The poll asked people how they'd respond if a Congressional candidate had various hypothetical attributes. Asked how they'd feel if a candidate were "endorsed by Sarah Palin," ... a majority, 52%, reacted negatively. And an astonishing 37 percent would be "very uncomfortable" about a Palin endorsement, more than four times the eight percent who would be "enthusiastic" about it.
Sarah Palin has endorsed Tom Emmer in Minnesota's 2010 gubernatorial race.
On the eve of the Republican's state convention, a major national political figure weighed in on our li'l ol' Governor's race. Sarah Palin endorsed Tom Emmer. While this is a serious boost to Emmer's endorsement chances, this is a kiss of death in the general election.
The Republican base loves, loves, loves Sarah Palin. A couple of months back they thronged the Mall of America to get their books autographed during her book tour. Earlier this month, thousands filled the Minneapolis Convention Center for a Palin-Bachmann rally.
But what do most Minnesotans think of Sarah Palin? The most accurate recent polling data, the 2008 election, indicate that she's not all that popular.
Time magazine's 2002 Person of the Year, Huffington Post contributor and occasional contributor here, Coleen Rowley submitted a letter to the Minneapolis Star Tribune and they ran it as an op-ed. Great editorial, Coleen.
Really want economic freedom? End the wars.
At her Minneapolis Convention Center and "Tea Party Express" rallies this week, I heard U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., continually lambast the reckless spending in Washington, D.C. Bachmann touted how she clips coupons and buys her family's clothes in consignment shops.
But the three giant luxury buses that carried the Tea Party road show to the Twin Cities, complete with musicians and elaborate production, appeared to be anything but a low budget, grass-roots affair. Each bus was professionally painted with patriotic insignia, photos (including a prominent one of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin) and slogans like "End the Bailouts" and "Restore Liberty: Honor the Constitution."
It's hard to disagree with those sentiments. However, we never heard Bachmann or Palin mention, even once, the elephant in the room: the ill-conceived, costly wars that they blindly support.
Their Tea Party talks conveniently ignore the fact that U.S. occupations are costing trillions of dollars, and that these costs are bankrupting our country.
Bachmann and Palin repeatedly chanted "God bless our freedom," but they seem unaware of the famous observation of James Madison, the father of the Constitution, who wisely taught, "No nation can preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare."
The following is from a Politico piece discussing an upcoming Bachmann visit to Iowa. This is the first time I've heard this discussed as a serious possibility:
Bachmann has been receiving a little attention in conservative circles as a potential presidential candidate in 2012. And like so many other Republicans seeking a national profile, an early trip to Iowa, with its first-in-the-nation caucus, provides an opportunity to test-drive her presidential appeal.
But unlike "so many other Republicans seeking a national profile," Bachmann already has a national profile. And the conservatives in Iowa will love her, there's no reason she shouldn't do as well there as she does with conservatives anywhere.
(CONTINUED)
Pretty much every right winger crawled out from whatever rock they normally hide under appeared at yesterday's Palin-Bachmann lovefest. Considering how much lying and trash-talking was going on, some pretty preposterous things were said. For example, Sen. Dave Senjem (R-Rochester) apparently hit the kool-aid a little too hard:
When you think of the legislative GOP's most prodigious trash-talkers, the name of Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, is hardly the first to spring to mind. So it seemed noteworthy when Senjem took to the podium at yesterday's Michele Bachmann/Sarah Palin rally and made this vow about the fall elections: "For the first time in 38 years, we're gonna control the Senate!"
Maybe Senjem was just channeling his inner Ron "Baghdad Bob" Carey. Carey was eternally upbeat every time he was about to get thrashed.
Conservatives in Minnesota have decided to debate whether Republican presidential hopeful Tim Pawlenty has "failed conservatism" during his two terms as governor. In the meantime, Governor Pawlenty has been trying to patch up any alleged holes in his defective conservatism by kissing up to conservative darling Michele Bachmann.
Minneapolis Star Tribune staffer Eric Roper reports that Pawlenty went so far as "transform the front of his Freedom First Web site into a Bachmann campaign pitch," prior to a Bachmann/Palin rally here in Minnesota. He also seems to have purchased the domain name "bachmannrally.com", and has incorporated it into his website.
Surfing to bachmannrally.com now takes you to a special section of Pawlenty's Web site called "Stand with Michele Bachmann."
A more cynical spirit than reporter Roper's might suggest that Pawlenty purchased a domain with Bachmann's name in it because he has chronic and perhaps insurmountable problem with name recognition and American lack of interest in his candidacy. Despite a seemingly endless series of trips out of Minnesota to GOP and conservative conferences and strongholds, the Republicans do not cry: "Pawlenty for president." And despite the fact that the phrase "Tim Pawlenty as a presidential contender" regularly appears on the lips of corporate press around the country--the name "Tim Pawlenty" rarely issues forth from Republican voters and activists when they are asked who they would support in 2012.
Even in his native Minnesota, the polls indicate that support for a Pawlenty presidential run is weak at best. And at the heavyweight Conservative Political Action Conference earlier this year, a straw poll of desirable presidential candidate left Pawlenty finishing behind Ron Paul, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, a number of others, and an old photo of Ronald Reagan promising that he would balance the budget if he was elected in 1980.
So it does not strain credulity to suppose that Pawlenty's recent acquisition of the domain name "bachmannrally.com" is a desperate attempt to deceive at least some Bachmann supporters into clicking on Pawlenty's otherwise unsought website. Pawlenty might also draw traffic by purchasing the domain name "justinbieber.com," but those particular fans might get mad if they found that it was a mere stratagem to increase Pawlenty's web traffic. And you don't want the Justin Bieber fans mad at you; they're a lot smarter than the Bachmann fans.
Link to the story on Pawlenty and his attempt to get Bachmann fans to click on his website:
http://www.startribune.com/blo... Link to Tiger Beat story on "whether Justin Bieber is shy about his smile," which Pawlenty could also incorporate on his website to generate traffic:
http://www.bopandtigerbeat.com...
Next:
Washington Post opinion writer Jonathan Capeheart compares Palin and Bachmann to "Thelma and Louise."
(CONTINUED)
In case you hadn't heard, former Alaskan Governor and VP candidate Sarah Palin broke a big-time barrier for women in politics, well, at least according to Rep. Michele Bachmann (MN-06), and perhaps for the Grand Old Republican Party.
On Sean Hannity's hour-long Fox show broadcast from yesterday's Bachmann/Palin rally in Minneapolis, Bachmann was asked about a possible Palin presidential run in 2012 and said, "I want to thank Governor Palin for breaking the barrier by being a woman as the vice president on the ticket. She did a wonderful job, I think, as the vice-presidential candidate. And I think the world is her oyster. If she wants to run, I think that she has tremendous support from the American people."
Now this might be biased media nitpicking, people, but a lot of folks have rightfully pointed out that the Democratic presidential candidate in 1984, former VP Walter Mondale (from MN), chose the first female VP candidate ever, Geraldine Ferraro.
So maybe Bachmann meant on the Republican ticket? OK, fair enough. The Dems broke it in '84 and the Repubs in '08, 24 years later. This is actually a BIG accomplishment for the GOP! With only 4 of 17 women Republican Senators (23%), and 17 of 75 GOP women Representatives (22%), and 0 of 43 African Americans (0%), no gay members, 1 Asian American, and a few Hispanics, this is as diverse and exciting as the Republicans get: a woman "breaking" a barrier the Democratic Party did 24 years previous.
There's a very good likelihood that Rep. Michele Bachmann will be unseated this November (she did only win by 3% last time and less than 50% of the vote with a lackluster challenger) and she can join Sarah Palin on the Tea Party Express all the way to Fox News. I know it seems strange now, but they are increasingly becoming politically marginalized, given their divisiveness among their own party and campaigning on unrealistic goals and flashy rhetoric ("repeal", "reload", etc.).
Gusty moves at first-glance, but a big giant misstep overall. President Obama and the Democratic Party actually accomplished the all-elusive health care reform that will make a real difference for millions of Americans and was long over-due, if you ask anyone who pays a premium or who has gotten sick. And it happened in a toxic political environment that made Republicans seem foolish, petty, and overly political.
Up next: reigning in predatory credit card, bank and Wall Street practices. Here's another bread-and-butter issue that anyone with a bank account knows that reform is much needed. Our financial institutions have been screwing the people since Reaganomics, and the Republicans are going to dust off the same old arguments of the past 30 years of free markets and competition and too much government and blah, blah, blah - all to their political detriment.
After Republicans lose ground on that, it will be election time and Immigration Reform, where the real bigotry of the far right will be on full display. Meanwhile, the Obama Administration and the Democratic Party will move forward with Climate Change legislation that includes renewable energy and green jobs, education reform, keeping people in their homes, middle-class and small-business tax cuts/job creation and other economic issues, and a foreign policy team that just keeps getting results dealing with difficult international challenges.
And where will the Bachmann's and the Palin's and the Tea Partiers of the world be? Complaining about the change America has been clamoring for year after year after year. They'll be back where they started: offering no new alternatives and a just say "NO!" attitude for the cameras and the latest "death panel" sound byte for the 24 hour cable news cycle. The world is changing, people, and we need to be on the forefront. Lead, follow, or get out the way. Sadly, the Republicans of today will do none of the above, which is why they'll be run over and left in the political rubble of history.
A bunch of fun-loving Minnesotans gathered in front of the Minneapolis Hilton for round 2 of the Bachmann-Palin extravaganza. After the convention center rally, the party faithful reported to the Hilton for a $500 per person dinner and a $10,000 photo op.
Michele's constituents weren't all that much impressed. A lot of original signs and Lucy mad a return visit with psychiatric aid as needed.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Sarah came to Minneapolis to raise money for Michele. Timmy, Hannity and a bunch of the Republican brain trust hovered around the stage with the two leading ladies.
Outside, Lucy was offering psychiatric care for 5 cents to the impassioned attendees. Sadly, the satire went right over their heads. This is a passionate bunch, they don't need no help.
They are a scary bunch. In 2008 we had the passion we had the energy. This gang is very passionate and no reason, reality or truth will budge them. The progressives need to fire up the passion wagon!
Sarah Palin came will be coming to Minnesota today on April 7th to help out her kindred spirit, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN), win reelection. They held a fundraiser, part of which was the opportunity to get your picture taken with these two for a mere $10,000.
So to help out her likely opponent today is also a money bomb day for Tarryl Clark, her likely opponent in November. You've probably noticed all the Google ads at the national progressive blogs asking people to pledge and today's the day.
But here's the bottom line, this effort has raised $47,000 for Tarryl Clark so far. Here's the details:
More than 1,000 grassroots donors.
Over $47,000 raised.
The proof of the success of our moneybomb is in the numbers, and these numbers don't lie. People are giving at an amazing rate - but we've got to keep up the pace!
Over the last few hours, the speed of these incoming donations has picked up significantly - so if you haven't given yet, now is the time to honor your pledge and make your donation...
(Clark Campaign email)
Wouldn't you know it. Sarah Palin is coming to Minnesota to raise money for Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) for her MN-06 reelection bid. That, of course, can only mean one thing...
I just received this email from the Tarryl Clark campaign:
In a few weeks, Sarah Palin will parachute into Minnesota to raise money for my opponent, Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. As a Congresswoman, Bachmann has shown time and time again that she is more interested in pursuing her personal agenda and building her national celebrity than she is in serving the people she represents; much like Sarah Palin.
The Republicans know that Congresswoman Bachmann is vulnerable. In fact, Michele Bachmann frequently refers to herself as "public enemy number one" among Republicans in Congress. That's why they're sending their biggest draw - the cover girl of the extreme right - into our state to raise money for this race. And that's where you come in.
Today my campaign is announcing a new fundraising technique called a "moneybomb," where we all work together to get people to pledge to the campaign and send a message to Congresswoman Bachmann and her allies on the far right.
We expect former Governor Palin and Congresswoman Bachmann to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars in a single day. When our fundraising numbers are released in early April, we need to show Michele Bachmann and the far right that we'll have the resources to fight back when it counts most.
We need to show the people of Minnesota's 6th District that we're working hard every day for the chance to represent them in Washington. While Bachmann is leaving us behind to pursue her own personal agenda, I'm ready to fight for good jobs, for affordable healthcare and for Minnesota families.
This headline from Political Wire was just too much not to have a little chuckle at Sarah Palin's expense:
Palin Used PAC Money to Buy Books
Sarah Palin "has been using her political action committee to buy up thousands of copies of her book, Going Rogue, in order to mail copies of the memoir to her donors," ABC News reports.
The former Alaska governor had her PAC spend more than $63,000 on what her reports describe as "books for fundraising donor fulfillment."
The Hotline notes Palin's PAC spent more money buying copies of her book than it gave in contributions to political candidates.
You know who else did this? Scientologists, trying to prop up sales of founder L. Ron Hubbard's "masterpiece," Dianetics.
Of course, they simply sent those copies right back to the bookstores to be re-sold, instead of giving them away to campaign donors.
Who knows. If I were a donor to Palin's PAC, I'd be pretty annoyed that my money was being used to line Palin's pockets and pay for giveaways to other donors who probably gave more money than I did.
Yes, Sarah Palin will come to Minnesota to campaign for Michele Bachmann. You may put that in your "Who cares, Bill?" file, but I have to note it.
It's an MPR Polinaut story:
GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann announced today that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will visit Minnesota to campaign for her on April 7th.
Here's the take on the DCCC v. Bachmann:
Bachmann is expected to face a spirited challenge in her reelection run in 2010. The DCCC has listed Minnesota's 6th as one of its Races to Watch list. That means the political arm of House Democrats will likely put resources and effort into the race.
And here's something I had not heard (sic):
Bachmann and Palin will both appear next month at the National Tea Party Convention in Tennessee.
My understanding was that Palin wasn't going to this grass roots defense of American liberty event, because "the money wasn't right."
And here's another bombshell for you:
Palin's visit to Minnesota fuels speculation that Bachmann could back Palin over (Minnesota Gov. Tim) Pawlenty in the race for the White House.
See, that is a bombshell. Because I know that the particular reporter who wrote that happens to be pretty bright. And he is taking the possibility of a Palin presidential run seriously. (On the Kos, it's long been dismissed as joke. I regularly got joking comments from readers suggesting "Palin/Bachmann 2012!" bumperstickers. These have tapered off, recently--not as funny, what with the "hey, the crazy conservatives may be electable!" headlines.)
At Polinaut they entitled the piece "Bachmann wants a copy of Palin's book"--but who cares about that, the real deal is that MB won't say whether she supports the presidential bid by Pawlenty or by Palin.
Okay...let's get real. That's not news either, a politician refusing to say who they're going to support, years in advance of an election. And Bachmann claims to hold conversations with God and receive prophetic visions from Him--now that's news, but they won't print that or ask her questions about that.
But: since the mainstream, paid media still has the power to set the topics of discussion--let's discuss. Me, I think the Palin political thing's over--at least until she gets back into elected office again somewhere. The Palin media thing is not over; there's been an explosion of Palin news exposure everywhere, she gets standing ovations from conservative crowds around the country. But she resigned office rather than try to survive a host of ethics inquiries--that's not leadership anywhere outside the conservative talk radio spectrum.
So I have an idea for a bumpersticker: "Palin for Reality T.V." That's what she's really most qualified for--she's not informed enough about politics to be a right wing talk personality, but her career and home life are complex enough to make good reality t.v. (which may be part of the secret of her popularity.)
Michele Bachmann is an acknowledged Palin fan and they met in Alaska when Bachmann was up there to make the case for opening up ANWR for oil drilling. (Michele took a tour of a portion of ANWR via airplane, and reported that she didn't see any wildlife when she looked down there--so "drill, baby, drill.") (continued)
In case you hadn't heard, former Alaskan Governor and VP candidate Sarah Palin broke a big-time barrier for women in politics, well, at least according to Rep. Michele Bachmann (MN-06), and perhaps for the Grand Old Republican Party.
There's a very good likelihood that Rep. Michele Bachmann will be unseated this November (she did only win by 3% last time and less than 50% of the vote with a lackluster challenger) and she can join Sarah Palin on the Tea Party Express all the way to Fox News. I know it seems strange now, but they are increasingly becoming politically marginalized, given their divisiveness among their own party and campaigning on unrealistic goals and flashy rhetoric ("repeal", "reload", etc.).
