk River Star and the Sherburne County Citizen. After all a local small town bank that services their area being investigated by the FDIC for insolvency issues should at least get a mention. Nope, nada, nothing. "We're looking into it" was what they told me last spring.

When the Star and Tribune ran the story on its website Friday night they mentioned that Kiffmeyer was an owner of the bank. An Hour later they had scrubbed that version and Kiffmeyer's name was removed from the story.

20 million dollars of FDIC money will be required to bail out Kiffmeyers bank. It's one of only 6 banks in the state to fail.

It looks like the FDIC will save some of the people who put their faith in Kiffmeyers bank. And it looks like the Star and Tribune will save the owner by keeping her name out of this mess.

A Blueman Vikings Stadium Solution

2009-10-24T15:14:00.002-05:00

It's pretty simple actually...(from my friend Jeff).

Eliminate the football program at the University of Minnesota.

Give the stadium to the Vikings and start selling the booze!

California Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill permitting the construction of a stadium that would house an NFL team in the Los Angeles area.

The governor announced the signing of the environmental exemption bill Thursday in Industry, Calif., the Associated Press reported. The stadium would be built there, about 15 miles from Los Angeles.

"This is the best kind of action state government can create--action that cuts red tape, generates jobs, is environmentally friendly and brings a continued economic boost to California," Schwarzenegger said in a written statement. "This legislation allows us to move forward with the construction of the nation's greenest football stadium and create thousands of jobs."

Construction of the 75,000-seat stadium is to create more than 18,000 jobs and generate $760 million annually for the local economy, the governor's office announced. The stadium complex is to include a hospital, a theater and office and retail space.

California's budget situation isn't that great either.

A budget shortfall of at least $11.2 billion, projected to top $40 billion over the 2009–2010 fiscal years.

$40 billion and they are working to build a football stadium in Los Angeles?

While we are also facing a significant budget shortfall in Minnesota, I sure hope the state's leadership finds a solution to the Viking stadium problem. If we lose the Vikings, we won't be as fortunate as Cleveland. With the NFL being at 32 teams, evenly distributed in two conferences split into 4 divisions, the NFL won't be looking to expand beyond 32, but moving franchises.

Pawlenty doesn't like VA Healthcare

2009-10-24T09:40:00.003-05:00

Not a good stance to take as a Presidential Candidate...

Over at Think Progress.

CHALIAN: But you would lead a charge in your state to opt out if that was an option available?

PAWLENTY: I think so because I don’t like government run health care.

He doesn't like government run health care, we get it.

Message to Governor Pawlenty:

Forms of government run health care include:

Medicare
Medicaid
SCHIP's
Veterans Administration health care

Stuff like this can't be helping Republican approval ratings, the lowest in 25 years.

Walz solid on Afghanistan

2009-10-24T09:16:00.002-05:00

I'd just like to say that Congressman Walz is simply solid...not only on Afghanistan!

From a LTE...

I attended U.S. Rep. Tim Walz's town hall on Afghanistan War spending. My ambitions for attending were to familiarize myself with the political and economical issues facing Afghanistan and the region. Walz gave a small presentation, which presented background information about the war in Afghanistan and then took questions.

I am proud to say Walz represents me in Washington, D.C. His vast knowledge about the subject and his willingness to hear the questions and concerns from his constituency are admirable.
Walz wrote copious notes while numerous speakers spoke for and against the current policy toward Afghanistan. If these thoughtful conversations took place before invading Iraq, a rigorous policy solution could have been drafted.

Walz has the leadership that is necessary to lead us through the thoughtful conversations that must occur before radically changing course in Afghanistan. The most important piece of knowledge I walked away with from Friday's town hall meeting was that the war in Afghanistan is not a simple "stay in" or "get out" problem. We need to have a serious conversation about U.S. involvement, and Tim Walz is the right person to lead the discussion.

Bachmann to appear at De Soto Bridge dedication

2009-10-24T08:50:00.006-05:00

Congresswoman Bachmann will appear with Senator Klobuchar at the dedication of the De Soto Bridge in St Cloud this coming Monday.

Unfortunately, Bachmann wasn't dedicated to the use of any earmarks to repair this bridge, a major transportation cog in St Cloud and the local area.

It stinks of Bachmann pandering yet again.

How many times has Congresswoman Bachmann shown up at a fire station in the 6th with Happy Gilmore-eque large check in hand, after she voted against legislation to provide those funds?

I get it, she pretty much has to show up at the bridge dedication, especially since State Senator Tarryl Clark, her likely 2010 general election opponent, will likely be there. But Bachmann's hypocrisy and pandering reach no end...

Lift no finger to help the citizens of St Cloud, but show up and reap the benefits and PR of the event....

Federal Regulators Close Kiffmeyer Bank

2009-10-24T08:09:00.003-05:00

State Representative and staunch "fiscal conservative" Mary Kiffmeyer's bank was closed and sold by Federal regulators. Her bank failure cost taxpayers $20 million.

Problems were initially reported in June of this past year.

Former Secretary of State, Mary Kiffmeyer, who used the phrase "Integrity Counts" as her campaign slogan and embraces a limited role of government. So its a little ironic that the feds had to shut her bank down.

This little bit from the Strib story really caught my eye...

Early in its life, Riverview had a reputation for mixing faith and finance. Chuck Ripka, one of the bank's founders, once told the Star Tribune that God spoke to him and said, "Chuck, if you pastor the bank, I'll take care of the bottom line." Ripka and his staff would pray with customers in the bank's Otsego branch and even at the drive-up window. In a 2004 New York Times story, Ripka said he occasionally slipped up and said, "Come on over to the church -- I mean the bank."

Faith is a great thing. Feeding off of one's faith to push people to your bank is sad and wrong...especially when "Integrity Counts".

Tea baggers and birthers: Welcome to SD 15 GOP!

2009-10-22T20:47:00.000-05:00

Muse has the scoop...and damn it's good!

A good op-ed on Senator Dille

2009-10-21T21:18:00.000-05:00

From the McLeod County Chronicle

A number of months ago, state Sen. Steve Dille, R-Dassel, indicated he may not run for his District 18 state Senate seat in 2010. We hope he reconsiders. We need him, and his moderate views, now more than ever.

As partisan as Minnesota politics has become in the past decade, it comes as no surprise that Dille is dismayed over how much more difficult it has become to accomplish anything of substance at the state Legislature.

Gridlock has become the norm, and the results have seen this state get bogged down in the quagmire. Minnesota once was the leader in many respects, when what was good for Minnesota was more important than what was good for one's party.

Dille is a pragmatic legislator. Being in the minority party in the Senate for so long requires a Republican senator like Dille to find some common ground in getting something done.

And that talking-with-the-enemy approach has gotten him into trouble with his own party leaders. To them, he is too moderate in their views and needs to step aside.

Now Dille must face the party-endorsing gauntlet of his own district Republicans, who will test his loyalty to the party platform.

Dille may fail the GOP's conservative litmus test with several of his votes in recent years, including his support for the state transportation bill in 2008. That vote flew in the face of the conservatives' no new taxes pledge.

But the Republican Party has lost its moral high ground on deficit spending during the George W. Bush administration, a Republican president who ran up trillions in debt in fighting two wars at the same time, while bailing out "companies too big to fail" to boot during the current recession.

Democrat President Barack Obama then took the U.S. deficit spending into the stratosphere, and it may never come back to earth.

On the state level, Gov. Tim Pawlenty, the darling of fiscal conservatives, started strongly in his tenure, but immediately boxed himself in with his "no new tax pledge." When you paint yourself into a corner, it is hard to maneuver when maneuvering is required. Ask President George H.W. Walker, breaking a no-tax promise can be costly.

But with the 2010 state budget crisis looming, legislators need to realize that no party has all the answers. They need to work together to get through this mess.

State legislators like Dille will be needed more than ever to bridge the chasm that separate the extremes in the two major parties in Minnesota.

If Dille does not get the District 18 GOP endorsement next year, we encourage him to stay in the race anyway. Whether he runs as an endorsed Republican or as an independent is not as important as the need for him to remain in the Legislature. His stature in District 18 will likely get him elected regardless, if he wants to run for re-election.

Larry Schumacher blog?

2009-10-21T21:13:00.001-05:00

There appears to be something going on with his SC Times blog.

I hope all is alright...

What's good for the goose...(Updated)

2009-10-20T20:33:00.003-05:00

is also good for the gander.

About two weeks ago, my friend Two Putt Tommy posted about a protest at the Minnesota Republican Party State Convention in St Paul. Veterans and supporters protested because the Deputy Chair of the 4th CD GOP called Colonel Joe Repya and his supporters "communists".

Insulting. While I do not agree with Colonel Repya and have had a tense conversation or two with the man, I could never question his Patriotism.

Rightfully so, folks on all sides of the political aisle were outraged, hence a protest at the Republican Party State Convention.

So why does Grace Kelly get a free pass? Is it because she is a member of the DFL State Executive Board, one of 16 directors from across the state?

Her initial post was outrageous, linking to a story and photos of rape fetish porn. Her post after the retraction was even worse, essentially blaming us for failing to understand what she really meant.

But one thing was missing.

A public apology.

She can call all the right wing Veterans she wants, her private apologies do nothing for the rest of us that have been hurt by her careless remarks Saturday.

Which is why I have openly requested that Grace Kelly resign from the Minnesota Progressive Project and/or her role on the State Executive Board for the DFL.

I don't beleive this is merely an insignificant event, but a clear sign of someone who just doesn't get it.

We have shown a great deal of outrage towards Nathan Hansen and his hateful and disrespectful comments towards Veterans.

In order to be consistent, we need to scrutinize Grace Kelly just as much. Afterall, how can we hold anyone else accountable if we can't hold ourselves accountable.

Update 1: Grace issues her Mea Culpa.

Senator Wellstone would be proud!

2009-10-18T20:21:00.003-05:00

I humbly admit that I was wrong. I'm proud of Senator Franken and his work on this issue. I wish Senator Coleman had be so thourough when he had oversight on many of these same companies in Iraq.

When exposing a serious problem...

2009-10-17T06:08:00.002-05:00

There is no reason to exaggerate or sensationalize it.

That's what happened when Grace Kelly over at MPP posted some crude pictures in her discussion of rape and abuse in the US Military.

It's inexcusable.

Many years ago, I did some speaking on the problems surrounding significant numbers of Gulf War Veterans seeking VA care, specifically because of depleted uranium exposure. Some people exaggerated the claims and issues, making the entire cause look bad.

Truth is rape and abuse are significant issues in the military. She's correct in saying that nearly 1 in 3 women will be raped while on active duty. No one denies its a serious issue.

Posting erroneous and crude pictures to further your cause is insulting. It's because of inexcusable acts like this that I am forced to admit that Dave Thul is right.

STEP UP! Help Tarryl Clark match Bachmann buck for buck!

2009-10-14T19:07:00.002-05:00

My colleague Political Muse has a post up about Congresswoman Bachmann's desperate plea for money in light of Tarryl Clark kickin Bachmann's ass this quarter.

Muse has the idea to match Bachmann's fundraising plea dollar for dollar.

So lets do it! Step up to the plate and donate to Tarryl Clark now!

Maureen Reed for Congress Blog Trolls

2009-10-13T19:25:00.002-05:00

Is someone from Reed for Congress actually trolling the liberal blogs and posting positive things about the person paying them?

Taxpaying Liberal seems to have caught something funny going on with a poster named MnBlue and using an email address from maureenreedforcongress.com.

How can you not be smart enough to cover your tracks when trolling the blogs? Seriously!

It's turning into amateur hour around here...

And speaking of amateur hour...lets talk about COH.

Boasting that you are beating Senator Clark in COH figures when Clark has been in the race for 9 weeks is ludicrous.

Back in the 2nd quarter reporting period, Reed for Congress reported that raising $230,000 in 8 weeks was setting a "sizzling pace".

What does $308,000 in 9 weeks say?

So Reed has been in the race essentially 1 quarter more than Clark.

Holding a $30,000 COH lead when you've been in the race nearly 1 full quarter more than your opponent and having the audacity to brag about it shows the sheer desperation on the part of Reed for Congress.

Amateur hour...frickin amateur hour!

Good analysis on CD 6 race!

2009-10-13T07:56:00.002-05:00

The Big E does a pretty good job looking at the CD 6 race.

Reed ignored some local folks with a myriad of campaign experience which resulted in a lack of excitement for many of us. Her recent staff hires might correct this, but the simple fact is that Tarryl Clark has had a rather open and honest discussion with many of us.

It comes down to trust for me. It's always been about trust, hence my hesitation on Elwyn Tinklenberg in 2006.

I know I can trust Tarryl Clark. I've marched at "Take Back the Night" with her. She's helped our candidates before. She's advocated for the issues I am passionate about.

I can't say that about Maureen Reed.

Clark Doubles Up Reed

2009-10-12T20:16:00.002-05:00

Congressional candidate and State Senator Tarryl Clark had a big day today! Her campaign announced that they raised $308,000 in nine weeks!

9 weeks! Her significant fundraising places the Clark for Congress campaign among the top-raising campaigns nationally with only a handful of challengers having topped $300k in a single quarter.

We'll know more when the actual report is published but nonetheless this is a very impressive beginning for Senator Clark.

Her opponent, Maureen Reed announced that she raised more than $130,000 but highlighted her fundraising press release by noting that her Cash On Hand was more than $300,000.

"Maureen demonstrates the fundraising strength necessary to defeat Michele Bachmann," Reed's campaign manager, Jason Isaacson, said in a statement.

$130,000 does not demonstrate the fundraising strength to defeat Congresswoman Bachmann, in fact it marked a significant downturn in fundraising from the previous quarter. Future quarters like this make her DFL primary run an even more difficult run.

Reed won't abide by the DFL Endorsement

2009-10-09T19:33:00.001-05:00

I hadn't really expected her to though...

MPR has the scoop.

Sixth District Congressional candidate Maureen Reed said she'll no longer pledge to abide by the DFL endorsement after being overlooked by labor unions.

Since entering the race, Maureen Reed has said she would seek the DFL endorsement to challenge incumbent Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. But Reed's pledge to abide is now wavering.

DFL state Sen. Tarry Clark of St. Cloud, who's also running in the 6th District, has been piling up endorsements from organized labor. Reed claims those groups never gave her a chance to be screened and she said that's making her reconsider the primary.

"If this isn't an open and a fair process here, maybe I should keep my options open," Reed said.

The Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council confirms Reed was not screened for its endorsement. But a Minnesota AFL-CIO spokeswoman said Reed was interviewed and didn't measure up to Clark.

Overlooked by labor unions...

I guess I look at it this way. Senator Tarryl Clark has paid her dues. She's worked countless DFL events across the 6th, she's been party building. She's helped numerous candidates across the district and provided some direction for many of us in Wright County (a mostly conservative area) and other areas.

Honestly, before her Political Muse broke the news on Reed's campaign announcement, I had never heard of her. While she appears to have some good credentials (health care background and U of M Board of Regents), I'm hearing from numerous groups that Reed is not impressive, sentiment obviously echoed by the AFL-CIO.

Rumors coming out of a recent SCC meeting indicated that Reed was very unimpressive. Other than her staff, I can honestly say I don't know anyone who is psyched about Maureen Reed for Congress.

I had also heard that Reed's focus was on fundraising and not delegate outreach. That strategy matches what was revealed today. Reed doesn't need to go after delegates, she'll need to raise a boatload of money to compete in a primary with a DFL endorsed and popular State Senator, Tarryl Clark.

But at least she's not going to run as an Independent...

Yet...

4 year old does the Herb Brooks speech!

2009-10-08T21:39:00.000-05:00

AWESOME!

Governor’s race draws too few moderates

2009-10-08T21:26:00.001-05:00

An opinion piece in the Grand Forks Herald

Stalemate in Minnesota hasn’t solved the state’s problems.

That’s the key fact of Minnesota political life in 2009. It ought to be a centerpiece conclusion not only of governing but also of campaigning for the governor’s office in 2010.

Sadly, it’s neither. Elected Democratic and Republican leaders alike talk past each other, never admitting that the other side has an intelligent thought.

And given the statements of most of the candidates for governor, the forecast seems to be “more of the same.” Granted, winning a party nomination means appealing to your party’s ideological base. But that’s the problem: This need to win the base draws candidates who are true believers and reluctant to compromise, even in a political environment that demands it.

Here’s a question that ought to be asked of the candidates: On what issue is the other party — not your own — more right than wrong?

The candidate who could answer that question honestly, even at the cost of angering one or more powerful interest groups — that would be the candidate to watch.

Minnesota’s ideological split has ground governing to a halt. On one side is Gov. Tim Pawlenty, whose approach can be summed up as, “No new taxes.” On the other side are Democratic leaders in the state Senate and House, who remain blind to the reason Pawlenty won two terms: the fact that many Minnesotans no longer believe in the government their high taxes support.

Thanks to a deft bit of political judo, Pawlenty blocked the Democrats’ proposed tax hikes and so emerged the “winner” of this year’s budget standoff. But the budget itself remains in scary shape: Estimates of the 2012-2014 deficit range from $4 billion to $7 billion, meaning the state made no progress at all in cutting the structural deficit it faced this year.

Pawlenty, of course, is not running for re-election. His would-be successors are lining up on both sides of the aisle; but one listens in vain for candidates who’d be willing to cross that aisle now and then, even if only to shake hands with the Minnesotans on the other side.

Consider the GOP candidates. Here’s one recent take by Lori Sturdevant, state government columnist for the Star Tribune of Minneapolis:

“Eight Republican candidates for governor sang in near unison throughout a two-hour forum Friday, at the state GOP’s off-year convention in St. Paul. They offered slightly varied verses, but the chorus was the same: no new taxes; make government smaller; reduce business taxes and regulations.”

As for the Dem candidates, here’s Minnesota Public Radio’s view:

“DFL candidates for governor offered similar views on taxes, job creation, education and other issues during a forum Thursday in Bloomington. Eleven gubernatorial hopefuls made a case for their campaigns and emphasized their support for organized labor during the AFL-CIO sponsored event.”

Candidate Mark Dayton, for example, made his views clear: “Read my lips: Tax the rich. They can afford it.”

How he hopes to win office — let alone govern — with that philosophy in a state that has elected Republican governors for the past 19 years, Dayton didn’t say.

One exception to the above might be Tom Bakk, a DFL state senator from Cook, Minn., on the Iron Range. Bakk describes himself as a “pro-business Democrat.” That’s not everything. But it’s a start, especially in its willingness to recognize that in American politics, the other side often has a point.

Bakk the highlight of DFL Fall Festival

2009-10-08T20:44:00.003-05:00

I didn't make it to the McLeod DFL event in Biscay last weekend, but I did make it to the Meeker event and had a great conversation with numerous DFL Gubernatorial candidates, including on awesome chat with Senator Tom Bakk.

The McLeod County Chronicle had a very nice review of Bakk's remarks in Biscay earlier in the day.

While the other DFLers trotted out well-worn party planks - affordable health care, green energy, more money for education - Bakk seemed to zone in on the biggest issue of them all. Jobs. Good-paying jobs.

Pure and simple, Minnesota and the nation will not get out of the current recession until people are back to work, earning a decent living for themselves and their families. Working families pay taxes; taxes equate into revenues for the government.

Simply put, without jobs, the recession will not end.

While Bakk was short on specifics on how to generate good-paying jobs for Minnesotans, he was the most realistic of the field in addressing "the elephant in the room," the huge state budget deficit (estimated at $6.6 billion) facing the state Legislature in the next biennium.

He estimated the next budget deficit will be twice as big as the one just averted, and "Minnesota cannot tax our way out of this."

Wow, a Democrat who has enough sense to know more taxes are counterproductive. No wonder he stood out from the rest, and no wonder he is not likely to get the DFL nod. He makes too much sense and flies in the face of party dogma of spending our way out of a recession.

Bakk's realistic view of the looming budget shortfall was refreshing. He went on to say, "We can't raise taxes $6.6 billion. We can't get it done by taxes alone. Our biggest challenge is our economy. We don't have jobs. The deficit is a symptom of that bigger problem."

Well put.

At the same time DFLers were gathering in tiny Biscay, the state Republican hopefuls in the governor's race were meeting in St. Paul, where House minority leader Marty Seifert of Marshall won the straw poll vote. Tom Emmer, a House member from Delano, was second. Both are conservatives, and take a hard line on the budget deficit. They indicated to party faithful that only deeper cuts in state spending will address the looming budget deficit. They plan to carry on Pawlenty's conservative approach and then some if elected.

It looks as if whoever wins the nominations, both sides of the aisle will continue the deepening stalemate that has paralyzed state government for the past eight years. Bakk at least gives a sign that someone understands that the middle-of-the-road approach may be a solution.

Both sides appear to be digging in their heels instead of seeking that middle ground.

What all of these political hopefuls must realize is that Bakk is right on the mark. Until Minnesotans have jobs to go back to, this state's budget deficit will never improve no matter how many tax dollars are thrown at the problem (DFL) or taken away through deeper cuts (GOP).

Tax revenues are the lifeblood of this state's government. People do not pay taxes when they are not working. It's that simple.

Bakk seems to understand that. Do the rest of them?

He's right. Like the old Rudy Perpich sticker..."Jobs, Jobs, Jobs".

Dori and I had the pleasure of talking to candidates at the Meeker event. We both walked away extremely impressed with Senator Bakk, Speaker Kelliher, and Mayor Rybak, in a strong field of candidates.

GOP: The Party of no values?

2009-10-08T07:13:00.003-05:00

Seriously, how do you vote against a bill that protects the rights of a rape victim? Well, 30 Senate Republicans obviously put the rights of corporations and the military industrial complex ahead of the rights of the people.

The proposal was pushed by Senator Al Franken who learned of the plight of Jamie Leigh Jones, who was an employee of KBR -- at the time a subsidiary of Halliburton -- working in Baghdad's Green Zone when she was allegedly gang-raped by other KBR workers.

According to Jones, on July 28, 2005, several KBR offered her a drink containing a date rape drug, of which she took two sips. The men then engaged in unprotected anal and vaginal gang-rape upon her while she was unconscious. She was able to name one of her attackers based on his confession to her, but was unable to identify the others due to her unconsciousness. Further, the lawsuit filed by Jones' attorneys cites the following: "When she awoke the next morning still affected by the drug, she found her body naked and severely bruised, with lacerations to her vagina and anus, blood running down her leg, her breast implants ruptured, and her pectoral muscles torn – which would later require reconstructive surgery. Upon walking to the rest room, she passed out again."[5] Jones' account was confirmed by U.S. Army physician Jodi Schultz. Schultz gave the rape kit she used to gather evidence from Jones to KBR/Halliburton security forces, after which the rape kit disappeared (though it was recovered later).

Jones was confined by armed guards to a shipping container containing only a bed, under the orders of her employer, KBR. She says she was denied food, water, and medical treatment. After approximately one day, says Jones, a sympathetic guard gave her a cell phone and she called her father, Tom, who in turn contacted Representative Ted Poe (R-TX) who contacted the State Department. Agents were dispatched from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and removed Jones from KBR custody.

So I must ask, whom are we protecting from whom?

Does Baja Sol serve Pepsi or Coke?

2009-10-07T07:16:00.001-05:00

So, if Tony Sutton's Baja Sol food joints sell Pepsi...will he change now?