On Voting Present

Seems as though some right wing bloggers are getting their collective panties in a bunch over Congressman Ellison and Congresswoman McCollum voting "Present" on resolution supporting the right of Israel to defend itself as well as supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The biggest problem with their actions on this vote is that a “present” vote might as well be a “no” vote. They did not have the backbone to just turn their back on Israel, they instead took the cowards way out.

If rockets were flying into the United States, would Ellison and McCollum vote present?

Really Ryan? Does anyone believe that Congressman Ellison and Congresswoman McCollum would vote "Present" if rockets were flying into the United States?

We'll play Ryan's little game here.

Back last May, I reported that Congresswoman Bachmann and Congressman Kline voted "Present" on a pretty important defense and Veterans bill.

What did they vote "Present" on?

Anybody remember the horrific conditions our Veterans were housed in at Walter Reed?

What about the recent Fort Bragg housing problems?

The amendment offered $500 million for Facilities Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (FSRM).

$3.6 Billion to address the increasing price of fuel and other petroleum products. Keep in mind, a Bradley Fighting Vehicle gets just over 2 miles per gallon of JP-8 Diesel and an M1 Tank less than a mile a gallon!

$65.4 million for the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program. The Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program helps members of the National Guard and Reserve transition from combat to civilian life. With the enormous increase in Veteran suicides, programs like this save lives.

$52 million to hire more than 200 additional contract managers to prevent waste, fraud and abuse in Department of Defense contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

$102 million for "Land Warrior" equipment to equip one "next to deploy'' brigade combat team with Land Warrior equipment sets.

$6 billion for the procurement of combat aircraft.

Overall, the recommendations total $96,622,127,000 and are structured to maximize support to our men and women in uniform. They meet important force protection, equipment and personnel needs, while fully funding the operational requirements to conduct the Global War on Terror.

And Bachmann and Kline voted "Present".

So, what offends you more? Congressman Ellison and Congresswoman McCollum voting "Present" on a resolution supporting Israel?

Or

Bachmann and Kline voting against funding to support soldiers and Veterans?

At least Ellison and McCollum have the courage to tell us why they voted "Present".

Cowards like Bachmann and Kline vote "Present" and won't tell you why...

CD 6 Fundraising Numbers: A Quick Look

With Congresswoman Bachmann's numbers out now, we can start to decipher the fundraising the the 6th.

While Congresswoman Bachmann raised over $382,000 this quarter more than $193,000 came from PAC's and political party committees. More than half of Bachmann's contributions this quarter came from special interest groups.

Bachmann spent about $22,000 this quarter raising $189,000 in individual contributions and more than $12,000 to a Washington DC based PAC fundraising group.

Also of note...she paid Luke Hellier $200 this quarter as well.

Bachmann has nearly $1.3 million cash on hand at this point.

Tinklenberg hauled in about $163,000 in individual contributions this past quarter and about $109,000 from PAC's and political party committees.

Two days ago I talked about Elwyn's good fundraising numbers, they were good not great.

I had a conversation last night with my political Yoda, my mentor.

We had a good long talk about FEC reports and the fundraising trend or mirage activities across the state.

Ashwin Madia killed it this quarter. Anyone who has ever doubted whether or not he's the real deal or not knows better now. I knew it the first time I saw him.

Going into his endorsement in April, he had the support of one sitting Congressman and a strong grassroots support. Madia prevailed and has been running ever since. The endorsement in CD 3 was a tough fight.

Tinklenberg had a relatively easy endorsement fight in CD 6. Other than bloggers like myself asking some difficult questions and supporting "the other guy" for most of the race, the party was unified behind Elwyn with nearly every sitting member of Minnesota's Congressional delegation supporting him.

Why didn't their support bring more money in? Peterson and Oberstar don't have fights on their hands. Neither do Ellison and McCollum. Congressman Walz has significantly outraised his opponent and has a strong cash on hand advantage to go along with a record of constituent outreach that is unparalleled in Minnesota politics.

This is a big quarter for Elwyn Tinklenberg and Steve Sarvi. The incumbents in both races, especially John Kline, experienced lackluster fundraising this past quarter. One big quarter for Tinklenberg will close the cash on hand advantage and build some great momentum in the final days before the election.

But at this point, sadly enough, it's always about the Benjamins...

Franken's Playboy Trouble Frontpage at Yahoo!

After delving into the Publius attack on Jack Nelson Pallmeyer and the happenings over at prominent liberal blogs, a headline on the frontpage of Yahoo caught my eye.

"Al Franken's old 'Playboy' article concerns Democrats"

Members of Minnesota's Congressional delegation have expressed some concern over Franken's "satire".

Rep. Betty McCollum, who supported the comedian's rival Mike Ciresi until he dropped out of the race for the party's nomination for the Senate, complained Thursday that she and other Minnesota Democrats will be on the same November ballot as a candidate "who has pornographic writings that are indefensible."

"Do they spend all of their time defending him, or do they spend their time talking about issues that are important to this election?" McCollum told The Associated Press in an interview. "The whole story was a shocking surprise."

Andy Barr takes a shot at Congresswoman McCollum.

"Al understands, and the people of Minnesota understand, the difference between what a satirist does and what a senator does," Franken campaign spokesman Andy Barr said. "It's unfortunate that she's trying to create divisions in our party rather than working with other DFLers (Minnesota Democrats) to take on the special-interest senator."

Why did Barr feel the need to take such a strong shot Congresswoman McCollum?

Obviously Franken understands satire, the people of Minnesota understand satire, but our highly respected elected officials remain clueless to what satire is?

Can Andy please explain to us how Franken's Playboy smut was satire? I tend to laugh at satire, just ask Bluewoman!

McCollum, Ellison, Walz and others disappointed in Franken's actions are right.

The longer Franken goes without an apology here, the worse it will get. With one week until the State Convention and Jack Nelson Pallmeyer inspiring more and more voters on a daily basis, it will be an interesting weekend in Rochester.

A Blueman retraction

The first one here in about 1000 posts.

Congresswoman McCollum was returning a call to Olson and has no connection to the taconite issue.

Question of the day: Taconite related (Updated)

Apparently, I did not get the full story here. I've been told that Congresswoman McCollum was returning a phone call to Olson and was then asked about taconite, not the other way around as reported here earlier this week.

We regret the mistake. McCollum has no connections to the story. Although I do remain concerned about the DCCC's concerns over Tinklenberg's taconite.