I spent most of yesterday watching Twitter traffic relating to the Deadbeat MnGOP's State Convention in St. Cloud, where there was plenty of bleating about "fiscal responsibility." Yeah, "right." One tweet I sent: How pathetic has the #MnGOP become? When asking if they paid their #mngop12 tab before splitting town is a serious question. #StribPol
So I go out to the mailbox yesterday, and what do I find in it? A 12 x 8 1/2 inch, full color "PUBLIC DOCUMENT -- OFFICIAL BUSINESS -- This mailing was prepared, published and mailed at taxpayer expense" sent from none other than Postage Stamp Paulsen.
This is the front - and at 12 inches by 8 1/2 inches, it's too big to make a full scan of it, let alone a full screenshot - let's look!
Last Saturday (April 14th), the CD 3 GOP had their Endorsing Convention - and to no surprise, they selected career politician Erik Paulsen, R=Bachmann for another term. I noted a tweet by Derek Brigham - who at that time, was on the GOP CD3 Executive Committee; more on that later) - where Paulsen told the gathered faithful "I will not be out-hustled." That reminded me of what I wrote when Paulsen first announced for Congress back in '08, which I reposted yesterday: Deja Vu All Over Again: "The Hustler".
I actually wrote two posts back in '08, immediately after Paulsen announced. It's worth going back and taking a look at them again, especially after we recently compared the voting records of career politician Erik Paulsen, R=Bachmann, and, well, Michele Bachmann. In somewhat of a surprise, Paulsen toes the party line even more than Bachmann! OpenCongress.org also noted:
Michele Bachmann and Erik Paulsen have voted together 2723 times on roll call votes since January, 2007 in votes where neither abstained, representing a voting similarity of 92%
Which is exactly why I'm bringing up the 2nd post I wrote 4 years ago, about Paulsen -- let's look!
Yesterday at the Minnesota DFL Congressional District 3 Convention in Edina, Delegates selected Brian Barnes on the very first ballot. Going into the Convention, I had been predicting Barnes in two, maybe three ballots. I think what pushed the few undecided Delegates over to Barnes were the introduction speech by Randi & Phil Reitan and then Barnes' speech - which had almost everyone in the auditorium standing and yelling and clapping!
I'm tellin' ya - it was a Barnes-Burner!!!
What was pleasantly surprising, and demonstrates the unity of the opposition to career politician Erik Paulsen, R=Bachmann, is Sharon Sund's gracious concession speech calling for just that - unity. This unity was demonstrated by how many of her supporters stayed to the very end of the concession - LONG after their candidate had lost.
Why such unity? A - both sides ran good - and clean! - campaigns; B - both sides understand the horrible representation in the 3rd CD by career politician Erik Paulsen, R=Bachmann. Indeed, one thing Sharon Sund repeated often: "Erik Paulsen may say he's a moderate - but he votes like Michele Bachmann."
And indeed Paulsen does - let's look!
OK, the key statistic in that screen shot is "Bachmann votes with party: 91%; Paulsen votes with party 93%'
Yes, Gentle Readers - Paulsen toes the party line even more than Bachmann!
And how closely do those two vote alike? Again, let's look!
Michele Bachmann and Erik Paulsen have voted together 2723 times on roll call votes since January, 2007 in votes where neither abstained, representing a voting similarity of 92%
So when someone asks"Well, how did Paulsen vote on that issue?" - clearly, an accurate response is: "Hey - just check Bachmann's voting record!!!"
The .gif to the right (and with Paulsen, it's apropos it's WAY to the right) is courtesy of the amazing Tild - and as the above demonstrates, it's entirely accurate. This election is about a far-right career politician - Erik Paulsen - and the not only far-right but far-WRONGRepublican Party that represents the Top 1%, and a Progressive Candidate - Brian Barnes - that will represent The 99%.
Link here to contribute $$$ to Brain Barnes - every buck counts when the object of the mission is to retire a corporate-controlled, career-politician like Erik Paulsen, R=Bachmann.
In two days, at Edina's Valley View Middle School, DFL CD3 Delegates will endorse a candidate to take on - and BEAT! - Erik Paulsen, R=Bachmann.
And while there are a lot of different factors to consider in choosing who to endorse, there is one that is exceedingly important - the ability to raise funds.
Neither Candidate - Sharon Sund nor Brian Barnes - has lit the world on fire, ala Tarryl Clark in CD8. Last February, I took a look at both Candidate's 2011 Q4 FEC Reports - and in the comments section, he's what a Barnes Staffer wrote on February 13th:
Here's what we pledge: That the delegates at the endorsing convention on April 14th will see our report. We believe they deserve to know before they cast their votes.
(emphasis added)
And I noticed the same Barnes Staffer made a similar comment yesterday, on the DFL CD3 Facebook page:
The delegates deserve to know the truth without spin. We will have the FEC report for delegates to see at the convention. It's not a problem as the report is due the next day anyway.
18 hours ago ยท (emphasis added)
Like it or not, fundraising IS a major factor in electability.
The 2012 Q1 FEC Reports - due Sunday, April 15th (the day after the Convention) - document that ability, for better or for worse. The FEC Q1 Report filing will be the 3rd filed report for Sund and the 2nd filed report for Barnes.
What those reports show are very important for Delegates to consider, when they choose who to endorse to take on Erik Paulsen, R=Bachmann.
Calls to Staffers asking if Team Sund would have their FEC Filing available were not returned at time of posting; I'll update if necessary.
This Saturday, April 14th, CD3 Delegates will endorse a candidate to beat Erik Paulsen. Beating Paulsen is doable - especially now that he's told CD3GOPers that he's all-in with the Ryan Budget.
So, where are the Delegates at, heading into Saturday? According to reports, Uncommitted won the Senate District Conventions (62 Uncommitted, 44 Sund, 36 Barnes). I believe the "magic number" for endorsement is somewhere around 90, so Saturday looks to be exciting!
Now, some of those in the "official" "uncommitted" category, are hardly uncommitted - like me! I started out in an one uncommitted sub-caucus; I ended up in a different uncommitted sub-caucus - and I know for a fact that the lady and I are both strong Barnes supporters.
So take that "uncommitted" having the lead, now, with a grain of salt.
For those Delegates and Alternates that really are uncommitted, there's a great opportunity to meet and talk with Brian Barnes and his supporters this Thursday. - I'll be there! This will be a great opportunity to not only talk to the candidate, but meet the team - campaigns are about much more than the candidate; it's about the whole package and Team Barnes has assembled a top-notch team to beat Paulsen!
Saturday's Convention is a big day; here's the details:
April 14, 2012, 9 am to 3 pm
Registration opens at 9 am
Training Sessions begin at 9 am
Call to order at 11 am
Oh, and about those training sessions? Here's one Delegates and Alternates won't want to miss: 9:00 am and 10:00 am Effectively Using Social Media - MN Progressive Project Bloggers, Joe Bodell, Eric Pusey, and yours truly, the ol' TwoPutter!
APRIL 5TH, 2012
Brian Barnes received the endorsement of the Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council in the 3rd Congressional District today.
"Brian is the best candidate to represent the residents of the 3rd District, and to win the November election," said Dan McConnell, Business Manager for the Building and Construction Trades Council. "We're proud to partner with him through the election in November, and look forward to working with Congressman Barnes to build an economic recovery that works for all Minnesotans."
"He gets it," said Pete Parris, Political Director for the Sheet Metal Workers Local #10, and a DFL delegate from SD47 in Waconia, the new part of the district. "He's been a union member. He understands the issues that affect working families and he has the kind of real-world job creation background that we need in our next congressman."
If the unions are going out of their way to get involved in the race before the DFL delegates endorse, then they see something the like -- and the underlying truth in CD3 is that every union member in the district knows that Erik Paulsen is no friend of theirs. Before getting there, however, don't discount the strength of the unions (and that little quote from a union member who also happens to be a delegate!) in helping set up and run a convention operation.
Brian Barnes received the endorsement of the Minneapolis Building and Construction Trades Council in the 3rd Congressional District today.
"Brian is the best candidate to represent the residents of the 3rd District, and to win the November election," said Dan McConnell, Business Manager for the Building and Construction Trades Council. "We're proud to partner with him through the election in November, and look forward to working with Congressman Barnes to build an economic recovery that works for all Minnesotans."
Yesterday, Sharon Sund received an A rating from the Stonewall DFL. The A rating demonstrates the growth of Sund's leadership on LGBT issues since the initial screening in December.
Sharon created an LGBTQ Issues tab on the website.
Sharon posted a YouTube video as part of the "It Gets Better" campaign.
Sharon said, "I am proud to be recognized as a leader on LGBTQ issues from school safety to marriage equality."
Brian Barnes also earned an A rating as well. It is important that the DFL nominee be a clear contrast to Erik Paulsen on equality!
I'm supporting Brian Barnes' campaign for Congress in the Third district, and I'm encouraging you to do the same.
I interviewed Barnes back in October of last year and he's done nothing but impress me since then with his devotion to a tough campaign and his ability to get volunteers and activists excited about the effort. These things are absolutely required against Erik Paulsen, who will have a ton of money in his coffers and an ever-so-slightly redder district in which to run.
This shouldn't be treated as any particular problem with Sharon Sund. I respect anyone and everyone who's willing to put in the time and effort required to make a campaign come to life. But Sund's message, stump speech, and issue focus seems better geared for the state level rather than the federal. I like the idea of Barnes going toe-to-toe with Erik Paulsen in a televised/livestreamed debate, and his no-holds-barred take on marriage equality is refreshing given all the equivocation and thinly veiled distaste for equality we get from elected officials like Paulsen.
Let's not mince words: the Third is going to be a tough race no matter who the DFL nominates. But with Barack Obama against the Crazy Clown Car Patrol and Amy Klobuchar against Whoever McGee, the air wars overhead favor a strong DFL candidate. That candidate is Brian Barnes -- his band of rabid young volunteers is on the phones every day, and they're going to be sticking to it all summer, and Barnes himself will be sticking it to Paulsen right through November.
So all you undecided DFL Senate District convention delegates reading this - take note. You want the strongest possible candidate to take on Erik Paulsen this year, you got him: find those subcaucuses for Brian Barnes, and get yourself into them.
While I focus on covering the corruption and dirty politics of the Republican Party, I do keep an eye on what's happening in the Democratic Party. I just usually don't write about it. Today, I will.
The redistricting maps have been approved, the lines are drawn and set in stone. I'm not hearing of anyone deciding that based on the new lines, they're in. If anyone was sitting on the sidelines waiting to see what the new CD3 political landscape looked like, the time to jump into the race has come and gone.
So we're down to two candidates, and I've made my decision who to back - it's Brian Barnes.
But quite frankly, it doesn't matter that no one else jumped in; the right candidate - Brian Barnes - was already in!
Brian is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and has served in the Navy Reserves, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Been there, done that: Brian has been a part of the greatest military in the world.
And Brian understands - as all with a military background do - that we, as a country, should only go to war because we HAVE to; unlike Republicans, who think we should go to war because they WANT to.
Brian has a real business background, working for a Minnesota based Fortune 200 company. Been there, done that: Brian knows what it takes to be successful in business.
But it's more than just a successful background; it's how Brian has conducted his campaign so far: he's attracted top-notch talent to his campaign team, he's attracted young and energetic volunteers, and he's worked hard to polish his public speaking ability.
Since last summer, Brian's stump speeches have gotten better and Better and BETTER! In all facets of this campaign, Brian keeps getting better and Better and BETTER! While I'm excited at where this campaign is now, I'm absolutely ecstatic at where it will be as it continues to gain momentum and heads towards the general election!
When I look at what Brian has - and will! - accomplish, it's easy to understand why: Brian achieved, in his youth, something that sticks and is always with him: Brian is an Eagle Scout.
"Be prepared for what?" someone once asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting,
"Why, for any old thing." said Baden-Powell.
The training you receive in your troop will help you live up to the Scout motto. When someone has an accident, you are prepared because of your first aid instruction. Because of lifesaving practice, you might be able to save a nonswimmer who has fallen into deep water.
But Baden-Powell wasn't thinking just of being ready for emergencies. His idea was that all Scouts should prepare themselves to become productive citizens and to give happiness to other people. He wanted each Scout to be ready in mind and body for any struggles, and to meet with a strong heart whatever challenges might lie ahead.
Be prepared for life - to live happily and without regret, knowing that you have done your best. That's what the Scout motto means.
Page updated on: August 05, 2007
Quite frankly, Brian Barnes has the background, the training, the resume, and the temperament to take on Erik Paulsen and win.
Career politician Erik Paulsen first door knocked me in 1994; I didn't like his politics then and I damned sure don't like them now.
It's time to send career politician Paulsen to the private sector - full time - for employment - which, of course, would be a first for him.
And Brian Barnes is the candidate to do just that.
Join me, and help send Brian Barnes, a man you can trust, to represent us - ALL of us - as Minnesota's next Representative in the United States Congress!
According to a news release, starting at 9 a.m. tomorrow [Friday, e.g., today], Paulsen is also set to tour the Bloomington McDonald's on Lyndale Avenue "where he will work the front counter and the drive-thru."
The McDonald's is at 9529 Lyndale Ave. S.
Stunts like this are...well, boring, really. They're designed to give a few people the "OMIGAWD GUESS WHO SERVED ME MY HAPPY MEAL" stories for the water cooler the next day, and demonstrate how in-touch-with-the-working-man the elected official is.
Of course, where does Mr. Paulsen stand on the minimum wage? It's relevant, since most of the workers with whom he shared his "job" today are somewhere near that wage level. And food safety tends to be an important issue at fast food joints, right? Paulsen voted against the Food Safety Modernization Act in 2010 (it passed anyway).
Events like this one are a lot like the food Paulsen served this morning: knowing what's going on beneath the surface tends to make you like it less.
Rick Kahn has joined the Brian Barnes campaign. Kahn is a long-time DFL activist who has worked on Paul Wellstone's and Tim Walz's campaigns. He's a resident of MN-03, living in Edina.
"You have a view about the kind of world you'd like your children, and their children, to live in," Kahn said. "And there are people who can play a vitally important role in terms of how we end up with the kind of future I would like to see. It was very clear to me in talking to Brian that that's why he's in it."
Barnes launched his campaign last summer and is vying against Sharon Sund for the DFL endorsement to face Rep. Erik Paulsen (R).
"(Candidates who win) can talk about the important things in a way that's compelling," Kahn continued. "Not just to people who vote for whoever the Republican or Democrat is. That's not enough. For Paul Wellstone, Tim Walz or Brian Barnes to win ... you have to be able to persuade people who don't already agree with you to vote for you anyway. People have to be able to say, You know, I'm not sure I agree with everything this guy is saying, but he has courage, he's honest, he cares-he's thoughtful in how he's talking about these issues."
Kahn sees parallels between Barnes and both Wellstone and Walz.
"Brian is putting together the kind of effort that makes it possible to win," Kahn said. "He's running because he wants to do something very important-to try and make this a better country, and a better world, for everybody. And I just want to be helpful in any way I can."
"This is a grassroots effort," Barnes said. "We're taking on a career politician and we're not going to win by trying to out-insider Erik Paulsen. Races like this are won by going voter-to-voter in a real and meaningful way. Rick's someone who understands that and can help us bring it all together."
I was at Caucus Tuesday night, standing by candidate's tables. A guy asked me why I was wearing a Barnes sticker. While explaining, a Sund staffer walked over to get into the conversation. She stated that the DCCC says Sund is the most electable of the two. I responded that since neither candidate is hitting the fundraising numbers the DCCC wants for it to get involved (think: $200k), I highly doubt the D-Trip figured either was really electable - at this time. Sad, but true - as winnable as the Third is, the D-Trip wanted to see $200k in the 4th quarter. The staffer pivoted and proceeded to rip into Barnes' numbers.
Which struck me as rather odd; I'd heard the opposite of what I was hearing from Sund's staffer last night. But, hey - I'm not one to write about DFL stuff, unless the stuff I hear is really rather unbelievable - like the time Tinklenberg claimed in a debate he wasn't a lobbyist.
And then I heard the same staffer say the same kind of stuff while doing surrogate stump speeches in the Precinct Caucus room! That Sund was the most electable (among other reasons) because of fundraising ability!
So, I am going to write about this - right now.
Now, those that are following the ol' TwoPutter's "Continuing Cooked Books Series" know the ol' TwoPutter knows his way around FEC Reports.
So, let's look at the FEC Reports, for Barnes and Sund!
Monday January 16th is Martin Luther King Day. I just got an email in the ol' in box - let's look!
"(W)e refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation."
We've come a long way since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke those words on a fateful summer day in 1963.
But despite the great strides that have been made over the last half century, there is still work required of us to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity of which King dreamed.
While we are a rich country, too many children attend failing schools.
While many Americans prosper, too many are working too hard for too little.
While bigotry and intolerance are rightly shunned, too many politicians in Washington still quietly seek to perpetuate divisions--based on race, religion, gender and sexuality. They still tell us that those who differ from us are to be feared.
Yes, we're a better, stronger, more just society than we were in 1963, but there is work left to be done.
So as we honor Dr. King on Monday, let us also take time to renew the calling of his life and make it our own--in this election and beyond.
Brian Barnes has announced his candidacy to replace the guy on the "right" - Erik Paulsen. What can I say about Paulsen in just a few words? Well, career-politician Erik Paulsen first door knocked me WAY back, when running for the Minnesota State House - I didn't like Paulsen's politics then and I damn sure don't like them now. Oh - and his voting record closely resembles Michele Bachmann's. If you believe the 1% needs devoted water carriers in Washington D.C., Paulsen's just the guy.
Brian Barnes, on the other hand, has been a union member. He's been active in the Democratic Party ("DFL" here in Minnesota). He's a graduate of the Coast Guard Merchant Marine Academy, achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserves, is a successful businessman. Oh - and Brian is an Eagle Scout, too.
It's a clear contrast. And if you support the 1% and Erik Paulsen, you need not do a thing - Wall Street Fat Cats are making sure Paulsen has PLENTY of dough for November's election. If you support the 99%, Brian can use your help, and you can help out via Brian's Act Blue page.
It's fitting Brain Barnes took that quote to honor Martin Luther King Day; that quote is from MLK's historic "I Have A Dream" speech, which Dr, King delivered on August 28, 1963. As Brain said above, we HAVE come a long way since Dr. King's speech - and there's work left to be done. So, let's DO IT!
To help you get ready for Monday's Martin Luther King Day, here's a YouTube of Dr. King's speech, over music - enjoy!
(the song above - "Spiritual High (Part 3)" - is from the album "Mood Food" by Mood Swings, and is available where I buy my music - The Electric Fetus. If you like Chrissie Hynde, check out "Spiritual High (Part 1)" - Chrissie singing at her best!)
A couple years ago, Bill Clinton noted that everyone who bet against America ended up losing money over the long run.
While I respect the sentiment, the statement has been proven false time and time again by Washington Republicans.
With their enablers on Capitol Hill and in state Capitols doing the dirty work, people like the Koch brothers are getting rich ... by betting against America.
It's time to stop pulling punches and call this what it is: anti-American.
Yes, for the first time in my life, I'm quoting Michele Bachmann. I wish there was a way around it, but facts are facts.
It is anti-American to attack the right to unionize.
It is anti-American to hold jobless benefits hostage in exchange for giveaways to the rich.
It is anti-American to deny veterans the benefits they have earned.
It is anti-American to play politics with disaster relief.
And it is anti-American to threaten to pull the plug on Social Security and Medicare.
The United States was never a great country because those with the most could get even more.
The essence of America is that those with little have always had a fair shot to make a better life.
Today, however, that core value is under threat ... not by a foreign enemy, but instead by fat cat politicians doing the bidding of those who couldn't care less about what happens on Main Streets across our country.
I'm running for Congress because I still believe in America.
I'm running for Congress because I think a strong America -- one where everyone has a shot at succeeding -- is the greatest force for good in the world.
I'm running for Congress because I refuse to believe it's time for our country to fade into the dark.
But I can't do it alone. I'm going up against Erik Paulsen -- a well-funded incumbent who votes just like Bachmann, our fellow Minnesotan.
I spent most of yesterday watching Twitter traffic relating to the 
While I focus on covering the corruption and dirty politics of the Republican Party, I do keep an eye on what's happening in the Democratic Party. I just usually don't write about it. Today, I will.
Rick Kahn has joined the Brian Barnes campaign. Kahn is a long-time DFL activist who has worked on Paul Wellstone's and Tim Walz's campaigns. He's a resident of MN-03, living in Edina.
