Welcome back to the Sixth District of Minnesota, the place that makes the Twilight Zone look like an island of sanity.
Andy Birkey of the Minnesota Independent just ran this story today.
Rep. Michele Bachmann told Tea Party activists on Wednesday to "take the town halls to Washington, DC" to defeat the health care bill. Bachmann suggested that passing the health reform bill would be a slam against freedom - and the troops in Afghanistan...
..."The men and women today who are bleeding for us in Afghanistan," she said. "We need to think about them, what they gave to us, and recognize if this goes down in the United States, where does anyone go for freedom? Where do we go for freedom?"
"We the people are going to roll them out," said Bachmann, "and when we roll them out we're going to roll this bill back... Now is the time to see the whites of their eyes.
Birkey thinks the money quote is Bachmann's invocation of "the whites of their eyes," the revolutionary call not to shoot your opponents until they get real, real close. (Bachmann's done a lot of bloodthirsty imagery this year.)
Me, I think the heart this story is the logic of claiming that "supporting the Democratic health care bill equals a betrayal of our troops in Afghanistan."
A close second is Bachmann's suggestion that if this bill goes through, there won't be any freedom left anywhere in the world (Britain, France, Canada, and Germany et al. are too socialist for her taste to be called "free.")
She's said stuff like that before, long before HCR became the top priority of the Obama administration. She's told conservatives we're in the grip of "gangster government" and that there are no other bastions of freedom left in the world if Barack Obama (who is "practicing tyranny" according to Bachmann) isn't stopped. So that's why she's urging supporters to look "for the whites of their eyes."
(Great coverage and comment from the community -- more of the same please! - promoted by Joe Bodell)
Over the last three days, I attended three hearings on sulfide mining and SF2349, a bill that would have strengthened Minnesota's "damage deposit" regulations on sulfide mining operations. After nearly 12 hours of testimony from the DNR, industry representatives, citizens, environmental groups, and elected officials, Sen. Carlson (D-Eagan) withdrew his bill without any recorded vote. This may seem like a defeat for environmental groups that have pushed for this bill for the last two sessions. However, the fact that a group of elected officials finally heard a perspective on sulfide mining that was not from an industry group or a supportive legislator was a victory in and of itself. After the fold - three things we know for sure about this debate after these hearings.
OK, I admit it - I often read AAA's blog, Residual Forces. Andy can flat-out be a funny guy; just as often, he's simply flat-out wrong. Like today. Here's what Andy wrote, in response to last night's radio show:
"I guess former conservative / former Republican / former Independence party Governor candidate Joe Repya was on a bankrupt radio station that used to siphon money away from Boys and Girls Clubs or something with a liberal stalkerazzi hack last night..."
Say, Andy? AM950 KTNF is doing fine. Never been bankrupt. Never took money away from Boys and Girls Clubs. But, hey - since when did facts ever get in the way of a good ol' AAA rant??!?
Now, earlier today, I said this, about GOPer Sheila Kihne:
Now, first I'd like to say that I've met Sheila; and I find her to be a very bright, intelligent, and passionate individual devoted to her cause: "conservatism."
Now, I've met AAA too; and I say the exact same about Andy that I said about Sheila - except for the "very bright" and "intelligent" part.
Sheila Kihne is currently the Vice Chair of the GOP's 3rd CD; she has a seat on the Executive Committee. She also runs a blog - "The Activist Next Door" - where she's taken shots at the DFL Endorsed Candidate for State Senate (Ron Case) - first here and then here.
Now, first I'd like to say that I've met Sheila; and I find her to be a very bright, intelligent, and passionate individual devoted to her cause: "conservatism." And this is not - NOT - an attempt to smear nor discredit Sheila as a person; as a person, I happen to like her.
That said, this is simply another example of pointing out, once again:
"Hypocrisy, Thy Party Is GOP"
OK, first with the "then":
Sheila is highly active in GOP SD42 politics. SD42 is the home to GOP endorsed Mayor Phil Young and Council Member Brad Aho (well, Council Member Jon Duckstad too, but Duckstand doesn't have a candidate website that I can find).
And if you go to those old candidate websites, of those two GOPers, you'll see (and I took screenshots of 'em, in case they scrub - or dump - those old websites) a few pictures of those then-candidates posing for pictures in and/or in front of government (read=taxpayer paid) facilities.
In other words, back then, GOPers posed, and used, taxpayer paid facilities for PUBLIC gain - to win elections. Now, astute readers will note "public" is capitalized; with what elected officials put in their pockets for doing their elected duties, no one can claim elected officials are doing it for PERSONAL gain; there simply isn't enough in the check to compensate for the time spent our elected officials spend.
OK, does anybody really expect that Sheila Kihne objected to those GOPers doing that, then?
Of course not.
Fast forward to "now" - and Sheila going off on DFL Candidate Ron Case:
Although his election was the very definition of "squeaker," Sen. Franken has managed to thread another needle since taking office: he's demonstrated a commitment to working hard on behalf of all Minnesotans while also being a strong advocate for the progressive policies in which he believes.
And now he'll be the closing keynote speaker at this year's Netroots Nation convention in Las Vegas.
The event will, as it has for several years now, bring together basically the entire progressive netroots for several days of panel discussions, trainings, and networking over four days in July.
From the release published by the Netroots Nation team this morning:
Sen. Franken and interested observers saw firsthand what democracy and fair elections are all about last year when his Senate race was the subject of a state-wide comprehensive recount. Since his swearing in, Sen. Franken has been a strong advocate for progressive policies, speaking out in favor of a public option, cutting oil subsidies and slashing interest rates for student loans.
"Even during the recount, we knew Sen. Franken would be a fighter," said Raven Brooks, executive director of Netroots Nation. "Whether he's fighting for health care or education, he's shown that he represents American families and isn't afraid to stand up for strong progressive values."
Organizers say that's why they chose Sen. Franken to close out the fifth annual convention.
Some of you may remember last year's Netroots Minnesota conference, which we put together in conjunction with the Netroots Nation organization. The national conference is due back in the Midwest in 2011, and it would be downright grand if our junior Senator were on hand to help announce that the Big Kahuna is coming to Minnesota next year. But that may be getting ahead of ourselves -- who's up for a Vegas trip this July?
In case you missed last night's "Minnesota Matters - Wednesday Edition" on AM-950 KTNF, you can listen to it, here! IMNSHO, it was a fascinating conversation, and I'd like to thank Toni and Colonel Joe for sharing their thoughts and answering questions!
One of the highights were both Tomi Backdahl, State Coordinator of the Minnesota Tea Party, and LTC (Ret.) Joe Repya clearly repudiating and distancing themselves from the following quotes:
_ Tom Emmer quote: "I don't think you can call yourself a freedom-loving American and be a Democrat." Marshall Independent, Sept 2009
_ Tim Pawlenty quote: "Children who are victims of failed personal responsibility are not my problem, nor are they the problem for our government." -- Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty, April 2001 - as quoted in the Aitkin Independent Newspaper
During the first segment, we played "False Or False Witness!" where one lucky caller ("Bill" from Mpls) correctly identified that the quote I read actually was uttered by Michele Bachmann ("Bill" answered: "False Witness!"). The fabulous prize Bill won, courtesy of show sponsor Common Good Books, was one copy of Bill Prendergast's exceptional comic book: "False Witness! The Michele Bachmann Story (Volume 3)"!!!
The Bachmann MotorMouth Overdrive quote I read, is below the fold!
And one question we asked Toni, State Coordinator for the Minnesota Tea Party Patriots was submitted via comment here, on MPP - here's that question!
I'd ask....
If the Tea Party guy actually realized the real Tea Partiers were protesting a tax CUT. The tea partiers were actually protesting the take over by a multi-national corporation, the British East India company. The tax cut made tea super cheap, allowing the British East India (Walmart) the ability to undercut all the American merchants.
So, I would ask the Tea Party guy if he is just as afraid of the corporate take over of America as he is of the government take over.
Thanks,
Alec
Well, thank YOU for submitting that question, Alec!!!
Also, LTC (Ret.) Joe Repya discussed his candidacy for Governor, and clarified that there is a big difference between "suspend" and "end" - and for the record, Colonel Repya has "suspended" his campaign.
So again, if you missed it, you can still listen to it, by linking here!
- Maricopa County, Arizona (which includes Phoenix) Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been one of the sorriest, most obnoxious and self-serving demagogues in elective office of any kind for a while now. His comeuppance may be nigh, from Daily Kos.
I've been thinking about the DFL endorsement battles, and the battle to get elected in general. It's what I do. I think about elections, and how to win them, and how to organize to win them(among other things, I think about music, good books, and long walks on the beach). We all know that it really is a battle sometimes, elections can be rough.
We, as members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party have the same general outlook on the issues. We are a big tent, so there is a wide array of viewpoints, a wide array of ideas, and a wide array of how to implement those ideas that flow through the veins of the DFL. It's good to offer a strong defense of one's candidate. It's good to be excited about someone who you think can do all the things you want them to be able to do. But what else do our candidates really need from us and us from them?
I believe, as supporters, our candidates need us to ask them the hard questions, and to tell them the truth rather than painting a rosy picture if the horizon is darkening. Our candidates need us to ask them what they want from us, and we need them to ask for our help. We need to trust our candidates and their staffers' framework for the volunteer work that they ask of us. We need to know that they need us, and remember that they need us so that they can know about that particular thing (issue), or that particular person ("Tiffany, the DFLer from down the road?" "Yeah, she'd be a great volunteer! But don't call her on Tuesday until after 3pm.").
We're the candidates' local connection. Our candidates need us to be a mouthpiece (or keyboard, as it were), but our candidates need us to represent them in an honorable and non-politically damaging ways. I say this in particular to remind everyone that the internet can be unforgiving (there are snipers everywhere). Our candidates need us to listen, and our candidates need to let us in on their strategic thinking at least a little bit, (if we can be trusted (how do we measure that? I'm not sure.)) so that we can understand. We need to level with one another to understand what we want from each other. They need to set our expectations, and we need them to surpass ours. Our candidates need us to be able to think about the "big picture." Our candidates need us, uncommitted and committed alike, to tell our neighbors now why a DFLer is a better choice in a generic general election match-up in the fall.
After the endorsement/primary battle is over, our candidates need us all to work together again to make the phone calls, to walk and knock on those doors. Our candidates need us to come together and drink the wine of a united front rather than sipping on our sour grape juice alone in the corner. They need us, and the party needs us to go out and talk to our neighbors about why it is so important to vote in any election. They need us to help drop "off-year" from the presidential/occasional voter's vocabulary.
These are the things that we need from one another in order to ensure success.
Rep. John Kline (R-MN) wants to start the whole healthcare reform debate all over again. He whines in Roll Call that the Democrats have "no intention of bipartisanship." Kline apparently resides in an alternate universe. He has been given his talking points and is going to stick to them, damn reality.
Obama has reached out on several occasions and the Republican reply has been death panels, birthers, tenthers, rudely interrupting his State of the Union to call him a liar, Obama is a nazi, Obama is a socialist and portrayed Obama as Heath Ledger's The Joker from the latest Batman movie. They have all but spit in his face. Yet, Kline has the temerity to call for a "do over."
Elections have consequences and now that the Republicans are losing, they want to start all over. How is this different than any of the obstructionist crap they've pulled before?
You can read his whining and lies after the break...
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher picked up another superdelegate endorsement today, this time from State Sen. Ron Latz (D-St. Louis Park). Latz previously supported Steve Kelley, who preceded him in his SD44 seat prior to 2007 and ran unsuccessfully for the DFL gubernatorial endorsement this year.
Latz represents superdelegate #46 for MAK, whose base of support among her elected colleagues is a formidable advantage over the other candidates, none of whom has anywhere near that many automatic endorsement votes.
I told a commenter recently that I would put together a standalone page containing the complete delegate chase picture, combining the Superdelegate tracker and our frequent pledged delegate updates -- guess it's time to catch up on that promise.
Absentee Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was in Dallas appearing at a fundraiser to raise his profile as he campaigns for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. A stenographer for the Dallas Morning News caught up with him and asked a few questions:
Jeffers: You are mentioned as a potential 2012 Republican nominee for president. Are you running for president in 2012?
Pawlenty: If there's something to look at for 2012, it's going to be down the road, but it's not now. I'm not ruling it out. I'm just saying I don't know yet.
Pawlenty has been criss-crossing the nation attempting to build credibility within his party. The only reason he might rule it out is the anemic responses he's been getting to his speeches. He may be one of the few non-crazy, scandal-free, high profile Republicans available for 2012, but his flat speeches and lack of charisma might not get him very far.
Jeffers: What do you think about the direction of the Republican Party? What does the GOP have to do to rebound from the losses in 2008?
Pawlenty: Clearly the pendulum is swinging back from Democrats to independents and conservatives.
But we can't have as a strategic plan and a message for the future of this country that President [Barack] Obama continues to goof up. In addition to that, we have to have our own positive agenda for the future of the country.
America is in trouble. The country yearns for a return to basic American common sense. There's a sense that certain elites get bailed out, others in need get a handout, and everybody else gets their wallet out. They want to know, what's the future of this country?
"Swinging pendulums" is an interesting metaphor for him to use. America began its rightward swing with Reagan, briefly interrupted by Clinton, but quickly (in '94) returned to its rightward swing culminating in the ruinous administration of George W. Bush. So after roughly 30 years of swinging to the right, America will swing leftwards for a year (arguably 3 if you consider the landslide elections vicories of 2006) and then start swinging the other way?
It's very possible that Karl Rove's dream of 100 years of one-party rule will happen ... just not how Karl imagined it.
"Obama continues to goof up" is also an interesting turn of phrase. Beginning to fix an economy ruined by 30 years of Republican domination isn't going to happen in 1 year. Of course, Pawlenty may consider "goofing up" to mean stimulating an economy that was plunging into depression. Pawlenty's solution of stopping spending which he's been attempting to implement in MN is simply neo-Hooverism.
Finally, it's interesting that he's blaming Obama for the bail-outs that George W. Bush started, the Republicans in Congress supported and Obama continued. I actually agree with him if when he says "bailing out the elites" he means the too large to fail banks and not the auto industry.
Ladies and Gentlemen, yours truly - the ol' TwoPutter - is Guest Hosting tonight's Wednesday Edition of "Minnesota Matters" on AM-950 KTNF, The Voice of Minnesota! And we're going to have two very special guests in studio - Toni Backdahl, the State Coordinator for the Minnesota Tea Party Patriots, and LTC(Ret.) Joe Repya, who recently suspended his bid for Governor under the Independence Party banner.
The Listener Call-In Number is 952-946-6205, or, if you have a question you'd like me to ask of either Ms. Backdahl or Colonel Repya, submit it below in the comments section!
So, again, tune in the radio today to AM-950, or listen live on your computer, here.
