MN-GOV: 60 Percent of DFL Primary Voters Reject Endorsed Candidate, or...

by: TwoPuttTommy

Wed Aug 11, 2010 at 10:12:35 AM CDT

Yes, that's correct:  subtract MAK's 39.93 from 100 (with 98% reporting), and the vaunted DFL Endorsement Process got spanked.  Badly.  Deservedly?  I think so.  And while that's not likely to win me many friends over at Plato Avenue, it's not like I have a lot over there anyway.  So, I'll go ahead and say it - even though as a rule, I don't rip those in the DFL tent.  Why should I?  MudSlingerMike And His Minions do it all the time (even though they're usually just makin' sh*t up).  But, real journalists (I make no claims to be  'journalist' - I'm a 'pundit' and there's a BIG difference) like Bob Collins over on Minnesota Public Radio are calling it like they see it, so in this post I will too.  Back to Bob over at MPR:

People who vote on Primary Day in August are more likely to be the most engaged, often activist party members. That's what makes Sen. Mark Dayton's win over DFL-endorsed Margaret Anderson Kelliher  more shocking. There are plenty of campaigns and political careers in tatters today, but the value of a DFL endorsement is -- at least for now -- on the trash heap of history. And someone's going to pay.

Indeed.  Because someone (actually, a bunch) SHOULD pay; whether that actually happens remains to be seen.  And that's just in MN-GOV; for instance, there's probably plenty of quotes - with language unprintable here at your family-friendly MPP - about the "value" of a DFL Endorsement from Team Powers down in CD-02, but: that's a tangent with different dynamics.  I'm going to focus on MN-GOV (for now).  Before that, I highly recommend MPP's dedicated readers go read this. Now. Bob Collins is writing nothing there that a lot of insiders have been muttering about for quite a while.  My take? There should be resignations in a pile over at Plato Avenue - with Andy O'Leary's at the top.

Remember, Andy was "in charge" when the infamous "Grandma Learning English" YouTube was imbedded in an email blast to the DFL's media list.

Oops!!!  In the subsequent search for the guilty, there was an attempted punishment of an innocent....

And while some may have forgotten 'bout that "oops!" (or, wish they could), I'm sure MudSlingerMike And His Minions haven't; that's one they won't have to make up.

So, what's transpired since then?  Oh, a couple of Sample Ballot SNAFU's and other "minor" mistakes...

But, rather than dwell on that, let's go back to Duluth, in April:

Another Michele Bachmann Lie: "I'm not anti-Union"

by: BearBudMN

Wed Sep 16, 2009 at 09:40:43 AM CDT

Ignoring Her Own Anti-Union Record, Bachmann Claims 'I Am Not Anti-Union'

Yesterday, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) appeared on Fox Business with former Ambassador Alan Wolff and author Philip Dine to discuss the punitive duties that the United States recently levied on tire imports from China, which China has brought up with the World Trade Organization. During the conversation, Dine, who wrote a book on unions, implied that the effort may have been the administration trying to "throw something labor's way" because "they don't have very much to show" for their support of Obama in 2008.

Later in the segment, Bachmann took "a contrary view," claiming that "the administration has done a lot for the unions," citing the stimulus bill. "And I am not anti-union, but I think its clear the unions has a very large say in Washington, DC," said Bachmann.
(Think Progress)

There is much more to the story along with the news clip.  

Growth Industries

by: Curmudgeon

Thu Mar 05, 2009 at 16:59:15 PM CST

The District of Columbia is enjoying the fruits of the massive campaigns to block President Obama's health care programs and to stomp on labor union's organizing efforts.

Just like the billions (literally tons of money) airlifted into Iraq (and them misplaced?) money is flowing into Washington in unprecedented volume. It's not clear if it is being airlifted, brought by special trains or smuggled in via limousines. The sheer weight of these millions threatens to press the District closer to sea level.

The growth industries include top dollar restaurants, call girl services, hotel suites, catering services and banks setting up offshore bank accounts. In some cases this growth will generate significant tax revenue, others will follow the usual path to concealment.

MN-Sen: Norm Coleman Rakes in CEO Cash to Keep His Seat

by: Michael Whitney

Mon Oct 27, 2008 at 11:17:34 AM CDT

The Twin Cities' Business Journal calls Norm Coleman a "Company Man":

It looks like the Twin Cities business community wants to give Sen. Norm Coleman a second term, at least if campaign contributions are any indication.

The Republican incumbent has drawn far more financial support from local executives than Democratic challenger Al Franken has, according to campaign finance records. In fact, CEOs from the state's 50 largest public and 50 largest private companies combined to donate more than $100,000 to Coleman and not a penny to Franken  [...]

Business political action committees (PACs) also overwhelmingly supported Coleman. These groups gave $2.5 million to Coleman and just $15,000 to Franken.

Why the disparity between CEOs support for this Senate seat?  It turns out CEOs are banking on Coleman to protect their veto powers in the workplace, while Franken supports rebuilding the middle class.