Thursday, June 29, 2006
My Own Private Push Poll
"..and would your support for Mark Kennedy as Senator be greater or lesser if you knew he took money from the same people who ran McCain out of the 2000 Primary?...oh, really, that's interesting....And would it be greater or lesser if you knew he was receiving money from the same people who funded Swift Boat Veterans for Truth?...Really?...Yes, I understand....And what about if he took money from people under investigation by the IRS for tax evasion and questionable stock practices?...Yes, he does sound like he'd take money from pretty much every bad guy there is, doesn't he?"
Drinking Liberally Tonight - Liberals Gone Wilde
Tonight we have Wendy Wilde stopping by at 7 pm to discuss here run for the 3rd CD against Jim Ramstadt. I love women in politics, so between Wendy tonight and Coleen on the 13th, I'm one happy Minnesota Coordinator.
Also, we have a photographer stopping by to do some shots (camera, not tequilla) for a new monthly magazine premiring in September. So wear you smiles!
Also, we have a photographer stopping by to do some shots (camera, not tequilla) for a new monthly magazine premiring in September. So wear you smiles!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
He sez, GOP sez...
The Publius Boys have their hands full. First they have to battle the GOP, then they have to fight that "liberal machine" the Strib.
Did Carey get one of his tentacles around Conrad,too?
Instead of figuring out the facts, they seemed to have just opted for Ron Carey's talking points (which, as Jon-David has shown below, are severely flawed). In fact, the article uses the very same adjective that Carey does to characterize our claims: "exaggerated." And I have to admit, the claim that all the references to Bush have been erased would have been very exaggerated, but then again, we never made that claim. Let me make that clear: we never claimed that all references to President Bush were removed from Representative Kennedy's website. Funny thing is, the first person who said that we did was, you guessed it, Ron Carey.
But it doesn't stop there folks, no siree bob. The article then quotes Carey's remarks from the same press release, cites his number of 72 mentions (which Jon-David has shown to be an "exaggeration"), and then ends on a mention of the Kennedy campaign's response (who they apparently felt the need to contact, but not us).
Did Carey get one of his tentacles around Conrad,too?
So...
Now that they've discovered that the younger sons of many sons may be more likely to be homosexual, will the Religious Right reconsider having such big families?
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
The Seedy Underbelly of Buffett
[tongue entering cheek]Warren Buffett uses fortune to kill babies
You know, folks, that wouldn't happen if you all supported the estate tax....[tongue exiting cheek]
Here are some other things the Gates Foundation does besides "run abortion businesses."
You know, folks, that wouldn't happen if you all supported the estate tax....[tongue exiting cheek]
Here are some other things the Gates Foundation does besides "run abortion businesses."
Monday, June 26, 2006
Your Joke Here
So many possibilities...
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Rush Limbaugh was detained for more than three hours Monday at Palm Beach International Airport after authorities said they found a bottle of Viagra in his possession without a prescription.
IP Convention Wrap Up
The Inevitable Winners and Losers Section:
Winners:
Robert Fitzgerald - I know, it's an obvious one, but it needs to be said. This isn't about winning the endorsement, but the way Robert kept himself focused throughout the day. Robert was the only candidate who actually walked over and introduced himself to all of the people in the Media Section, and kept working the floor during the debate section, firing off one-liners to the audience. When a Haviland supporter declared that Haviland was the only one who should get the endorsement because the other two candidates were Socialists and not American, Robert wandered past the Strib reporters and said off-handedly, "Actually, I'm told I was born in the USA, if anyone wants to write that down." Robert had a saviness very impressive for someone running for office for the first time. Now, if he only knew how to fundraise....
Peter Hutchinson - Besides his 90% endorsement, Hutchinson ends up here because the Team Minnesota theme dominated the convention. His endorsement speech was the speech I was hoping to hear from Hatch at the DFL convention, rather than Hatch's odd 40 minute ramble about healthcare, and Hutchinson provided a vision that seemed in someways lacking in our DFL gubernatorial candidates. However, as the Republicans would say, I didn't hear a lot of how's (how these changes will be accomplished) so I'm still not completely swayed.
Peter Tharldson (state convention chair) - Okay, he wasn't stern like Rick Nelson, but he kept the convention moving briskly, did emergency delegate recounts, sorted ballots on the floor, and even tried pretty convincingly to lie and tell us the storm wasn't coming any closer. So kudos on a well-oiled convention. And I'm not just saying that because I'm having a beer with your sister next week.
Non-Delegates - I hope the delegates had fun, but this was a rockin' convention to just hang out at. Kids had a fun zone with balloon animals and face painting, and we grown-ups had brass bands and rock bands. Plus, the convention schwag was great. We walked away with a few IP hankies, pens, and even two ponchos. All I got at the DFL Convention was a raging hangover.
Instant Run-Off Voting: I get it now, and it was nice and quick. But I'm still not sure how it would work in someplace where ballots aren't being counted by hand.
Losers:
Primary challengers - We were told Pam Ellison is intending to run in the primary, and yesterday I read that Steve Williams will do the same for Senate. Ellison had about 10% of the ballots, and Williams had less than 20%. I hate to be cruel, but your party is small, you don't have money, and a majority of the folk who would be voting in the IP primary were the 275 people sitting in those stands. You will not win. You will just make the party-chosen candidates spend money that could be used in the general. Let it go and prepare for the next race.
Jim Haviland's "debate" supporter - I have no doubt that your attack on the other two candidates is part of what made Haviland lose the endorsement. Once Williams was out, his voters' second choice was used, so insulting their candidate probably wasn't the wisest move.
The Abortion Plane - Yes, "10-week Abortion" plane was flying its banner over Midway through a large chunk of the convention. The message was not receptive there, so I hope you spent a lot on gas. Which reminds me of the final loser...
The DFL - See, I had an assumption about the IP when I came in, and I was very wrong. I realized it right away when the endorsed candidate for the 6th came on and spoke about Bachmann, and it became more clear when Hutchinson spoke. A large majority of this group are people who have much in common with the DFL, but don't believe in your party anymore. Often, I felt like the speeches in Midway were more DFLy than those in Rochester. I've heard murmurs that Hutchinson is polling in at 6%, and 4% is from Hatch's side and 2% from Pawlenty. I just don't believe that after this weekend.
And of course, in a category all his own - Grandpa Fitzgerald. When you're ready to run for office, give me a call.
Winners:
Robert Fitzgerald - I know, it's an obvious one, but it needs to be said. This isn't about winning the endorsement, but the way Robert kept himself focused throughout the day. Robert was the only candidate who actually walked over and introduced himself to all of the people in the Media Section, and kept working the floor during the debate section, firing off one-liners to the audience. When a Haviland supporter declared that Haviland was the only one who should get the endorsement because the other two candidates were Socialists and not American, Robert wandered past the Strib reporters and said off-handedly, "Actually, I'm told I was born in the USA, if anyone wants to write that down." Robert had a saviness very impressive for someone running for office for the first time. Now, if he only knew how to fundraise....
Peter Hutchinson - Besides his 90% endorsement, Hutchinson ends up here because the Team Minnesota theme dominated the convention. His endorsement speech was the speech I was hoping to hear from Hatch at the DFL convention, rather than Hatch's odd 40 minute ramble about healthcare, and Hutchinson provided a vision that seemed in someways lacking in our DFL gubernatorial candidates. However, as the Republicans would say, I didn't hear a lot of how's (how these changes will be accomplished) so I'm still not completely swayed.
Peter Tharldson (state convention chair) - Okay, he wasn't stern like Rick Nelson, but he kept the convention moving briskly, did emergency delegate recounts, sorted ballots on the floor, and even tried pretty convincingly to lie and tell us the storm wasn't coming any closer. So kudos on a well-oiled convention. And I'm not just saying that because I'm having a beer with your sister next week.
Non-Delegates - I hope the delegates had fun, but this was a rockin' convention to just hang out at. Kids had a fun zone with balloon animals and face painting, and we grown-ups had brass bands and rock bands. Plus, the convention schwag was great. We walked away with a few IP hankies, pens, and even two ponchos. All I got at the DFL Convention was a raging hangover.
Instant Run-Off Voting: I get it now, and it was nice and quick. But I'm still not sure how it would work in someplace where ballots aren't being counted by hand.
Losers:
Primary challengers - We were told Pam Ellison is intending to run in the primary, and yesterday I read that Steve Williams will do the same for Senate. Ellison had about 10% of the ballots, and Williams had less than 20%. I hate to be cruel, but your party is small, you don't have money, and a majority of the folk who would be voting in the IP primary were the 275 people sitting in those stands. You will not win. You will just make the party-chosen candidates spend money that could be used in the general. Let it go and prepare for the next race.
Jim Haviland's "debate" supporter - I have no doubt that your attack on the other two candidates is part of what made Haviland lose the endorsement. Once Williams was out, his voters' second choice was used, so insulting their candidate probably wasn't the wisest move.
The Abortion Plane - Yes, "10-week Abortion" plane was flying its banner over Midway through a large chunk of the convention. The message was not receptive there, so I hope you spent a lot on gas. Which reminds me of the final loser...
The DFL - See, I had an assumption about the IP when I came in, and I was very wrong. I realized it right away when the endorsed candidate for the 6th came on and spoke about Bachmann, and it became more clear when Hutchinson spoke. A large majority of this group are people who have much in common with the DFL, but don't believe in your party anymore. Often, I felt like the speeches in Midway were more DFLy than those in Rochester. I've heard murmurs that Hutchinson is polling in at 6%, and 4% is from Hatch's side and 2% from Pawlenty. I just don't believe that after this weekend.
And of course, in a category all his own - Grandpa Fitzgerald. When you're ready to run for office, give me a call.
Coleen Rowley and Rhubarb Wine
Let's see what kind of search strings that post title pulls in....
First, just a note that Coleen Rowley, DFL Endosed candidate for CD 2, will be stopping in to meet the Drinking Liberally crew on Thursday, July 13th. Mark your calendars to meet The Agent For Change...in this particular case, changing John Kline back to a private citizen.
And speaking of Drinking Liberally, I ended up coming home last week not only with a noggin full of political thoughts, but a bottle of Rhubarb Wine courtesy of Soren. Last night smartie and I sat down to try out this original vintage, bottled at Forestedge Winery in Laporte, Minnesota.
My first thought was that it had almost no smell, followed quickly by it having very little taste, other than the alchohol. After a few sips my palate must have adjusted and I had a wine that was sweet like a Reisling, but much much drier, almost in a way that saki is.
It took about half a glass before we realized that the problem was that rhubarb wine desperately requires food on the side to bring out its flavor. Luckily, we discovered the perfect complement - samosas and mango chutney. Something about the bit of spice in the samosa (frozen, it's not like we're fancy folk) brought out the full sweetness of the rhubarb, which was more like a rhubarb crisp than a straight stalk of the fruit (come on, I'm not the only one who's eaten it raw, right?). The mango chutney enhanced the wine's tanginess, as well, which gave it much more depth.
So rhubarb wine good, drinking it without enhancing foods, not so much. But it's a Minnesota wine, and way better than those bottles of Nebraska fruit juice they keep pretending is bottled wine. Hence, my first wine review. How'd I do, Doug?
Final IP convention thoughts in a few.
First, just a note that Coleen Rowley, DFL Endosed candidate for CD 2, will be stopping in to meet the Drinking Liberally crew on Thursday, July 13th. Mark your calendars to meet The Agent For Change...in this particular case, changing John Kline back to a private citizen.
And speaking of Drinking Liberally, I ended up coming home last week not only with a noggin full of political thoughts, but a bottle of Rhubarb Wine courtesy of Soren. Last night smartie and I sat down to try out this original vintage, bottled at Forestedge Winery in Laporte, Minnesota.
My first thought was that it had almost no smell, followed quickly by it having very little taste, other than the alchohol. After a few sips my palate must have adjusted and I had a wine that was sweet like a Reisling, but much much drier, almost in a way that saki is.
It took about half a glass before we realized that the problem was that rhubarb wine desperately requires food on the side to bring out its flavor. Luckily, we discovered the perfect complement - samosas and mango chutney. Something about the bit of spice in the samosa (frozen, it's not like we're fancy folk) brought out the full sweetness of the rhubarb, which was more like a rhubarb crisp than a straight stalk of the fruit (come on, I'm not the only one who's eaten it raw, right?). The mango chutney enhanced the wine's tanginess, as well, which gave it much more depth.
So rhubarb wine good, drinking it without enhancing foods, not so much. But it's a Minnesota wine, and way better than those bottles of Nebraska fruit juice they keep pretending is bottled wine. Hence, my first wine review. How'd I do, Doug?
Final IP convention thoughts in a few.
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Pictures from the Convention
Jim MooreJim Moore hosted the event
Steve Williams, Senate candidate, came in third in the balloting and his supporters were given their #2 choice based on IRV rules.
James Haviland, Senate Candidate, who recieved about 39% of the vote.
Grandpa FitzgeraldThis is Grandpa Fitzgerald, who introduced Robert. Quite possibly the best speech of the afternoon, however he ate up so much of Robert's time he was reminded by convention chair Pieter Tharldson that he needed to leave the stage and give his grandson some time, too.
Robert Fitzgerald, IP endorsed candidate, with 61% of the vote.
Pam Ellison, nomminee for Governor.
Peter Hutchinson. Although we had to take off before the balloting to protect ourselves from the rain, it was clear that the vast majority of the delegates were on board with Team Hutchinson, the team moving not left, not right, but forward.
Getting down to business...
Agenda adopted and proposed rules made official.
Confirmed delegate count of: 242 at this time. Sign-in is continuing.
Election of IP Treasurer: Craig Swaggert nominated and seconded. Appointment by raising bandanas. Oh yeah, I should mention, everybody got a bandana on the way in-delegates got orange. We got green.
Now, endorsements for US Senate.
Steve Williams is nominated.
Jim Haviland is nominated.
Robert Fitzgerald is nominated.
Steve Williams' Nominating Speech: Talk about skiing the "classic" race at the Mora Vasselopet, being a sweet corn farmer. As a farmer and family man he is worried about the future and wants to work to make a positive change.
Justice for all. I have read the platform of the IP and I believe it can be summed up in those three words. My campaign, Prarie Fire, is a campaign for justice. Outsourcing, energy policy, budget defecit are all issues of justice. Our nation is moving towards bankruptcy and economic collapse. This is not justice. We impose costs on the American worker for Social Security and health care and expect them to compete. This is not justice. CEOs are becoming billionaires while the workers suffer. This is not justice (TINJ). Reform social security, reform health care, elminate payroll taxes, encourage alternative fuels and energy independence. Nationalize health insurance to save billions and give everyone halth insurance. Justice equals strength. A just nation is a strong nation. How can I win when the major parties have so much more money? Justice for all trumps every last special interest dollar. Prarie Fire is a campaign for justice. [Got that yet?]
Saints have started warming up down on the field in the background...also, TRAIN!
Jim Haviland-Opens with joke about getting out of his suit and into a baseball uniform. Speaks about the future of his children-mounting debt, war in Iraq, generations without hope. "All that's neccessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." I knew I had to run and try to bring back hope. Since he was a night clerk 30 years ago and was almost murdered he has known the value of time. Speaks of being a Marine in Vietnam.
Train!
Jim Haviland makes a joke about using the train to punctuate his point. Raising money became more important to both parties than running the country. We need someone to address the same issues as before that have been neglected for so long. Social Security, education, etc. We need to draw our line in the sand and declare that we've had enough. The will of the people needs to be more important than the will of the party. We stand at a crossroads today. I'm inspired by your dedication. This is the place, this is the time, and I, Jim Haviland, am the right man for the job.
Robert Fitzgerald's grandfather speaks-Robert is Minnesota's dynamic young politician. Some may say that at 29 he doesn't have the skills to sit in the US Senate, but I say "malarky". Not only does he have skills, he has sensible solutions to offer. Take a look at the congress we have today. What kind of skills do these people have to brag about? Their skills are taking bribes, generous contibutions and taking special interest money. What kind of skill does it take to give a president unlimited authority to wage war wherever and whenever he wants? What kind of skill does it take to burden future generations with a 9 trillion dollar debt? What kind of skill does it take to give tax cuts to the multi-millionaires and to drop the ball on everything from health care to social security. Shame, he ran out of time just as he was really getting into it. They've turned an American dream into an American nightmare. Now Fitzgerald, but his grandfather is going to be a tough act to follow.
My grandfather holds the national high jump record, neither he nor I let obstacles get in our way. This is truly community politics. People coming together to make a change. I've met many of you, and I also see many new faces. Welcome.
Can a candidate compete against the big money interests? This campaign started in a booth at the State Fair where I was still a small i independent. Met with many people at the fair. The IP approached me there and asked me to run. Their values aligned with mine. A new voice, a smart choice. Elect a young candidate and you can keep electing him over and over to build senority. [laughs]
We've lost our internet connection so I'm going back time stamping.
2:52-Problem with delegate count, so they're recounting.
2:57-recount continues, upgrading of alternates
3:01-Still recounting, the brass band is playing a little tune to entertain us. The weather is starting to look ominous, dark clouds rolling in.
3:04-Senate voting will be by IRV (Instant runoff). Chair explains IRV.
3:09-15 minutes of debate opens. Unlike other conventions this is debate amongst delegates not candidates.
First person speaks in favor of Robert Fitzgerald. She's a senior citizen, but believes what the country needs are youth and fresh ideas. Second speaker is for Fitzgerald. Third speaker is for Jim Haviland. Other two candidates are socialists (huh?), Jim will work on behalf of capitalists. Fourth speaker is on behalf of Fitzgerald. Motion to end debate. Motion passes.
3:13-Voting Begins. Tammy Lee speaks while the voting is going on. Tammy Lee is planning on coming back to Drinking Liberally sometime in the near future.
3:19-John Binkowski (IP Candidate from the 6th District) speaks next. "A courageous Vote is never a wasted vote."
3:27 - (This is rew again)moving on to the Gub race, as we have a "bull echo" 60 miles out (there's definately a cool breeze starting). Nominations starting. Pam Ellison nominated first. (distracted by ballots fnally done being counted, and wishing we had an in like in the past.) Ponchos arebeing handed out. Needless to say, if it starts raining, we're done typing.
Ellison begins speaking, and the 10 week abortion plane is flying over head (no relation, obviously.) she's making eveyone introuce themselves to the people on their left and right and say "I love the IP", and "welcome to the team."
Employed a education assisant, and has served on many school board comittees. Vounteered and served on credit advisory board, so learned about finance and education. Talked about her experience of her husband not having healthcare, is running for governor because Pawlenty pulled people off of Minnesota Care to balance the budget. "We've had Plenty of Pawlenty. And Mike has yet to "Hatch" a healthcare system." The government shutdown was reprehensible. Allowing the state to shut down was unacceptable. "There are a bunch of adjectives waiting around to do something...we need to stop being nouns and be verbs." "All minnesota needs is a good verb in the governor's office." Her time is up, and she's still going. Good to see some things are the same in all parties. And she's still talking. I think her plan is to talk until it rains so no one will hear Hutchinson.
3:41 - At the end of the first ballot, 272 ballots cast, with IRV, Robert Fitzerald recieves endorsement once Williamson ballots are taken out and their second choice is used. Robert gives 10 second jubuliant speech, since We're about to get attacked by the sky gods.
3:44 - Peter Hutchinson speech begins. Most of the delagates in the crowd are waving Hutchinson signs. Thanks eveyone, and Wally the beerman (he's passing out water today). "Minnesotans know that politics in this state is broken, they want us to get things back on the right track....met a man who asked 'are you an incumbant?' 'no, sir, I'm a challenger.' 'Well then, I'm voting for you!.'"
Distracting us with 5 g's - guns, god, gays, gambling and gynocology. Now, they are adding Green cards.
Leadership is a team, that's why we created Team Minnesota. Welcomes Maureen Reed.
Reed - great to be here with my new friends and old friends. Our adenga is education, healthcare, transportation and enviornment. It is the main things that you're concerned about and our families are concerned about. The main things are not the easy things. They are no hot button or trendy, they are the things that determine minnesota's prosperity, security. We're not left, or right, but forward. Forward to a Minnesota that is the healthiest place on the planet with the lowest healthcare costs in the nation. (Everyone is chanting the not left, not right bit with her at each section.). Transportation should be assest, not agrivation. We should be able to drink the water, swim in the lakes, and eat the fish. We know what to do and are not afraid to do it.
It's about to rain, so we're running so we can go home and post. Hutchinson will have the endorsement shortly. We'll do final thoughts later.
Confirmed delegate count of: 242 at this time. Sign-in is continuing.
Election of IP Treasurer: Craig Swaggert nominated and seconded. Appointment by raising bandanas. Oh yeah, I should mention, everybody got a bandana on the way in-delegates got orange. We got green.
Now, endorsements for US Senate.
Steve Williams is nominated.
Jim Haviland is nominated.
Robert Fitzgerald is nominated.
Steve Williams' Nominating Speech: Talk about skiing the "classic" race at the Mora Vasselopet, being a sweet corn farmer. As a farmer and family man he is worried about the future and wants to work to make a positive change.
Justice for all. I have read the platform of the IP and I believe it can be summed up in those three words. My campaign, Prarie Fire, is a campaign for justice. Outsourcing, energy policy, budget defecit are all issues of justice. Our nation is moving towards bankruptcy and economic collapse. This is not justice. We impose costs on the American worker for Social Security and health care and expect them to compete. This is not justice. CEOs are becoming billionaires while the workers suffer. This is not justice (TINJ). Reform social security, reform health care, elminate payroll taxes, encourage alternative fuels and energy independence. Nationalize health insurance to save billions and give everyone halth insurance. Justice equals strength. A just nation is a strong nation. How can I win when the major parties have so much more money? Justice for all trumps every last special interest dollar. Prarie Fire is a campaign for justice. [Got that yet?]
Saints have started warming up down on the field in the background...also, TRAIN!
Jim Haviland-Opens with joke about getting out of his suit and into a baseball uniform. Speaks about the future of his children-mounting debt, war in Iraq, generations without hope. "All that's neccessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." I knew I had to run and try to bring back hope. Since he was a night clerk 30 years ago and was almost murdered he has known the value of time. Speaks of being a Marine in Vietnam.
Train!
Jim Haviland makes a joke about using the train to punctuate his point. Raising money became more important to both parties than running the country. We need someone to address the same issues as before that have been neglected for so long. Social Security, education, etc. We need to draw our line in the sand and declare that we've had enough. The will of the people needs to be more important than the will of the party. We stand at a crossroads today. I'm inspired by your dedication. This is the place, this is the time, and I, Jim Haviland, am the right man for the job.
Robert Fitzgerald's grandfather speaks-Robert is Minnesota's dynamic young politician. Some may say that at 29 he doesn't have the skills to sit in the US Senate, but I say "malarky". Not only does he have skills, he has sensible solutions to offer. Take a look at the congress we have today. What kind of skills do these people have to brag about? Their skills are taking bribes, generous contibutions and taking special interest money. What kind of skill does it take to give a president unlimited authority to wage war wherever and whenever he wants? What kind of skill does it take to burden future generations with a 9 trillion dollar debt? What kind of skill does it take to give tax cuts to the multi-millionaires and to drop the ball on everything from health care to social security. Shame, he ran out of time just as he was really getting into it. They've turned an American dream into an American nightmare. Now Fitzgerald, but his grandfather is going to be a tough act to follow.
My grandfather holds the national high jump record, neither he nor I let obstacles get in our way. This is truly community politics. People coming together to make a change. I've met many of you, and I also see many new faces. Welcome.
Can a candidate compete against the big money interests? This campaign started in a booth at the State Fair where I was still a small i independent. Met with many people at the fair. The IP approached me there and asked me to run. Their values aligned with mine. A new voice, a smart choice. Elect a young candidate and you can keep electing him over and over to build senority. [laughs]
We've lost our internet connection so I'm going back time stamping.
2:52-Problem with delegate count, so they're recounting.
2:57-recount continues, upgrading of alternates
3:01-Still recounting, the brass band is playing a little tune to entertain us. The weather is starting to look ominous, dark clouds rolling in.
3:04-Senate voting will be by IRV (Instant runoff). Chair explains IRV.
3:09-15 minutes of debate opens. Unlike other conventions this is debate amongst delegates not candidates.
First person speaks in favor of Robert Fitzgerald. She's a senior citizen, but believes what the country needs are youth and fresh ideas. Second speaker is for Fitzgerald. Third speaker is for Jim Haviland. Other two candidates are socialists (huh?), Jim will work on behalf of capitalists. Fourth speaker is on behalf of Fitzgerald. Motion to end debate. Motion passes.
3:13-Voting Begins. Tammy Lee speaks while the voting is going on. Tammy Lee is planning on coming back to Drinking Liberally sometime in the near future.
3:19-John Binkowski (IP Candidate from the 6th District) speaks next. "A courageous Vote is never a wasted vote."
3:27 - (This is rew again)moving on to the Gub race, as we have a "bull echo" 60 miles out (there's definately a cool breeze starting). Nominations starting. Pam Ellison nominated first. (distracted by ballots fnally done being counted, and wishing we had an in like in the past.) Ponchos arebeing handed out. Needless to say, if it starts raining, we're done typing.
Ellison begins speaking, and the 10 week abortion plane is flying over head (no relation, obviously.) she's making eveyone introuce themselves to the people on their left and right and say "I love the IP", and "welcome to the team."
Employed a education assisant, and has served on many school board comittees. Vounteered and served on credit advisory board, so learned about finance and education. Talked about her experience of her husband not having healthcare, is running for governor because Pawlenty pulled people off of Minnesota Care to balance the budget. "We've had Plenty of Pawlenty. And Mike has yet to "Hatch" a healthcare system." The government shutdown was reprehensible. Allowing the state to shut down was unacceptable. "There are a bunch of adjectives waiting around to do something...we need to stop being nouns and be verbs." "All minnesota needs is a good verb in the governor's office." Her time is up, and she's still going. Good to see some things are the same in all parties. And she's still talking. I think her plan is to talk until it rains so no one will hear Hutchinson.
3:41 - At the end of the first ballot, 272 ballots cast, with IRV, Robert Fitzerald recieves endorsement once Williamson ballots are taken out and their second choice is used. Robert gives 10 second jubuliant speech, since We're about to get attacked by the sky gods.
3:44 - Peter Hutchinson speech begins. Most of the delagates in the crowd are waving Hutchinson signs. Thanks eveyone, and Wally the beerman (he's passing out water today). "Minnesotans know that politics in this state is broken, they want us to get things back on the right track....met a man who asked 'are you an incumbant?' 'no, sir, I'm a challenger.' 'Well then, I'm voting for you!.'"
Distracting us with 5 g's - guns, god, gays, gambling and gynocology. Now, they are adding Green cards.
Leadership is a team, that's why we created Team Minnesota. Welcomes Maureen Reed.
Reed - great to be here with my new friends and old friends. Our adenga is education, healthcare, transportation and enviornment. It is the main things that you're concerned about and our families are concerned about. The main things are not the easy things. They are no hot button or trendy, they are the things that determine minnesota's prosperity, security. We're not left, or right, but forward. Forward to a Minnesota that is the healthiest place on the planet with the lowest healthcare costs in the nation. (Everyone is chanting the not left, not right bit with her at each section.). Transportation should be assest, not agrivation. We should be able to drink the water, swim in the lakes, and eat the fish. We know what to do and are not afraid to do it.
It's about to rain, so we're running so we can go home and post. Hutchinson will have the endorsement shortly. We'll do final thoughts later.
We're about to begin...
Brass band has come on stage. Welcome to the convention. Star Spangled Banner...
Delegates in sections D-G for anyone familiar with Midway...
Rew's thoughts - a) my computer is going to fry in the sun. It's very hard to blog in the sun, so apologize our errors.
Talk about what the IP is trying to do these days. To back track a bit, this is quite possibly the most "fun" of the conventions. We started with some music by "Emerson, Lake and Lyndale", then delegates came in to a brass band playing "When the Saints go marching in." And of course, the Buffalo.
Some words "We haven't seen bold politics since Jack Kennedy took us to the moon...we've vastly exceeded our endorsing turnout from 4 years ago. ...Beating the odds, silencing our critics...is exactly what America is about..." then a liteny about what Minnesota would be like if certain companies hadn't struggled to stay here. "Hard work and leadership will overcome any challenge facing us...We ned to elect real leaders who paint a picture of our future and make people think of what they must do to get us there."
Kind words about the candidates up today, mostly Team Hutchinson people. "These candidates embody the values of our party and will provide Minnesota with the leadership it longs for.
Just nominated Pieter Thardlson as state convention chair, and I realize that's my colege buddy Ingrid's brother. Small world.
Delegates in sections D-G for anyone familiar with Midway...
Rew's thoughts - a) my computer is going to fry in the sun. It's very hard to blog in the sun, so apologize our errors.
Talk about what the IP is trying to do these days. To back track a bit, this is quite possibly the most "fun" of the conventions. We started with some music by "Emerson, Lake and Lyndale", then delegates came in to a brass band playing "When the Saints go marching in." And of course, the Buffalo.
Some words "We haven't seen bold politics since Jack Kennedy took us to the moon...we've vastly exceeded our endorsing turnout from 4 years ago. ...Beating the odds, silencing our critics...is exactly what America is about..." then a liteny about what Minnesota would be like if certain companies hadn't struggled to stay here. "Hard work and leadership will overcome any challenge facing us...We ned to elect real leaders who paint a picture of our future and make people think of what they must do to get us there."
Kind words about the candidates up today, mostly Team Hutchinson people. "These candidates embody the values of our party and will provide Minnesota with the leadership it longs for.
Just nominated Pieter Thardlson as state convention chair, and I realize that's my colege buddy Ingrid's brother. Small world.
A Couple of Pics to get you started
Two of Mr. Fitzgerald, and one of the IP Bison. Can you figure out which is which?
(No really, I'm asking. I can't see, there's too much glare on the screen)
(No really, I'm asking. I can't see, there's too much glare on the screen)
At the Convention
1:35 I'm time stamping these for now because we don't have an internet connection yet, so it may be a little while before this is posted. The "media" area is set up in the lower seats of Section F (right behind homeplate). It's a good view, but it's also right in front of the stage where the band is warming up and it's pretty loud here right now.
I have to say that I like the idea of holding the convention outside. It feels like those days at the end of the school year when you begged the teacher to hold class outside...well, it's a couple of years later but we finally got our wish. It's a beautiful day out, the sky is mostly clear and the sun is shining. The band just started playing "Under Pressure".
1:52-Okay, we should be live now. Can everybody see this?
I have to say that I like the idea of holding the convention outside. It feels like those days at the end of the school year when you begged the teacher to hold class outside...well, it's a couple of years later but we finally got our wish. It's a beautiful day out, the sky is mostly clear and the sun is shining. The band just started playing "Under Pressure".
1:52-Okay, we should be live now. Can everybody see this?
LiveBlogging the IP convention - Preview
We're still trying to get some things together at the PowerHouse, and we'll be heading to Midway soon, hopefully. Registration starts at 1pm, speeches and balloting at 2.
Strib has an article out here. (and, on another note, an amazing "scoop" about Hatch/Dutcher)
All we know going into the event is that Pam Ellison is likely to be challenging Hutchinson in a primary, and that the party will be testing out IRV on the senate ballots today.
Strib has an article out here. (and, on another note, an amazing "scoop" about Hatch/Dutcher)
All we know going into the event is that Pam Ellison is likely to be challenging Hutchinson in a primary, and that the party will be testing out IRV on the senate ballots today.
Friday, June 23, 2006
IP, you P
Smartie and I will be liveblogging the Independence Party Convention this Saturday live from Midway Stadium. Despite the Strib editorial today, there is no fee to come to the convention and it is open to the public. The $35 dollar cost it mentions is for the picnic and game after the endorsements are over, not to get in the door for the fun itself.
Although primarily we will be there as unbiased observers, longtime readers will know that we Powerliberals have a soft spot for senate candidate Robert Fitzgerald. Perhaps it's the many beers we've had with him, or maybe I'm just still content from the amazing dinner we shared with him, his family and some IP people at True Thai Wednesday night (note to other candidate...if you truly want to win us over, talking politics while distracting us with the best spring rolls I've ever tasted is a step in the right direction), but it would come as no shock to anyone that we will be pulling for him as the balloting gets underway. That is, if we can still type after helping him tie 999 ballons pre-convention.
Mainly, however, I am interested in seeing Peter Hutchinson live and in the flesh. I'm still considering my governor options as we head into the season, and, unlike most of the lefties out there, I'm not completely certain that another round of Pawlenty would be the worst thing that ever happened to Minnesota (rightwing blogsphere will pick that up and run with it in 3...2...1...). At this point, I'm not easily swayed by the "A vote for a 3rd party candidate is a vote for Pawlenty" fear game.
Come stop by Midway and say hi on Saturday (did I mention it's free?), or be sure to watch the Powerliberal because, unlike MPR, we aren't running on tape delay. But we may be running on Sweet Rolls.
Although primarily we will be there as unbiased observers, longtime readers will know that we Powerliberals have a soft spot for senate candidate Robert Fitzgerald. Perhaps it's the many beers we've had with him, or maybe I'm just still content from the amazing dinner we shared with him, his family and some IP people at True Thai Wednesday night (note to other candidate...if you truly want to win us over, talking politics while distracting us with the best spring rolls I've ever tasted is a step in the right direction), but it would come as no shock to anyone that we will be pulling for him as the balloting gets underway. That is, if we can still type after helping him tie 999 ballons pre-convention.
Mainly, however, I am interested in seeing Peter Hutchinson live and in the flesh. I'm still considering my governor options as we head into the season, and, unlike most of the lefties out there, I'm not completely certain that another round of Pawlenty would be the worst thing that ever happened to Minnesota (rightwing blogsphere will pick that up and run with it in 3...2...1...). At this point, I'm not easily swayed by the "A vote for a 3rd party candidate is a vote for Pawlenty" fear game.
Come stop by Midway and say hi on Saturday (did I mention it's free?), or be sure to watch the Powerliberal because, unlike MPR, we aren't running on tape delay. But we may be running on Sweet Rolls.
Republicans Cost State 1.4 Million...and Counting
GOP lawyers awarded $1.4 million for work on judicial election case
But really, this bill is just salt in the wound-we taxpayers are forking over this money in return for having a partisan and likely polarized judiciary shoved down our throats. Does anyone think that's a good idea? Can you imagine how much time and money is now going to be wasted on appeals and retrials because the defendant believes the judge is politically motivated?
But wait, it gets better. That 1.4 million? Why that's only the beginning of how much the GOP plans to wring out of the State over this divisive issue:
I anxiously await the columns by all the tax watchdog groups and "libertarian" types complaining about the GOP ripping off the taxpayers of Minnesota. Anyone?
Minnesota taxpayers, or possibly attorneys in the state, will be on the hook for the nearly $1.4 million in fees, which still could increase.Remember that the next time your favorite Republican talking head starts spouting off about greedy lawyers.
Potentially handing the state of Minnesota a large bill, a federal Appeals Court has awarded nearly $1.4 million in fees to lawyers who won a landmark decision for Republican Party members, who sued the state to ease prohibitions on campaigning by judicial candidates.
But really, this bill is just salt in the wound-we taxpayers are forking over this money in return for having a partisan and likely polarized judiciary shoved down our throats. Does anyone think that's a good idea? Can you imagine how much time and money is now going to be wasted on appeals and retrials because the defendant believes the judge is politically motivated?
But wait, it gets better. That 1.4 million? Why that's only the beginning of how much the GOP plans to wring out of the State over this divisive issue:
The award covers only the appellate litigation. The parties may still pursue costs incurred in U.S. District Court at the outset of the eight-year case. Attorney Erick Kaardal would not put a figure on those fees, but he said they are substantial.Kind of puts the term "judicial activism" in a new light, huh?
I anxiously await the columns by all the tax watchdog groups and "libertarian" types complaining about the GOP ripping off the taxpayers of Minnesota. Anyone?
Friday Morning Fun Fact
From my 2006 Minnesota Vikings desk calendar:
The Vikings' Brad Johnson is the only NFL player to throw a touchdown pass to himself! He caught a pass that was batted back to him at the line of scrimmage and ran 3 yards for a score against Carolina in 1997.
The Vikings' Brad Johnson is the only NFL player to throw a touchdown pass to himself! He caught a pass that was batted back to him at the line of scrimmage and ran 3 yards for a score against Carolina in 1997.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Article for the St. Paul Legal Ledger
Note: I know I'm a little late to this party, but it has been very difficult this week to find time to write anything. Better late than never, right?
Holy Toledo! Remember when being elitist snobs and didactic blowhards was the province of the Left? Those were the days. Now that role is ably filled by many on the right, including most enthusiastically by Craig Westover as evidenced by this post.
Since he seems so interested in what we're up to, both REW and I actually did write articles for the Legal Ledger. For reasons of our own we chose not to publish them. REW's ended up as fodder for her occasional Minvolved column. Mine was stuck in a drawer and forgotten about until Mr. Westover "called me out". So, I've taken it out of the drawer, dusted it off, and I reprint it here verbatim. Also, there is an update at the end.
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During the 2002 governor's race, Tim Pawlenty ran a very effective television advertisement promising to bring fiscal responsibility back to State government. In the ad, he promised to operate the State's budget similar to that of a family by tightening its belt when funds ran short and not spending money that the State didn't have. Since his election, however, Governor Pawlenty has repeatedly run away from that promise.
Rather than balancing the State's budget through sound and sustainable, if politically unpopular, economic policies the governor has all too often relied on accounting tricks. This year's proposed amendment to donate one hundred percent of the state motor vehicle sales tax (MVST) to transportation funding is an accounting trick all too familiar to many families, making needed purchases on a credit card with the intention to pay the money back when it’s available sometime in the future rather than looking for a new source of revenue to pay for what's needed today.
According to the Governor's own figures (available on the Governor's website) one hundred percent of the newly dedicated MVST money coming to the State for at least the next twenty years would be dedicated to paying off debts incurred in just the next few years for road improvements dedicated to current traffic patterns. While no one is disputing the immediacy or importance of these improvements they are by themselves little more than a stopgap solution.
It is not difficult to imagine that in the next twenty years traffic patterns may be radically different than they are today, a situation that the MVST proposal not only fails to address, but actually exacerbates. All of these newly constructed roads will incur maintenance and other upkeep costs which will add additional strain to the State's transportation budget, a budget which has not effectively increased since all of the MVST money is being used for debt service and also because if the amendment passes it will become that much more difficult to secure additional funding for transportation in coming years since the general perception will be that the problem has already been "dealt with" for the time being.
Perhaps the credit card comparison isn't the most apt, however. Perhaps a better comparison would be a family not paying its mortgage in order to afford car insurance. The MVST money is not, in fact, new money coming into the system. Instead, the MVST money is currently going into the State's general fund. Neither the governor nor the legislature has yet said where the State will come up with an additional hundred million dollars to fill this gap, or what additional cuts will be made to the already bare bones state government to make up for it.
This kind of one time only solution is not the only way the State can go, however. Sustainable transportation funding is available. At twenty cents per gallon, Minnesota's current gas tax ranks in the bottom half of all State gas tax burdens. The tax is not indexed to inflation (although the cost of road construction very much is) and, indeed, has not increased at all in almost twenty years. It is in no way an accurate reflection of the true cost of building and maintaining the State's transportation infrastructure. According to the DOT, the current gas tax nets the State around six hundred and thirty million dollars. Based on that figure, a gas tax increase of only four cents per gallon would raise considerably more than one hundred million a year for State transportation funding. A four cent per gallon increase hardly seems burdensome and may actually not even be that much, since improved road conditions would lead to less congestion and therefore better fuel economy. Last year, the legislature courageously voted to raise the gas tax, but the increase failed due to Governor Pawlenty's veto. That doesn't mean we should give in and pass a half hearted compromise like the MVST bill. Instead, we need to send the governor a gas tax bill every year until he signs it.
Instead of looking for reasonable sustainable funding, Minnesota got the MVST amendment. A look good, feel good, do little piece of legislation that doesn't hold up to scrutiny. The head of a family in desperate need of money must make unpopular and occasionally painful decisions on ways to increase income, options that may include swallowing their pride and asking their boss for a raise or getting a second job. The options do not include accounting tricks, or pretty soon you're out of both a home and a car. That's no way to run a family and it's no way to run our State.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wrote that back in mid-February. It may seem counter intuitive to suggest raising the gas tax in the midst of soaring gas prices, but I'd argue that it's better than the alternative. Can you say Wheelage Tax? Because as much as people like Westover may grumble, the money will be raised. Better to do it in an honest and upfront manner. In fact, I would add that as part of the gas tax bill we should add in that service stations are required to post the price of the fuel and the gas tax per gallon separately. That way every time we fill up our vehicles we can see what it costs to maintain our massive transportation infrastructure instead of it being "hidden" in the price at the pump. I think that would help make this dialogue much more honest.
Holy Toledo! Remember when being elitist snobs and didactic blowhards was the province of the Left? Those were the days. Now that role is ably filled by many on the right, including most enthusiastically by Craig Westover as evidenced by this post.
Since he seems so interested in what we're up to, both REW and I actually did write articles for the Legal Ledger. For reasons of our own we chose not to publish them. REW's ended up as fodder for her occasional Minvolved column. Mine was stuck in a drawer and forgotten about until Mr. Westover "called me out". So, I've taken it out of the drawer, dusted it off, and I reprint it here verbatim. Also, there is an update at the end.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the 2002 governor's race, Tim Pawlenty ran a very effective television advertisement promising to bring fiscal responsibility back to State government. In the ad, he promised to operate the State's budget similar to that of a family by tightening its belt when funds ran short and not spending money that the State didn't have. Since his election, however, Governor Pawlenty has repeatedly run away from that promise.
Rather than balancing the State's budget through sound and sustainable, if politically unpopular, economic policies the governor has all too often relied on accounting tricks. This year's proposed amendment to donate one hundred percent of the state motor vehicle sales tax (MVST) to transportation funding is an accounting trick all too familiar to many families, making needed purchases on a credit card with the intention to pay the money back when it’s available sometime in the future rather than looking for a new source of revenue to pay for what's needed today.
According to the Governor's own figures (available on the Governor's website) one hundred percent of the newly dedicated MVST money coming to the State for at least the next twenty years would be dedicated to paying off debts incurred in just the next few years for road improvements dedicated to current traffic patterns. While no one is disputing the immediacy or importance of these improvements they are by themselves little more than a stopgap solution.
It is not difficult to imagine that in the next twenty years traffic patterns may be radically different than they are today, a situation that the MVST proposal not only fails to address, but actually exacerbates. All of these newly constructed roads will incur maintenance and other upkeep costs which will add additional strain to the State's transportation budget, a budget which has not effectively increased since all of the MVST money is being used for debt service and also because if the amendment passes it will become that much more difficult to secure additional funding for transportation in coming years since the general perception will be that the problem has already been "dealt with" for the time being.
Perhaps the credit card comparison isn't the most apt, however. Perhaps a better comparison would be a family not paying its mortgage in order to afford car insurance. The MVST money is not, in fact, new money coming into the system. Instead, the MVST money is currently going into the State's general fund. Neither the governor nor the legislature has yet said where the State will come up with an additional hundred million dollars to fill this gap, or what additional cuts will be made to the already bare bones state government to make up for it.
This kind of one time only solution is not the only way the State can go, however. Sustainable transportation funding is available. At twenty cents per gallon, Minnesota's current gas tax ranks in the bottom half of all State gas tax burdens. The tax is not indexed to inflation (although the cost of road construction very much is) and, indeed, has not increased at all in almost twenty years. It is in no way an accurate reflection of the true cost of building and maintaining the State's transportation infrastructure. According to the DOT, the current gas tax nets the State around six hundred and thirty million dollars. Based on that figure, a gas tax increase of only four cents per gallon would raise considerably more than one hundred million a year for State transportation funding. A four cent per gallon increase hardly seems burdensome and may actually not even be that much, since improved road conditions would lead to less congestion and therefore better fuel economy. Last year, the legislature courageously voted to raise the gas tax, but the increase failed due to Governor Pawlenty's veto. That doesn't mean we should give in and pass a half hearted compromise like the MVST bill. Instead, we need to send the governor a gas tax bill every year until he signs it.
Instead of looking for reasonable sustainable funding, Minnesota got the MVST amendment. A look good, feel good, do little piece of legislation that doesn't hold up to scrutiny. The head of a family in desperate need of money must make unpopular and occasionally painful decisions on ways to increase income, options that may include swallowing their pride and asking their boss for a raise or getting a second job. The options do not include accounting tricks, or pretty soon you're out of both a home and a car. That's no way to run a family and it's no way to run our State.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I wrote that back in mid-February. It may seem counter intuitive to suggest raising the gas tax in the midst of soaring gas prices, but I'd argue that it's better than the alternative. Can you say Wheelage Tax? Because as much as people like Westover may grumble, the money will be raised. Better to do it in an honest and upfront manner. In fact, I would add that as part of the gas tax bill we should add in that service stations are required to post the price of the fuel and the gas tax per gallon separately. That way every time we fill up our vehicles we can see what it costs to maintain our massive transportation infrastructure instead of it being "hidden" in the price at the pump. I think that would help make this dialogue much more honest.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
The White House Cracks a Joke
Need a laugh this morning?
I got ya covered:
Are they going to have a spy sneak in and strap a GPS transmitter to the NK missile first?
If I was the Japanese I'd be a little concerned that the US was testing it's miserable failure missile defense system on a missile that would likely be passing right over my country. Heck, if I was Japanese I'd try to find out the flight path of that missile and stay as close to it as possible, since that's the place the interceptors are least likely to end up.
I got ya covered:
Are they going to have a spy sneak in and strap a GPS transmitter to the NK missile first?
If I was the Japanese I'd be a little concerned that the US was testing it's miserable failure missile defense system on a missile that would likely be passing right over my country. Heck, if I was Japanese I'd try to find out the flight path of that missile and stay as close to it as possible, since that's the place the interceptors are least likely to end up.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Dear Lord
The One Where Westover Becomes a Republican Shill
Sigh.
To think I used to feel there was some sort of potential to have a rational discussion with him. I guess I just have to wait until after the election, when he decides to become a libertarian again...
But liberal philosophy, based as it is on appeal to emotion rather than reason, leaves very little room for rational discourse.
To think I used to feel there was some sort of potential to have a rational discussion with him. I guess I just have to wait until after the election, when he decides to become a libertarian again...
Monday, June 19, 2006
Mark Kennedy's War
This is the war Mark Kennedy sees no need for oversight on and has recently voted to continue in perpetuity.
'Wash Post' Obtains Shocking Memo from U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Details Increasing Danger and HardshipSome of those details?
By Greg Mitchell
Published: June 18, 2006 6:20 PM ET
NEW YORK The Washington Post has obtained a cable, marked "sensitive," that it says show that just before President Bush left on a surprise trip last Monday to the Green Zone in Baghdad for an upbeat assessment of the situation there, "the U.S. Embassy in Iraq painted a starkly different portrait of increasing danger and hardship faced by its Iraqi employees."
This cable outlines, the Post reported Sunday, "the daily-worsening conditions for those who live outside the heavily guarded international zone: harassment, threats and the employees' constant fears that their neighbors will discover they work for the U.S. government."
It's actually far worse than that, as the details published below indicate, which include references to abductions, threats to women's rights, and "ethnic cleansing."
-- Two of the three female Iraqis in the public affairs office reported stepped-up harassment since mid-May...."some groups are pushing women to cover even their face, a step not taken in Iran even at its most conservative." One of the women is now wearing a full abaya after receiving direct threats.As the kids say, read the whole thing.
-- It has also become "dangerous" for men to wear shorts in public and "they no longer allow their children to play outside in shorts." People who wear jeans in public have also come under attack.
-- Embassy employees are held in such low esteem their work must remain a secret and they live with constant fear that their cover will be blown. Of nine staffers, only four have told their families where they work. They all plan for their possible abductions. No one takes home their cell phones as this gives them away. One employee said criticism of the U.S. had grown so severe that most of her family believes the U.S. "is punishing populations as Saddam did."
Friday, June 16, 2006
Mark Kennedy votes with Bush and Against Minnesota...again
Today, Mark Kennedy has once again voted according to the Bush administration's wishes and against those of the people of Minnesota. Kennedy's new slogan is the we need a change in Washington. Is Mark Kennedy's idea of a "change" supporting Bush 100% of the time instead of only 97%?
The majority of Minnesotans agree that we need to figure out an exit strategy for Iraq. By voting to give the president unlimited authority to continue the bloodshed, Kennedy has again turned his back on the expressed wishes of the people of this State.
If Kennedy believes that the will of President Bush is more important than the will of the people of Minnesota while he's campaigning, can you imagine how much he'd care about us in office?
We do need a change in Washington. We need to get rid of the Bush sycophants in Congress who have helped make the country less secure over the last four years. Let's start with Mark Kennedy.
The majority of Minnesotans agree that we need to figure out an exit strategy for Iraq. By voting to give the president unlimited authority to continue the bloodshed, Kennedy has again turned his back on the expressed wishes of the people of this State.
If Kennedy believes that the will of President Bush is more important than the will of the people of Minnesota while he's campaigning, can you imagine how much he'd care about us in office?
We do need a change in Washington. We need to get rid of the Bush sycophants in Congress who have helped make the country less secure over the last four years. Let's start with Mark Kennedy.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Hacktackular
I said I was done posting, but obviously I need to come back to blogging now that Katherine Kersten is a news reporter.
Why remove the byline, and why not list the source of your completely copied article on the site, Andy? Are you hoping no one will follow the link and notice it's just a Kersten screed?
I assume I now am allowed to quote Grow and Coleman as unrefutable investigative journalists as well.
Why remove the byline, and why not list the source of your completely copied article on the site, Andy? Are you hoping no one will follow the link and notice it's just a Kersten screed?
I assume I now am allowed to quote Grow and Coleman as unrefutable investigative journalists as well.
Why can't KvM Read?
[Sigh] This is going to be a long campaign season...
First off, Kathern Kersten writes opinion pieces. Trying to create the impression that they are "news" is more than a little disingenuous. A real journalist would probably have, you know, researched and verified their piece. Since it's just an opinion piece, I thought maybe it would help if we got a couple of other opinions on the matter:
For example those revolving door Drug Courts?
"Drug courts are an effective and cost efficient way to help non-violent drug offenders commit to a rigorous drug treatment program in lieu of prison."
-George W. Bush
President of the United States
"It is clear that chemical addiction is the major contributor to crime in our society, and promoting chemical dependency treatment and other solutions that help people turn their lives around is both the right thing to do and the cost-effective thing to do. The people we honor today are true heroes who are helping Drug Court save lives and make our communities safer."
Congressman Jim Ramstad R-MN
Speaking at an awards ceremony
107 Members of Congress Sign Letters in Support of Drug Court Funding!
Update: MN Politics has a post about this as well...and read all the way down to the "Update" for a little extra information on this "reporting".
First off, Kathern Kersten writes opinion pieces. Trying to create the impression that they are "news" is more than a little disingenuous. A real journalist would probably have, you know, researched and verified their piece. Since it's just an opinion piece, I thought maybe it would help if we got a couple of other opinions on the matter:
For example those revolving door Drug Courts?
"Drug courts are an effective and cost efficient way to help non-violent drug offenders commit to a rigorous drug treatment program in lieu of prison."
-George W. Bush
President of the United States
"It is clear that chemical addiction is the major contributor to crime in our society, and promoting chemical dependency treatment and other solutions that help people turn their lives around is both the right thing to do and the cost-effective thing to do. The people we honor today are true heroes who are helping Drug Court save lives and make our communities safer."
Congressman Jim Ramstad R-MN
Speaking at an awards ceremony
107 Members of Congress Sign Letters in Support of Drug Court Funding!
George W. Bush, Jim Ramstad & Mark Kennedy-soft on crime.
NADCP is pleased to announce that 15 U.S. Senators and 64 U.S. Representatives recently signed letters in support of the President's request for $69.186 million for the Drug Court Discretionary Grant Program in Fiscal Year 2007. The Senate letter was authored by Senator Chuck Hagel (R/NE) and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D/MI). The House letter was authored by Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D/HI) and Congressman Tom Osborne (R/NE). The letters will be delivered to the Senate and House Appropriations subcommittees that control Department of Justice funding.
U.S. House of Representatives
Mark Kennedy (R/MN)
Update: MN Politics has a post about this as well...and read all the way down to the "Update" for a little extra information on this "reporting".
Why Can't Mitch Read?
Since Mr. Berg, proprietor of the venerable Shot In The Dark blog, has taken such a sudden interest in little old us, I thought it would only be fair to help him out with a little reading problem he seems to have developed.
In this post Mitch simply can't understand why the Strib isn't more jubilant about the recent low unemployment figures in Minnesota. Thing is, they explain why. It's in the sentence right before the one he takes exception with:
In this post Mitch simply can't understand why the Strib isn't more jubilant about the recent low unemployment figures in Minnesota. Thing is, they explain why. It's in the sentence right before the one he takes exception with:
As Minnesota's unemployment figure drops to 3.7 percent - 1.3 below what they used to call "full employment" - the Strib's editorial board dings Pawlenty and his tax cuts because...because unemployment apparently isn't negative:The reason, as they clearly state, is because PEOPLE STOPPED LOOKING. The point of the editorial is that the unemployment figure T.Paw is trumpeting is an arbitrarily arrived at number which has little to do with reality. Hence, the "unemployed" number is going down...but the number of people with jobs is not going up. It's kind of like how all the conservatives talk about how great the economy is doing, but most of us feel like our paychecks are being stretched farther and farther. Now does it make sense?
But the May employment numbers are not quite as good as they appear, and voters should read them carefully. As the Department of Employment and Economic Development pointed out, actual job creation in May was modest. The unemployment rate went down chiefly because some 9,000 Minnesotans simply stopped looking for work and weren't counted as jobless. Consider the bigger picture: The share of working-age Minnesotans with jobs is still lower than it was five years ago, when the last recession began, 70.4 percent vs. 73 percent. [Smartie's Bold]
No context, naturally, is given for these numbers. Why is the percentage lower? Are those extra 2.6 percent of the work force retired? On welfare? On chemotherapy at Mayo? Discouraged workers?
This Guy's a CPA?
Financial disclosures: Kennedy, Klobuchar doing OK
We're supposed to trust our finances to a guy who apparently can't live within his means so he goes ahead and takes out what is widely considered a bad financial risk?
Presumptive Republican nominee Kennedy, a certified public accountant who served as chief financial officer of private companies before winning his House seat in 2000, reported assets of $346,000 to $865,000.
He listed liabilities of $350,000 to $750,000 including a mortgage and a home equity line of credit on his home.
We're supposed to trust our finances to a guy who apparently can't live within his means so he goes ahead and takes out what is widely considered a bad financial risk?
What have we done?
I guess the conservatives were right all along.
Most Massachusetts Marriages on Verge of Collapse
Oh, woe is us!
BTW-Make sure to vote in the quiz in the right sidebar. We must protect the Spelling Bee.
Most Massachusetts Marriages on Verge of Collapse
It has been just over two years since a tribunal of black-robed Massachusetts judges set out to undermine traditional marriage. Now say a growing number of experts, most marriages in that state are teetering on the verge of collapse. It is predicted that by 2013, the majority of adults in Massachusetts will be 'hooking up with' or married to at least one same-sex partner.
Oh, woe is us!
BTW-Make sure to vote in the quiz in the right sidebar. We must protect the Spelling Bee.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Organize
I can't go because of the Independence Party Convention, but I know some of you out there would want to.
Click the link above for more info and to sign up.
Edited because I'm pretty sure none of the rest of you want to register as Robin Walkenhorst.
The best way to ensure that women continue to have safe and legal access to all reproductive health care options is to make sure that the people making the laws are pro-choice. Planned Parenthood will be busy this summer and fall helping elect pro-choice candidates, and were going to need your help! On Saturday, June 24th the Planned Parenthood of MN, ND, and SD Action Fund will be holding a Live Action Camp focused on grassroots organizing.
Click the link above for more info and to sign up.
Edited because I'm pretty sure none of the rest of you want to register as Robin Walkenhorst.
Wednesday Morning Odds N' Ends
- One More Time...Okay, I promised no more posts about the convention, but I just had to point out the best convention wrap-up yet: Tild's latest issue of DFL Confidential. To heck with Hatch - - endorse Rick!
- Crimeny...Former FDA chief: Agency meant to OK Plan B
WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration had intended to allow over-the-counter sales of Plan B last year but delayed the move while determining how to limit those sales to women 17 and older — a process that should have wrapped up by now, the agency's former chief testified.
Uh huh. Couldn't figure out how to age restrict sales, huh? How about...let's see...check their ID's? You know, like they already do for beer, cigarettes, ephedrine, butane lighters and seemingly half the other products in the store now? Hey, maybe I should get a cushy FDA job. I think good. Or maybe there was really another reason for all these delays? I hate to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but sometimes it's hard not to. - I didn't know Ron Carey's hyperbole was catching...Mitch Berg in his own words:
Lately, a number of [liberals] have gotten upset that conservatives are holding Amy "A-Klo" Klobuchar accountable for the hellhole of crime that Minneapolis has become.
The horror...the horror... - Can we panic yet...I just started reading A Brief History of Time last night and then this shows up in today's paper:
Physicist Stephen Hawking says humans must spread out in space to surviveHONG KONG — The survival of the human race depends on its ability to find new homes elsewhere in the universe because there's an increasing risk that a disaster will destroy Earth, world-renowned physicist Stephen Hawking said Tuesday.
Aaaiiiieee!!! - Did you know...That the special election to replace "Duke" Cunningham is still not certified? It appears to be true. And what the heck? They sent the voting machines home with the poll workers? Question for anyone out there who has ever worked as an election judge-is that as messed up as it sounds? Or is that standard operating procedure?
- New Bob Dylan Album coming...Modern Times will be out this August. Nothing to say about that other than, yay!
- Managing Expectations...Is anyone else amused by all the talk of the "great week" Bush has been having? What's one of the reasons this is such a great week? Rove isn't going to jail. Is it just me or is the Bush White House starting to resemble an episode of Titus? (Does anybody remember that show?)
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Geek Love
For anyone interested in good Sci-Fi (or more recently, Sci-Fi tinged good writing), William Gibson has been intermittently posting snippets on his blog this month that look like bits from a new novel. They're just a couple of paragraphs each and form no coherent narrative (yet, anyway) but to any fan of Gibson's they're exciting none the less.
Here's the concluding paragraph from the latest:
Here's the concluding paragraph from the latest:
Milgrim doubted that Brown was comforted by Gray's Papaya, but he could become relatively talkative there. He'd have the non-alcoholic pina colada with his franks and lay out the origins of cultural Marxism in America. Cultural Marxism was what other people called political correctness, according to Brown, but it was really cultural Marxism, and had come to the United States from Germany, after World War II, in the cunning skulls of a clutch of youngish professors from Frankfurt. The Frankfurt School, as they'd called themselves, had wasted no time in plunging their intellectual ovipositors repeatedly into the unsuspecting body of old school American academia. Brown always enjoyed this part; it had an appealing vintage sci-fi creepiness to it, staccato and exciting, with grainy monochrome Euro-commie star-spawn in tweed jackets and knit ties, breeding like Starbucks. But he'd always be brought down, as the rant rolled to a close, by Brown's point that the Frankfurt School had been Jewish, all of them. "Every. Last. One." Dabbing mustard from the corners of his mouth with a precisely-folded paper napkin. "Look it up." Which was a different kind of creepy.
rew's thoughts
This weekend was a whirlwind of political activity, a place I'd never really been before. As a blogger, I've always been on the outside, looking in, and giving my perspective. I've tried to change the way things are perceived, after the fact, or take something in a new direction. I've never seen the real political work, the deals, the ups and downs in a way that I was able to this weekend.
On a somewhat different, but still related note, once I returned home, I discovered that a family member of mine had passed away rather suddenly over the weekend. Smartie and I were lucky enough to have gotten the chance to see her at the family trip last month, which was when I first discovered she was ill. She began chemotherapy last week, and 5 days in she suffered carcinogenic shock, and passed away peacefully and painlessly with her closest family at her side on Saturday.
I spent a lot of time thinking about this yesterday, when I heard the news. At this point, I still have a difficult time understanding how she could have seemed so well when I saw her, and how the procedure that was supposed to cure her actually ended up taking her away much earlier than anyone would have expected.
In a round-about way, this brings me back to what I am doing here, and what so many of us political bloggers are engaged in currently. Regardless of which side of the aisle we are writing from, which parties or candidates we are supporting, we are all all participating because we feel there is something that is not going quite right. Each of us believes that our party, our candidate, our message can do something to effect the world and change it into the place we want it to be. And we can.
But there is a temperance that needs to be remembered, a balance that needs to be struck. Chemotherapy is a poison meant to kill the bad cells without destroying the good ones. Too much of it can destroy the whole body. Administered properly in the right doses it will save a life. But there is always the chance that too much can end it, and it's difficult to know how much is too much.
So this is my last post for a while, until I can figure out how I can strike the proper balance. I don't have the heart to add anything right now until I can figure out what tone I really want to set, and how much is too much. All I ask is that all of you, liberal or conservative, take a moment to consider the same thing, and see if what you are saying is helping the patient, or adding one dose too much.
Or, at the very least, call someone in your family you haven't seen in a while and tell them you love them.
On a somewhat different, but still related note, once I returned home, I discovered that a family member of mine had passed away rather suddenly over the weekend. Smartie and I were lucky enough to have gotten the chance to see her at the family trip last month, which was when I first discovered she was ill. She began chemotherapy last week, and 5 days in she suffered carcinogenic shock, and passed away peacefully and painlessly with her closest family at her side on Saturday.
I spent a lot of time thinking about this yesterday, when I heard the news. At this point, I still have a difficult time understanding how she could have seemed so well when I saw her, and how the procedure that was supposed to cure her actually ended up taking her away much earlier than anyone would have expected.
In a round-about way, this brings me back to what I am doing here, and what so many of us political bloggers are engaged in currently. Regardless of which side of the aisle we are writing from, which parties or candidates we are supporting, we are all all participating because we feel there is something that is not going quite right. Each of us believes that our party, our candidate, our message can do something to effect the world and change it into the place we want it to be. And we can.
But there is a temperance that needs to be remembered, a balance that needs to be struck. Chemotherapy is a poison meant to kill the bad cells without destroying the good ones. Too much of it can destroy the whole body. Administered properly in the right doses it will save a life. But there is always the chance that too much can end it, and it's difficult to know how much is too much.
So this is my last post for a while, until I can figure out how I can strike the proper balance. I don't have the heart to add anything right now until I can figure out what tone I really want to set, and how much is too much. All I ask is that all of you, liberal or conservative, take a moment to consider the same thing, and see if what you are saying is helping the patient, or adding one dose too much.
Or, at the very least, call someone in your family you haven't seen in a while and tell them you love them.
Crime in Amy Klobuchar's Minneapolis!!
< satire >
Minneapolis eatery billed diners' cards multiple times
< /satire >
Seem a little ridiculous? Of course it does. Almost as ridiculous as the "Blame Amy First!" crowd hyperventilating every time a bullet is fired or every time someone is mugged. The less said about their ghoulish obsession with murders the better. Is crime a problem? Yes. But as the FBI's real statistics show, crime in Minneapolis is rising at rate consistent with other cities of its approximate size, and is a part of a general increase in violent crime across the country. Is this a statistical anomaly? Or is it indicative of an actual trend? If so what can be done to stop it?
Poster "Mike S" in this MNSpeak thread does some quick math comparing the rising crime rate in Minneapolis with the falling crime rate in New York and comes up with a [gasp] constructive suggestion:
Minneapolis eatery billed diners' cards multiple times
Stella's Fish Cafe charged customers' credit cards up to six times for meals. The company cited a computer glitch and said refunds are in the works.I read through this entire story with mounting horror and by the end I was enraged. Why? Nowhere in this story did I see my county attorney, Amy Klobuchar, lay out a plan to combat this rampant THEFT, why is Amy silent on this matter? She probably couldn't be reached for comment because she was busy with her campaign. Now Stella's Fish Cafe will only be emboldened to continue with their crime spree.
< /satire >
Seem a little ridiculous? Of course it does. Almost as ridiculous as the "Blame Amy First!" crowd hyperventilating every time a bullet is fired or every time someone is mugged. The less said about their ghoulish obsession with murders the better. Is crime a problem? Yes. But as the FBI's real statistics show, crime in Minneapolis is rising at rate consistent with other cities of its approximate size, and is a part of a general increase in violent crime across the country. Is this a statistical anomaly? Or is it indicative of an actual trend? If so what can be done to stop it?
Poster "Mike S" in this MNSpeak thread does some quick math comparing the rising crime rate in Minneapolis with the falling crime rate in New York and comes up with a [gasp] constructive suggestion:
Back-of-the-envelope notes on New York v. Minneapolis.Hire more cops? Who wudda thunk it? Nahh. It's so much easier (and more fun!) to "Blame Amy First!"
NYNY has 39,110 police officers for 8,168,338 residents. That's 1 cop per 208 people.
Mpls has approx. 800 (soon to be 860) police officers for 373,188 residents. That's 1 cop per 466, soon to be 434 people.
It's more striking if you look at the numbers by the area of these cities. Mpls is 55 square miles; NYNY is 303. That means Mpls has 14.5 cops per square mile (soon to be 15.6) while NYNY has 129 cops per square mile.
Obviously the number of officers isn't everything. But it means that Mpls lacks resources to move officers to areas in crisis. And because Mpls is less densely populated than NYNY, one would think we would need more officers per capita / per square mile. A cop on a street corner in NYC will automatically see -- and be seen by -- more people than a cop on a corner here. We're at a huge disadvantage.
I've lived in both cities, and there's no question you see more beat cops in New York. It's very rare that I see a cop walking a beat in Mpls, especially outside Downtown.
»» Submitted by mike s at 6:03 PM on June 12
Site Maintenance
Just a couple of quick site maintenance notes:
First, we finally added a link to DFLers.org, the official blog of the DFL party. Not sure why it took us so long to add "the official word" to the blogroll but they're there now, in their rightful place atop the "Professional Blogs, etc." category.
Also, MN Campaign Report has some new digs. The link is now updated. Go check 'em out!
Finally, the blog template seemed to have accumulated a lot of cruft over the last year and a half. While I was in there I removed a whole bunch of extraneous code. You never know with these things, however, so if anyone finds a broken link or anything not displaying properly on their browser please drop a comment and I'll fix it. Thanks!
First, we finally added a link to DFLers.org, the official blog of the DFL party. Not sure why it took us so long to add "the official word" to the blogroll but they're there now, in their rightful place atop the "Professional Blogs, etc." category.
Also, MN Campaign Report has some new digs. The link is now updated. Go check 'em out!
Finally, the blog template seemed to have accumulated a lot of cruft over the last year and a half. While I was in there I removed a whole bunch of extraneous code. You never know with these things, however, so if anyone finds a broken link or anything not displaying properly on their browser please drop a comment and I'll fix it. Thanks!
Monday, June 12, 2006
Wanna know what bat $#!" crazy looks like?
Julie Banderas of Fox News has the, dare I say, unhinged Shirley Phelps-Roper on her show and it becomes quite a shouting match.
Video at Johnny Dollar's Place.
This has to be the first time I've ever cheered for anyone at Fox News. However, I do have to wonder what they were thinking booking a guest like that in the first place.
Much of the language is not work safe.
Video at Johnny Dollar's Place.
This has to be the first time I've ever cheered for anyone at Fox News. However, I do have to wonder what they were thinking booking a guest like that in the first place.
Much of the language is not work safe.
Enough about the convention
go read Charlie.
But view the clip yourself [best in a work-free, kid-free setting]. Listening between the f-bombs, it's clear that the Marines' contempt is for unthinking macho peers stateside who, like the conservative bloggers themselves, would be kicking some serious jihadi ass if only they didn't have that bum knee. It's Dollard who comments by laying in the aggressive soundtrack over images of "various liberals" and war protestors.
Some Things I Learned This Weekend
Smartie's tips for bloggers visiting conventions:
This will be my last post on this subject so I just wanted to throw a few quick Thank You's at the end. Thank you to Brian Melendez for putting on this wonderful dog and pony show and letting us attend. Thank you to the guy who was acting as chair on Saturday (sorry, never caught his name). His combination of grouchiness mixed with long suffering patience was one of the best parts of the convention. "Sgt. at Arms, anyone on the floor who's not a delegate, push 'em out!" And finally a big thank you to Jessica McIntosh for getting everything arranged and running smoothly and making us feel welcome, your hard work is greatly appreciated.
- Always bring snacks & water-It can be difficult to move around in the convention hall so it's best to have something to munch on close to hand, and water is absolutely essential. Besides, you don't want to leave to get a snack and miss something important.
- Move around occasionally-In all the excitement it's easy to forget how long you've been sitting jammed between that folding chair and table. Make sure to move around occasionally! Also, when trying to get into and out of the middle seats in blogger row it doesn't hurt to be an Olympic gymnast.
- It's good to be odd man out-With ten or so liberal bloggers present and one conservative who did everyone seeking the blogger story angle want to look for, talk to and talk about? Why, MDE, of course.
- Sometimes live blogging looks like spamming-Did you know that if you post too often in one day Blogger turns on word verification in order to post? It's a fact!
- Know your concession stands-Don't be a sucker and stand in a huge line at the concession stand right next to the convention floor. There was another stand in the exhibition hall just a few steps away that never had a line. This is very important because...
- By God Democrats know how to party-Don't leave the convention on an empty stomach. If you do, you won't have the strength to keep up with all the goings on outside. Trust me on that. I washed out shamefully early on Saturday night because I didn't know this going in.
- Free parking isn't always free-The city of Rochester did a fantastic job for the most part, but their "Free evenings and weekends" parking rules could use a little more explanation for out-of-towners.
- There are a lot of great bloggers in Minnesota-It was a pleasure meeting and talking to all of you. For anyone who hasn't already, Flash has a list of everybody who was there-I encourage you to go and read some other takes on the last three days.
This will be my last post on this subject so I just wanted to throw a few quick Thank You's at the end. Thank you to Brian Melendez for putting on this wonderful dog and pony show and letting us attend. Thank you to the guy who was acting as chair on Saturday (sorry, never caught his name). His combination of grouchiness mixed with long suffering patience was one of the best parts of the convention. "Sgt. at Arms, anyone on the floor who's not a delegate, push 'em out!" And finally a big thank you to Jessica McIntosh for getting everything arranged and running smoothly and making us feel welcome, your hard work is greatly appreciated.
Some winners and losers from convention '06
As chairman Melendez has noted, this was a surprising convivial convention. Perhaps because of that, I don't think there were any huge winners or losers from this convention, but here are a couple of people who stood out.
Winners:
All the DFL endorsed candidates, obviously. Also, the party itself. Saturday had every possibility of becoming an angry contentious mess, but that seems to have largely been avoided. That's a good sign moving forward.
Steve Kelley-His intro speech was the best speech of the convention, he agreed to abide by the endorsement, he made a very strong showing in the governor's race, rather than grind the process to a halt he pulled out as soon as he realized he wasn't going to win and his concession speech was classy and dignified. In short, I'm not sure what Mr. Kelley is planning on doing next, but he certain gained my support and a lot of popular sentiment within the party.
Losers:
Ford Bell-His decision not to be nominated on Friday, but still showing up at the convention must be a strategy, but I don't get it. If he had skipped the convention all together he might have been able to spin it as a show of confidence in his primary chances and helped keep the obvious cracks in his base a little more hidden. If he had joined the process he would have at least gained face time and the chance to make a speech to the assembly as well as perhaps smoothing a few ruffled feathers. But by showing up when he wasn't running, Dr. Bell spawned rumors that his support was less than it was thought to be and also rumors that his base had splintered and his vote totals would have been ever weaker than expected. He needed to move strongly outside or honestly throw his hat in the ring. The in-between strategy simply does him no good.
Becky Lourey-I hate to put her in here because I really like Sen. Lourey, but I don't think she did herself any favors at this convention. Her nomination acceptance speech was, in my opinion, a disaster. Her campaign's greatest asset is Sen. Lourey herself, yet between the two other speakers and the video presentation she only spoke briefly during her allotted time. Even then, her speech was very measured and calm with little of the fire and passion that really draws you to her. Her showing was weaker than expected in delegate balloting and her withdrawal and promise to run in the primaries was greeted with a hearty dose of booing. I wish her all the luck over the next several months, but I simply can't make the numbers add up for her. If her biggest issue is lack of name recognition statewide I don't see how she can over come that in a few months without the party's backing.
The Green Party activists in the center balcony-Seriously, the DFL was nice enough to let you into the convention and you repay them by hanging out a huge "Vote Green!" banner from your balcony and being generally disruptive? Show some class.
Ron Carey-Somebody vet this guy's statements before they're released to the press! Please! He wields hyperbole like a drunk swings a broken bottle. Hatch's speech was "the most angry in the history of politics"? Matt Entenza is "the most liberal, partisan candidate" to ever run for AG? Later Carey could be heard mumbling to himself that the stairs up to the balcony were an obvious "liberal conspiracy of the worst kind", the convention center coffee was "the worst, the biggest waste of my hard earned money" and also full of "bitter partisanship" and that the rain outside the convention center was "terrible, absolutely the most wretched weather ever to darken the skies in all of human history." Really, Ron, take it down a notch.
Not a comprehensive list, but just some general impressions I have now that the convention is safely past. Anyone else who was there have any thoughts?
Updated again: Blog for Bellthinks I'm being unfair to Dr. Bell. Gives a good and reasonable explanation as to why Dr. Bell was in Rochester on Friday.
Winners:
All the DFL endorsed candidates, obviously. Also, the party itself. Saturday had every possibility of becoming an angry contentious mess, but that seems to have largely been avoided. That's a good sign moving forward.
Steve Kelley-His intro speech was the best speech of the convention, he agreed to abide by the endorsement, he made a very strong showing in the governor's race, rather than grind the process to a halt he pulled out as soon as he realized he wasn't going to win and his concession speech was classy and dignified. In short, I'm not sure what Mr. Kelley is planning on doing next, but he certain gained my support and a lot of popular sentiment within the party.
Losers:
Ford Bell-His decision not to be nominated on Friday, but still showing up at the convention must be a strategy, but I don't get it. If he had skipped the convention all together he might have been able to spin it as a show of confidence in his primary chances and helped keep the obvious cracks in his base a little more hidden. If he had joined the process he would have at least gained face time and the chance to make a speech to the assembly as well as perhaps smoothing a few ruffled feathers. But by showing up when he wasn't running, Dr. Bell spawned rumors that his support was less than it was thought to be and also rumors that his base had splintered and his vote totals would have been ever weaker than expected. He needed to move strongly outside or honestly throw his hat in the ring. The in-between strategy simply does him no good.
Becky Lourey-I hate to put her in here because I really like Sen. Lourey, but I don't think she did herself any favors at this convention. Her nomination acceptance speech was, in my opinion, a disaster. Her campaign's greatest asset is Sen. Lourey herself, yet between the two other speakers and the video presentation she only spoke briefly during her allotted time. Even then, her speech was very measured and calm with little of the fire and passion that really draws you to her. Her showing was weaker than expected in delegate balloting and her withdrawal and promise to run in the primaries was greeted with a hearty dose of booing. I wish her all the luck over the next several months, but I simply can't make the numbers add up for her. If her biggest issue is lack of name recognition statewide I don't see how she can over come that in a few months without the party's backing.
The Green Party activists in the center balcony-Seriously, the DFL was nice enough to let you into the convention and you repay them by hanging out a huge "Vote Green!" banner from your balcony and being generally disruptive? Show some class.
Ron Carey-Somebody vet this guy's statements before they're released to the press! Please! He wields hyperbole like a drunk swings a broken bottle. Hatch's speech was "the most angry in the history of politics"? Matt Entenza is "the most liberal, partisan candidate" to ever run for AG? Later Carey could be heard mumbling to himself that the stairs up to the balcony were an obvious "liberal conspiracy of the worst kind", the convention center coffee was "the worst, the biggest waste of my hard earned money" and also full of "bitter partisanship" and that the rain outside the convention center was "terrible, absolutely the most wretched weather ever to darken the skies in all of human history." Really, Ron, take it down a notch.
Not a comprehensive list, but just some general impressions I have now that the convention is safely past. Anyone else who was there have any thoughts?
Updated again: Blog for Bell
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Housecleaning
I need to go back to sleep again, but please note that Michael Brodkorb has been added to the Drinking Buddies sidebar.
"What?" you may be asking. "How can you be a Drinking Buddy without coming to a Drinking Liberally?"
Well, it appears to take about 5 shots of tequila.
(Expect some major sidebar changes later this week once I'm back to fighting strength.)
"What?" you may be asking. "How can you be a Drinking Buddy without coming to a Drinking Liberally?"
Well, it appears to take about 5 shots of tequila.
(Expect some major sidebar changes later this week once I'm back to fighting strength.)
Convention Ending
It was a great time. We're going to hit the road and head home (and maybe grab some breakfast). We'll try to do a wrap up later today.
Thanks for everyone who put this on. Thanks for the Democratic party for stand up for what's right. Thanks to all the bloggers who were great to meet. And thanks to everyone for reading.
PL out.
Thanks for everyone who put this on. Thanks for the Democratic party for stand up for what's right. Thanks to all the bloggers who were great to meet. And thanks to everyone for reading.
PL out.
Ritchie Accepts
His intro song is "We are Family". Thank god today appears to be Springsteen free.
Ritchie speaks about bringing honor to the State and moving the state forward. Short speech. Refreshing.
Ritchie speaks about bringing honor to the State and moving the state forward. Short speech. Refreshing.
Sande conceeds
We have seen the preliminary results and have decided to withdraw. We wll abide by the endorsement. Many of my volunteers are young people, give them a chance to get involved and get into the party.
Lit Piece
There's a Chrisitan Sande lit piece floating around. Apparently Mark Ritchie had some kind of connection to Ralph Nader?
Pretty toothless attack, I'd say.
Pretty toothless attack, I'd say.
Arrrggghhh
They're listing amendments to the platform that passed. Some good ones-oppose marriage amendment, oppose restrictions on choice, education funding, etc...
But they passed the stupid wild rice amendment. Here are my earlier thoughts on that particular amendment. I was assured that cooler heads would prevail at the state level. Apparently not.
But they passed the stupid wild rice amendment. Here are my earlier thoughts on that particular amendment. I was assured that cooler heads would prevail at the state level. Apparently not.
Some notes from bloggers row
Day 3-Back for more punishment
Secretary of State voting is underway. Mark Ritchie and Christian Sande are the candidates. REW blogged the Q&A session between these two lst night if you'd like more info.
Matt Entenza was endorsed earlier as the DFL candidate for Attorney General.
Rebecca Otto was endorsed for State Auditor.
Sorry we couldn't provide you with the exciting blow by blow account, but we had to prop up the Mexican economy last night and that's not conducive to early morning blogging.
Matt Entenza was endorsed earlier as the DFL candidate for Attorney General.
Rebecca Otto was endorsed for State Auditor.
Sorry we couldn't provide you with the exciting blow by blow account, but we had to prop up the Mexican economy last night and that's not conducive to early morning blogging.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
More q's
will you and your staff support the other if not endorsed?
yes from both
what will be your greatest accomplishment
R - In 8 years (laughter)...we can make minnesoa back on the path to be a national leader. Like to serve on national cahir of sos, I want people to take the sos race as serious as any other race, because it is the backbone of democracy
S - sos willbe seen by other people as a serice, and not just to one party, with fair and open information, and gives the honest answers to questions. My biggest accomplishment will be restoring trust.
final question
If you win what will be your song - NO SPRINGSTEEN
S- Someone suggested It's Raining men (Laughter)
R - We are Family
Closing Statements
S- it's beena blast. we've been talking about fundamentals and dirty tricks. The horse isn't so far out of the barn that we can't fix it. We will bring new people to the dfl and solve this problem. we're fighting this so the young people don't have to. Credibility back in govt, and new leadership.
R - i've spent many nights a week with this fantastic group of candidates. An amazing thing is happening. Somehow the candidates have come together, moving together and moving forward, they have a message. people don't just want change to reject something, but to choose something. The democrats are proving that we are ready to govern again. I talk to people who want to get strated, a party energized by great candidates, we have to turn this into the power to take back our state and take it forward.
All done. Ritchie was much more humorous than I would have thought. Sande was very informative and looked at more than just voting. tomorrow will be close.
Going to hit CJ's now, and maybe the elley party on the way over if I can find it.
yes from both
what will be your greatest accomplishment
R - In 8 years (laughter)...we can make minnesoa back on the path to be a national leader. Like to serve on national cahir of sos, I want people to take the sos race as serious as any other race, because it is the backbone of democracy
S - sos willbe seen by other people as a serice, and not just to one party, with fair and open information, and gives the honest answers to questions. My biggest accomplishment will be restoring trust.
final question
If you win what will be your song - NO SPRINGSTEEN
S- Someone suggested It's Raining men (Laughter)
R - We are Family
Closing Statements
S- it's beena blast. we've been talking about fundamentals and dirty tricks. The horse isn't so far out of the barn that we can't fix it. We will bring new people to the dfl and solve this problem. we're fighting this so the young people don't have to. Credibility back in govt, and new leadership.
R - i've spent many nights a week with this fantastic group of candidates. An amazing thing is happening. Somehow the candidates have come together, moving together and moving forward, they have a message. people don't just want change to reject something, but to choose something. The democrats are proving that we are ready to govern again. I talk to people who want to get strated, a party energized by great candidates, we have to turn this into the power to take back our state and take it forward.
All done. Ritchie was much more humorous than I would have thought. Sande was very informative and looked at more than just voting. tomorrow will be close.
Going to hit CJ's now, and maybe the elley party on the way over if I can find it.
more questions
Disenfrancised vote question
S- transportation for people to polling places. Kiffmeyer blocked our money for that, because money was given to electronic voting.
R- Military, peace corp, more programs overseas. We need to look at which ons need to be litigated. MCCL has been making stopping early voting and vote by mail, must look at that
How do we get more new voters voting
R - multilanguage, voter guides, mobilize people with community groups. Neighbors need to help neighbors
S- lookat why they don't vote, credibility. They feel that the elections don't countbecause they aren't sure if their votes are counted. Kids Vote program. Gets kids young and gets their parents.
Improvements needed for business side of SOS
S - public info. Explain differences between types of corporations. Should be easier. We wil let people know what they need and what their rights are under the law.
R - Reinspire the staff to turn around moral. public service there is bad because the staff isn't inspired. Fix the computer system for the loan system that has collapsed, they are told there's no money, cut corners.
voting machines and paper trails
R - thank Bill for requiring paper trails. i run a listserve on it that scares me. there were no paper trails. 2 days ago I was told MK is messing with the screen for voting. President was elected with 31% of machines with no paper trails.
S - no paper trail, can be hacked, and open sourced coding. We have laws to protect the first two, need a law about open source coding. until we have that law, I will not certify that voting machine.
office in non-partisan, how will you do that?
S- must get people out to vote, must trust the system. sos should not be the cheerleader for their party. Have to be "too fair." his office can be a political career killer, but it's moe important than that.
R - Asked Grow how she did it, she said, I kept it all in one cabinet. Make the staff all non-partisan, don't fill it with cronies. MK has cronies "which makes it not just partisan, but incompitant"
How will you beat MK
R - strong ticket across the dfl, vote (some don't vote for that office), persude republicans who voted for Kerry, we have a plan and we must implement it.
S - We will defeat her by saving our money, be thrifty, and talk about who she's done. She's been struck down three times in three years. Mobilize students, young poeple and new voters.
S- transportation for people to polling places. Kiffmeyer blocked our money for that, because money was given to electronic voting.
R- Military, peace corp, more programs overseas. We need to look at which ons need to be litigated. MCCL has been making stopping early voting and vote by mail, must look at that
How do we get more new voters voting
R - multilanguage, voter guides, mobilize people with community groups. Neighbors need to help neighbors
S- lookat why they don't vote, credibility. They feel that the elections don't countbecause they aren't sure if their votes are counted. Kids Vote program. Gets kids young and gets their parents.
Improvements needed for business side of SOS
S - public info. Explain differences between types of corporations. Should be easier. We wil let people know what they need and what their rights are under the law.
R - Reinspire the staff to turn around moral. public service there is bad because the staff isn't inspired. Fix the computer system for the loan system that has collapsed, they are told there's no money, cut corners.
voting machines and paper trails
R - thank Bill for requiring paper trails. i run a listserve on it that scares me. there were no paper trails. 2 days ago I was told MK is messing with the screen for voting. President was elected with 31% of machines with no paper trails.
S - no paper trail, can be hacked, and open sourced coding. We have laws to protect the first two, need a law about open source coding. until we have that law, I will not certify that voting machine.
office in non-partisan, how will you do that?
S- must get people out to vote, must trust the system. sos should not be the cheerleader for their party. Have to be "too fair." his office can be a political career killer, but it's moe important than that.
R - Asked Grow how she did it, she said, I kept it all in one cabinet. Make the staff all non-partisan, don't fill it with cronies. MK has cronies "which makes it not just partisan, but incompitant"
How will you beat MK
R - strong ticket across the dfl, vote (some don't vote for that office), persude republicans who voted for Kerry, we have a plan and we must implement it.
S - We will defeat her by saving our money, be thrifty, and talk about who she's done. She's been struck down three times in three years. Mobilize students, young poeple and new voters.
More q's
R - not enough people have paid attention to this race, and students in particular should vote because MK (mary Kiffmeyer) told students they couldn't vote, they need to vote at home. MK opposed policy for taking voter cards to courthouse.
s- student should care by HR686, which would stop students from voting, make them v0te at home. you want to know things if you set up a business, know about pension funds, and sos sits on the investment board, and makes a difference in everyday life.
Do you support photo id requirements
S - no, it's discriminatory, you need money to have one. Yu can only get a free ID if you got certify you are below poverty, and there are only 16, plus you need money for docs needed to get one there.
R - no, but I also oppose the national one being shoed down our throats . Talk to Norm Coleman and say we don't want it. Speak out. They use it as a wedge issue. Polls say we like it, but we thought nochild left behind was good, too. This is a wedge issue like immagration
How are you quailfied
R- 25 years of leading agencies. Can be with a budget and build staff. 15 years doing nonpartisan voter registration, Minnesotans want non-partisanship. the office needs to take the state forward, and we want to win in a sweep in Nov as a party, I can bring resouces for the whole tickt
S - I've worked in all aspects to help people, I know the laws, I've worked in elections, and I've worked with businesses, so I know how to work with them in the Sos office. I've sued companies that have commintteed fraud, and we can protect consumers.
What distiguishes ou from your opponent
S - we agree (R agrees too) We're democrats (and we're young democrats - R)
Audience
most important issue
R- winning (laughter)
S - credibility. If all we do is alientate people, we are not moving ahead.
s- student should care by HR686, which would stop students from voting, make them v0te at home. you want to know things if you set up a business, know about pension funds, and sos sits on the investment board, and makes a difference in everyday life.
Do you support photo id requirements
S - no, it's discriminatory, you need money to have one. Yu can only get a free ID if you got certify you are below poverty, and there are only 16, plus you need money for docs needed to get one there.
R - no, but I also oppose the national one being shoed down our throats . Talk to Norm Coleman and say we don't want it. Speak out. They use it as a wedge issue. Polls say we like it, but we thought nochild left behind was good, too. This is a wedge issue like immagration
How are you quailfied
R- 25 years of leading agencies. Can be with a budget and build staff. 15 years doing nonpartisan voter registration, Minnesotans want non-partisanship. the office needs to take the state forward, and we want to win in a sweep in Nov as a party, I can bring resouces for the whole tickt
S - I've worked in all aspects to help people, I know the laws, I've worked in elections, and I've worked with businesses, so I know how to work with them in the Sos office. I've sued companies that have commintteed fraud, and we can protect consumers.
What distiguishes ou from your opponent
S - we agree (R agrees too) We're democrats (and we're young democrats - R)
Audience
most important issue
R- winning (laughter)
S - credibility. If all we do is alientate people, we are not moving ahead.
why should students care about this race?
R - not enough people have paid attention to this race, and students in particular should vote because MK (mary Kiffmeyer) told students they couldn't vote, they need to vote at home. MK opposed policy for taking voter cards to courthouse.
s- student should care by HR686, which would stop students from voting, make them v0te at home. you want to know things if you set up a business, know about pension funds, and sos sits on the investment board, and makes a difference in everyday life.
Do you support photo id requirements
S - no, it's discriminatory, you need money to have one. Yu can only get a free ID if you got certify you are below poverty, and there are only 16, plus you need money for docs needed to get one there.
R - no, but I also oppose the national one being shoed down our throats . Talk to Norm Coleman and say we don't want it. Speak out. They use it as a wedge issue. Polls say we like it, but we thought nochild left behind was good, too. This is a wedge issue like immagration
How are you quailfied
R- 25 years of leading agencies. Can be with a budget and build staff. 15 years doing nonpartisan voter registration, Minnesotans want non-partisanship. the office needs to take the state forward, and we want to win in a sweep in Nov as a party, I can bring resouces for the whole tickt
S - I've worked in all aspects to help people, I know the laws, I've worked in elections, and I've worked with businesses, so I know how to work with them in the Sos office. I've sued companies that have commintteed fraud, and we can protect consumers.
What distiguishes ou from your opponent
S - we agree (R agrees too) We're democrats (and we're young democrats - R)
Audience
most important issue
R- winning (laughter)
S - credibility. If all we do is alientate people, we are not moving ahead.
s- student should care by HR686, which would stop students from voting, make them v0te at home. you want to know things if you set up a business, know about pension funds, and sos sits on the investment board, and makes a difference in everyday life.
Do you support photo id requirements
S - no, it's discriminatory, you need money to have one. Yu can only get a free ID if you got certify you are below poverty, and there are only 16, plus you need money for docs needed to get one there.
R - no, but I also oppose the national one being shoed down our throats . Talk to Norm Coleman and say we don't want it. Speak out. They use it as a wedge issue. Polls say we like it, but we thought nochild left behind was good, too. This is a wedge issue like immagration
How are you quailfied
R- 25 years of leading agencies. Can be with a budget and build staff. 15 years doing nonpartisan voter registration, Minnesotans want non-partisanship. the office needs to take the state forward, and we want to win in a sweep in Nov as a party, I can bring resouces for the whole tickt
S - I've worked in all aspects to help people, I know the laws, I've worked in elections, and I've worked with businesses, so I know how to work with them in the Sos office. I've sued companies that have commintteed fraud, and we can protect consumers.
What distiguishes ou from your opponent
S - we agree (R agrees too) We're democrats (and we're young democrats - R)
Audience
most important issue
R- winning (laughter)
S - credibility. If all we do is alientate people, we are not moving ahead.
S opens
Why i'm doing this: people used to call me for voting advice, now they call me to say they are getting bad info from Mary Kiffmeyer, I get calls that she is intimidating people. I never predicted we would hae to go to court against the sos. I am ready to take on these. The biggest problem with the office is lack of trust. "I wouldn't trust electronic voting, I wouldn't trust Kathrine Harris, I wouldn't trust people raising their hands around her."
Weneed to empower the young people so that our work can move forward.
Weneed to empower the young people so that our work can move forward.
R opens
Thanks everyone, thanks student groups, the level of interest is a sign of what is going on in the DFL. People are worried about all the ways the President is attacking democracy. Conservatives are coming to DFL meetings because they are worried.
we will calout those who deny us, who try to take out our rights.
the soS office is just one part, the clerks and auditors help as well. Our democracy is in good shape at the local leve, but our relationship with the current sos is poison. We saw today our soldiers who defend our democracy, and that is why I'm running.
we will calout those who deny us, who try to take out our rights.
the soS office is just one part, the clerks and auditors help as well. Our democracy is in good shape at the local leve, but our relationship with the current sos is poison. We saw today our soldiers who defend our democracy, and that is why I'm running.
more rules
3 minute openers, 5 Q's preprepared, then audience questions, one minute each, and 1 one minute rebuttal to be used at any time, 2 minute closers.
Also, no coats or ties.
Also, no coats or ties.
Rules
No questions can be addressed to a specific candidate, all must go to both.
They just pulled down the divider, and voila - bigger room.
They just pulled down the divider, and voila - bigger room.
Ritchie/Sande SoS Debate
R= Ritchie
S= Sande
(They need a bigger room)
Note, I think I'm the only blogger covering this, the rest went to CJ's.
S= Sande
(They need a bigger room)
Note, I think I'm the only blogger covering this, the rest went to CJ's.
Hatch Speech
Thanks the other candidates. Quote the Prodigal Son. "Thank you for letting me come home."
I thank you for your endorsement, what this state needs more than anythign else is a new governor. (cheers)
Quailty education should be available to every Minnesotan, rich or poor, urban or rural. Be proud of the Mayo Clinic.
(to be honest, he speaks a little too fast for me to understand everything right now. I blame the coffee).
Hugs Wendell Anderson (hatch did, not that we should do so)
All these good governors came from families of modest means, and supported education.
Gazelles- you need to listen to the tape, I'm having a bad time following.
We are still talking about education, I think.
Now we are talking about stem cells.
How to do all of these things without raising taxes.
Fiberoptics.
This is no longer a thank you, if it was, this is his policy speech.
I would have liked him to say something about women's health, like Kelley did, but I don't think it's going to happen.
We need 1000 welders.
Construction.
Mass transit.
I will support the family farmer (applause)
(He really talks fast, this isn't my fault.)
Meth.
we have to start thinking big. I will personally restore integrity in the healthcare system.
Minnesota Miracle.
(I'm not sure if you are aware how long this is, we're close to 20 minutes now, and many people are leaving.)
WE HAVE BALLOON DROP!!!!!
I thank you for your endorsement, what this state needs more than anythign else is a new governor. (cheers)
Quailty education should be available to every Minnesotan, rich or poor, urban or rural. Be proud of the Mayo Clinic.
(to be honest, he speaks a little too fast for me to understand everything right now. I blame the coffee).
Hugs Wendell Anderson (hatch did, not that we should do so)
All these good governors came from families of modest means, and supported education.
Gazelles- you need to listen to the tape, I'm having a bad time following.
We are still talking about education, I think.
Now we are talking about stem cells.
How to do all of these things without raising taxes.
Fiberoptics.
This is no longer a thank you, if it was, this is his policy speech.
I would have liked him to say something about women's health, like Kelley did, but I don't think it's going to happen.
We need 1000 welders.
Construction.
Mass transit.
I will support the family farmer (applause)
(He really talks fast, this isn't my fault.)
Meth.
we have to start thinking big. I will personally restore integrity in the healthcare system.
Minnesota Miracle.
(I'm not sure if you are aware how long this is, we're close to 20 minutes now, and many people are leaving.)
WE HAVE BALLOON DROP!!!!!
Hatch Endorsed
Not unanimous, but pretty close.
More Springsteen "Born in the USA".
I wanted Bad Reputation - whoever put that on their blog, i curse you, I'd been waiting for it all day, but I can't remember who said it.
More Springsteen "Born in the USA".
I wanted Bad Reputation - whoever put that on their blog, i curse you, I'd been waiting for it all day, but I can't remember who said it.
Kelley Conceeds
Thank you all for your hard work. I believe in the caucus and conventions.
The time has come to say thank you. Thanks Sophie. Someof you found out she was an even beter persuader than I was (yep, saw that when he was at DL). Thanks children. We grew together as a family in this process.
Ruth Johnson would be the best LTGV in Minnesota. My family supported me, and I have a great staff who have supported me for years. wonderful volunteers,supporters and donors. We have worked hard to get rid of Tm Pawlenty (cheers).
We must use our values that unite us and use them against the divisive politics of the republicans. Congratulates Mike Hatch, and ask for the convention to come togther to endorse Hatch and unify this party so we can win in November.
as we campaign this fall, let;s remember to stand up for human rights, familys of all kinds, a woman;s right to make her own health. We need to respect every human being in this state and give them a chance for happiness and success.
Help our candidates, help everyone win.
The time has come to say thank you. Thanks Sophie. Someof you found out she was an even beter persuader than I was (yep, saw that when he was at DL). Thanks children. We grew together as a family in this process.
Ruth Johnson would be the best LTGV in Minnesota. My family supported me, and I have a great staff who have supported me for years. wonderful volunteers,supporters and donors. We have worked hard to get rid of Tm Pawlenty (cheers).
We must use our values that unite us and use them against the divisive politics of the republicans. Congratulates Mike Hatch, and ask for the convention to come togther to endorse Hatch and unify this party so we can win in November.
as we campaign this fall, let;s remember to stand up for human rights, familys of all kinds, a woman;s right to make her own health. We need to respect every human being in this state and give them a chance for happiness and success.
Help our candidates, help everyone win.
More than rumor?
Kelley's supporters are gathering on the floor. Looks like an announcement of some kind is coming.
7th Ballot results
Total 1291
needed 774 (they're dropping like flies)
Hatch - 714.5 - 55.3%
Kelley - 559 - 43.3%
no endorse - 15.5
I think they'll have to hit closer to 58.5% before they can start pulling for the unanimous endorse.
needed 774 (they're dropping like flies)
Hatch - 714.5 - 55.3%
Kelley - 559 - 43.3%
no endorse - 15.5
I think they'll have to hit closer to 58.5% before they can start pulling for the unanimous endorse.
Well Duh Lit
Cause he only said he was against the war 12 times today.
Long amounts of voting on whether to have Q&A time.
there appears to be an energetic discussion going on by the podium between a Hatchie and Melendez.
Long amounts of voting on whether to have Q&A time.
there appears to be an energetic discussion going on by the podium between a Hatchie and Melendez.
Overheard
From some Hatchers - "He gave the sign./this is the ballot?/This is the ballot!"
Also, unnamed (as to not embarass him even more) Hatch staffer running on floor going crazy.
Was that the sign? Cause that was a stupid sign.
(yes, it's getting slow up here)
Also, unnamed (as to not embarass him even more) Hatch staffer running on floor going crazy.
Was that the sign? Cause that was a stupid sign.
(yes, it's getting slow up here)
Challenging the vote
They are saying that the last vote had people not eligible to vote, I am waiting for a fist fight.
Real Results
total 1296.5
need 778
Hatch - 665 - 51.3%
Kelley - 606.5 - 46.8%
No endorse - 24 - 1.9%
Spoiled - 1
Call for Q&A now.
need 778
Hatch - 665 - 51.3%
Kelley - 606.5 - 46.8%
No endorse - 24 - 1.9%
Spoiled - 1
Call for Q&A now.
Results still unconfirmed
Constitutional business is being done, so official results still haven't made it out.
Word on the Street
Heard some Kelley supporters very upset. Sounds like a group of Lourey supporters left without turning in their badges, so no one can get upgraded.
5th Ballot Results
1298 total
779 for endorse
Hatch 646.5 - 49.8%
Kelley 609 - 46.9%
46.5 for no endorsement - 3.3%
Looks like Kelley picked up a lot of Lourey. This even split is disturbing for a blogger who needs coffee.
779 for endorse
Hatch 646.5 - 49.8%
Kelley 609 - 46.9%
46.5 for no endorsement - 3.3%
Looks like Kelley picked up a lot of Lourey. This even split is disturbing for a blogger who needs coffee.
Delegate time
Delegate up, asking to know who is LTGV. Hatch people are thumbs down. 2/3rd needed to suspend rules for Q&A regard Ltgv. Doesn't pass.
Now is the time
According to Aaron, Dutcher is going to be announced with Hatch. I would expect it after the next results are read.
Hatch attacks Kelley
Lit piece being passed out, accusing Kelley's lawfirm of Union Busting...
5th balloting starts
I'd just like to point out that the origin of this lit piece is unknown.-Smartie
5th balloting starts
I'd just like to point out that the origin of this lit piece is unknown.-Smartie
Overheard
I was told some Becky people are on the floor pushing for no endorsement. Not surprising, but I don't think it will happen.
Delegates
Flash states that a lot of Lourey's delegates will probably leave now. If that happens, and they start upgrading alternates, the buzz I've heard is that the alternate pool is pretty heavily Hatch.
PS - well, we got the candidate wrong. Will we get the ballot number right?
PS - well, we got the candidate wrong. Will we get the ballot number right?
Crowd reaction
fairly equal cheers and boos.
4th ballot results
777 needed for endorsement
580.5 -44.8% - Hatch
429 - 33.1% - Kelley
282.5 -21.8%- Lourey
2.5 no endorsement
1294.5 total
Lourey under 25%, Lourey dropped.
4th ballot results
777 needed for endorsement
580.5 -44.8% - Hatch
429 - 33.1% - Kelley
282.5 -21.8%- Lourey
2.5 no endorsement
1294.5 total
Lourey under 25%, Lourey dropped.
Lourey conceeds
Addresses her supporters, Kelley and Hatch's supporters "You are all wonderful."
Under my time as Governor, we would have reached affordable healthcare, we would have bridged the achievement gap with Tim Baylor.
It is now time for me with great disappointment to know that I am not going to receive the endorsement because we drop at 20%. It would be unfair if we left this podium without telling the truth. We know that winning in November is what is important, and we do not want to make the same mistake as 4 and 8 years ago.
We will leave this convention and let you finish your work. We will see you in september.
Under my time as Governor, we would have reached affordable healthcare, we would have bridged the achievement gap with Tim Baylor.
It is now time for me with great disappointment to know that I am not going to receive the endorsement because we drop at 20%. It would be unfair if we left this podium without telling the truth. We know that winning in November is what is important, and we do not want to make the same mistake as 4 and 8 years ago.
We will leave this convention and let you finish your work. We will see you in september.
A note about possible parking
if there were parking in the Lourey campaign, if there is any more of it, it would likely make her drop below the 25% needed to continue on after this next ballot. However, I am going to say that was it. I could see the next ballot being Hatch 45, Kelley 29, Lourey 26 on the next, and she'll survive for another ballot.
If he did park in Lourey, wiley move, since the downward mobility would make her running in the primary look presumptuous. Kelley was always going to abide, which is why they wouldn't care about playing with his numbers.
If he did park in Lourey, wiley move, since the downward mobility would make her running in the primary look presumptuous. Kelley was always going to abide, which is why they wouldn't care about playing with his numbers.
3rd ballot results
60% = 781
Hatch - 563 - 43.3%
Lourey - 348.5- 26.9%
Kelley - 385.5 - 29.6%
No endorse-2.5 -.2%
1300.5 total
Drop rules are in effect at 20% on that ballot. no one is dropped. Next ballot, which is about to begin, would be 25%.
Hatch - 563 - 43.3%
Lourey - 348.5- 26.9%
Kelley - 385.5 - 29.6%
No endorse-2.5 -.2%
1300.5 total
Drop rules are in effect at 20% on that ballot. no one is dropped. Next ballot, which is about to begin, would be 25%.
Endorsement Blocking?
Aaron says that's a new rumor. It would help both the Hatch and Lourey campaigns, since both are planning to rn in the primary. But I can't helpbut think about what my rep said last night, in regards to a senate endorsement that went to 6 am. At 2 am, the three candidates were deadlocked, and decided to tell the delegates it was too contentious and they were going to go to primary. The delegates refused, and kept balloting, as they wanted an endorsement. It took another 4 hours, but they walked away with an edorsement for, I believe it was Joan Growe.
3rd balloting
3rd ballots are taking forever. According to anonymous sources there is some Hatch vote parking in Lourey's camp and we haven't seen all of them go yet. Also, he said that some of the more progressive caucuses have or are leaving and alternates are being upgraded who are more moderate party folks.
DFL hates women
why won't they let us pee? 4 minutes extra of the fact that women hae longer lines in the bathroom.
Don't piss off (heh!) the feminists.
Don't piss off (heh!) the feminists.
Cleaning up stuff
I forgot to mention Flash is here.
For all bloggers, or people interested, we are going to hit CJ's on Center and Broadway, assuming this ends before bar close. Be there after the balloting is done today. Stop by!
For all bloggers, or people interested, we are going to hit CJ's on Center and Broadway, assuming this ends before bar close. Be there after the balloting is done today. Stop by!
Real numbers
Hatch 543.5 - 41 percent
Kelley 382.5 - 29.3 percent
Lourey 379 - 29 percent
10 til the next ballot. I expect some significant movement on the next one.
Kelley 382.5 - 29.3 percent
Lourey 379 - 29 percent
10 til the next ballot. I expect some significant movement on the next one.
can't verify, but he hears...
13:37
2nd vote results:
40 Hatch
29 L
29 K
If Hatch is parking on Lourey, as everyone thinks, they didn't move much
13:37
2nd vote results:
40 Hatch
29 L
29 K
If Hatch is parking on Lourey, as everyone thinks, they didn't move much
Results from Aaron
can't verify, but he hears...
13:37
2nd vote results:
40 Hatch
29 L
29 K
If Hatch is parking on Lourey, as everyone thinks, they didn't move much
13:37
2nd vote results:
40 Hatch
29 L
29 K
If Hatch is parking on Lourey, as everyone thinks, they didn't move much
Dayton Speaks
"Republicans criticize me for not passing my ammendments. they should criticize themselves for not supporting them... If republicans want to look at failure, they should look in the mirror. They want me to turn my office over to a republican? I'd rather go quail hunting with Cheney."
Sounds like there are a lot of people hre who are going to miss Dayton.
"We must unite to elect our DFL ticket in November."
Ick - he just said Hillary Clinton for president. I no longer think I'll miss him.
Sounds like there are a lot of people hre who are going to miss Dayton.
"We must unite to elect our DFL ticket in November."
Ick - he just said Hillary Clinton for president. I no longer think I'll miss him.
Drop after 5
Just realized there is a atutomatic drop of the bottom candidate after the 5th ballot.
MyDFL is talking now...
Oops, I think the MYDFL is proposing. Sean, that was super smooth.
I guess that was the big thing after the second ballot.
Have to wait until the 5th ballot to see if she says yes, i bet.
MyDFL is talking now...
Oops, I think the MYDFL is proposing. Sean, that was super smooth.
I guess that was the big thing after the second ballot.
Have to wait until the 5th ballot to see if she says yes, i bet.
Excitement abounds?
Rumors of stuff happening right after the second ballot on the Pub.
Update, that's when MNLeft says the LTGV will be announced.
Update, that's when MNLeft says the LTGV will be announced.
Official Results
1300 BALLOTS + 2 SPOILED
Hatch-512.5 votes 39.4%
Lourey-403.5 votes 31%
Kelley-382.5 votes 29.4%
Savior-1 vote and .5% (Dropped from 2nd ballot)
No Endorsement 1/2 vote 0%
Hatch-512.5 votes 39.4%
Lourey-403.5 votes 31%
Kelley-382.5 votes 29.4%
Savior-1 vote and .5% (Dropped from 2nd ballot)
No Endorsement 1/2 vote 0%
speculation
Delegate parking a possibility? This would be the type of race to do it in. REW thinks if any of the candidates are hiding delegates it's Hatch. I think that's a great idea. If he announces Dutcher before the next ballot and brings his delegates back it would create the impression of a sudden wave of support for the Hatch/Dutcher ticket. Interesting...
Tooting our own horns
While we're in a lull here, I'd just like to point everyone to today's Blog House which features yours truly.
Results stolen from MDE
Since I'm not trying to keep up...
Let me editorialize and say that Kelley has an amazingly strong showing and this whole race is turning out differnet than may have been expected. It's going to be a close one, folks.
It looks like Kelley has definetely moved into second place in this thing. Hatch is getting approximately the expected 40%, but Kelley is getting close to a third while Lourey is quickly becoming a surprising third.
And Ole got a vote to much applause.
Now we've hit Becky's strongholds (Northern MN) and she's surging back into 2nd.
Hatch looks to have a slim lead with Lourey and Kelley neck and neck. We'll have hard numbers in a moment.
It looks like Kelley has definetely moved into second place in this thing. Hatch is getting approximately the expected 40%, but Kelley is getting close to a third while Lourey is quickly becoming a surprising third.
And Ole got a vote to much applause.
Now we've hit Becky's strongholds (Northern MN) and she's surging back into 2nd.
Hatch looks to have a slim lead with Lourey and Kelley neck and neck. We'll have hard numbers in a moment.
2nd district baloting (sorry we lost some of the end of district 1)
at large 4 H, 2K
unit ??-4h, 1k, 1L
goodhue-4h, 2k, 3l
Le Seur-4.5H
Rice-6h, 5k, 3l
unit 34-4l, 3k, 6h
35
district 36-4k, 4l, 7h
37-2L, 6k, 8h
38-4k, 5l, 7h
l5, k9, 5h
Never mind. We'll do updates at the end. Trying to keep the roll call straight is maddening. In the mean time, Publius is doing totals
at large 4 H, 2K
unit ??-4h, 1k, 1L
goodhue-4h, 2k, 3l
Le Seur-4.5H
Rice-6h, 5k, 3l
unit 34-4l, 3k, 6h
35
district 36-4k, 4l, 7h
37-2L, 6k, 8h
38-4k, 5l, 7h
l5, k9, 5h
Never mind. We'll do updates at the end. Trying to keep the roll call straight is maddening. In the mean time, Publius is doing totals
Roll Call Vote (1st ballot)
live from the mics - I' can't do match, so I'll expect someone to check these:
1st district - at large 3 H, 3k , 1 L
Leward 3L, 4H, 5 K
Brown - 1 H 1 L, 2 K
Cottonwood - 1.5 Kelley, .5 H
Dodge - 2.5 h, .5 L
Fairbault - 2K, 1 H
Phillmore - 1 H, 1 L, 1.5, K, 1 no end
Freeborn - 3 h, 3 L, 2K
Houston - 2.5 H, 1, K, L.5
Jackson, 3H
Martin - 1 K, 3 H
Mauer - 2 K, 5 h, 3 L
Murry - 1k, 2 H
Nicollet - 4K, 2 L, 1 H
Nobels - 4 h
olmstead - 12 L, 7h,5k
Pipesoton - 1 h,2 l
rock, 0 I ;mmwabasha
watewon- 1 h, 1 L, 1K
Winona- 1L, 2K, 7H
1st district - at large 3 H, 3k , 1 L
Leward 3L, 4H, 5 K
Brown - 1 H 1 L, 2 K
Cottonwood - 1.5 Kelley, .5 H
Dodge - 2.5 h, .5 L
Fairbault - 2K, 1 H
Phillmore - 1 H, 1 L, 1.5, K, 1 no end
Freeborn - 3 h, 3 L, 2K
Houston - 2.5 H, 1, K, L.5
Jackson, 3H
Martin - 1 K, 3 H
Mauer - 2 K, 5 h, 3 L
Murry - 1k, 2 H
Nicollet - 4K, 2 L, 1 H
Nobels - 4 h
olmstead - 12 L, 7h,5k
Pipesoton - 1 h,2 l
rock, 0 I ;mmwabasha
watewon- 1 h, 1 L, 1K
Winona- 1L, 2K, 7H
Q&A
H-Hatch
O-Ole Savior
L-Lourey
K-Steve Kelley
#1 Will you run in the primary? (I got this one wrong-sorry! Thanks for the correction, everyone)
H-Yes
O-Yes
L-Perhaps
K-No
Question 2 was about Meth...missed most of it, sorry. Will do better on Question 3.
#3 What's your position on a woman's right to choose?
L-We must never compromise a woman's right to choose. We have fought hard for family planning opportunities. Pawlenty has taken away some access to these things. We will reverse that.
K-I have been a consistant supporter of woman's right to chose and women's health care. Supports emergency contraception. Work to remove restrictions already in place.
H- It's a troubling issue, but it's ultimately up to the woman and he supports that. Mentions Gomez decision supporting right to privacy in addition to Roe.
O- I can see both sides of the issue. Both sides should try to come some kind of agreement. He has three kids of his own, he's both pro-life and pro-choice. Doesn't like to be labeled.
#4 What do you propose for tax reform?
K-Pawlenty has been responsible for raising regressive property taxes. Fund schools with State dollars, not local $s. Forcing local support creates inequality. Pawlenty has cut taxes on wealthy, raise high end income tax to promote property tax relief.
H-First, call a tax a tax. Don't waste time and legal resources defending fee language. Second, State Auditor's report shows T.Paw not attempting to collect a billion dollars in loopholes. Close those loopholes for individuals. Third, close "Foreign owned corporations" loophole. Use money for education.
O-Not in favor of raising taxes on anyone poor, middle or rich. We need more income, we need money from oil companies.
L-We need fair, equitable taxation. She has defended her record on Patriot Radio. Taxpayer's league and other groups only worried about protecting wealth, not poor and middle class. We need to look at progressivity of income tax.
#4-Commitment to and action taken on behalf of income inequality for all minnesotans(?) Not sure what the question is asking
H-He's supported justice for all as AG. Gone after those overcharging poor.
O-We need to help everyone and move beyond economic warfare.
L-Equality is directly connected to opportunity. We have a great heritage and we need to maintain it. We need to remove the high cost of health care from the cost of living in MN. Supports living wage legislation. Quality infrastructure so everyone has access.
K-ONe of our MN values is everyone should have an opportunity. First place to express this is children birth-5 years. Early childhood programs. Work with parents from families with chemical dependency issues, mental health issues, etc. Then we need to make sure everyone has access to higher ed. We need to build infrastructure for outstate MN.
#5 Will you sign death penalty legislation or support a constitutial amendment for it?
O-I don't belive in the death penalty. Countries around the world are getting rid of it we shouldn't be going in the other direction. Now he's talking about outsourcing to China?
L-Lourey also strongly opposed to death penalty. We need to increase opportunity so there is less crime.
K-Opposed to death penalty (short answer!)
H-Not opposed to DP. But it should be used judiciously.
Q&A over. Moment of unity between candidates.
O-Ole Savior
L-Lourey
K-Steve Kelley
#1 Will you run in the primary? (I got this one wrong-sorry! Thanks for the correction, everyone)
H-Yes
O-Yes
L-Perhaps
K-No
Question 2 was about Meth...missed most of it, sorry. Will do better on Question 3.
#3 What's your position on a woman's right to choose?
L-We must never compromise a woman's right to choose. We have fought hard for family planning opportunities. Pawlenty has taken away some access to these things. We will reverse that.
K-I have been a consistant supporter of woman's right to chose and women's health care. Supports emergency contraception. Work to remove restrictions already in place.
H- It's a troubling issue, but it's ultimately up to the woman and he supports that. Mentions Gomez decision supporting right to privacy in addition to Roe.
O- I can see both sides of the issue. Both sides should try to come some kind of agreement. He has three kids of his own, he's both pro-life and pro-choice. Doesn't like to be labeled.
#4 What do you propose for tax reform?
K-Pawlenty has been responsible for raising regressive property taxes. Fund schools with State dollars, not local $s. Forcing local support creates inequality. Pawlenty has cut taxes on wealthy, raise high end income tax to promote property tax relief.
H-First, call a tax a tax. Don't waste time and legal resources defending fee language. Second, State Auditor's report shows T.Paw not attempting to collect a billion dollars in loopholes. Close those loopholes for individuals. Third, close "Foreign owned corporations" loophole. Use money for education.
O-Not in favor of raising taxes on anyone poor, middle or rich. We need more income, we need money from oil companies.
L-We need fair, equitable taxation. She has defended her record on Patriot Radio. Taxpayer's league and other groups only worried about protecting wealth, not poor and middle class. We need to look at progressivity of income tax.
#4-Commitment to and action taken on behalf of income inequality for all minnesotans(?) Not sure what the question is asking
H-He's supported justice for all as AG. Gone after those overcharging poor.
O-We need to help everyone and move beyond economic warfare.
L-Equality is directly connected to opportunity. We have a great heritage and we need to maintain it. We need to remove the high cost of health care from the cost of living in MN. Supports living wage legislation. Quality infrastructure so everyone has access.
K-ONe of our MN values is everyone should have an opportunity. First place to express this is children birth-5 years. Early childhood programs. Work with parents from families with chemical dependency issues, mental health issues, etc. Then we need to make sure everyone has access to higher ed. We need to build infrastructure for outstate MN.
#5 Will you sign death penalty legislation or support a constitutial amendment for it?
O-I don't belive in the death penalty. Countries around the world are getting rid of it we shouldn't be going in the other direction. Now he's talking about outsourcing to China?
L-Lourey also strongly opposed to death penalty. We need to increase opportunity so there is less crime.
K-Opposed to death penalty (short answer!)
H-Not opposed to DP. But it should be used judiciously.
Q&A over. Moment of unity between candidates.
rew takes over - Steve Kelley
Kelley has started out with a video. Hitting education and healthcare as the main points. One picture of a crazy green floral shirt was especially good.
Intro by Tony Carter(?) - Steve Keley shares my values and has the skills to help us all accomplish them. High school achievement and higher education. he will assurea living wage job for all Minnesota workers. Clean water and fresh air.Heiwll unite and not divide us.
Next intro - Scott Dribble: He goes to work thinking about Minnesota every day. Internet healthcare, education. Did the HHH quote. We will not tolerate the policics of fear and detration. The "reverse and PArk" quote.
John Wood - has been adn cntnues to be a champion for children and education. Steve is the one that will make this happen. Steve stood up to Pawlenty for classroom funding.
(Lots of Kelley signs, most taken from the front door -I saw them do it while I was wandering earlier)
Introduced by his wife Sophie, Kelley takes the stage....
Mywife and childern have worked hard to help this campiang. We are on a family mission to beat PAwlenty and take back Minnesota with your help. Thanked McCollum, and Ruth Johnson, privelidged to have her on our team. Priveledged to get to know everyone while he met the campaigns, thanked Hatch and Lourey for running good and honorablecampaigns. I willabide by the edorsement (huge cheers) Minnesota is tired of Pawlenty. It is time for Minnesota to have a change. universal healthcare and school success. (His voice is starting to go). If you endorse me for governor today I will defeat Pawlenty in Nov. this is time to put courage with our values. It is time for us to lead again.
The republicans say you can't fix our roads and do transit, I say yes we can..(I hear a chant coming on)
Housing opporunities - yes we can
small class sizes - yes we can.
universal healthcare - yes we can.
They have lacked the leadership. We are Mondale's party, Perpich's party, Welstones' party...
I'm sorry, I can't keep up. this has become a really good speech though, and I appologize for not doing it justice, as well as the times that I said he wasn't terribly interesting. I wish I had seen this side of him before. If you can find the audio later, I recommend.
Intro by Tony Carter(?) - Steve Keley shares my values and has the skills to help us all accomplish them. High school achievement and higher education. he will assurea living wage job for all Minnesota workers. Clean water and fresh air.Heiwll unite and not divide us.
Next intro - Scott Dribble: He goes to work thinking about Minnesota every day. Internet healthcare, education. Did the HHH quote. We will not tolerate the policics of fear and detration. The "reverse and PArk" quote.
John Wood - has been adn cntnues to be a champion for children and education. Steve is the one that will make this happen. Steve stood up to Pawlenty for classroom funding.
(Lots of Kelley signs, most taken from the front door -I saw them do it while I was wandering earlier)
Introduced by his wife Sophie, Kelley takes the stage....
Mywife and childern have worked hard to help this campiang. We are on a family mission to beat PAwlenty and take back Minnesota with your help. Thanked McCollum, and Ruth Johnson, privelidged to have her on our team. Priveledged to get to know everyone while he met the campaigns, thanked Hatch and Lourey for running good and honorablecampaigns. I willabide by the edorsement (huge cheers) Minnesota is tired of Pawlenty. It is time for Minnesota to have a change. universal healthcare and school success. (His voice is starting to go). If you endorse me for governor today I will defeat Pawlenty in Nov. this is time to put courage with our values. It is time for us to lead again.
The republicans say you can't fix our roads and do transit, I say yes we can..(I hear a chant coming on)
Housing opporunities - yes we can
small class sizes - yes we can.
universal healthcare - yes we can.
They have lacked the leadership. We are Mondale's party, Perpich's party, Welstones' party...
I'm sorry, I can't keep up. this has become a really good speech though, and I appologize for not doing it justice, as well as the times that I said he wasn't terribly interesting. I wish I had seen this side of him before. If you can find the audio later, I recommend.
3rd Speech-Becky Lourey
I'm warned that Lourey speaks very quickly so this may be even more rough than Hatch's.
The opening speaker for Lourey took at least half of her time. Now Tim Baylor is speaking. If we endorse Lourey we'll be sending a strong message to the Republicans and to the state. Public education should be a moral responsibility. Baylor speaks of growing up in Washington D.C.
(Will Lourey speak? Her introductory speakers have already used almost all of her time)
Now a video. Conviction, ethics, community, peace, opportunity, character, hope...finally Lourey takes the stage to much cheering.
Thanks delegates, family, Baylor and his family. We as Democrats must reclaim heart and soul of state, fairness, equality, opportunity, justice. Minnesota has elected leaders throughout our history that reflect these values. We work best when we work together. Pawlenty has turned his back on these values. He has made our State less safe and his party is now using his misdeeds to smear our elected officials (props to Amy). Universal healthcare. Appeal to hopes, dreams and aspirations.
I run my own business, I provide full health care for my employees...whatever you want to do you should be able to...Democrats, it's time...vote for me and MN wins. Cheers and "We want Becky" chanting. Now it's Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down". This campaign must have paid a fortune in licensing fees!
The opening speaker for Lourey took at least half of her time. Now Tim Baylor is speaking. If we endorse Lourey we'll be sending a strong message to the Republicans and to the state. Public education should be a moral responsibility. Baylor speaks of growing up in Washington D.C.
(Will Lourey speak? Her introductory speakers have already used almost all of her time)
Now a video. Conviction, ethics, community, peace, opportunity, character, hope...finally Lourey takes the stage to much cheering.
Thanks delegates, family, Baylor and his family. We as Democrats must reclaim heart and soul of state, fairness, equality, opportunity, justice. Minnesota has elected leaders throughout our history that reflect these values. We work best when we work together. Pawlenty has turned his back on these values. He has made our State less safe and his party is now using his misdeeds to smear our elected officials (props to Amy). Universal healthcare. Appeal to hopes, dreams and aspirations.
I run my own business, I provide full health care for my employees...whatever you want to do you should be able to...Democrats, it's time...vote for me and MN wins. Cheers and "We want Becky" chanting. Now it's Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down". This campaign must have paid a fortune in licensing fees!
Second Speech-Ole Savior
I had the order wrong earlier. Mea Culpa.
Starts out with the Daily Show riff about Reagan and all the "666's" in his life...he may be a perrenial candidate but that doesn't mean he can't win...we should impeach Bush.
We should sue health care companies like we did the tobacco companies. Heavy on the heaven and hell references. They're trying to destroy social security like they destroyed the savings and loans.
Republicans need to stand up to their own party before it destorys itself. Scattered applause as he walks off.
Starts out with the Daily Show riff about Reagan and all the "666's" in his life...he may be a perrenial candidate but that doesn't mean he can't win...we should impeach Bush.
We should sue health care companies like we did the tobacco companies. Heavy on the heaven and hell references. They're trying to destroy social security like they destroyed the savings and loans.
Republicans need to stand up to their own party before it destorys itself. Scattered applause as he walks off.
Speeches -Hatch First
Mayo brothers early pioneers of global impact...list of the innovations they've developed...list of medical technology companies in MN...on to other areas where MN excels but now higher ed costs are out of control and this threatens progress (Hatch talks very fast, so this is going to be a very rough transcript) Pawlenty used public education when he was growing up, not making it more diffcult for others to follow.
Now on to Health care...oops, that was quick.
Pawlenty only believes in helping those who already have "Pawlenty" (pronounced like "plenty". He has used the AG's office to fight for the little guy. No one is above the law.
We need someone who stands up for MN values, who will make hard decisions, FDR quote about pulling up our anchor and sailing, mentions his Merchant Marine background. His vision of MN is one where everyone can go to college...Stem cell research at the U...increased information technologies for entire state. Public Education, don't bash teachers, give them tools to teach kids, now transportation, health care for National Guard members. Teddy Roosevelt quote (heavy on the Roosevelts here...good thing they're not as prolific as the Kennedys or we'd be here all day). Now, on to the environment, family farms, local control of land development. Now mentions taking on Health Care executives that he's prosecuted for taking huge payoffs while premiums increased. I know how to get results. Elmer Anderson quote. Chanting of "We Like Mike".
Now on to Health care...oops, that was quick.
Pawlenty only believes in helping those who already have "Pawlenty" (pronounced like "plenty". He has used the AG's office to fight for the little guy. No one is above the law.
We need someone who stands up for MN values, who will make hard decisions, FDR quote about pulling up our anchor and sailing, mentions his Merchant Marine background. His vision of MN is one where everyone can go to college...Stem cell research at the U...increased information technologies for entire state. Public Education, don't bash teachers, give them tools to teach kids, now transportation, health care for National Guard members. Teddy Roosevelt quote (heavy on the Roosevelts here...good thing they're not as prolific as the Kennedys or we'd be here all day). Now, on to the environment, family farms, local control of land development. Now mentions taking on Health Care executives that he's prosecuted for taking huge payoffs while premiums increased. I know how to get results. Elmer Anderson quote. Chanting of "We Like Mike".
Nominations for Governor
#1 Ole Savior! His demonstration includes Springsteen's "Glory Days". Lot of Springsteen at this convenion.
okay, demonstration over...
#2 Mike Hatch, but dang they took forever to get to it. The chair just about closed their mike for being out of order and making speeches instead of nominating. And the marching band is back...Hatch looks to have around 40% of the delegates already (they're easy to see in their neon green shirts) so last nights pick may not have been too good...we'll see...
demonstration over...and the chair doesn't like the drums either.
#3 Becky Lourey. Her demonstration includes Prince's "Baby I'm a Star". Much better than the Springsteen. Lourey looks to have around a third of the delegates, so she's certainly not out of the running, but it's going to be an uphill battle. Sigh, then they started with "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow". There really should be a moritorium against campaigns using this song.
#4 Steve Kelley. His demonstration includes a song that I don't recognize. But it sounds pretty liberal ("here's to the teachers and the workers in the field") Apparently it's The Call's, "Let the Day Begin". Kelley has a solid quarter.
So the lines are drawn...Hatch in front early but with no where near enough for endorsement, Lourey a fairly close second and Kelley a solid third. Will Ole be the deciding factor? We can only hope. ;)
Speeches will be Hatch, Lourey, Savior and Kelley...
okay, demonstration over...
#2 Mike Hatch, but dang they took forever to get to it. The chair just about closed their mike for being out of order and making speeches instead of nominating. And the marching band is back...Hatch looks to have around 40% of the delegates already (they're easy to see in their neon green shirts) so last nights pick may not have been too good...we'll see...
demonstration over...and the chair doesn't like the drums either.
#3 Becky Lourey. Her demonstration includes Prince's "Baby I'm a Star". Much better than the Springsteen. Lourey looks to have around a third of the delegates, so she's certainly not out of the running, but it's going to be an uphill battle. Sigh, then they started with "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow". There really should be a moritorium against campaigns using this song.
#4 Steve Kelley. His demonstration includes a song that I don't recognize. But it sounds pretty liberal ("here's to the teachers and the workers in the field") Apparently it's The Call's, "Let the Day Begin". Kelley has a solid quarter.
So the lines are drawn...Hatch in front early but with no where near enough for endorsement, Lourey a fairly close second and Kelley a solid third. Will Ole be the deciding factor? We can only hope. ;)
Speeches will be Hatch, Lourey, Savior and Kelley...
Hatch Alert
Rumor mill. If Hatch can get 40%, he will announce his running mate. And yes, it's who everyone thinks it is.
Take it or leave it.
Take it or leave it.
9:07 - Feingold
Full standing ovation.
"We are very proud to be your next door neigbor, and we are extremely grateful as democrats that you have made sure this is a blue state in presidential elections...you hae almost as many lakes as we do (boos...). We will keep this senate seat a democrat gain. then we have another republican to take out of senate in two years, and I will be here to get that done....
2004 was a disatrous night, and I decided to do what I could to get the majority and elect democrats in 2006....Just being in the majority is not enough, we were in the majority when we voted on Iraq and the Patriot act. We ned to be in the majority and stand on priciples (applause)...we willnot win this November by default. We willnot win this year by tryingto run out the clock. If we do, people willsee us as democrats as week and full of fear, we must stand up on priciples and tell them we are ready to run the country.
I like listening to Fox news, I like being in the other teams huddle sometimes. If they are right that we don't have ideas we deserve to lose. We have bold ideas, we just need o learn to address them boldly.
People are ready for real solutions. We should talk like Wellstone guarentee healthcare for every American. We should be talking about energy dependance and alternate energy when prices are high, people want a real inestment in alternate energy so we can truly have energy independence (smartie wants to know what about the engine on water). I voted against no child left behind. Let's talk about fixing education.
We must take a stand on the attempt to write discrimination into the constitution. We are not all made the same...we have a referendum in Wisc, and are working to be the first state to defeat this amendment.
We also have to stand up on the failure to adress this administrations mistakes on Iraq and terrorism. We were told don't talk abot international stuff and playit safe. That's the wrong thing. I voted to stand up against aLqueda, but Iraq was a mistake. I said no because I thought it was a bad decision. I am please Al-Zarqawi has been stopped, but how did we get there? He wasn't in Iraq when we invaded. It is time to redeploy our troops, bring them home by the endo of this year. We need to refocus on the real fight against terrorism.
We have to have the guts to stand up to the wrongdoing of this administration. The constitution and the billof rights were not repealed on 9/11. Ye this adminsitration was proudly wiretapping Americans. He should be saying "I will do what I can to protect the American People...UNDER THE LAW."
(Sorry, talking to a Kelley person)
Pass a censure, have President say "I'm sorry."
(Oops,more talking. I'm sure there's going to be a feed online.)
"We are very proud to be your next door neigbor, and we are extremely grateful as democrats that you have made sure this is a blue state in presidential elections...you hae almost as many lakes as we do (boos...). We will keep this senate seat a democrat gain. then we have another republican to take out of senate in two years, and I will be here to get that done....
2004 was a disatrous night, and I decided to do what I could to get the majority and elect democrats in 2006....Just being in the majority is not enough, we were in the majority when we voted on Iraq and the Patriot act. We ned to be in the majority and stand on priciples (applause)...we willnot win this November by default. We willnot win this year by tryingto run out the clock. If we do, people willsee us as democrats as week and full of fear, we must stand up on priciples and tell them we are ready to run the country.
I like listening to Fox news, I like being in the other teams huddle sometimes. If they are right that we don't have ideas we deserve to lose. We have bold ideas, we just need o learn to address them boldly.
People are ready for real solutions. We should talk like Wellstone guarentee healthcare for every American. We should be talking about energy dependance and alternate energy when prices are high, people want a real inestment in alternate energy so we can truly have energy independence (smartie wants to know what about the engine on water
We must take a stand on the attempt to write discrimination into the constitution. We are not all made the same...we have a referendum in Wisc, and are working to be the first state to defeat this amendment.
We also have to stand up on the failure to adress this administrations mistakes on Iraq and terrorism. We were told don't talk abot international stuff and playit safe. That's the wrong thing. I voted to stand up against aLqueda, but Iraq was a mistake. I said no because I thought it was a bad decision. I am please Al-Zarqawi has been stopped, but how did we get there? He wasn't in Iraq when we invaded. It is time to redeploy our troops, bring them home by the endo of this year. We need to refocus on the real fight against terrorism.
We have to have the guts to stand up to the wrongdoing of this administration. The constitution and the billof rights were not repealed on 9/11. Ye this adminsitration was proudly wiretapping Americans. He should be saying "I will do what I can to protect the American People...UNDER THE LAW."
(Sorry, talking to a Kelley person)
Pass a censure, have President say "I'm sorry."
(Oops,more talking. I'm sure there's going to be a feed online.)
8:50- and the band marches on
Red is the Hatch band and cheerleaders. Yellow is the Hatch campaign/supporters. Hatch has also full lit dropped the chairs.
10 minutes to Feingold. Not sure if the band is planningon playing him in, but if not, they better wrap up soon.
State Convention, Day 2 - 8:20 AM
Here bright and early, and the fun already started. Lourey and Hatch campaigns are demonstrating out front when we walked in a litle after 8. Lourey people are leading cheers, Hatch campaign has some young students who appear to be a band, but aren't performing yet. The most confusing part is that Hatch seems to have hiss people in Sande yellow this morning.
It's cold in Rochester. Note to any campaign reading, if you have sweatshirts, I'm pretty sure you can woo some delgates.
Michael and Mike are alrady here. Feingold should be starting in 30.
It's cold in Rochester. Note to any campaign reading, if you have sweatshirts, I'm pretty sure you can woo some delgates.
Michael and Mike are alrady here. Feingold should be starting in 30.
Friday, June 09, 2006
Photos and Prognostication
Some day one photos are here.
Tomorrow, we will be blogging here all day, starting with Feingold's speech at 9 am.
Powerliberal pick for tomorrow - Lourey in 7 ballots.
Will we be right? Well, Smartie and I both agree on the scenario, and Smartie nailed the Peace First percentage pool we had going on. And me? I blew Peace First and started the rumor about the wrong candidate being put up against Klobuchar today. So I'd call it a pretty even wash.
Tomorrow, we will be blogging here all day, starting with Feingold's speech at 9 am.
Powerliberal pick for tomorrow - Lourey in 7 ballots.
Will we be right? Well, Smartie and I both agree on the scenario, and Smartie nailed the Peace First percentage pool we had going on. And me? I blew Peace First and started the rumor about the wrong candidate being put up against Klobuchar today. So I'd call it a pretty even wash.
Live Blogging Info
At the Convention
After road construction on Hwy. 14 and a scramble for parking in Rochester we're here at the Rochester Civic Center. They've hooked us up with a little press box type area up here so we should have a good opportunity to see and follow everything going on.
When signing in for our blogger credentials we noticed that the DFL really was serious about allowing in bloggers of any political stripe as at least one of the KvM bloggers was on the list and MDE is sitting down the row (on my right, natch) so there should be a good diversity of coverage this weekend.
Updates may be a little slow coming on this site today. The Powerliberals can only afford one laptop, so REW and I will have to share today, we'll see how that works out.
When signing in for our blogger credentials we noticed that the DFL really was serious about allowing in bloggers of any political stripe as at least one of the KvM bloggers was on the list and MDE is sitting down the row (on my right, natch) so there should be a good diversity of coverage this weekend.
Updates may be a little slow coming on this site today. The Powerliberals can only afford one laptop, so REW and I will have to share today, we'll see how that works out.
Thursday, June 08, 2006
The Classics- updated
MORE UPDATES AT THE END
Nice to see the classics never go out of style. Since equating Democrats with terrorists worked so well in '02 and '04, so Mark Kennedy's surrogates are hoping that it will work one more time in '06.
Also, does it surprise anyone that they picked Keith Ellison's name (a black man and a Muslim for anyone not from Minnesota) to put right under the picture?
(since scrubbed from the site):
Way to take the high road, guys.
REW adds - I couldn't see what smartie was talking about at first, but if you click on the picture, you can make out that the original verison of the posts states "Condolences can be sent to Ellison HQ". Very classy.
Smartie adds- Okay, I was willing to assume this was just an early morning goof and let it all go. That was until they put it back up:
Fine. If they're so proud of their oh-so-coy racism, it's fair to assume this is editorial policy around there. Since Mark Kennedy has previously stated how much he likes KvM and how often he reads that site I assume he's perfectly okay with this kind of racist garbage. We know he has a history of smearing opponents with this particular brush (see here, for example) so can we assume this the kind of campaign he's going to run?
Two more things. One, KvM's "explanation" is a joke:
And two, I'm not sure who he's referring to with "the DFL". This is my post and I in no way receive assistance or compensation of any kind from the DFL or anyone else. Never have. If anyone else uses it, well, that's why we put this stuff on the internet, isn't it?
Nice to see the classics never go out of style. Since equating Democrats with terrorists worked so well in '02 and '04, so Mark Kennedy's surrogates are hoping that it will work one more time in '06.
Also, does it surprise anyone that they picked Keith Ellison's name (a black man and a Muslim for anyone not from Minnesota) to put right under the picture?
(since scrubbed from the site):
Way to take the high road, guys.
REW adds - I couldn't see what smartie was talking about at first, but if you click on the picture, you can make out that the original verison of the posts states "Condolences can be sent to Ellison HQ". Very classy.
Smartie adds- Okay, I was willing to assume this was just an early morning goof and let it all go. That was until they put it back up:
Fine. If they're so proud of their oh-so-coy racism, it's fair to assume this is editorial policy around there. Since Mark Kennedy has previously stated how much he likes KvM and how often he reads that site I assume he's perfectly okay with this kind of racist garbage. We know he has a history of smearing opponents with this particular brush (see here, for example) so can we assume this the kind of campaign he's going to run?
Two more things. One, KvM's "explanation" is a joke:
It seems someone took my "condolences can be sent to Ellison HQ" in regards to the death of al-Zarqawi - clearly meant to draw attention to the congressional candidate's anti-semitic past - so literally that the DFL is considering going to bat for the embattled Ellison from assaults by "Kennedy surrogates".How is this calling attention to anti-semitism, exactly? Nice attempt to shift the focus, but it doesn't even make sense.
And two, I'm not sure who he's referring to with "the DFL". This is my post and I in no way receive assistance or compensation of any kind from the DFL or anyone else. Never have. If anyone else uses it, well, that's why we put this stuff on the internet, isn't it?
Congrats to MDE!
For getting his first column published in the Strib. But what was that woman's picture doing attached to it? If she's going to claim credit for "writing" that column she really ought to digest the talking points a little before regurgitating them.
For anyone interested in the creative process, the rough drafts of the coulmn are available here.
For anyone interested in the creative process, the rough drafts of the coulmn are available here.
Zarqawi
Al-Zarqawi killed in air raid north of Baghdad
Zarqawi was a monster who got what he deserved for his crimes. No tears will be shed for him here, but neither will they be crying about it in Iraq nor in Bin Laden's hideout wherever that may be. Zarqawi was a figurehead far more important to us than his role in this situation warranted.
I'll be happy to eat these words if there is any sign of progress after this, but I'm not too hopeful of that.
At the White House, President Bush hailed the killing as "a severe blow to al-Qaida and it is a significant victory in the war on terror."Yeah! Just like when they got Saddam, or his kids, or when they voted on the constitution or when...come on, this is a propaganda victory not a real step forward. The Right will crow and pound their chests for a day or two and then Zarqawi will be forgotten.
Zarqawi was a monster who got what he deserved for his crimes. No tears will be shed for him here, but neither will they be crying about it in Iraq nor in Bin Laden's hideout wherever that may be. Zarqawi was a figurehead far more important to us than his role in this situation warranted.
I'll be happy to eat these words if there is any sign of progress after this, but I'm not too hopeful of that.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Fun with Jeffers
Flash has an excellent post about the Pawlenty nom up in his world, including how there may not have even been a quorum for endorsement.
Pope Punny
The Vatican condemns, among other things, in-vitro fertilization, but provides us with this gem:
Now I know where Smartie gets his love of puns, it must be the Catholic in him.
The Vatican called abortion an "abominable crime" and said it was "inconceivable" that abortion practitioners in most nations are not punished for taking human life.
Now I know where Smartie gets his love of puns, it must be the Catholic in him.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Radical Problem Solving
Serb burns car rather than pay fine
(Stolen from The Raw Story, who stole it from Yahoo.)
BELGRADE (Reuters) - A Serb man set his car on fire when he heard how much he had to pay to reclaim it after it was towed away for illegal parking.
An attendant told the daily Press the man was very calm.
"He went to his car, took a few things then opened the hood and set the engine on fire. When it was well ablaze he got back on his bike and rode off."
(Stolen from The Raw Story, who stole it from Yahoo.)
Updates
Finally getting around to some long overdue updates around here:
The blogger formerly known as Norwegianity has been moved into the "Political Operations" section with his new gig, Blog for Bell.
Also added to that section as a "Professional Blog" isNMPR's Polinaut.
Finally, the always great blog run by Charlie Quimby has been properly renamed to Across the Great Divide.
We now return to regularly scheduled programming.
Update: MPR not NPR. Not the same thing.
The blogger formerly known as Norwegianity has been moved into the "Political Operations" section with his new gig, Blog for Bell.
Also added to that section as a "Professional Blog" is
Finally, the always great blog run by Charlie Quimby has been properly renamed to Across the Great Divide.
We now return to regularly scheduled programming.
Update: MPR not NPR. Not the same thing.
It's been a long, long time
Morning, Ladies!
Happy 6-6-6, everyone. Tip your servers.
Fiction? Hello, George. Maybe you don't ever have to encounter the vulgar profanity of rap--I refuse to call it music--blaring from speakers in a nearby vehicle with such force that everyone within 100 feet (whether their windows are rolled up or not) is jolted by the noise, vibrations and disgusting lyrics that revel in the brutality of rape and murder. For some of us this assault on decency and moral sensibilities is an all-too-frequent experience.
Happy 6-6-6, everyone. Tip your servers.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Today's "huh?" moment
Kersten:
Why the sagging Methodist numbers? Perhaps many folks in the pews don't share their leadership's left-wing political agenda. Today, the average United Methodist would probably be uneasy about gutting America's defense budget when Iran is on the fast track to building nuclear weapons.Oh, those silly liberals! When will they learn that religion and politics don't mix?
But there may be a deeper answer. Most people -- whatever their politics -- don't flock to churches, synagogues and mosques to find outlets for political and social activism. Instead, they seek answers to life's most profound questions: What is the purpose of my life? What is the meaning of my suffering? What is my connection to the transcendent, to God?
If rank-and-file church members believe their leaders attend too little to these eternal questions, and focus too much on political advocacy, they may look elsewhere for spiritual nourishment.
I'm Back!
It was a nice Memorial Day week with the family, fishing up near the border at Echo Lake. Caught a bunch of bluegills and a walleye or two. Fry 'em up with a little lemon and a beer, yum yum.
Anyway, vacation is over now time to get back to the blogging. The Powerliberals will be at the DFL State Convention in Rochester this weekend. In the mean time, there's more than enough conservative lunacy to provide us with all the yucks we want between now and then.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Banana Bread, Babies and Booze
No word from thepowerliberals this weekend. The morning started with a few loaves of banana bread baking in the oven, and a good pot of coffee. We then got word of our good freind giving birth, so off to the hospital soon. Tomorrow is Grand Old Days, so we will be in St. Paul watching parades and haning with friends.
Have a good weekend.
Have a good weekend.
Friday, June 02, 2006
MPR live feed
Currently they are discussing abortion. Right now they are deciding how to define life, and whether a woman should be allowed to have an abortion when she has a tubal pregnancy.
I suggest tuning in right now, if you can.
Feed
I suggest tuning in right now, if you can.
Feed
Embarrassing, but true
Thank goodness he didn't have a camera...
I would have gotten more use out of a coconut phone, I think.
Last night at the always noisy 331 Club, she was seen listening to Kennedy's speech while holding her laptop computer up to her head like an oversized transistor radio.
I would have gotten more use out of a coconut phone, I think.
Convention Liveblogs
MDE is doing convention liveblogging today. Also, he was kind enough to invite me down as his guest. I won't be attending, since the Kennedy endorsement is already complete, but truly appreciated the offer.
The drive was fantastic last night, and Spot drove away with a full trunk of books and more than enough funds to ship them off. Thanks to everyone who donated, and it was good to see some new faces.
Word is there will be another drive upcoming, this time for audio to send. More details when I have them.
Finally, if you're planning on being at the DFL Convention Saturday, drop me a line or put something in the comments. I'd like to get people together for a beer post gub-nom and pre-party time.
The drive was fantastic last night, and Spot drove away with a full trunk of books and more than enough funds to ship them off. Thanks to everyone who donated, and it was good to see some new faces.
Word is there will be another drive upcoming, this time for audio to send. More details when I have them.
Finally, if you're planning on being at the DFL Convention Saturday, drop me a line or put something in the comments. I'd like to get people together for a beer post gub-nom and pre-party time.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Book Drive Reminder and Thank You
A big thank you to Tom Bartel of The Rake, who will be dropping off a box of books tonight for Spotty's book drive.
I'll have a cup out for shipping costs, so consider the beer to be on me tonight. Drop your beer money in the cup and pour yourselves a tall one, because you all deserve it.
Tonight, 6-9 pm
331 Club, 13th and University, Northeast Minneapolis
I'll have a cup out for shipping costs, so consider the beer to be on me tonight. Drop your beer money in the cup and pour yourselves a tall one, because you all deserve it.
Tonight, 6-9 pm
331 Club, 13th and University, Northeast Minneapolis
So, Mark Kennedy wins the endorsement tonight
For those of you who may love the convention live blogging we do at Powerliberal, you're going to have to look elsewhere for that.
I contacted the GOP a few months ago to see who I would need to speak to about press credentials, as I was primarily interested in seeing Kennedy win the endorsement. After a few general emails that went unanswered, I finally asked for some help this week to see if I could get a message to the right (heh) person.
I was quickly informed that progessive bloggers would not be welcome at the event.
"No biggie," I thought for a few days. "I get it."
But the more I thought about it, the more it began to bother me. Conservative bloggers are welcome, but not lefties? Could they say, "I like the Pioneer Press, but let's not allow in the Strib."
I'm not trying to compare blogs to papers, but if it is a new medium, allowing access for one group and not another is petty. Especially when so many of the races are forgone conclusions.
Maybe they just don't want anyone to see them take Sue Jeffers outside and trow rotten fruit at her.
And, yes, for those who are curious, the DFL is allowing conservative bloggers to come next week. I guess that's why we are the party of inclusion.
But I guess it's fine that I can't go see the Kennedy Krowing, since I have much more inportant things to do.
I contacted the GOP a few months ago to see who I would need to speak to about press credentials, as I was primarily interested in seeing Kennedy win the endorsement. After a few general emails that went unanswered, I finally asked for some help this week to see if I could get a message to the right (heh) person.
I was quickly informed that progessive bloggers would not be welcome at the event.
"No biggie," I thought for a few days. "I get it."
But the more I thought about it, the more it began to bother me. Conservative bloggers are welcome, but not lefties? Could they say, "I like the Pioneer Press, but let's not allow in the Strib."
I'm not trying to compare blogs to papers, but if it is a new medium, allowing access for one group and not another is petty. Especially when so many of the races are forgone conclusions.
Maybe they just don't want anyone to see them take Sue Jeffers outside and trow rotten fruit at her.
And, yes, for those who are curious, the DFL is allowing conservative bloggers to come next week. I guess that's why we are the party of inclusion.
But I guess it's fine that I can't go see the Kennedy Krowing, since I have much more inportant things to do.
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