Back when Michael Brodkorb was running for the Deputy Chair position in the Republican Party of Minnesota, he bragged about how electing him would save the GOP substantial dough:
By the time the June election arrives, the (GOP) State Party will have spent over $100,000, $90,000 of which is salary, as well as other expenses, including meals, for part-time employment for the current Deputy Chair. To put this in context, the same amount of money over the course of the two-year term could have paid for numerous full time field staff, or provided much needed direct financial resources to local candidates across Minnesota.
I strongly believe we must dramatically reduce the compensation levels of the State Party officers. Therefore, if elected, I will not take a salary as Deputy Chair. (BrodkorbForDeputyChair.com)
So, how can Brodkorb afford to forego that GOPer paid salary of $90K? By going on the taxpayer's dime, and taking the taxpayer-paid position of Senate GOPer Communications Director. Hey - that's YOUR tax dollars at work!
Shortly after Brodkorb got elected, I posted this:
by: TwoPuttTommy Wed Jul 29, 2009 at 21:35:02 PM CDT
"Here's the answer: In 2009, they ran the first negative ad for the 2010 Minnesota elections."
"Who are FEC Tony and MudSlingerMike?"
"You are correct!"
Smart money was betting that with the election of Tony Sutton and Michael Brodkorb, the GOP was going down and dirtier. So far, those bets look like winners. Over 15 months out, and Sutton and Broadkorb seem bound and determined to make the 2010 elections the nastiest ever. (MnProgressiveProject.com)
OK, it's no secret that Brodkorb really, Really, REALLY seems to enjoy the "down in the gutter, toss some nasty trash and see if it sticks" style of politicking; it's why I refer to him as MudSlingerMike. Hey, I call him that for the old-fashioned reason - he's earned it.
But, it's electioneering that earned Brodkorb that moniker.
Here's a recent GOPer "trick" - that I happen to believe came from ol' MudSlingerMike:
Several DFL members of the Minnesota Senate say something happened that rarely occurs. Their phones within the Senate chambers were ringing.
That may seem odd but the phones, according to members, are only supposed to be used by Senate members and staff. But at least six Democrats say they got calls today from unhappy constituents. They were being urged to vote against a $1 billion bonding bill. DFL Sen. Don Betzold of Fridley says he got a call while the Senate was debating the bill.
"I've never gotten a phone call like that from the floor," Betzold said. "I have never gotten a phone call like that from a citizen, a lobbyist, anyone, until today."
DFL Sen. Terri Bonoff of Minnetonka said she got six calls from constituents. She said the callers said they were contacted by the Minnesota Republican Party and were patched through to their senators.
It seems that Brodkorb is bringing that nasty style of Republican Electioneering to this Legislative Session - and doing on the taxpayer's tab.
Check out this little gem: It seems that the Minnesota House had a nearly five hour debate the other day, on the bonding bill. Let me repeat that - a nearly FIVE HOUR DEBATE.
Everybody get that? A nearly FIVE HOUR DEBATE, and GOPer Zellers is whining that "we didn't get to get HEARD...".
Yeah, "right."
The House GOPers weren't there to "debate" - they were there to FILIBUSTER. And after nearly FIVE (cheney)IN' HOURS they got the nerve to whine "we didn't get to get heard"??!?
That is just one example, Ladies and Gentlemen, of why reasonable people can no longer reasonably assume GOPers are telling the truth. File that YouTube under: #GreedOverPrinciples
Here's what's possibly even worse: that the GOP whined that "we didn't get to get HEARD..." on a YouTube paid for by the taxpayers? I want to know: WHO PAID FOR THAT YouTube???
Now, that little telephone "trick" in the Senate reeks of MudSlingerMike; as does that YouTube that appears to be produced and paid for by your tax dollars, through the GOP House Caucus.
Brodkorb is taking his down and dirty electioneering tactics, and inserting that "style" into this legislative session.
Brodkorb wants to play those "tricks"? Fine - but do it on the GOP's dime, NOT the Minnesota Taxpayers's dime.
It's time to put an end to the biggest waste - IMNSHO - of the taxpayer's money: Michael Brodkorb's taxpayer paid salary.
