(Sort of a big deal. - promoted by Joe Bodell)
By Christopher Truscott
Elwyn Tinklenberg, the DFL-backed candidate in the 6th Congressional District, sat patiently in the lobby for nearly four hours yesterday while Independence Party delegates handled official business at their endorsement convention.
The wait-which forced the former Minnesota Department of Transportation commissioner to miss two parades in Sherburne County-proved worth it, however, as Tinklenberg walked out of the Bloomington Civic Plaza with something that could help level the playing field in his Republican-leaning district: the support of Minnesota's third official "major party."
The IP has cross-endorsed before, backing candidates like Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad and DFL U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson, but this year's decision carries added significance because the 6th District is up for grabs and the IP could hold "the balance of power," party founder and former U.S. Sen. Dean Barkley told delegates.
In 2006, DFLer Patty Wetterling and IP nominee John Binkowski won a combined 150,701 votes, just 547 behind then-state Sen. Michele Bachmann, a Republican from Stillwater.
But not everyone was eager to back a candidate from one of the two dominant parties.
"I'd much rather have an Independence Party candidate who will work with me rather than a Democrat who won't," said Stephen Williams, who earlier in the day beat out "no endorsement" and two other candidates to earn the party's backing in the U.S. Senate race.
Binkowski, who impressed many observers with his debate performances two years ago, spoke out strongly on Tinklenberg's behalf.
"He's as much one of us as you can be without carrying an Independence Party card," he said.
Barkley also urged delegates to set aside partisan differences.
"If this party becomes about labels then I'm leaving it," he said. "(Because) that makes us no better than the Democrats and Republicans."
Tinklenberg, who served in IP Gov. Jesse Ventura's administration and lost a DFL endorsement fight against Wetterling two years ago, easily won the backing of convention delegates after Peter Hutchinson made a motion to end debate and hold a vote.
"The Independence Party and independent voters are going to decide this election," said Hutchinson, the party's 2006 gubernatorial candidate.
Before the vote, Tinklenberg said the IP fits with his vision of building "by addition, not division."
The endorsement was handled at the IP's state convention because there is no fully organized party structure in the 6th District.
Bob Anderson, a dental technician from Woodbury, also sought the IP's 6th District endorsement. His speech to delegates focused on mental health issues, but he met opposition from some when he criticized "taking God out of education."
The first-time candidate was realistic about the long-shot nature of his effort.
"There are two areas where I can't compete with Michele Bachmann: looks and money," Anderson said. "So I'm not going to try." |
