A couple of people asked me to do a blog on Mark Dayton's attitude toward the DFL endorsement. One woman told me that I would get a lot of comments about such a blog.
Okay then. I guess it's a fair question. You have to understand, though, that I'm not a staffer and am not in his confidence. What I know about it is only what he has said in the media or at gubernatorial debates and forums.
Dayton has stated that he thinks all the voters should decide who the DFL candidate is going to be at the general election in November. The voters make this decision by voting in the Primary. My opinion is that his reasoning does sound more reasonable than the decision being made by delegates. On the other hand, I also understand the viewpoint of those who say that it's the delegates who know the most about all the candidates. Most voters at the Primary don't.
There are those who think that Dayton has bypassed the endorsement process because he doesn't think he has a good chance of winning it. To that I respond that it wouldn't matter, because he'd still go to the Primary anyway, along with Entenza and Gaertner. That being the case, why spend time, energy and money on courting the endorsement process? Why not just go all over Minnesota in person to state your case before those who will be voting in the Primary? That's exactly what Dayton is doing in his 87 counties in 87 days campaign.
The pictures on the Mark Dayton for a Better Minnesota website show that at each of these events, no more than ten to twenty or thirty people show up. These are mostly seniors. Will this be enough to win the Primary?
As my oldest son Justin said, it doesn't matter how many people actually show up at these events. Everyone knows who Dayton is. Many people go to the polls and just vote for the name they recognize. The very large Baby Boomer population will vote for the candidate they know fought hard for them when he was a U. S. Senator. The candidate who donated his salary to the Senior Federation. The candidate who took them to Canada to buy prescription drugs at cheaper prices. The candidate who has promised to put his Lt. Governor in charge of senior issues.
What's your opinion, dear readers? Do you think Mark Dayton is right to avoid the endorsement process? Do you think his motives are pure? Do you think we should just get rid of the endorsement process? What would the pros and cons of that be? Do you think Dayton is trying to buy the election because he can? Will Entenza try to do the same? Is everything just political? How sad would that be? Do politicians have a life outside of politics? Should they? And is everything a candidate does or say geared toward getting votes? Or can sincerity enter into it?
Today I attended the SD64 Convention at Central High School in St. Paul. There was a very good turnout and the energy level was high. I had a good time and found myself grinning at all my candidate friends.
Let's get the awards out of the way first.
Best tie: J. P. Barone
Most applause: R. T. Rybak
Most Improved Presentation: Matt Entenza
Most Entertaining: Tom Rukavina
Most Elusive: Mark Dayton (he was nowhere to be found)
Most Campaign T-shirts: Paul Thissen and R. T. Rybak (all these t-shirts were running around like characters in a Disney movie)
Since Reps. EriK Paulsen (R) and Tim Walz (D) raised the subject of lifting the moratorium on building new nuclear power plants in MN, I figured it was time to get statements from the DFL MN-GOV candidates on the subject. They all oppose lifting the moratorium except RT Rybak who didn't answer the question and doesn't want to rule it out.
Margaret Anderson-Kelliher - concerned about storage, MN should create clean energy jobs.
Mark Dayton - Lifting the moratorium would be an injustice placed upon future generations.
Matt Entenza - A centerpiece of his campaign has been green energy solutions.
John Marty - he wrote the moratorium bill, nuff said.
Tom Rukavina - for moratorium until we figure out national disposal situation.
RT Rybak - Maximize energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy sources first, but doesn't want to take nuclear off the table. RT wants the moratorium.
Paul Thissen - MN should lead in green technologies.
All you Dayton supporters out there who have Mark Dayton for a Better Minnesota bumper stickers on your vehicles - watch out for the Dayton Bumper Sticker Ripper who is on the loose. I've had three Dayton Bumper Stickers ripped off of my back bumper in the last 1 1/2 weeks. Part of the stickers stuck to the bumper, but more than half of each was missing. One was missing all but a small part of the right side. My reNEW MN and TakeAction MN bumper stickers were not touched.
Who would want to vandalize my Dayton Bumper Stickers? The nerve of some people! Now I'm out again and can't get another one. I'm so frustrated. I wish whoever is doing it would keep their hands off my car. Not that my car is anything special. That is, it wasn't until it was decorated with the beautiful red, white and blue Dayton Bumper Stickers. I wish I could get my hands on the Ripper.
It's probably some Republican. Or maybe even a DFLer who is mad because Mark Dayton won't pursue the endorsement or even have his name on the ballots. Rumor has it that all those undecided votes are Dayton supporters who are going to get him the DFL endorsement whether he likes it or not. (I'm sure he'd love it.) Wow, that will be an interesting state convention if that happens. I'd join that caucus in a heartbeat.
Do you think it would help if I glued a Dayton Bumper Sticker on my bumper with super glue? Boy, the Dayton Bumper Sticker Ripper would sure be surprised when he (or she) found that it couldn't be ripped off. I wonder if someone would be so kind as to send me about three Dayton Bumper Stickers.
Governor Tim Pawlenty is making most Democrats, some Republicans and Minnesotans all across the state very, very angry and frustrated. Some are filled with rage at his antics. There are getting to be a lot of posts on Facebook that reflect that anger. I myself wrote such a post. I meant it figuratively, as a metaphor for the worst governor Minnesota has ever had, yet there were some who took me literally. This was most notably Luke Hellier on MDE (Minnesota Democrats Exposed). That blog, as most of us know, is dedicated to making democrats look bad. Hellier, and previously Brodcrap, will take the least little innocent item they can find about any democrat in the political arena and blow it all out of proportion with misrepresentations and gross exaggerations.
Shoud democrats accept this? Most of us are pacifists and against war, but if someone tries to destroy our home and our families, won't we defend ourselves? Won't we defend our homes and our families?
We won't lower ourselves to MDE's level. We might, however, express ourselves with words. And we will fight all the way in the legislature. Our current democratic legislators are doing a great job in fighting against Pawlenty's relentless attack on the poor, the homeless, the downtrodden, the disabled and the veterans. Many Republicans have joined them this time. Minnesotans will not stand by and allow the Pawlentys of this world to victimize the defenseless.
Should our blogs and posts include hate toward Pawlenty? In a perfect world, probably not. Did we hate Hitler? Did we hate Hussein? Do we hate evil? And what is evil, anyway? As I recall, someone once said "as you do it to the least of these my brethern, you do it to me." Should we not come to the rescue of those who are trampled upon?
A post I previously made on my April Knight blog was ill received by many. Some applauded me. Some agreed. All this shows me is that people are fed up with the antics of Governor Veto.
I saw another post on Facebook today that reflected this anger toward Pawlenty. Here's what it says:
Pawlenty says he will shoot down bonding bill.
Pawlenty chided DFL legislators and said he would veto the entire bonding bill.
Source:Politics in Minnesota
Published:2010-02-23 05:15:33 GMT
Gretchen: so much for 21,000 jobs. Send them to use their ingenuity, just like the poor, sick, old & young...
Dave: Anybody offer to shoot down Pawlenty? Gawd what a loser and an ASS!
This is like the experience that Henry II of England had centuries ago. He had a priest named Thomas Beckett. The two did not get along at all. Beckett did things that made Henry very angry and frustrated. Henry blurted out, "Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?" Of course he did not think that anyone would take him up on it. He just spat out what he was thinking. Three knights, however, took him at his word and eliminated the priest. Henry was astounded.
The moral is that we need to be careful what we say and what we write, just to cover our asses, in case someone thinks we really want someone dead, when that is not the case.
Going further, is Pawlenty evil? Is his budget evil? Is the way he thinks evil? Is his behavior evil? Some think so. Others think that the word evil has no place in politics or policy discussions. Yet when the decisions of one man destroys the lives of others, what are we to think? Are we to let it slide on by? Or are we to stand up and fight against a wrong? Do we revolt? Do we portray our indignities in verbal and written word? Do we stand by and do nothing? Or would that be a great evil?
I asked about this on a particular forum and encouraged reader comments. The responses were divided.
Six DFL candidates participated in the DFL gubernatorial debate at Augsburg College last night (February 16, 2010). They were R. T. Rybak, Tom Rukavina, Paul Thissen, Mark Dayton, John Marty and Tom Bakk. The event was sponsored by Sabo Center and Augsburg Political Science Department.
Since I never like to go home first after work, I went straight to Augsburg . I arrived around 4:30. I found the building and the auditorium, then went next door to the Student Center cafeteria and had a very light dinner, which I couldn't finish because I've lost my appetite in the past couple of months.
I went back to the Music Hall, where the debate was taking place. It was still early, so I wandered down the hallway and found a Medieval Event going on in the chapel. How I wanted to go there instead of to the debate. If you've seen one gubernatorial candidate forum, you've seen them all. It's not often that a medieval event takes place, though. I have a double major from the University of Minnesota in English literature and history. My history emphasis was Tudor/Stuart England as well as Renaissance and Medieval History. I love the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee and try to go there every year.
Duty called, and back I went down the hallway to the auditorium. It was still early, so I chatted for awhile with the moderator of the gubernatorial debate. This was Jay Benanav, Augsburg 's director of government relations. He is a former member of the St. Paul City Council. I had a very interesting conversation with him for about twenty minutes.
"The next governor will set the tone for issues ranging from health care to the environment to taxes to economic development," said Benanav. "All of these issues will impact the job market in the state and would directly impact the ability to get a job in Minnesota after graduation."
By now people were beginning to arrive, including campaign staffers. Benanav went off to prepare for his duties of the evening. Frank Brown, my friend from TakeAction MN and Second Chance Coalition, walked in the door and came over to say hi to me. It was good to see him again.
Rybak has a lot of excellent staffers. They're always right on top of it as they try to get new supporters. They tried to get me, but Brian II from Dayton's campaign put a stop to that. Orrie tried once again to get me to support Rukavina. Since I'm going to be a delegate at the SD53 convention this Saturday, and since my alleged candidate is not part of the endorsement process by choice, Orrie figured I may as well caucus for Rukavina. I really ought to caucus for reNEW MN. (Coincidentally, I just got off the phone with Elizabeth from TakeAction.) Tom Rukavina caught me in the aisle of the auditorium and pressed one of his campaign buttons into my hand and smiled so engagingly. How come Dayton never does that? Oh well, he gives hugs. I can go a long time (at least 24 hours) on a good hug. Hugs are energizing.
Kudos to Paul Thissen, Tom Rukavina and Mark Dayton for coming up to me before the debate and asking how I am. They all know I'm fighting liver disease. It's nice of them to remember to inquire after my health. I had a chance to talk to Paul Thissen for several minutes regarding Pawlenty's horrible budget news. Paul is always ready to listen and to respond in a meaningful way. When you talk to him, you know he's really listening. He's focused on you and not on the next voter or the next person who might be walking in the door. He should give lessons on that to all the other candidates.
Frank Brown and I sat in front of the auditorium, in the second row, so we could see the candidates up close and hear what they said. The forum began promptly at 7:00. A few prepared questions focusing on education issues and policy were asked of the candidates. At the end of the prepared questions and the candidates' answers, the audience was invited to ask questions.
I met Frank J. Brown a couple of months ago when I was wandering the skyway on my lunch hour. I saw a nifty little art gallery so I went in to see if I could convince anyone to vote for Mark Dayton for governor. I also like art galleries for the sake of the art.
The artist who owns the gallery is Frank J. Brown. He's very friendly and knowledgeable about a variety of subjects, particularly political topics that have to do with diversity, culture and discrimination. He even spoke before the legislature back in 2008 to give his views on the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. If you want to know anything at all about job discrimination in St. Paul, go talk to Frank.
Frank knows alot about what's going on in the world, particularly in the Twin Cities. I asked him which gubernatorial candidate he's going to vote for. He told me he's trying to decide between Dayton and Rybak. He's worked with Rybak and likes him very much. He also likes Dayton and was always impressed by him for standing up for the Black Panthers in their hour of need. (I did not previously know that, but it's another example of Dayton doing what's morally and ethically right no matter what popular opinion is.)
Frank told me that he would be glad to talk to any of the candidates. I told two DFL gubernatorial candidates about him and where to find him, but neither candidate called Frank or went to see him. Wouldn't you think they would care about the votes of all the people who live in downtown St. Paul? And all the artists who both live and work there? Frank knows an incredible number of people. I really wish the candidates would take me seriously when I tell them something. I wouldn't waste their time with garbage. I know why I'm not taken seriously, but that's best left to another blog on another day.
Another thing that Frank previously did was work on a bill with Paul Wellstone. Frank was always very impressed with Wellstone. I daresay that Wellstone was quite taken with Frank Brown, as well.
Mark Dayton is on his 87 counties in 87 days tour. So far he has visited 32 counties and has 65 days left in the tour. Being on the road that many days must take a lot of energy, but Dayton retains his high energy level and his stamina. Roads in southern Minnesota have been treacherous, but none of the events have been cancelled. Dayton and his staff meet each committment with a positive attitude and a deep concern for Minnesotans all across the state.
He's been getting good feedback and an excellent reception from all the counties that he has visited thus far. Here's what the Sentinel Online in Fairmont, MN has to say:
Feb. 11, 2010
FAIRMONT - Mark Dayton has been around the political block, apparent from the group gathered at Perkins to see the gubernatorial candidate Wednesday in Fairmont.
Evidence? A two-decade old purple bumper sticker on a vehicle in the parking lot supporting Dayton for state auditor in 1990.
Further proof? Questions from the people gathered to see him focused almost as much on his experience as a one-term U.S. senator as his run for governor.
As Dayton's time in Fairmont ran short, one supporter asked him, "What can we do to help you get elected?
"Vote on primary day," he said.
The big day for Dayton is Aug. 10. Choosing to skip the endorsement process, Dayton will not be party insiders' choice to represent Democrats. Instead, he is banking on support from the general public. Dayton is traveling through Minnesota, hitting each county at least once before voters must decide who they want to represent the DFL on the ballot in November.
"I don't see these as partisan concerns for Minnesota," Dayton said, regarding conservatives who might shy away from his political plans. "... A lot of Republican city and county leaders are coming to these meetings, and they're saying the trust between the state and city has been destroyed."
He made clear his beliefs on the state's fiscal and moral obligations - obligations he feels Minnesota's current governor, Tim Pawlenty, has failed to uphold with unallotments of state aid to cities, counties and schools.
"The state has a responsibility to provide equal education to all students. I promise to increase K-12 funding every year I'm governor - no excuses," he said.
Pushing tax burdens down to the local level wasn't fair, in Dayton's opinion.
"I hope this unallotment is proven unconstitutional," he said.
Dayton rejected Pawlenty's claim that he enforced no new taxes, citing increasing property taxes, fees and school referendums, and local governments increasingly struggling with the burden they're bearing.
"I drove around Fairmont ... and noticed you have almost as many potholes as Minneapolis," he said, pointing out that cuts in transportation funding have really made a difference.
"Why not do a $1 billion bonding bill?" a man asked Dayton. "Borrow cheap."
"Why not?" Dayton concurred.
Other people attending the meeting Wednesday had other concerns on their mind, such as jobs.
"We need work," one man said.
Dayton agreed, sharing his idea to start a revolving loan fund with money saved by retrofitting state buildings with energy efficient heating and cooling systems to lower energy costs and put people to work.
"Hopefully we could serve as an example to the private sector," he said. "... We need to find innovative ways to use our intuition. We need creative ideas. ... We're the brain-power state."
If elected governor, working with both sides of the aisle to accomplish his goals is possible, he said: "I'll work with whoever the people of Minnesota elect to represent them."
If Mark Dayton keeps up the pace and keeps getting such a wonderful reception from people all across Minnesota, he'll have an excellent chance of winning the DFL Primary.
(Now I don't know if a person who still thinks the Vikings are going to win can be trusted with political advice. However, I have been pondering the advantages of Tom Rukavina as a running mate, who manages to make even non-supporters laugh and enjoy his company. - promoted by Grace Kelly)
As I bide time before the start of the Super Bowl I give you this NFL metaphor for the Minnesota DFL gubernatorial candidates as the county conventions and April state convention approach. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, the winner of the Feb. 2 straw vote, and House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, a very close second in the straw vote, control their own destinies. The only way one of these two are not the DFL endorsed candidate is if both of them flame out at the local conventions or destroy one another. We live in Minnesota, home of the Vikings, and we're talking about Democrats, which means that both of these things are possible.
So Rybak and Kelliher are the front runners. Every other candidate still has a chance but, in football commentator vernacular, they need some help. Matt Entenza has the ability to increase his payroll and marketing to help himself. John Marty, Tom Rukavina and Paul Thissen all need external help to some degree; Tom Bakk and Susan Gaertner need it to a larger degree. In most cases, this means that each of these candidates needs one or more specific other candidates to falter and drop before the first ballot of the state convention. Meantime, Mark Dayton, who's waiting for the primary, represents the metaphorical New Orleans Saints in the NFC championship game. The endorsed candidate could beat him. No really, they could. (Run it, Favre. RUN IT!) Don't read too much into the direct football to candidate parallels. I'm just imagining the "what ifs" for the Vikings this year.
Who will Minnesota's next governor be? We'll assume and hope that it will be a DFLer. There are a lot of candidates. Which one should we vote for? How do voters choose?
Many voters choose a name on the ballot at random. We've all done this at some point over the years, especially when we see a list of judges or county attorneys on the ballot. Most people have no idea who these candidates are. Some voters choose a name that sounds good to them or is vaguely familiar. Others may choose by gender. Some will choose a female just for the sake of having more females in office.
Others choose a name that they recognize. The more recognizable the candidate's name is, the better the chances of getting elected. In this year's gubernatorial race, the two top candidates for name recognition, at least so far, are Mark Dayton and R. T. Rybak.
Some voters actually research the candidates' stand on various issues. Others abide by the party's endorsement or by the endorsement of their union or other organization. Others will vote for their legislator who happens to be running for governor.
Many others vote on personalities. Jesse Ventura had a personality that was unforgettable. Skip Humphrey didn't. Norm Coleman might have had but his mudslinging alienated voters.
Finally, voters vote for a candidate they resonate with. They want a candidate they have something in common with. If they think a particular candidate is nothing at all like them, they probably won't vote for that person.
What is the truth about Mark Dayton's senate years? Some say he was ineffective. An irresponsible Time magazine reporter unfairly called him a blunderer. The Republicans, never missing a chance to harpoon a Democrat, accused him of erratic behavior. What's the real story? WCCO had a good take on it.
Nov 19, 2006 4:04 pm US/Central
Dayton Says He Could've Won Against Kennedy
Washington, D.C. (AP)
Sen. Mark Dayton called it quits after one term because he was afraid he might cost Democrats a Senate seat. Now, he says he thinks he would have beaten Republican Mark Kennedy.
"But if you'd give me a piece of paper, even today, and said, 'Sign here on the bottom line, and you'll be a senator for another six-year term,' I wouldn't sign it," Dayton said in an interview in his Capitol Hill office Friday.
As his fellow Democrats celebrate their return to power, Dayton was wishing them well but seemed content to walk away. By his account and others, he was never a good fit in the Senate.
"It's a very frustrating place," he said.
Many of Dayton's initiatives -- such as his uphill battle to get Congress to live up to its promise to provide more money for special education -- never got through the Senate.
Others, such as his amendment preventing members of Congress from getting a better prescription drug benefit than Medicare beneficiaries, passed the Senate overwhelmingly in 2003, only to be stripped out in House-Senate negotiations.
Former Sen. Dave Durenberger, a Minnesota Republican who defeated Dayton in the 1982 Senate race, said that Dayton would have done better in a more bipartisan era.
"It was a lot more political than he was prepared for," Durenberger said. "He's the kind of person who probably would have fit in another time. Most of the time he was in the minority. There was always the challenge of President Bush and the Republican agenda."
Former Vice President and Minnesota Sen. Walter Mondale, a Democrat, called Dayton a good senator who had the disadvantage of being in the minority through most of his term.
"And that is hard," Mondale said, "particularly during these times when politics is so belligerent. If you're in the minority, you're like a bug on the road."
Dayton said he has no regrets leaving the Senate even though he would have been in the majority next year.
"I would be 70th in seniority if I had been re-elected," said Dayton, who began his Senate career last in seniority six years ago. "I still wouldn't be chairing a subcommittee. I'd still be on the bottom half of seniority on the committees."
Dayton, a multimillionaire department store heir, spent about $12 million of his own money to fund his winning campaign over Republican Sen. Rod Grams in 2000. But he decided he couldn't afford to self-fund another campaign, and struggled to raise money, which he said he detested.
In the summer of 2004, during a congressional recess, he closed his Washington office, saying a secret intelligence report made him fear for his staff's safety. That led to widespread criticism.
Sagging in both the polls and fundraising, Dayton announced in February of last year that he would not seek re-election, declaring, "I do not believe that I am the best candidate to lead the party to victory next year."
"I never heard a more courageous statement than that," said Mondale, for whom Dayton worked as a Senate aide in the 1970s. "He could have said, 'Well, I want to go on to other things,' but to say, in his own opinion, he wasn't the best candidate, that's a very gutsy thing to say. You don't hear that sort of talk much."
Democrat Amy Klobuchar won the DFL primary and went on to beat Kennedy by 20 points. Dayton said he thinks he would have beaten Kennedy by six points.
Even in the campaign, Kennedy and Republicans tried to make Dayton the issue, repeatedly mocking Dayton as "Amy's hero."
"I thought it was a typically low blow by a bunch of sewer rats, who specialize in that kind of campaign," Dayton said. Kennedy did not return phone messages left at his congressional office Friday.
Joseph Kunkel, a political science professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato, said it's hard to say whether Dayton could have won.
"It was a good year for Democrats and Democrats in Minnesota, and Mark Kennedy was a very poor candidate as it turned out," he said. "But Dayton had been demonized as this ineffectual senator, which wasn't all that deserved. Republicans were going to make him into Senator Goofy, and he saw that coming."
Dayton said he's most proud of his vote, in October 2002, against authorizing military force in Iraq.
"I concluded that the war would weaken our national security, rather than strengthen it, and I have no doubt that my concerns were validated by where we stand today. Iraq's a disaster," he said.
But Dayton called that vote "symbolic of my situation here," noting that he was in a minority and that Congress approved the resolution.
"So if I look at what I've been able to quote/unquote accomplish here, much of what I feel best about trying to do, I've been unsuccessful," he said.
Given that frustration, Dayton said, he's tried to focus on constituent work and legislation tailored to Minnesota, such as:
--Setting up a health care hotline for people who have been denied claims by HMOs and insurance companies.
--Donating his Senate salary to fund trips by seniors to buy cheaper prescription drugs in Canada.
--Winning $3 million in federal funds for a Minnesota National Guard pilot program, aimed at providing soldiers with counseling and support after returning from combat.
--Securing funding for the hiring of 148 additional patrol agents for the U.S.-Canada border.
Dayton said he doesn't rule out a return to public service, although he won't run for Senate again. He said he doesn't know what he'll do next, but he hopes to stay politically active. He's offered to help out Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., if she decides to run for president.
Dayton's work on a presidential race would likely be in the low-profile way that he prefers.
"I'm not looking for a title," he said. "I'm looking to roll up my sleeves and get involved. I'd rather drive in my car from one Iowa town to another and meet with the local political leadership, have a cup of coffee."
I'm a member of TakeAction Minnesota. This is a grassroots organization that believes in progressive politics. One of our projects is the reNEW Minnesota Campaign. On January 31 we will choose three DFL candidates who we think meet our vision.
See who my choices are after the break.
Here's what we believe.
Our Future Together: A Vision for a reNEWed Minnesota
We have inherited so much good from the people who came before us and we will continue building on that foundation. We also inherit a legacy and ongoing practice of injustice that must be addressed. The decisions we make today will dictate the quality of our lives together and those of generations to come. We create the future for our children's children.
We make these decisions at a crossroads. Minnesota has a proud tradition of community, of helping one another, and of understanding that "we all do better when we all do better." But in the last 20 years, a damaging ideology has gained increasing power in Minnesota government. It has strained our families, divided our neighborhoods, and created needless suffering throughout our state. The future on this path promises further isolation, deprivation and pain.
The ideology we reject:
We reject the ideology of "you're on your own" - the idea that we are better off when competing against each other for our individual lot in life.
We reject the ideology that says markets can solve all problems and that our government can solve none.
We reject the ideology that denies the ongoing impacts of racism in our society.
We reject the politics of "except" - a politics that says some people are not deserving of full participation in our society.
We reject the idea that people should get as much as they can for themselves with no thought to their neighbor.
These Are The Beliefs We Are United On.
This is the Minnesota We Want To Live In.
WE WANT TO LIVE IN a Minnesota Where We Are All In This Together.
We recognize that we do not live in isolation. We are an interconnected and interdependent people. From our family farms and rural towns to our suburbs and cities, we rise together or fall together as a state, not as individuals. We believe community is vital to rebuilding and revitalizing our state. Our problems are experienced together. Our solutions must be created together.
WE WANT TO LIVE IN a Minnesota Where We Make Decisions Now to Improve the Lives of Our Children's Children.
We believe our land, natural resources and social values were passed on to us and are the legacy we leave for future Minnesotans. We must leave a better world for those who come after us.
WE WANT TO LIVE IN a Minnesota Where the Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person Is Recognized Without Exception.
We all benefit when every person has the opportunity to fully participate in every part of our society: from marrying the person they love in a civil ceremony, to participating in our democratic decision making structures. We believe we all have a responsibility to contribute our love, talents, energy and creativity with our family, friends and community without exception.
WE WANT TO LIVE IN a Minnesota Where We Embrace a Politics of Inclusion and Justice for All.
Racism is experienced every day in Minnesota through unequal access to material and social resources. We believe every child born and every newly arrived resident should benefit equally from our quality of life and have the power to make our state better. We believe in a Minnesota where the values, traditions and contributions of Native Americans, Hmong, African Americans, Somalis, Latinos and all immigrants and people of color are valued and respected. We commit to eradicate racism in our society today and to undo the continued impacts of past racism.
WE WANT TO LIVE IN a Minnesota Where There Is A Fair, Equitable Economy That Benefits Everyone.
Minnesota is a wealthy state financially and in our material, social, and natural capital. We believe that workers should be able to meet their basic needs through the wages they earn. We are also responsible for those unable to work, for we are truly free only when economic insecurity and social anxiety are alleviated for all of us and each of us can live our lives to our fullest potential. Alone, each of us is vulnerable. Together we bring boundless creativity and passion. And, if we use them well, we have abundant material resources to tackle the challenges we face as a society.
The Role of Our Elected Leaders in reNEWing Minnesota
We believe that the point of winning elections is to enact positive change in the lives of Minnesotans. We need bold visionary leaders whose mission is to advance our shared values.
We need a governor who will not govern alone. We need a governor who will work with a powerful economic, social, racial justice movement to implement our shared vision. We need a governor who will strengthen our collective democratic institutions - our government institutions as well as our labor and community organizations. We must also change how we act in our relationships with elected officials and among ourselves. Our next governor must cogovern with us, the people of Minnesota.
Conclusion:
The path toward a more just society and a more inclusive and vibrant Minnesota is ahead of us. One hundred years from now, our children's children will live their lives based on the decisions we make as a state now. We commit ourselves to reNEWing Minnesota so that we will all rise together. The choice is ours. We have the power.
I'm getting into a standard routine for these events. Brush teeth, put on face, leave work, remember where I parked my car, get in and hope I don't have to scrape ice off the windshield, figure out which cd to listen to. Tonight would it be Eric Clapton, Jelly's Last Jam or Asleep at the Wheel? Clapton won. Crossroads, Sunshine of My Love, I Shot the Sheriff, and other greatest hits. Now try to decide the best way to go. Shepherd Road to Hwy 5 to I494 sounds good. I should go that way more often. It's quick and direct. Not the safest way to go in my car, but oh well.
The first person I met up with was Orrie. Great to see him again so soon. He asked me so sadly what happened to the Rukavina button he gave me. He noticed I had the Dayton button attached to my purse again. What could I say? He looked so downtrodden about it. Sorry, Orrie. I just couldn't help it.
Holly was there. She sought me out right away. I like to hang with her at these events. I don't think she liked my hat, though.
Tonight I met TwoPutt Tommy. Live and in person. What a cool guy! What did we have in common? We were both wearing a hat. I love hats.
I made it into the reception after all and didn't even have to pay the $25. Ole Savior came to the rescue with some extra passes. Thanks, Ole!
Craig from TheUptake was there again, too. And another guy from TheUptake. Gosh, what was his name? Darn brain fog!
After hanging out for an hour, Holly and I made our way into the ballroom. It was time for the debate. Who were all those people sitting up on the platform? Those are all candidates? Good grief, there sure are a lot of them. Just think, only one is going to win. But each one thinks that it will be him or her. Each of them is convinced of it. Some of them don't have a chance in hell. Others have a high probability of being the One.
There were so many candidates tonight that each person did not get to answer each question. Five candidates answered one question, then five different candidates answered another question. And on it went.
Judy Stuthman from the League of Women Voters laid the ground rules and gave some background information. Later I introduced myself to her as a member of the Captain John Holmes chapter of DAR. I liked Judy and thought she did a great job with her role.
The host and producer of the evening was Gary Eichten. He did an excellent job. Some of the candidates didn't make it easy for him when they went over their time limit and wouldn't quit speaking.
There were nineteen candidates. Count them! Why would anyone want to be governor anyway? Whoever wins will sure have a big mess to clean up. There were a couple of candidates who didn't come. Matt Entenza wasn't there again tonight.
Because of the word limit on this blog, I'll try to keep the answers of each candidate short. That means mega paraphrase. If you want to know more about each candidate and his or her stand on the issues, go to their website.
I'll take each question separately along with each candidate's response. I'll add my own comments, too, because I can't help putting in my two cents worth. Well, with inflation, maybe 25 cents.
This event was at Macalester College tonight. It was sponsored by TLC (Transit for Liveable Communities), as well as by MPTA, Isaiah, Sierra Club, MPIRG, Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, Fresh Energy, Alliance for Metropolitan Stability and 1000 Friends of Minnesota.
This forum had the highest energy level of any event that I have been to yet. Everyone was there. Well, Matt Entenza wasn't there, or Tom Bakk, or Steve Kelley, or Paul Thissen, or even Ole. It was high energy without them, though. I missed Thissen because he always has something new and refreshing to say and because he always makes sure to say hi to me, not for Brownie points, but because he's interested in what I have to say. I hear he's really, really smart...
This forum was a bit different than the others I've been attending because there were several Independent Party candidates. Rob Hahn, Tom Horner and John Uldrich all took part. On the Republican side, there was Leslie Davis. Davis brought copies of his book to give away. He autographed a copy for me. He said he won't forget my name. Honey, none of the candidates will forget my name. I told him I wrote a book, too. He said he would read it. I told him it's a romance novel. He said he'd read it anyway. I wonder if Dayton read his copy yet? I forced it on him for a Christmas present. With an inscription in the front that said, "because all guys ought to read at least one or two romance novels in their life." Right, ladies? Ok, now I sense Tom Rukavina rushing out to buy one.
I felt good tonight at this forum. I felt really crappy all day at work. With hepatitis C there are flareups. The viral load fluctuates. When it flares up, the immune system kicks in along with the flu-like symptoms that accompany it. There was so much energy in the room tonight, though, that I felt great. Gosh, I think I'll quit my job and join somebody's campaign. I haven't felt this energized since my hippie days on the West Bank when I was protesting the Viet Nam War. Or when I was a member of the Twin City Federal Drum & Bugle Corps/Color Guard. We took first place in all the parades for our Headchopper routine. We had a guy who arranged all the Henry Mancini songs to fit our special parade march step. Pink Panther, Peter Gunn, Baby Elephant Walk. Sigh. What great memories.
This event was chaired by Dan Hoxworth. The moderator was Steve Berg. Orrie was there, of course, and the table next to Rukavina's was Dayton's. Brian (not Klaas) was staffing it tonight. What an enjoyable young man, full of energy and enthusiasm and good cheer. There were friends from reNEW Minnesota and TakeAction Minnesota, as well. And I can't forget to mention Craig Stellmacher from The Uptake. I just love him even if he does talk your ear off.
First, each candidate was given time to give a brief introduction. Mark Dayton was the only one who stood up. He'd make such a great Toastmaster. He's already got the techniques down. The other candidates remained seated. They didn't say anything I haven't heard before or won't hear again. The introduction formality was mostly for first-time forum attendees.
After that we got right into the questions and answers. I'll state the questions one at a time and then give each candidate's response.
KSTP filmed and posted on their website parts of Mark Dayton's campaign kickoff speech. The film also shows the reaction of GOP Deputy Chair Michael Brodkorb to Dayton's speech. Brodkorb starts out by saying that Dayton has an inability to answer questions from the press. Good grief, he doesn't have an inability. He probably has a distrust of the press. Who could blame him for that? I wouldn't talk to them either. Besides, Dayton had to be in Duluth by noon to start his 87 counties in 87 days campaign tour. That's more important than the nasty questions some reporters have a propensity to ask.
Brodkorb then further shows us what an unpleasant character he has by saying Dayton displayed erratic behavior in Washington because he was the only senator to close his office during a terroristic threat. I suspect Brodkorb knows the true story about that but his Republican agenda insists that he not reveal the truth. So I'll do it.
The legislature was not in session. It was in recess. All the other senators left their staff behind to finish things up before the next session. There was a very serious terroristic threat. The question is not why Dayton closed his Washington office and sent his staff to carry on in Minnesota. The question is why none of the other senators thought that highly of their staff. Did they think their staff was expendable? The parents of Dayton's young staffers were grateful to him for keeping their kids safe. Perhaps Mr. Brodkorb would like to send his kids into the middle of a threatening situation. Of course we already know that Brodkorb is neither compassionate nor caring and only wishes to degrade his betters.
Let's look further into Brodkorb's hateful statements. He's certainly not a person to display random acts of kindness. He next states that Dayton called himself a failure as a senator. Wrong again, Brodkorb. He didn't just give himself an F. He gave all the senators an F because they didn't accomplish anything. There's a big difference there if you get the story right. Right, Brodkorb?
So, Brodkorb, you need to read a few things so that you can be better informed before you go shooting horrible words off your hateful tongue. Read what Senator Byrd had to say about Dayton closing his office.
Byrd Backs Dayton's Decision to Close Office
AP | Oct 15 2004
WASHINGTON - The Senate's most senior member on Thursday defended Sen. Mark Dayton's decision to close his Washington office over concerns about a terrorist attack.
"Senator Dayton took this precautionary step based on his conscience and his responsibility to his staff," said Sen. Robert Byrd, an eight-term Democratic senator from West Virginia. "I commend him."
Byrd, 86, said in a statement that law enforcement and intelligence experts have warned senators about increased threats to the Capitol in recent weeks. "They have urged senators to be prepared to have their staffs work from alternate locations," Byrd said. "Senators ought not take these warnings lightly. And those senators who put in place prudent security measures should not be mocked."
Mark Dayton is once again seen as a conscientious man with a deep integrity while you, Brodkorb, are now seen as a gossip-monger who either doesn't bother to research the true story or knows the story but won't reveal it because you'd rather attempt to destroy a kind and compassionate man for the sake of the misguided GOP.
Perhaps we should look at your own history, Mr. Brodkorb. I found that you previously engaged in an irrational personal vendetta against Mark Ritchie. Apparently you had an obsession with him to the point of exhibiting bizarre behavior. You are the pot attempting to call the kettle black. Except in this case the kettle is made of pure gold.
Jeff Rosenberg, writing at MNpublius, stated:
Now that he's Deputy Chairman of the GOP, Brodkorb is bringing his irrational hatred with him, in the form of a senseless attack on Ritchie a full 16 months before the election. This is just another in a series of bizarre attacks. After all, 16 months before the election, who cares? The only reason for the attack is because Brodkorb seems unable to control his rage; it certainly doesn't make political sense.
